In today's polarized political climate, finding common ground can feel like an insurmountable task. Yet, in our almost 40 years of friendship, we've learned that it's the tough conversations, the ones we might be a little hesitant to have, that often bring us closer together. 

As we sat down to discuss the events of January 6th, 2021, we realized just how much the divide between conservative and liberal media shapes our understanding of the world—and how essential it is to bridge that gap with empathy and curiosity.

Jolene and I have shared almost 40 years of friendship, marked by hard conversations over coffee and phone calls. We met at the University of Iowa, where an unexpected friendship was sparked between an avid football fan (Jolene) and a theatre chick (Nicole).

Now, after all these years, we're finding common ground in discussing a topic that's divided much of America: the re-election of President Trump. It's a journey through our personal reactions and, importantly, how we bridge our differing political views with respect and understanding.