How to Combat Messages Based on Fear

In Episode 17, we talk with Mark Reading-Smith of the Sikh Coalition about the consequences of political messaging based on fear.

Photo credit: Flickr/mdgovpics

Ever since September 11, many Sikh Americans have been falsely associated with terrorism. And in 2017, fear-based messages seem to be gaining traction more easily than ever. The presence of fear in our politics has very real consequences — but it’s also an opportunity for education, and for more Americans to become part of the solution.

In Episode 17, Mark Reading-Smith, Senior Director of Communications & Media at the Sikh Coalition, joins the podcast to discuss the difficulty of combatting messages based in fear. A durable, foundational message is key; without it, voters won’t pay attention to policy details or expertise. And communicators can’t afford to “over-intellectualize their responses.”

You can listen to this episode directly here or through the player below. You can also subscribe to Achieve Great Things on iTunes here.

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