Dispatches from the Divide

Latest Episodes:

She Wanted to Report the News Differently. Then a Story In Her Own Backyard Put That to the Test. | 6 Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Helene Biandudi Hofer walked away from the kind of journalism she feared was making people more divided. Now she has to find out whether her alternative actually works. In Episode 6 of Dispatches from the Divide, Helene takes on a local election story in her own small town—and deliberately ignores some of the instincts that shaped her decades in journalism. Instead of chasing the obvious political conflict, she follows the parts of the story that don’t fit. Then election night throws the whole thing into doubt. Can she report the news differently—and still make people want to listen? —-- Subscribe to Dispatches from the Divide for more true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman. —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway —------ CHAPTERS (0:00) Mom Tips Off Mystery (3:02) Dispatches Theme Setup (4:24) Spotting The Misfit Story (5:28) Trust First Reporting (8:05) Election Clock Ticking (9:41) Loss Then Breakthrough (11:20) Bert Interview Begins (13:43) Final Story Playback (14:13) Williamson Sets The Scene (16:26) Why Republicans Back Joe (20:30) Results snd Ripple Effects (23:28) Monica Reflects On News (26:00) Closing And Next Episode Watch the video of Helene’s story about Joe and Bert on the Good Conflict YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvgy9a3CVeQ #Journalism #PoliticalPolarization #LocalNews #LocalPolitics #SolutionsJournalism #BridgingDivides #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BYUradio #DisagreeBetter #B

She Came to America Expecting Freedom of Speech. Instead, She Went Silent. | 7 Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Laryssa Bishop left Brazil for college in America believing she'd finally found a place where she could speak her mind. Instead, she slowly became afraid to say what she really thought. As an international student in Salt Lake City, Laryssa wants to talk openly about politics, immigration, the Israel-Gaza war, and the issues dividing America. But conversations turn hostile, people on both sides unfollow her, and worries about her green card make speaking up feel increasingly risky Then an act of political violence close to home seems to confirm her worst fears. This is Episode 7 of Dispatches from the Divide — true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman. —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway —------- CHAPTERS (0:00) Leaving Rio Behind (1:09) First Steps in America (3:28) Free Speech Expectations (5:03) Silenced Back Home (6:37) Campus Labels and Pushback (7:50) Social Media Backlash (8:32) Marriage and Green Card Fears (10:00) A New Hope Emerges (10:43) Birth of Peacemaker Project (13:18) The Big Immigration Debate (15:16) Peacemaking at Home (17:00) National Conference in Mountains (18:30) Larissa Gets Invited (19:32) Finding Her Voice Again (20:47) Campus Assassination Shock (22:26) RV Trip and Cliffhanger (24:37) Credits and Wrap Up #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BYUradio #DisagreeBetter #BraverAngels #FreeSpeech #PoliticalPolarization #InternationalStudents #Immigration #PoliticalDivision #CivilDiscourse

He Tried to Get Her Kicked Out of Office. Then He Knocked on Her Door. | 4 Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Bob Hathcock helped launch a campaign to remove Julie Spilsbury from office. Now he's walking into her home—and neither of them knows how this conversation will end. In Episode 4 of Dispatches from the Divide, a bitter Mesa, Arizona, recall election fueled by political polarization, the 2024 election, and deep disagreements over local politics becomes intensely personal. Julie believes she followed her conscience. Bob believes she betrayed the conservative district that elected her. Now, with election day approaching, they finally sit down face to face. What happens when the person on the other side is suddenly sitting on your couch? —------- Subscribe to Dispatches from the Divide for more true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman. —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway —------- CHAPTERS (0:00) Intro (0:15) Recall Rivals Face Off (1:33) Couch Talk And Tears (2:29) Why Bob Felt Betrayed (5:18) Campaign Turns Ugly (7:06) Small Gestures Of Humanity (8:19) Election Night Fallout (9:49) Staying In Church Community (13:55) Love Over Civility Talk (18:07) Lunch With Former Opponent (19:50) Politically Homeless After Recall (22:29) Return Day And Closing #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BraverAngels #DisagreeBetter #BYUradio #JulieSpilsbury #ArizonaPolitics #RecallElection #LocalPolitics #PoliticalPolarization #BridgingDivides

She Got into Journalism to Help People. Was She Actually Making Things Worse? | 5 Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Veteran journalist Helene Biandudi Hofer is sitting at home scripting her weekly news show when she suddenly puts down her laptop and starts to cry. She became a reporter because she wanted to help people understand each other. But after decades in the new business, she can't shake a troubling question: What if the way she's been telling stories is making our divisions worse? Just when she thinks she’s out of options, something lands in her inbox. This is Episode 5 of Dispatches from the Divide — true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman. —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway —----- CHAPTERS (0:00) Crisis By The Fireplace (1:39) The Story She Regrets (5:12) Why News Feels Broken (6:42) A Childhood Calling (9:15) Solutions Journalism Spark (11:12) Complicating The Narrative (13:59) Teaching Looping Skills (15:44) Good Conflict Begins (18:44) What Audiences Want (23:50) Testing Nuanced Local Stories (25:47) Next Episode Tease (26:05) Credits And Wrap #Journalism #TrustInMedia #PoliticalPolarization #NewsMedia #SolutionsJournalism #MediaLiteracy #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BYUradio #DisagreeBetter #BraverAngels

They Called Him a Monster for Helping the Wrong Family. | 2 Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

The fundraiser exploded overnight — and so did the backlash. As Dave Butler's small act of compassion turns into a national story, a nagging doubt creeps in: what if he's making things worse for the people he's trying to help? In Episode 2 of Dispatches from the Divide, Dave finally makes contact with the family at the center of it all, in a pair of raw, emotional phone calls that neither side saw coming. What happens next puts his decision — and its consequences — into a whole new light. —----- Subscribe to Dispatches from the Divide for more true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman. —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway CHAPTERS (0:00) A Risky Fundraiser (0:45) Viral Attention Hits (2:18) Backlash and Doubt (3:57) Mistaken Identity Trouble (4:55) Trying to Reach the Family (6:45) Sister Reaches Out (7:43) A Tearful Drive Call (11:32) Talking to the Widow (14:04) Trust and Ongoing Support (14:42) Nearly 400K Raised (16:05) The Pebble and the Avalanche (18:29) Monica's Takeaway (19:47) Next Time and Credits #GrandBlancShooting #PoliticalPolarization #BridgingDivides #MoralCourage #LatterDaySaints #FaithAndForgiveness #Compassion #BraverAngels #DisagreeBetter #BYUradio

His Church Was Attacked. Then He Did the Unthinkable. | 1 Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

A tweet on a quiet Sunday morning stops Dave Butler cold: a shooting at a Latter-day Saint church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He doesn't know a single victim — but he’s a member of the same faith, so the attack feels personal. As the news spreads and fear turns to anger online, Dave makes a choice that no one sees coming, one that will pull him into the national spotlight and put him directly in the path of backlash he never expected. Dispatches from the Divide features true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman. —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway —----- CHAPTERS (0:00) Breaking News Shock (1:09) Fear Spreads Online (2:03) Welcome to Dispatches from the Divide (3:40) Attack Details Emerge (5:25) Personal Vulnerability (6:30) A Radical Idea Appears (9:05) Walkies And Motives (11:18) Faith And Compassion (13:04) Launching The Fundraiser (14:39) Glitches And A Pivot (16:25) Viral Donations Roll In (17:54) Media Attention And Trolls (18:25) Next Episode Tease #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BraverAngels #GrandBlancShooting #Forgiveness #DisagreeBetter #TrueStoryPodcast #ActsOfCompassion #FaithInAction #PodcastEpisode #BYUradio

She Won by a Landslide. Then Her Own Neighbors Tried to Remove Her From Office. | 3 Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Julie Spilsbury was known around Mesa, Arizona, for two things: her city council seat and her cinnamon rolls. Then one public decision turned people she'd known for twenty years — church members, fellow moms, neighbors down the street — into the architects of an unprecedented recall campaign. And the man leading the charge against her was about to make a move nobody saw coming, including him. This is Episode 3 of Dispatches from the Divide — true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman. —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway CHAPTERS (0:00) Recall Petition Shock (2:00) Why Politics Feels Like War (3:03) Cinnamon Roll Diplomacy (5:13) First Big Council Vote (7:13) Governing by Conscience (9:19) Endorsing Democrats Publicly (11:31) Bob Sparks the Recall (17:01) Signatures and Obsession (19:26) Community Fallout and Hurt (21:48) An Unexpected Meeting Setup (22:41) Next Time and Credits #JulieSpilsbury #MesaArizona #PoliticalPolarization #LocalPolitics #RecallElection #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BraverAngels #DisagreeBetter #BYUradio

TRAILER: Dispatches from the Divide Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Four stories. Four ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances . . . that take some surprising turns. In this limited series, Monica Guzman follows individuals into moments of extreme conflict. Stakes are high—relationships, careers, and communities on the line. But just when you think you know how the story ends, one person does something to turn the whole plot on its head. These are gripping looks at courage, compassion, forgiveness, and the surprising ways people respond when tension is at its peak. Welcome to Dispatches from the Divide. From the team behind Top of Mind with Julie Rose, Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Braver Angels, and Disagree Better.

BIG NEWS from Top of Mind Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

A personal note from Julie with a bittersweet announcement and some exciting changes coming to the Top of Mind feed in the coming weeks. Watch for Dispatches from the Divide to debut right here on September 28th. A new podcast from the Top of Mind team, Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Braver Angels and Disagree Better. It's hosted by Monica Guzman and follows four ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn.

The Loneliness Epidemic: What Are We Missing? Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean to be lonely, and what can we do about it? On this episode of Top of Mind, psychiatrist Dr. Frank Clark explains why loneliness is a public health issue and why it doesn’t always look the way we expect. Charlotte Donlon, author of The Great Belonging, explores loneliness as a longing for belonging, while game designer Matt Fantastic shares how his board-game shop is creating a “third space” where strangers can connect. Together, they ask whether loneliness is something to solve, something to listen to, or both. GUESTS Dr. Frank Clark, psychiatrist at Prisma-Health Upstate, clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville (https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/authors/frank-clark-md). Matt Fantastic, co-owner of Elm City Games in New Haven, Connecticut (https://www.elmcitygames.com/). Charlotte Donlon, spiritual director and author of The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other (https://charlottedonlon.com/the-great-belonging-book). CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (2:30) Loneliness as Epidemic (8:17) Defining Loneliness (10:40) Health Risks Explained (16:54) Meaning Purpose Prescription (20:34) Finding Third Spaces (25:41) Matt Fantastic Origins (26:21) Opening Elm City Games (28:55) Third Space Magic (34:43) Loneliness as Signal (36:30) Meet Charlotte Donlon (37:30) Belonging Defines Loneliness (40:03) Art as Belonging (43:57) Spiritual Loneliness (47:24) Living with Loneliness (49:35) Talking About It (51:11) Conclusion

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Dispatches from the Divide

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected