Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

Listening to Venezuela — Power, Trauma, and Moral Responsibility with Lori Adams-Brown

2026-01-09

What happens when global power politics collide with lived human suffering — and who gets centered in the story? This conversation was recorded in the immediate aftermath of dramatic U.S. military action in Venezuela and amid rising concerns about immigration enforcement and political violence in the United States. If you’re joining us via Pocket Casts, welcome — this show brings journalists, scholars, and public thinkers together for conversations across disagreement without turning each other into caricatures or shout...

What happens when global power politics collide with lived human suffering — and who gets centered in the story?

This conversation was recorded in the immediate aftermath of dramatic U.S. military action in Venezuela and amid rising concerns about immigration enforcement and political violence in the United States.

If you’re joining us via Pocket Casts, welcome — this show brings journalists, scholars, and public thinkers together for conversations across disagreement without turning each other into caricatures or shouting past one another.

Corey is joined once again by leadership consultant, writer, and podcast host Lori Adams-Brown, who grew up in Venezuela and maintains deep personal ties to the country. Together, they explore what it means to witness global events not as abstractions, but as realities carried “in the bones.”

Lori shares what Venezuela was like before decades of authoritarian rule reshaped everyday life — the culture, beauty, resilience, humor, and communal spirit that defined her childhood. She reflects on how collective trauma reshapes societies, how hyper-vigilance becomes normalized, and why resilience often comes with hidden costs.

The conversation examines the recent removal of Nicolás Maduro, the geopolitical motivations behind U.S. involvement, and the danger of centering American political narratives over Venezuelan voices. Lori challenges listeners to resist ideological shortcuts and instead listen directly to those most affected — recognizing that Venezuelans are not a monolith, and that their responses blend relief, fear, grief, hope, and exhaustion all at once.

Corey and Lori also explore how trauma — whether national, communal, or personal — can drive dogmatism, flatten nuance, and harden political identities. Drawing from Lori’s background in trauma-informed leadership and cross-cultural work, they discuss how curiosity, humility, and self-regulation are essential if we’re going to talk about politics and religion without dehumanizing one another.

This is not a tidy conversation.
It’s not meant to be.

It’s an invitation to slow down, listen more carefully, and remember the human cost behind every headline.

Calls to Action:

✅ If this episode resonates, consider sharing it with someone who might need a reminder that disagreement doesn’t have to mean dehumanization.

✅ Check out our Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com

✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics

✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.

✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion

✅ Support Venezuelan-owned businesses in your community and seek out Venezuelan voices and journalists when following this story.

About the Guest:

Lori Adams-Brown is a leadership consultant who helps global leaders build innovative and inclusive organizations. She is the host of the podcast A World of Difference, where she interviews leaders across cultures and industries, and the author of a thoughtful Substack exploring leadership, difference, trauma, and human connection. Lori grew up in Venezuela and brings a deeply personal perspective to conversations about democracy, power, and collective resilience.

🌍 Podcast: A World of Difference — aworldofdifferencepodcast.com
✍️ Substack & Writing: loriadamsbrown.com

Recommended Voices:

📌 Mariana Atencio (marianaatencio.substack.com) — Venezuelan journalist and storyteller covering Venezuelan affairs in both English and Spanish.

Connect on Social Media:

Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials...