In this Civility Dispatch episode, your host Diane Kalen-Sukra reminds us that If incivility can trickle down, so can respect. And right now, one of the most powerful culture-shaping acts we have is at the ballot box.

This isn’t just about politics—it’s about the kind of world we’re creating together. Diane shares timely insights and invites you to be part of a global conversation at the upcoming Democracy & Tyranny symposium, hosted by Plato’s Academy Centre. Together, we’ll explore what’s really at stake when contempt becomes the norm—and what it takes to turn the culture around.

From the Elect Respect pledge to the ancient wisdom behind democratic decay, this episode makes the case for choosing leaders who live out the values our communities need to survive and thrive.

It’s not just about who we elect.
It’s about the culture we’re voting for.

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🌟If you have an inspiring story to share of how civility was cultivated in your community or would like support in cultivating civility, please message KalenAcademy.com/contact.🌟

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What if Alexis de Tocqueville, the 19th-century thinker who warned about the fragility of democracy, could see our media landscape today?

Tocqueville believed a free press was both vital and dangerous—a powerful force that could protect liberty or manipulate public opinion. He saw that when the press fails to inform, democracy starts to unravel.

Fast forward to today: Corporate media consolidates narratives. Local journalism is vanishing. Outrage and misinformation flood our feeds. Would Tocqueville recognize the press he once admired, or would he see something far more insidious?

In this special Civility Dispatch with Diane Kalen-Sukra, we explore Tocqueville’s insights on the press, what they reveal about our current crisis, and three simple actions you can take today to ensure truth and accountability in your local community.

🎧 Listen now and ask yourself: If Tocqueville warned us, why didn’t we listen?

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🌟If you have an inspiring story to share of how civility was cultivated in your community or would like support in cultivating civility, please message KalenAcademy.com/contact.🌟

🏛️Support the Cultivating Civility podcast & help the civility movement thrive! Subscribers receive exclusive access to special episodes & subscriber-only content. Subscribe today. (Only $5/month.)

In today’s polarized climate, where division is currency and conflict is stoked for power, what does real leadership look like? How do we, as civic leaders and engaged citizens, resist the pull of tribalism, stand firm in our principles, and rebuild trust in our communities?

In this compelling episode of Cultivating Civility, we explore these urgent questions with Ron Holifield, servant leadership provocateur and CEO of Strategic Government Resources (SGR). Together, we unpack the leadership crisis of our time and challenge the conventional wisdom that winning at all costs is leadership. Instead, we examine what it takes to lead with courage, character, and sacrifice—especially when it comes at a personal cost.

We take on one of the toughest and most necessary challenges of our era: holding our own side accountable. In a world where political loyalty often trumps integrity, we discuss why real leadership demands the moral courage to challenge bad actors within our own ranks—not just those across the aisle. The price of leadership, Ron reminds us, is not popularity but service to the greater good.

Together, we dig into:
🔍 Why trust is the currency of leadership—and how we can rebuild it
🔍 How to break the cycle of a conflict-driven culture and lead with integrity
🔍 What it takes to resist tribalism and refocus leadership on the common good

We don’t just talk about the problems—we explore solutions. If you’ve ever wondered how to engage in the public square without losing yourself in the noise, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Tune in now and join us as we chart a path forward for a more civil, courageous, and servant-hearted leadership.

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Support the show

🌟If you have an inspiring story to share of how civility was cultivated in your community or would like support in cultivating civility, please message KalenAcademy.com/contact.🌟

🏛️Support the Cultivating Civility podcast & help the civility movement thrive! Subscribers receive exclusive access to special episodes & subscriber-only content. Subscribe today. (Only $5/month.)