Bette Dangerous

Bette Dangerous

Share this post

Bette Dangerous
Bette Dangerous
‘A Giant Us’ — Thom Hartmann’s Reflections on Freedom, the Genetics Behind ‘Othering’, and How We Build Resiliency

‘A Giant Us’ — Thom Hartmann’s Reflections on Freedom, the Genetics Behind ‘Othering’, and How We Build Resiliency

Thom Hartmann joined Bette Dangerous on Sunday as part of our Building Resiliency series. Together, we celebrated joyful days while mentally preparing for a dark money onslaught

Heidi Siegmund Cuda's avatar
Heidi Siegmund Cuda
Aug 26, 2024
∙ Paid
16

Share this post

Bette Dangerous
Bette Dangerous
‘A Giant Us’ — Thom Hartmann’s Reflections on Freedom, the Genetics Behind ‘Othering’, and How We Build Resiliency
3
4
Share

***Bette Members: Video from our Thom Hartmann Speakeasy is below the paywall. To attend our community events and access video and audio recordings, please become a member and help support independent investigative journalism. Free subscribers are welcome to read on for an event summary below.***

“We have an extraordinary opportunity here right now in America, and I think it's going to bring us forward. I'm very optimistic about the future, if the Democrats can just hold on.”—Thom Hartmann, Bette Dangerous Speakeasy, 8.25.2024

Thank you to the Bette members who joined our Sunday Speakeasy with bestselling author and progressive talk show host Thom Hartmann. We celebrated the joy of a brilliant DNC week, while also preparing for the negative GOP campaigning ahead.

The Giant Us

Thom described ‘the giant us’ he experienced last week in Chicago — the big tent the Democrats pitched. As I wrote in a report scheduled for this week in Byline Supplement, the tent was so big it included Republicans, who warned of the dangers of Trump’s GOP while also celebrating the fact that Democrats are patriots.

Among the highlights of our conversation was how we maintain and celebrate the DNC's high energy and inclusivity throughout this campaign season, while contrasting it with the divisive rhetoric and grievance politics of the Republican Convention.

Thom had spent the day reading English anthropologist and primatologist Richard Wrangham's book, “The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution,” which explores genetic predisposition to violence and how through language humans domesticated themselves.

In a post he published today, he highlighted the historical use of "othering" by Republicans.

The Hartmann Report
Is "Othering" Human Nature's Deadliest Instinct?
The song that was inspired by this article is available here…
Read more
10 months ago · 219 likes · 34 comments · Thom Hartmann

We also discussed his thoughts on how Democrats brilliantly fused the word ‘freedom’ thematically into the DNC, and how that strategy is resonating with Americans.

We celebrated the achievements of the Biden Administration, and how Joe rebuked neoliberalism for a return to FDR style politics and Thom’s optimism that a Harris Administration will continue that good work.

We enjoyed a robust chat about the efficacy of the term “weird” to undermine opponents — how it’s not cruel but it deflates the strongman’s ability to be feared.

The Weirdos — My Latest Report in Byline Supplement

The Weirdos — My Latest Report in Byline Supplement

August 3, 2024
Read full story

And we also took a moment to emphasize the need for counter-messaging against disinformation, particularly Russian interference, and the importance of media literacy.

And despite a very feel good hour, as is always the case when we come together for our Speakeasy events, we understand the necessary mental armor and vigilance that will be required in the days and weeks ahead. Here is Thom’s report on the tsunami of rightwing dark money coming this Fall…

The Hartmann Report
Will Democracy Survive the Tsunami of Rightwing Dark Money Coming this Fall?
The song that was inspired by this article is available here…
Read more
a year ago · 452 likes · 63 comments · Thom Hartmann

In the Q & A portion, Thom reminded us that “human beings are story machines.” Let’s keep telling our stories and doing everything in our ability to create a more perfect union.

Let’s also savor this optimistic moment in time, and let’s follow Britain and France and vote for the continuation of democratic governance.

More about Thom Hartmann here:

  • Thom is a New York Times best-selling author of 36 books in print and the #1 progressive talk show host in America for more than a decade. Thom has co-written and been featured in 6 documentaries with Leonardo DiCaprio about climate change. A former psychotherapist, entrepreneur and refugee worker helping the worldwide Salem group start homes for abandoned and abused children all over the world, Thom’s daily Substack writing is at www.HartmannReport.com. Thom and his wife Louise live in Portland, Oregon with a small menagerie of cats, dogs, ducks & geese. Thom has been kind enough to feature me on his show multiple times, and I’m looking forward to his return to our Speakeasy.

****

Donations Welcome

****

Video here…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Bette Dangerous to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Heidi Siegmund Cuda
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share