Logo for the Coffee & Tea podcast. A rustic hand-drawn coffee ring with the words "Coffee & Tea" in a warm, coffee shop–style font and "Podcast" centered below.

Conversations Without Combat: Why I Started the Coffee + Tea Podcast

On July 3rd, I found myself thinking about how far apart we’ve all drifted. How politics, especially in Texas, has become less about ideas and more about lines in the sand that we’re told we can never cross without betraying our side.

The very next day, the Texas flood happened. As a Democrat in a conservative state, I watched the anger and blame pour in from all directions. It felt like every bit of hate and exhaustion was sitting right on my doorstep, demanding to be let in.

That moment made something click for me. I knew I wasn’t alone in wanting a space that felt different. A space where we could be curious without feeling like traitors to our values. Where we could hear each other out without needing to agree, and maybe learn something that challenged our assumptions.

That’s why I started Coffee + Tea.

The name comes from the two political movements that have shaped so much of our modern conversation: the Tea Party and the Coffee Party. While they sit on opposite ends of the spectrum, they both grew out of a desire for people to feel heard and represented. I wanted to create a space that acknowledges those differences without making the goal to defeat or humiliate the other side. Whether you prefer coffee or tea, blue or red, liberal or conservative, you’re welcome here. It’s a small reminder that we can hold different tastes and still share a conversation together.

This podcast isn’t about pretending all beliefs are equally harmless. I’m not neutral about basic human dignity. I believe every person deserves to live safely and with respect. While we’re here to listen to each other, we’re also here to be honest about the real impact of policies, especially on marginalized communities.

Each episode, guests from across the political spectrum share why they believe what they do. After they’ve told their stories, we bring in statistics and facts to understand the consequences of those beliefs. Sometimes people will hold their ground. Sometimes they’ll reconsider. Other times, they’ll need time to reflect, and that’s okay.

I’m tired of the trolling and dunking. I’m tired of feeling like every conversation is a performance for an audience that is just waiting to clap back. I know there are people with hearts of gold on both sides of the aisle, and I’m interested in those hearts.

My hope is that by the end of each season, we’ll all have learned something about each other and maybe about ourselves too.

If you’re tired of shouting matches and want to hear something more human, I hope you’ll pour a cup, pull up a chair, and join us.

If you’re in the listening mood, you can head over to my podcast page. I’ll be uploading episodes there, as they are created.

If you’d like to join me as a guest host, you can apply here.

Listen to the trailer for the season.


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