Charles Groenhuijsen (Part 1) - The U.S. Elections and All the Reasons to Be Optimistic

For nearly 40 years, my guest today, Charles Groenhuijsen, has been a beloved and reliable figure in Dutch news media. In the mid-80s, Charles became the youngest chief correspondent ever to be stationed in Washington D.C. for Dutch television, overseeing all US news. In the 90s, he became anchor man of NOVA and the political program Het Capitool, the two most important news shows on Dutch television. In 1996 Charles returned to the United States and was appointed Bureau-chief for NOS tv and radio based in Washington D.C. Nowadays he  is an independent writer, speaker and consultant who has written many columns and a number of bestselling books on American culture.

Anyone who has followed my work knows I don't care too much for politics, but I felt it was important to showcase Charles, as he is exactly the kind of journalist the world needs. He is outspoken regarding news media's focus on conveying the negative and the sensational, preaching that optimism (and realism) is not only the more ethical route for news reporting, but also, statistically, the more warranted route. Most things are better than ever, and it's about time the media helped us feel that.

In Part 1, listen as we discuss:

• Optimism in the media, and how journalists and news networks can do better
• How we're being raised wrong by the media that thinks "good news is not news"
• How a long-term focus shows overwhelmingly positive progress in the world overall
• Crisis as a catalyst for change
• Things like gay marriage, which were unimaginable 30 years ago, but have happened
• Good old Donald Trump
• How the majority of American people want another America with more equality, climate policy, universal healthcare, gun control
• The desperation emanating from Republicans pre-election
• Is the US a real democracy?
• Charles' advice to Americans after November 3rd
• The laughable idea of trying to control the lives of others with your personal politics
• Keeping hope alive

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Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy