The Tolerance Paradox Explained | Lisa Ekman

In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare sits down with Lisa Ekman, a thoughtful voice on cultural cohesion and civil dialogue, to unpack the ideas in the article “The Tolerance Paradox.”

What happens when tolerance becomes an excuse to ignore truth? When openness to difference turns into division? And when the very thing meant to unify us — acceptance — ends up eroding the moral and civic bonds that hold communities together?

Alma and Lisa explore how modern culture’s approach to tolerance can backfire, leaving people unmoored, disengaged, or at odds with one another. They dive into how tolerance can be re-understood not as passive acceptance of all things, but as a practice rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and the courage to disagree well.

This conversation is ideal for anyone who cares about:
• What tolerance really means in a complex society
• Why acceptance shouldn’t dismiss truth or principles
• How communities can balance difference with shared identity
• How cultural dialogue can move from signal-blocking to bridge-building
• Practical ways to live alongside disagreement with civility

Guest Bio:
Lisa Ekman is an author, patriot, and former Washington, D.C. advocate who spent over two decades working on disability policy across government, nonprofit, and legislative spaces. After leaving Washington in 2020, she moved to a farm in Virginia and began publicly reflecting on culture, ideology, and civic responsibility. Lisa is the author of Deprogramming Democrats & unEducating the Elites and now speaks and writes about restoring truth, unity, and moral clarity in American life.

Connect with Lisa:
X: @deprogrammeddem
Website: demprogrammingdemocrats.com

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