Pantsuit Politics

Award-winning Podcast Hosts | Political Commentators | Critically Acclaimed Authors
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Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers are critically acclaimed authors and hosts of the award-winning Pantsuit Politics podcast. Described by listeners as “America’s political therapists” and “our trusted, smarter friends who can help us make sense of the world,” Sarah and Beth cultivate meaningful conversations that help us better understand politics, democracy, and the news—while still treating each other like thoughtful human beings. In a world fragmented by identity politics and extreme polarization, Pantsuit Politics offers actionable expertise on navigating incendiary discussions across the political spectrum with civility and in a way that strengthens organizations, communities, and our body politic.
 
Over nearly a decade of discussing everything from abortion to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the duo has established basic rules of engagement for respectful political dialogue which are detailed in their two books. Their most recent release is Now What?: How to Move Forward When We’re Divided (About Basically Everything). Called “the book we want and need for right now,” it is a guide to building genuine and compassionate connection with people different from you both online and in real life. Their debut title, I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation, teaches us that politics don’t have to divide us. By putting relationship before policy and understanding before argument, we can approach difficult conversations with nuance, dignity, and respect. Classified by Hillary Clinton as “a book club standard,” the book was featured on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, received starred trade reviews, and continues to be in demand with readers, book clubs, and libraries.
 
Pantsuit Politics takes a different approach to the news, offering political analysis that blends hard facts with important social and cultural undercurrents so you don’t miss the big picture. The podcast has been featured in major publications such as the New York Times and the Atlantic, and was named one of Good Morning America 3’s Podcasts of the Month and one of Apple Podcasts’ Best Shows of 2021.
 
Sarah and Beth are both graduates of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky who went on to receive their Juris Doctors—Sarah from American University and Beth from the University of Kentucky. Sarah began her career as a congressional staffer and campaign aide, and has served a term as a city commissioner in Paducah, Kentucky. Beth has practiced law and served as a human resources executive and business coach.

Topics

Living a Nuanced Life

In a world often divided into "either/or" extremes, Pantsuit Politics co-hosts Sarah and Beth offer a refreshing perspective on navigating life's complexities with nuance and grace. Drawing from their acclaimed work in restoring nuance to political discourse, they offer insights on finding balance amidst the false dichotomies we face daily—family or career, assertiveness or likeability, callout culture or remaining silent on important issues. In this engaging and thought-provoking presentation, Sarah and Beth equip audiences with practical strategies for configuring better work-life balance, setting and maintaining boundaries without sacrificing relationships, and aligning actions with core values. Audiences will leave empowered to embrace the beautiful complexity of their interconnected identities—employee, parent, caregiver, friend, painter, tennis player, avid concertgoer—without sacrificing any single facet of who they are. "Either/or" mentality gives way to a harmonious "and” in a newfound appreciation for the nuances that make us wholly human.

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I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening)

More and more, it seems like we’re either callously cutting people off for the opinions they hold or walking on eggshells to avoid saying the wrong thing. What happened to civil disagreements and free-flowing discourse? The Pantsuit Politics duo is determined to bring level-headed and nuanced conversations back into vogue. In this talk based on their book of the same name, Sarah and Beth share their 10 principles for better political dialogue in these contentious times. Through emphasis on the value of prioritizing relationships over policies and the importance of genuine curiosity and interest in others, audiences will learn to navigate difficult conversations with grace and coexist with people outside of their echo chamber.

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The Value of Disagreement

Disagreements are often portrayed in a negative light. A source of uncomfortable tension, a hindrance to progress. But as disagreements are inevitable, it’s time to reframe how we think about them and learn to benefit from them. From past jobs that required them to constantly engage people with strongly held opinions, to their current lives as podcast co-hosts on opposite ends of the political spectrum, Sarah and Beth know more than a thing or two about navigating disagreement. Whether the conflict is between friends, family, or co-workers, Pantsuit Politics will help audiences see the value in healthy disagreement and define practical strategies to steering disputes in a productive direction. They also share tips for getting unstuck in thorny discussions and exit strategies for leaving those heated talks that are, in the moment, simply beyond salvation.

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Media Literacy in a World Plagued by Fake News and Doomscrolling

You want to stay informed and be a responsible, engaged citizen. A quick skim of headlines in the morning turns into an hour-long deep dive into a topic that leaves you feeling deflated and helpless. News outlets are offering completely different reports of the same story—who’s to say what’s actually real? And to add all this on top of your own personal troubles and anxieties? Seems like the better choice is to cocoon yourself away from the world entirely. But doing so doesn’t serve you or the communities you’re a part of. In this extremely timely talk, Sarah and Beth of Pantsuit Politics share principles for strong media literacy and practical tips for building a healthy, verifiable news diet. They explore the difference between biased and false news and how algorithms influence what we see online. Audience members will walk away with the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders and with strategies for forming healthy boundaries with the media to stay informed without feeling depressed and stressed.

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Braving Workplace Conflicts

When your livelihood depends on staying on leadership’s good side, it seems safer to keep your head down and try not to ruffle any feathers. But while waters appear calm on the surface, there is a tsunami brewing inside you the longer you bite your tongue—and that’s no good for you, your coworkers, or your productivity in the office. Masters of navigating conflict with grace, Sarah and Beth of Pantsuit Politics guide audiences through approaching difficult conversations in the workplace in a way that all parties are heard and respected. Whether you need to confront someone more senior or disagree with a public statement your company has made, Pantsuit Politics will make these prickly situations much less daunting and provide a framework for determining when it’s beneficial to speak up for what you believe in and when it’s better to work through workplace dissatisfactions on a personal level.

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Managing Passionate Conflict and Advocacy on College Campuses

For many of us, college is the time to figure out who we are and what we stand for. When thousands of young adults from all different walks of life are undergoing the same era of discovery at the same time, heads are bound to clash. This is expected, necessary, and ultimately good for growth as an active participant in a global society. With the guidance of Sarah and Beth from Pantsuit Politics, audiences will learn strategies to vocalize their convictions while holding space for others to do the same. Students will leave this talk equipped with the tools to address conflict constructively and respectfully and with the skills to build a campus culture where diverse perspectives are heard, valued, and contribute to a richer exchange of ideas.

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Videos

Podcast of the Month: 'Pantsuit Politics'
Pantsuit Politics
Pantsuit Politics on Morning Joe
Pantsuit Politics
ACPLPresents - Pantsuit Politics: A Different Approach to the News
Pantsuit Politics
How to Talk About Politics with Pantsuit Politics
Pantsuit Politics

Articles

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'Pantsuit Politics' in person: Podcasters value connection, not deflection
Abilene Reporter-News
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Pantsuit Politics offers insight into understanding, reasoning, civility and respect
The Daily Times
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Pantsuit Politics Hosts on 2022 Midterm Elections
C-SPAN
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Pantsuit Politics Hosts on Bringing Civility to Political Discussions
C-SPAN
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Apple Podcasts presents the Best of 2021
Apple Newsroom
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The Art of Navigating a Family Political Discussion, Peacefully
The Atlantic

Podcasts

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