Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
Join award-winning journalist Joanne Allen in a deeply thoughtful and emotionally charged conversation with Ted Deutch, former U.S. Congressman and current CEO of the American Jewish Committee. Recorded at the Vail Symposium, this talk explores America's dangerous levels of political polarization, the erosion of bipartisanship, and the power of civil discourse in repairing a fractured democracy.
What really happens behind closed doors in Congress
Why members often vote against their beliefs
The role of social media, money, and media bias in deepening division
How antisemitism is evolving and showing up in new ways
Real stories of unlikely cooperation between ideological opposites
Why It Matters
This conversation is not just about politics—it's about reclaiming our shared humanity. From anecdotes about Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz to reflections on hope, ethics, and public service, Ted and Joanne remind us that we’re not as far apart as it seems—if we just start talking again.
Ted Deutch
Ted Deutch served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2010 to 2022. Known for his bipartisan leadership as Chair of the House Ethics Committee and as a member of key Foreign Affairs and Judiciary subcommittees, he now leads the American Jewish Committee as CEO, advocating for global democracy, Jewish identity, and civil rights.
Joanne Allen
A celebrated journalist and podcast host, Joanne Allen has spent decades behind the mic, from WNYC and ABC Radio to United Nations Radio. Now host of the podcast Been There, Done That, Joanne brings her signature empathy and curiosity to every story.
Civility isn’t weakness—it’s a path to understanding. If you care about democracy, dialogue, and reducing hate, share this video and help start meaningful conversations in your community. 💬👇
🔗 Watch more Vail Symposium programs: vailsymposium.org
🎧 Listen to Joanne's podcast: Been There, Done That
💡 Learn more about AJC’s work: ajc.org
0:00 Introduction by James Kenley
2:15 Welcome to Joanne Allen & Ted Deutch
5:50 Why Joanne Starts Her Day Crying
8:10 Can Bipartisanship Still Work?
13:45 Hope vs. Cynicism in Congress
20:00 The Ethics Committee and Real Accountability
26:00 Why Media and Social Media Make It Worse
31:00 Audience Q&A – How to Create Change
38:00 Civility, Humanity & Compassion in Debate
42:50 The Influence of Money & Citizens United
49:00 Ted’s Thoughts on Antisemitism & AJC
55:30 Why “From the River to the Sea” Matters
1:01:00 Israel, Hamas, and Misunderstanding
1:06:15 Can We Still Find Common Ground?
1:11:00 How Small Efforts Can Lead to Big Change
1:15:00 Final Reflections: Optimism, Civility, and Humanity
#CivilityInPolitics #TedDeutch #Bipartisanship #VailSymposium #ajcreates
Join award-winning journalist Joanne Allen in a deeply thoughtful and emotionally charged conversation with Ted Deutch, former U.S. Congressman and current CEO of the American Jewish Committee. Recorded at the Vail Symposium, this talk explores America's dangerous levels of political polarization, the erosion of bipartisanship, and the power of civil discourse in repairing a fractured democracy.
What really happens behind closed doors in Congress
Why members often vote against their beliefs
The role of social media, money, and media bias in deepening division
How antisemitism is evolving and showing up in new ways
Real stories of unlikely cooperation between ideological opposites
Why It Matters
This conversation is not just about politics—it's about reclaiming our shared humanity. From anecdotes about Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz to reflections on hope, ethics, and public service, Ted and Joanne remind us that we’re not as far apart as it seems—if we just start talking again.
Ted Deutch
Ted Deutch served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2010 to 2022. Known for his bipartisan leadership as Chair of the House Ethics Committee and as a member of key Foreign Affairs and Judiciary subcommittees, he now leads the American Jewish Committee as CEO, advocating for global democracy, Jewish identity, and civil rights.
Joanne Allen
A celebrated journalist and podcast host, Joanne Allen has spent decades behind the mic, from WNYC and ABC Radio to United Nations Radio. Now host of the podcast Been There, Done That, Joanne brings her signature empathy and curiosity to every story.
Civility isn’t weakness—it’s a path to understanding. If you care about democracy, dialogue, and reducing hate, share this video and help start meaningful conversations in your community. 💬👇
🔗 Watch more Vail Symposium programs: vailsymposium.org
🎧 Listen to Joanne's podcast: Been There, Done That
💡 Learn more about AJC’s work: ajc.org
0:00 Introduction by James Kenley
2:15 Welcome to Joanne Allen & Ted Deutch
5:50 Why Joanne Starts Her Day Crying
8:10 Can Bipartisanship Still Work?
13:45 Hope vs. Cynicism in Congress
20:00 The Ethics Committee and Real Accountability
26:00 Why Media and Social Media Make It Worse
31:00 Audience Q&A – How to Create Change
38:00 Civility, Humanity & Compassion in Debate
42:50 The Influence of Money & Citizens United
49:00 Ted’s Thoughts on Antisemitism & AJC
55:30 Why “From the River to the Sea” Matters
1:01:00 Israel, Hamas, and Misunderstanding
1:06:15 Can We Still Find Common Ground?
1:11:00 How Small Efforts Can Lead to Big Change
1:15:00 Final Reflections: Optimism, Civility, and Humanity
#CivilityInPolitics #TedDeutch #Bipartisanship #VailSymposium #ajcreates
