Why does it feel like political conversations have become so hostile? And why are so many Australians losing trust in politicians, the media, and the systems designed to represent them? In this episode, Osher Günsberg is joined by independent political commentator Konrad Benjamin, better known online as Punter’s Politics. From his beginnings as a high school teacher in Newcastle to building a massive online audience, Konrad has become known for cutting through political spin and explaining Australian political system in plain English. Osher and Konrad explore the growing divide in modern political discourse (particularly surrounding left vs right polarisation), the rise of tribalism, and how social media algorithms push people into 'echo chambers' Konrad shares why he believes Australians are actually less divided than we’re often led to believe, and why issues like political corruption, lobbying, housing affordability, and the influence of money in politics are now uniting people across the political spectrum. They also discuss the 'revolving' door between politicians and staffers and the corporate industries they regulate, removing big money and corporate donations from politics, the dangers of treating political opponents as enemies, and the importance of empathy when engaging with people whose views differ from our own. LINKS Listen to the Punter's Politics podcast here Follow Konrad (@punterspolitics) on Instagram Watch Punter's Politics on YouTube Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube Get tickets for our next Story Club show Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" here Send a pic of what you're looking at to [email protected] LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT... The Truth Crisis: Separating Facts from Beliefs, Misinformation and Propaganda with Dom Thurbon Motivated Reasoning: Why We Believe What We Want with Peter Singer How The Netherlands Turned an Oil Crisis Into a National Opportunity See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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