Tips for Getting Through Political Conversations (and why I'm talking about it)

I know my thing is travel, but without our freedoms travel for fun doesn't fit into life, so I'm sharing ways to talk about what's going on in the world in a respectful, effective way. And travel too.

I’m sure that most people who get my newsletter or follow us on Instagram or Facebook are there because they enjoy seeing where we’re going with the kids and what sort of travel ideas we’ve got that could be fun for them. And that’s really what I love about having a travel blog, but we’re at a moment in history where the fun of planning trips and deciding where to explore with out families needs to take a backseat. I have some tips that will help get through this time when things just seem so crazy and politics are just jaw dropping.

I know a lot of people are like “We never talk about religion or politics.” How nice. How privileged. Religion and politics are at a moment where the two have combined and are threatening the rights, health and happiness of millions of Americans, including my family. It’s safe to say that none of us can be experts on all things and all political topics, but take a sec to see how YOU can engage with people in a kind way that can have a huge, positive impact. And then we’ll get to my travel chat for the week!

Once I’m done sharing about the political stuff, I’ve got some updates about Hawaii, Alaska and wildlife stuff. I’m excited to share these (below).

Tips for Political Conversations

I swear that we’re at a moment in time where people are choosing a cult leader over their actual constitutional rights (ex: 45 literally telling people that once he’s elected they won’t have to vote again. Literally his words and in context.) People are so very sold on the former president and have bought so heavily into him being wronged by the American voting system that they CAN’T listen to either logic or simple conversation about our rights as Americans. So, here’s how you level with the people that don’t want to hear about why Christian Nationalism / Trumpism is so scary for the future of America.

First, offer the idea of taking the former president at his word. If these folks are so sold on him, then they should trust that he’ll do what he says he will… and one of those first things is making it so they don’t have to / get to vote again. Another one of those things is appointing people to positions of power that are openly racist/anti-LGBTQ+/misogynistic and loyal to him. He’s said he’ll do it and he did that the first time, so it’s safe to believe he’ll do it more and more thoroughly.

Also, he’s said that Project 2025 and its ideas and plan to reshape the American government aren’t his platform… but he’s said who he trusts and who he’d like to put into power, and the ones who’ve created Project 2025 are these people. Trust that he’ll put them in power. And to the people who say that Project 2025 isn’t 45’s platform and that he’s distanced himself from it, let them know that Agenda 47 has the same concepts and content and that IS his platform, so yeah, he’s made his intentions clear.

Here’s a simplified explanation of Project 2025 if you’re not familiar.

The other thing to bring people’s minds to light on what’s really important when it comes to our elected government is the rights of those they love… and their own rights. There’s so much riding on this election in terms of women’s’ health and LGBTQ rights, as well as Medicare/Medicaid. If people understand that rights and well-being are more important than saving a dollar at the pump (which isn’t the case for the most part), then it’s an easy choice to vote for freedoms over “fiscal responsibility.”

PS: the people who talk about fiscal responsibility and spending are the same ones that won’t acknowledge how the federal deficit rose during 45 or how joblessness has severely dropped under our current president. The people I’ve spoken with do NOT equate positive changes under the current administration with actual real life and have directly said to me that the media doesn’t tell the truth about all these numbers.

So anyways, those are two easy ways to navigate political topics as they come up: remind those you’re talking with about trusting in the words of the person they’re touting and bring it back to the rights of those they care about. I love the quote “You can’t say that you love someone and then turn around and vote for those who hate them.”

Why Take the High Road?

I think Michelle Obama is an amazing lady and I love listening to her speak. Remember years ago she famously said “When they go low, we go high.” It’s tough to not be disrespectful and even hateful when talking with people who want to make my family a taboo topic in school, but meeting them where they are just fuels the fire. Throwing off somebody’s talking points they learned on FOX News by actively listening and respectfully providing a human point of view that they can relate to is really effective, and you can feel good about not lowering your standards of respect, even when that’s not what you’re experiencing.

Thursday I was talking with a lady that I have to work with a lot on very big things, and she was very certain that our economy is failing right now and that inflation is the sole fault of the current administration. When I shared stats about corporate profits being behind inflation, she didn’t want to hear it… but also I could see in her eyes that she thought about what I said and was very much caught off guard. Our conversation didn’t end there because I was still talking to her respectfully vs talking down.

Another point from that same conversation was when she told me that if 45 isn’t back in the White House it would be WWIII because China and Russia won’t respect the USA and they’ll just go for it. I didn’t even have to talk about diplomacy or experience as the VP or actually skills of the office, but just said “And you think he is respected by them?” That, again, received a thoughtful pause, taken aback by just a simple question.

Respectful conversation is hard, but it’s worth it.

Why NOW? What’s the big deal?

Why am I talking so much about this right now? Well, like I said above: trust what 45 says he’s going to do. He’s said he’ll fix voting forever - that’s not okay and not American. He’s surrounded himself with the people who’ve created Project 2025 which directly can tear LGBTQ families apart, which can displace immigrant families, both in DACA situations and not. There’s a lot in that document, and a lot of it in Agenda 47 which is the official platform of the Republican candidate.

This all keeps me up at night. Day one in office last time, all LGBTQ references were removed from the White House/administration website immediately. 45 said that he’d get Roe v Wade stricken and got the Supreme Court justices in place to do it… and since there has been statements from sitting justices that gay marriage may need to be reviewed as well. You can’t think that the people in question don’t mean business and won’t take swift action against effected groups. That’s all I can say right now because I can’t fall down the rabbit hole that’s really difficult to get myself out of.

Thank you for listening and I hope you can take some of this and apply to the awkward conversations that none of us want to have, but that we all need to have.

TRAVEL TALK: What’s new?!

And now for the fun stuff! When we’re flying back from a trip, I usually am able to write a ton, or at least make outlines for everything I want to write. I just completed two articles from our trip to Kauai, both about our hotels we stayed at. I actually wrote these months ago but they just sat here because I sometimes struggle with prioritizing work. Anyways, if you recall we ended up with an unplanned trip to Kauai and had to scramble to find places to stay and things to do. Here are two great recommendations from that crazy week:

• Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort - Kapaa, midcoast on the east side of Kauai

• Sheraton Kauai Resort - Poipu / Koloaa, great place on the south shore for a family stay

Something else that was a big thing in the last week was a crazy incident at Yellowstone National Park. Biscuit Basin, my favorite geyser basin, had a big geothermic eruption. It was crazy and there was significant damage, but everyone who was there was okay. I updated my article on biscuit basin with details because it was wild!

I’ve been loving sharing all my stuff from our UnCruise in Alaska. I’ve actually been doing a take-over on their Instagram account for the last week, posting lots of photos and videos from our sailing on the Wilderness Legacy. It was such a great trip and they liked our unique take, so voila, we’re sharing over there!

Wildlife Photography Updates

I have a bonus Instagram account for my wildlife photography and I’m trying to be really consistent in sharing there. I would love for you to follow Wildlife Explored. I’m doing a lot more writing about where we go for wildlife experiences and how I capture my photos. I’m sharing both on the blog and on Insta, so if nothing else, just give it a follow and enjoy the penguins and moose and everything. :)

Also, I set up an Amazon shop with my photography gear in the event anyone is looking for camera recommendations. I love my DSLR and lenses, so have no issue recommending them. Check it out, and I have other travel gear recommendations too!

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That’s everything for this week. I appreciate the time you spend reading the things I write and watching the videos I share. I hope you have a great week and enjoy this last stretch of summer vacation!