Phil mcgraw talks new book and cable network

Phil McGraw, 73, didn’t have plans to write another book but says he “really felt strongly that I needed to talk about things that I saw happening in the country.” In _We’ve_ _Got_ _Issues:_

_How_ _You_ _Can_ _Stand_ _Strong_ _for_ _America’s_ _Soul_ _and_ _Sanity_, he offers his trademark no-nonsense advice and strategies “to restore and support our country’s collective mental

health.” He’s also relaunching his long-running talk show as _Dr._ _Phil_ _Primetime_, premiering April 2 on his new cable TV channel, Merit Street Media. He shares his take on “cancel

culture,” how challenging life experiences have shaped his results-driven attitude, and how he’s prioritizing life in his 70s. _This_ _interview_ _has_ _been_ _edited_ _for_ _length_ _and_ 

_clarity._ What’s the motivation behind your new book and cable TV venture? In his new book, Dr. Phil offers his opinions on how Americans can restore core values, fortify families, and

re-embrace self-determination and self-governance. Simon & Schuster/Threshold Editions Robin [wife Robin McGraw, 71] and I were sitting in the kitchen one night … and we were flipping

back and forth between the news and this channel and that channel. And I was just kind of lamenting about, “Why won’t anybody just talk about what's going on instead of trying to spin

everything? Spin, spin, spin, spin, spin. Just talk about the facts and talk about what’s important. The media’s driving me crazy.” And without even looking up from her plate, she said,

“Well, you are the media. Why are you complaining about the media? Why don’t you do it?” That really kind of stung, and I realized that’s right. What’s the one thing that you feel would help

our country right now? Learn to listen. You know, this “cancel culture” we’re in — I think it needs to be a “counsel culture.” We need to listen to one another instead of judging one

another. Some people say stupid things. Sometimes we all do. And sometimes we get out over our skis and say things that seem like a good idea at the time. If we would sit down and say, “You

know what? Let me talk to you about something, and see if I might get you to change your position.” We alienate so many people that could be great allies. If [only] we would just listen and

have a dialogue instead of being judgmental and declaring somebody an enemy. So many people are willing to learn if we would just take the time to do it. Have things shifted for you mentally

 in your 70s? I’m a pilot, and I have been since my teens. There’s this old saying: One thing a pilot can’t use is the runway behind them.... You [get] to your 70s, and look over your

shoulder, [and] there’s a lot of life behind you, and not very much ahead of you. It changes the way you value time.... It makes you say, “I’m not going to waste time doing things that I

don’t really value or focusing on things that I don’t really care about.” It’s kind of paradoxical. It makes you a little selfish in that you want to do the things you want to do, but you

also want to really spend time with the people you love and care about. The good thing is the things I care about happen to be the people I love, so I want to spend quality time with them.