The UNASB Guide to Having Productive, Long-Term, Persuasive Conversations About Politics
10 actionable ways to improve your political discussions, based on MANY HOURS OF RIGHT-WING PODCAST CONSUMPTION.
Unfortunately Not A Sound Bath (UNASB) met for the first time in February 2025. Our first episode assignment featured Ben Shapiro joyously celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration and the aggressive first days of his second term. We were a bunch of sad liberals watching our worst nightmare become reality. Without a minute to spare, the administration violently dehumanized the people we care about, threatened our freedoms and hacked away at policies and agencies that allow us to live healthily and to pursue happiness.
We couldn’t help but wonder… “How the hell did we get here!?” We consider ourselves smart people, but at the time, I wouldn’t say we were curious. We didn’t actually care to understand why our neighbors would cast their vote for an aspiring authoritarian openly backed by billionaires and grifters, maybe because we couldn’t understand how anyone could vote for someone like that. In addition to considering ourselves “smart”, we would also say we are quite “online”. However, we just weren’t consuming the same content as those on the other side of the ‘aisle’. This was both intentional (our own avoidance) and unintentional (internet silos and algorithms).
So, with the help of UNASB, and for some of us–a curated cocktail of prescription meds—we braved uncharted waters, the right-wing media ecosystem.
We started having tough listening sessions and insightful community discussions. No longer would we bury our heads in the sand while right-leaning creators and commentators wove conspiracies, violent rhetoric, and lies into comedic, engaging, and oftentimes reasonable content. Content that tens of millions (if not hundreds of millions) of people consume everyday.
We meet them head-on, not in an attempt to prove them wrong or debate Matt Walsh directly, but to understand what their audiences are hearing. In our view, this is the only way we can have genuine, productive conversations with people we disagree with. It became clear that the motivating factor behind a lot of this content is a desire for a more transparent society where Americans have the ability to prosper. It’s clear people across the political spectrum generally want that.
We’ve tackled it all
Your classic conservative commentators Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson.
The extremists, Nick Fuentes, Matt Walsh, and Steve Bannon.
The culture warriors, Candace Owens, Isabel Brown and Brett Cooper.
We’ve covered the MAHA & wellness crusaders like Alex Clark, Jordan Peterson, Andrew Huberman.
The tech right, from Peter Thiel to the All-In podcast.
The Manosphere Bros™ like Joe Rogan, Logan Paul, Theo Von, and Tim Dillon.
Based on hours of “hearts open, ears bleeding” listening and yapping, here are 10 practical ways to have better conversations with right-leaning—and even apolitical—people. Godspeed.
1. Feelings >>> Facts.
Lead with simple, personal stories — not data or macro policy concepts. Right-wing pundits often justify their positions by referencing a singular, personal story that paints a clear picture for the listener, usually held up with little to no facts. If you care about the scientific method, this will ruffle your feathers. But we’ve learned this approach is a powerful tool in bringing the audience along, making the host seem human, in touch, and just like you!
2. Simple, basic language is better than being overly precise.
In the same vein, people on the left are so insistent on backing up their claims with facts, but persuasion is about FEELINGS. Use clear language to express your position and save the specifics for later. You can’t bring people along if they have no idea what you’re talking about.
3. Make the issues about the individual, not the collective.
Voters care about how people in charge affect their personal lives. When trying to persuade, hone in on how policy decisions impact that person directly, versus emphasizing how society at-large stands to benefit (or suffer). As progressives who believe in collective solutions, this can be challenging—but it’s possible.
4. Acknowledge changes of heart and move on.
People change their minds, and we need to be more accepting of that. When your position has changed and evolved, explain the reasoning simply (see above!), and move on. Don’t belabor an apology or beg for forgiveness. Demonstrate that there won’t be consequences for people arriving at a new conclusion.
5. Use clear “villains” to describe a contrast (the more specific the better!)
Ultimately, we are storytelling in an effort to move people to our side. And storytelling boils down to a hero, a villain, a conflict, and a resolution. Don’t be vague when naming your villains. Who are the individuals who are responsible for our current conditions? To quote Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Sutton Stracke, “NAME ‘EM!”.
6. Conspiracies are about getting people’s attention, so think of them like click-bait.
As people who value the scientific method and data – conspiracy theories are antithetical to our way of thinking. But in an age of distrust and disinformation, it’s not hard to imagine why a conspiracy theory is alluring. Candace Owens and Joe Rogan know this — and endlessly “just ask questions” to keep audiences interested (just look at their growing numbers). We should think about how to use this tactic to attract people to the left while remaining true to our values. Think about what makes a conspiracy theory appealing: an answer to a complex problem, a clear scapegoat, a feeling of having “insider knowledge.” Channel this in your framing during conversations … without resorting to wild speculation.
7. Acknowledging when you don’t agree with the party line can build credibility.
In the aforementioned age of distrust, people are angry with a system that doesn’t seem to care about them. As persuaders, it’s not just okay to say when you disagree with the conventional wisdom: It’s encouraged. (Case in point: MTG. IYKYK.)
8. Telling someone they’re stupid, wrong, or evil is not going to bring them to your side.
Duh. This is UNASB 101. Persuading people is about inviting them in, not shutting them out. It’s tempting (and understandable!) to reject people whose beliefs challenge your very existence. But if we want to get people on board with our vision for the future, we have to show that — not by hurling insults at the people whose minds we want to change, but rather by listening.
9. Don’t take yourself so seriously (The work is serious but we shouldn’t be self-serious).
Stop trying to deliver perfect answers for everything, or to act like everything is a five-alarm fire! Just be normal! Be human! You might be surprised to learn even the Tuckers, Candaces and Ben Shapiros of the world poke fun at themselves, which is disarming … and frankly … charming. We need to act like the person you’d want to grab a beer with (Sorry). Don’t make pop culture references that you don’t genuinely understand. Don’t hyperbolize or catastrophize. Just be yourself. “Dems” have a lot of unlearning to do from the years of overly-message-tested needle-threading-but-saying-nothing responses.
10. We’re all often circling the same desired outcome. Try having a discussion about how to get there—even if it doesn’t lead to a direct conversion. And PLEASE BE CURIOUS!
We’ve heard so many of these right-wing voices advocate for policy outcomes, which TBH, are things we want too:Good jobs for all! Healthier food! Accountability for big pharma! Cheaper healthcare! A pathway to rehabilitation for the homeless population! The ability to buy a house! No wars! We all generally want the same thing – we just disagree on how to get there. Having a conversation with someone we don’t align with can remind those willing to listen that we are neighbors co-habitating this Earth — and that we may have far more in common than it seems. Don’t be frustrated if this person doesn’t immediately agree with you and change their position. Ask questions with genuine curiosity (not to prove your own point). When they respond with an answer you don’t love, just keep asking with an open heart. Persuasion is a long game – and the only way to win is to stay committed to being the type of person you’d want to live next door to.
So, as we head into 2026—a new year, and a midterms year, remember that these conversations will be aplenty, and they take time.
Think of these interactions as an opportunity to have a meaningful dialogue. Join UNASB for a space to unpack what’s happening around us and how to talk about it in new ways. Apply to join the next cohort (it starts on January 5th!) here.