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Frank defends: Donald Trump deserves a 2nd term. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. No matter what you oppose, go look for material that contradicts your own biases: you may be surprised what you find. 2. Instead of dismissing a suspicious fact out of hand as untrue, research it and find out the real truth or falsity of the statement. 3. Words matter. Although actions speak louder than words, it’s somewhat disingenuous for us to tell people they should ignore our words and only focus on our actions. 4. No matter how far down a rabbit trail you’ve gone, always circle back and answer the question posed. 5. Be careful about calling a conversation childish, or otherwise unimportant. 6. Consider the power of forgiving the insults of others and instead of meeting those insults blow for blow, treating the other person better – and perhaps how you would want to be treated. Get in touch!call or text (+1) 307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comcrossexaminedlife.comfacebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeTweet us: @CELpodcastInsta: @crossexaminedlifeKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB

Gabe defends: Riots are a valuable and effective form of protest. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Layer your arguments in support of one another. 2. Cite both historical and recent examples in support of your position.

Chris defends: Stocking up on supplies prior to and during a crisis should be illegal.PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. If your conversation partner only offers criticisms with no proposed solution, insist that they at least sketch out, in broad strokes, a potential solution to the problem identified. 2. Acknowledge that your conversation partner may have already answered your question, and then confirm that you understand their argument thus far, before asking your next question. 3. Use your conversation partner’s source of data as you present them with tough questions.Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Ed defends: Fake News is a significant problem in 2020.PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. If your question is not answered the first or second time, find new ways to ask it, until it's answered. 2. If there's an assumption baked into your question, generously respond when your partner points that out. Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Mike defends: Universal Basic Income Does Not Make Sense.PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. If you can zoom out and determine whether you fundamentally disagree about the role of a certain institution in society, that will help frame the argument. 2. Instead of labeling the other side's position as something potentially condescending, just respond to the merits of the idea. 3. Be honest! State what hurdle would have to be removed for you to be on board with the opposing viewpoint. drop us a voicemail at 307-240-9190

Ashley defends: Kids under 16 should not have privacy online. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. When you mention something specific in conversation, take a moment to verify that your conversation partner is as familiar with that thing as you are. If they are not, generously explain it, rather than rushing past it and assuming they know it. 2. When you answer a hypothetical question that extends your argument even further, don’t be afraid to qualify your YES/NO that adds nuance and specificity to your answer, if there are some situations in which your answer just wouldn’t apply.

Marden defends: Anti-Vaxxers Are Making the World More Dangerous.PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Even when someone is unwilling to take our suggestion, respect their right to disagree with you, educate them on what you believe to be the consequences of their choice, and generously invite them to return in the future, if they would ever need your services or further information in the future. 2. When our conversation incorrectly summarizes our words or mischaracterizes our statements, try to avoid being defense, aggressive, or condescending about them misquoting you, and instead reach for generous, kind and forgiving language, like what Marden used when he said, “Ah no, I didn’t quite say that.”Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Stacey defends: Insurance companies should not be regulated. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Look at the underlying, intended motivation for something you oppose, and describe why the underlying motivation doesn’t have the intended effect. 2. Don’t be afraid to take what you are bringing to the conversation and use that to reframe a question asked by your partner, to make it the most helpful version of the question. Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Joel defends: Men must lead households in Christian families. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge when the reality of what you're arguing for has gone poorly in practice. 2. Consider your argument from the shoes of the person on the opposite side of the issue as you, and try to imagine how they might feel when they hear your position advanced. 3. When your conversation partner is advocating one solution or policy for a given situation, ask them to imagine how others solve that same problem, without adopting their proposed solution. 4. When the proposal being advanced feels limiting or potentially stifling, turn the tables on your conversation partner by asking how they would feel if that proposal were imposed on members of their own family. Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

David defends: The U.S. electoral college should be eliminated. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Don’t reveal where you come down on a political or religious issue, if your position on that issue is not essential to, and can create a distraction from, the larger point at issue. 2. Mirroring back your conversation partner’s words not only shows that you’re listening actively, but helps you ensure that you’re understanding the nuance of the position being advanced. 3. When you don’t have a strong response to a question, admit that; and in the process, gain credibility and honesty points with your conversation partner. Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Heather defends: Capitalism is harmful to society. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Use phrases that your conversation partner uses, instead of your own, to focus on the underlying idea, rather than get hung up on the vocabulary. 2. If you don’t know the facts, preface your answer by being honest that you’re speculating or extrapolating, then go back and verify the facts later.

Stephanie and Antony debate this question. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Pause at times to take stock of where both sides are in the disagreement, note common ground, and then identify areas of sharper disagreement to address. 2. Asking tough questions is one of the strongest tools available to advance the conversation and to alert your conversation partner that there’s something important you want them to address or resolve. Sometimes asking all your questions at once, when they’re fresh in your mind, can also clue your partner in to where you mind is leading the conversation. 3. These words signal that you’re listening, and ensure that you understand your conversation partner: “Correct me if I’m wrong, but what I heard you say is…”Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Ryan defends: The Govt Should Screen our Kids' Mental Health Each Year. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Repeat the other person’s explanation in your own words. This not ensures that you’re beginning from common definitions, but it’s respectfully, because it shows the other person you are hearing and understand them. 2. After providing your more detailed explanation with nuance, come back to the original question, ask yourself whether or not you’ve fully answered it, and if, on balance, the answer to the question asked was one way or another, indicate that. 3. Resist the temptation to call one more question your “last” or “final question.” Simply ask it, then re-evaluate the need for additional questions. Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Colleen defends: Christians should be willing to vote for pro-choice candidates. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Just because something is described as "semantics", don't write it off as not worth discussing. 2. Be brave and be willing to say that something is not black and white - then describe how it's nuanced. Get in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

The 4,000 individuals walking to the US through Mexico have the right to apply for Asylum and have their claims fairly considered – on the basis of due process. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. In presenting your position, give the audience a broad outline of your various points. Then, go back and fill in the details underlying each point. Finally, remind the audience what you told them. 2. Make sure you understand the question well, clarifying if necessary, before providing an answer. 3. After your answer, check in with your memory to make sure you answered the Q that was asked. If you did not; admit you didn’t answer the question, then tackle it head on. If needed, ask for further clarifications before answering. 4. Ask for space to think through a question. If someone asks for it, without criticism, grant space for someone to think through your question, or issue presented, out loud.

Dan defends: All Billboards Should Be EliminatedGet in touch! 1-307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB: facebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeSignup for updates at crossexaminedlife.com

Rob defends: Many human rights do not exist. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Clarify definitions of uncommon words or foundational terms at the beginning of your argument. 2. Don’t take laws or Supreme Court decisions for granted. 3. Try to employ hypothetical questions, even if they present absurd scenarios, to test the foundational beliefs of the person with whom you’re arguing. Get in touch!call or text (+1) 307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comcrossexaminedlife.comfacebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeTweet us: @CELpodcastInsta: @crossexaminedlifeKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB call or text 307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!

Felicity defends: Bike Helmets Should Be Required by Law.Get in touch!call or text (+1) 307-240-9190questions@crossexaminedlife.comcrossexaminedlife.comfacebook.com/groups/crossexaminedlifeTweet us: @CELpodcastInsta: @crossexaminedlifeKeep the debate going in the Cross Examined Life Community on FB

Chris Tatem is interviewed by Jeshua from the Joshua D. Noel podcast. In this interview, Chris shares his thoughts on life and his motivations for creating Cross Examined Life. call or text 307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!

Gail & Jeremy debate whether 3D printed guns should be available online to anyone. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS1. Don’t be afraid to verify that you heard the other side correctly. 2. Use series of questions with increasing specificity to drill down on a point you want to highlight. 3. If you disagree with a suggestion, don’t be afraid to voice that disagreement directly and specifically. 4. Resist the temptation to find support for your arguments in personal experiences. Instead, try to consider how it affects everyone. 5. Try to focus on issues that address the least-ideal cases rather than focusing on the ideal case that’s close and familiar to youcall or text 307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!