The Space In Between Podcast

In this episode, I reflect on a few powerful moments I’ve experienced as host of The Space In Between . I explore a core theme from Season I: how self-awareness is essential for both taking principled stands on the issues we care about and finding ways to bridge divides. A key concept is understanding our personal 'boiling points'—those moments when we’re so emotionally charged that our...

In this episode, Leigh sits down with distinguished litigator Rebecca Woods to demystify how the U.S. Supreme Court interprets the Constitution—and why those choices shape our daily lives. From textualism and originalism to the modernist “living constitution,” Rebecca explains the frameworks behind landmark rulings, what stare decisis really means, and how cases like Bostock and Dobbs reveal the C...

In a world that often feels increasingly fractured, it’s easy to believe the divisions we see and feel are real and fixed. But what if they aren’t? What if polarization—the sense that “we” and “they” are hopelessly far apart—is actually an illusion? In this episode of The Space In Between , I explore this evocative idea through the work of Dr. Todd Rose and my own experience, revealing that while...

This episode of The Space In Between centers on cancer—a topic that touches nearly everyone and, crucially, reminds us of our shared humanity. When a loved one receives a diagnosis, compassion cuts through ideology: neighbors cook meals, coworkers donate PTO, communities fundraise. Fighting cancer becomes a common cause that unites us in hope. Host Leigh Morgan is joined by Dr. Nancy Davidson—reno...

In this episode, host Leigh Morgan sat down with award-winning journalist and author Laura Pappano to discuss the seismic changes reshaping K-12 education since the new administration took office. This topic is often emotive, as we've seen in PTA and school board meetings across the country.  Leigh and Laura dive into why this is the case, and explore the expansion of school vouchers, the res...

With our one-year anniversary, we are dropping one of the most popular episodes from last year! The Space in Between as a podcast and framework for daily living is about having the courage to stand in the tension between opposing views, where real growth, connection and innovation happen. In a world that often pressures us to pick a side, this podcast explores what it means to stay present, curiou...

Today’s episode tackles the sweeping shifts in U.S. immigration policy—tightened legal immigration, mass deportation efforts, and the rollback of existing due process protections for legal residents and undocumented workers—while modeling how to debate fiercely held views without dehumanizing one another. Joining me is Maggie Mitchell Salem , a returning guest and one of the country’s leading immi...

In this episode, we explore one of the most complex and emotionally charged dimensions of modern health and well-being: health insurance.. Premiums rise, benefits are confusing to understand, and many of us have stories of great frustration with the system. At the same time, those who have insurance know—often from personal experience—the critical role that it plays in our daily lives. Debates abo...

Let’s be honest: an epidemic of lying is infecting public discourse. From political stages to policy debates, from newsfeeds to dinner tables, dishonesty has become disturbingly normalized. Many of us feel caught between exhaustion—burying our heads in the sand under the sheer volume of misinformation—and frustration as we scramble to correct falsehoods that seem endless. But here’s the hopeful tr...

How can sport bring us together across divides? Few voices in basketball carry as much weight, wisdom, and insight as Debbie Antonelli—who offers powerful lessons on leadership, service, and connection. As a trailblazing sportscaster, she has called games across NCAA women’s and men’s basketball, the WNBA, and even the NBA—breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible for women in broadcasting....

Indigenous-led conservation isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s one of the most effective strategies we have to protect biodiversity and live in reciprocity with our planet. In this episode of The Space In Between , I speak with Valérie Courtois, director of Canada’s Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) and one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential climate leaders in 2023. We explore how Indige...

We live in a time when it’s easier than ever to get swept up in outrage, division, and a sense of superiority. But here’s the truth: self-righteousness narrows and isolates, while true righteousness holds potential for grounding and connection - even across dimensions of difference. On this episode of The Space In Between , I explore the crucial difference between these two ways of being, why it m...

If you want a clear, human view of America’s healthcare crossroads, this episode is for you. Swedish Health Services board chair Diankha Linear joins The Space In Between to unpack why the U.S. spends the most on care yet lags on health and well-being, what “value-based care” really means, and how this model can improve outcomes. We also explore how leaders can stay anchored in mission, navigate h...

The media landscape and industry is shifting beneath our feet—and with it, our sense of trust, truth, and community . In this fun and informative episode of The Space In Between , I sit down with veteran journalist, publisher and noted media executive Emily Parkhurst to explore how news is evolving, why it matters for democracy and daily life, and how a women’s lens changes the stories we tell and...

When the world feels divided and uncertain, great leadership matters most. In this episode of The Space In Between , tech CEO and leadership wisdom-keeper Everett Harper joins me for a candid, deeply human conversation about leading with integrity in challenging times. Everett reflects on his journey as a trailblazer in sports, college, as an African American tech CEO, and on his track record of i...

In a time of dazzling technological breakthroughs and deepening divides, how do we ensure artificial intelligence (AI) serves society in ways that elevate humanity? What can be done to ensure the right people are leading in AI-based companies and that leaders are well prepared to navigate technological, moral and ethical dilemmas now and in the future?  In this episode of The Space In Between , I...

Most of us are wired to celebrate beginnings — a new job, a fresh relationship, the launch of a project. But what about endings? In this week’s episode of The Space In Between , I reflect on a rarely discussed yet vital topic: how to honor and 'do' endings well. Drawing from personal stories, social psychology research, and years of leadership experience, I explore why marking endings wi...

In this episode of The Space In Between , I sat down with Dawn Trudeau—trailblazing civic leader, early Microsoft executive, and one of the majority owners of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. We explored why women’s sports are having a cultural moment, how the Storm has built a franchise rooted in values and community, and what it takes to lead with conviction while bridging divides. From growing up in c...

In this episode of The Space In Between , Leigh invites us to explore a subtle but powerful force shaping our personal and public lives: the language we use —especially when it slips into “all-or-nothing” thinking. From our workplaces and friendships to dinner table debates and political discourse, extreme language can harden our hearts, box us into limiting, binary choices, and disconnect us from...

Back by popular demand! This engaging podcast explores our mental health from a public health perspective, and how, in a post-COVID world, we can avoid reaching polarizing ‘boiling points’ and reduce the experience of isolation and fragmentation across communities.  Host Leigh Morgan explores this topic in-depth with a an internationally recognized global leader and expert, Dr. Dani Fallin , who i...

In this interesting and timely episode of The Space In Between podcast, I sit down with the Honorable Suzi LeVine, former Ambassador to Switzerland, to explore the changing role of the United States on the global stage, the intersection of public and private leadership, and the nuanced art of bridging divides during times of disruption. With decades of experience across government, diplomacy, and...

On this week’s episode of The Space In Between , Leigh sat down with Aimée Christensen — a longtime and noted climate leader, bridge-builder, and someone whose roots run deep in both global halls of power and the soils of Idaho, her beloved home state. With active retrenchment by the current administration in the fight against global warming in full swing, this episode is key for anyone wanting th...

In this episode of The Space In Between , Leigh explores the concept of grievance —a mix of resentment and unmet expectations that, when left unresolved, erodes trust and connection. Drawing on sobering data from the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, she highlights how widespread grievance is fueling distrust, polarization, and fragmentation across society. Through personal stories and leadership less...

The U.S. higher education sector is undergoing profound transformation — and not always by choice. At the intersection of political ideology, funding cuts, and rapidly shifting technologies, colleges and universities find themselves caught in a storm of scrutiny, resentment, and reinvention. From heated debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to questions about the value of degrees and...

The Space in Between isn’t about finding the middle — it’s about having the courage to stand in the tension between opposing views, where real growth and innovation happen. In a world that often pressures us to pick a side, this podcast explores what it means to stay present, curious, and open in the face of complexity. It’s a space that invites deep listening, humility, and the willingness to hol...