In this episode, Joanne Z. Tan shares an intensely personal story. As a child in China during the Cultural Revolution, she witnessed how political passion, once inflamed, turned ordinary citizens into enemies. Her father, a professor, was exiled and died in forced labor. Her stepbrother’s mother, a school principal, took her own life after brutal persecution. Millions of others were betrayed, beaten, or killed.

These tragedies are not just history lessons. They are warnings for today’s America. The same forces—demonization, manipulation, blind obedience, self-righteous anger—can surface here if we fail to see each other’s humanity.

Joanne urges us to:

• Resist the pull of hatred, even when politically provoked.

• See the human side of those who vote or think differently.

• Remember that no good comes from violence—ever.

• Practice civility, tolerance, and respect as patriotic duty.

We hold democracy in our own hands. Every word, every action matters. In divisive times, being our better angels may be the most radical form of leadership.

Joanne Z. Tan is the Founder & CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc., a brand strategist, thought leadership coach, writer, and speaker. She helps executives, board members, entrepreneurs, and organizations decode their Brand DNA, build trust in the AI age, and lead with authenticity. A former journalist, award-winning photographic artist, and immigrant from China, Joanne was trained in law and business here in the US, and had a liberal arts education before earning a law degree. Her coaching emphasizes comprehensive strategies, business modeling, thought leadership and high authority content creation, brand building, culture, teamwork, resilience. She weaves her life story into her work, guiding leaders to stand out with integrity, vision, and purpose.

©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.

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