Making a Difference

We are so proud of the work of our many volunteers to help bridge the political divide.

We encourage you to share these stories with your networks, to show how Braver Angels' volunteers are making a difference in their world.

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Building a house united: Former rivals came together to serve their community - Braver AngelsHow can politicians from opposite sides of the aisle work together and gain understanding? Indiana Braver Angels found a way by collaborating on a service project with Habitat for Humanity.

Braver Partners initiative in New Hampshire

St. Andrews Episcopal Church of New London, NH celebrates its sixth Braver Angels event. A depolarizing within workshop on April 23 attracted 40 community members. This rural church has been at the leading edge of the Braver Partners initiative since they were originally contacted by Braver Angels leader, Rev. Mark Beckwith.

‘Don’t be a jerk’: How this college professor encourages his students to discuss controversial issues - Braver AngelsWhat happens in a classroom that doesn’t just accept a diversity of opinions but actively encourages them? How can instructors invite students to listen conscientiously and share their opinions fearlessly but constructively?

Can Americans talk about guns? These students in Austin and Knoxville showed how to do it.Can Americans have a reasoned conversation about guns? About the Second Amendment? Only if we stop following examples of those who would divide us.

Putting politics aside: Elected officials and candidates work together on Habitat buildBraver Angels Indiana brought elected officials and candidates together to work on a Monroe County Habitat for Humanity build.

www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/ive-been-thinking-braver-angels/

"I have to admit that in times past, I have taken great joy in wielding my 'culture warrior sword'. I’m losing my taste for it now. I’ve resolved to make charity and gentleness into a cloak I can wear always. Sadly, wearing that cloak is a little against my nature. An organization called Braver Angels is helping me in my journey away from being a 'culture warrior'." Click on the link above to read more about Jim Heffernan's journey.

Red Blue Pairs - Braver AngelsThe Red/Blue Pairs of Braver Angels One of the wonderful things about Braver Angels is the friendships that emerge across the political divide. Before

A Red and a Blue walk into a workshop. Can they find common ground on a controversial issue? - Braver AngelsJust a day after one of the most controversial and consequential Supreme Court decisions – Roe v. Wade – was overturned, eight Reds and eight Blues from across Massachusetts and New Hampshire gathered together in a Boston College classroom to see if they could find common ground on another hot-button issue: how to ensure trustworthy elections.

Opinion: Our politicians might be at war, but American citizens are notThe harsh words that are hurled at us − fascists, racists, Marxists − are lies. Only by sitting at the table across from each other can we realize this.

Karen Reiner is Moorestown’s Citizen of the Year - The Sun NewspapersKaren Reiner has been selected Moorestown’s 2023 Citizen of the Year, an honor that will be celebrated with an award ceremony and dinner at the Community House on Feb. 1. For more than 60 years, the award has recognized a resident who has contributed to the community and its citizens. Reiner is a co-founder and […]

The ‘peculiar and lonely’ experience of running for office as a uniter - Braver Angels“People have all the control. If it drops out of favor to be polarized and it becomes cool to collaborate, then we can change it. Politicians want to get elected – they will conform," Greg said.

Braver Angels try to break down partisan barriers | Bainbridge Island ReviewIf you felt anxious about attending family gatherings during the holidays, you’re not alone. The annual events can be stressful, knowing that certain topics might take the joy out of the season.

NH lawmakers hear lesson in civility in ConcordCONCORD – About 100 legislators came to the State House last week to learn new skills in civility. The voluntary, two-hour workshop was about equally divided between Republicans and Democrats who were urged to avoid divisive labels when talking with those who do not share their view, listen to opposing views and acknowledge them by […]

'Braver Angels' in Vermont Want to Change Political DiscourseBraver Angels, a national nonprofit that seeks to unite conservatives and progressives, has a new Vermont organizer and is holding a series of workshops as...

Musicians use rhythm and harmony to heal America's toxic divideThese days, as polarization reaches deep into American life, some musicians are trying to stay out of the fray and use their music to bridge divides.

Storytelling can reduce ethnic tensionsEthnic tensions can manifest in a variety of ways, from schoolyard bullying and racial epithets to workplace discrimination, persecutory laws and violence—from bias to prejudice to stereotyping to discrimination—from the

Braver Angels Aims to Mend Our Polarized RelationshipsA nonprofit championed by local author Mónica Guzmán, of 'I Never Thought of It That Way,' says curiosity can help bridge political divides.

POBJFKHS Students Get Lessons in Political CivilityOne of your neighbors posted in Schools. Click through to read what they have to say. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)

A former New Hampshire state legislator is working against "knee-bashing, ‘you're either with us or against us’ politics" - Braver AngelsNo matter what part of the world he was stationed in, Doug knew in order to find solutions and make a positive impact, he had to understand the culture of the local community and encourage people to work across differences.

How a Red/Blue workshop in Michigan helped politically-divided strangers connect on something deeper - Braver AngelsFor years, our country’s all-consuming political conflict has made it harder for us to recognize each other’s humanity. But Red/Blue workshops challenge participants to go beyond politics and see each other as people.

Braver Angels working on building trust to bridge the divide

Bill Doherty, a co-founder of Braver Angels and experienced family therapist and professor from the University of Minnesota recently described the work in a keynote speech and workshops at the Washington State Association of Counties leadership conference the week of November 14. Check out this opinion piece by Sue Lani Madsen, one of the local BA leaders there, about these events.

What Liberals Miss about Conservatives

Paul Norris, who helps lead Braver Angels' Red Caucus, convened an all-red panel to discuss what liberals, academia, and the mainstream media miss about conservatives. This Braver Angels podcast, aired on November 14, 2022, featured Mark Reinecke, Elizabeth Doll, and Barbara Farmer. Check it out here.

An Improbable Dinner - Braver AngelsI had brought my family of five, longtime residents of deep-blue Brooklyn, NY, to meet a new friend and his family, longtime residents of solidly-red Simpsonville, SC. We only knew each other through video chats and phone calls, as if we had met through an online service for taboo political friending. Not too far from the truth.

A Tale of Two KarensThey are political polar opposites, but through Braver Angels, they’re forging a path toward productive conversations, and even friendship.

The Braver Angels work to have discussions in a polarized political climateMany political party members think negatively of the other.

High School workshop to over 400 seniors: How to Deal with Difficult Conversations

Six Braver Angels moderators (Dan Emerry, Randy Freeman, Dave Greene, Stan Koehler, Melinda Marshall, and Sara Silver) worked to put on a very successful day of workshops entitled, "How to Deal with Difficult Conversations" with the seniors of JFK High School, in Plainview-Old Bethpage LI, New York. There were over 400 seniors who participated. Dave Greene and Sara Silver did the amazing organizing of this event, which could not have been pulled off without them.

The picture below is from one of the rooms.

Bridging the Political Divide | The Castle Pines ConnectionDennis Smith has a gift for bringing people together. A fourth generation Coloradan, he cares deeply about the state as well as local communities

Braver Angels hosts Neighborhood Dinner Conversation featuring Nate Nehring - Lynnwood TimesBraver Angels hosted an event featuring Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring and Mukilteo Councilman Richard Emery.

Karl Schmalz and Norman Kaderlan, conservative and liberal, are Braver Angels co-chairs and "genuine friends who can talk politics in the car without driving each other crazy." As noted in the article published in the Austin American-Statesman on April 20, 2022, "They’ve been working on the skills they preach, and they stand as proof that there is a path back from the fierce polarization gripping our country." Check out this story on their work and relationship here.

What's behind our Common Ground workshop - CommonWealth MagazineLEGEND HAS IT that when someone asked Benjamin Franklin after the 1787 Constitutional Convention whether America would be a monarchy or a republic, Franklin said, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Can we? A sure sign of a democracy nearing its end is when people no longer trust election results. That’s where America is(...)

The Golden Rule Doesn’t Apply to Them, right? - Braver AngelsAgain, the Golden Rule is radical. And so is the mission of Braver Angels.

He's a southern conservative. She's a midwestern-turned-east coast liberal. They can't stop talking about politics. - Braver Angels“Being exposed to someone with totally different values and trying to see the world through their lens is invigorating,” David said.

‘The atmosphere is electrifying’: How Braver Angels debates are lighting up college campuses - Braver AngelsMuch like how the conception of Braver Angels was a natural response to what American people needed and yearned for, this debate program is “driven by the demand that's surging in the higher ed space.”

'Braver Angels plays a role in protecting our national security': A military intelligence analyst shares his perspective - Braver AngelsTed said “when you put trust back into democracy, you can face difficult problems,” because a tightly-knit society is harder to penetrate. “This is how you prevent foreign governments from pushing buttons, elevating extremism, and driving people further apart.”

Letter writer spotlight: Mary Theresa Webb works to bridge partisan divideEach Tuesday, we highlight an individual letter-to-the-editor writer. Each writer is asked the same five questions. The aim is to add to the understanding of where we’re all coming from

Braver Angels Action Team within Citizens' Climate Lobby

Two Braver Angels (Beth Malow & Bruce Morlan), who also lead a Braver Angels Action Team within Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), were recently featured on RepublicEN. Their EcoRight podcast can be accessed HERE.

From its inception, Citizens' Climate Lobby has focused on bipartisanship and relationships. Its citizen lobbyists are trained in, and live to, the values of appreciation, gratitude and respect. These values inform their entire approach to their relationships with their members of Congress. After the election of 2016 revealed the depth of the vast schism in our politics, it took people from both sides to begin work on healing those divisions. CCL leaders quickly realized that the message, culture and skills that Braver Angels was delivering were crucial to helping CCL stay on task and working together, and the Braver Angels Action Team within CCL was formed to help bring those Braver Angels sensibilities and skills to the volunteers and staff within CCL.

The CCL Braver Angels Action Team also sponsored an in-person workshop at the CCL June Conference in Washington, DC. In this “Fishbowl-style” workshop, “Communications Across the Political Divide- from Polarizing to Partnership,” three Red CCL panelists and three Blue CCL panelists provided their perspectives. Panelists talked about their life experiences, along with why their conservative/liberal side’s values and policies are good for the mission of CCL, and any reservations or concerns they had about how their side might impact climate advocacy. The audience then broke into small groups and came back together in a large group share to discuss what they observed. It was a powerful workshop to moderate. The panelists and audience recognized the importance of avoiding letting contempt and personal judgment slip into our arguments. One of the panelists commented on how she came away “with a deeper empathy for others and a greater sense of shared emotions regardless of views.” Photos from the workshop are HERE

Check out these testimonials from an attendee at two workshops in Central Texas.

Red-Blue workshop testimonial
Being Red in a Blue Environment testimonial

There is much potential in embedding Braver Angels' work in our faith communities. See the example here of work being done in an Episcopal church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Harry Boyte, a Braver Angels volunteer, shared this with us.

How some N.H. residents are working to overcome the partisan divide, one conversation at a timeAmid growing polarization, a group of people in New Hampshire is working to bring people from all political leanings together for productive, civil dialogue.

Jeff Spitzer's presentation on Braver Angels for international Toastmaster's competition

Check out Jeff Spitzer's 7-minute "Depolarizing Within" presentation for the Toastmasters' International competition. It's a great presentation, demonstrating the importance of civil dialogue in these times.

Jeff made it through the first four levels of the contest, winning the District 7 championship.

Thank you, Jeff, for your work with Braver Angels as the Red State Coordinator for Oregon, and for continuing to spread the message of depolarization wherever you are!

To listen to this episode, go to this link.

"We need to see each other’s humanity in all aspects of life": One teen's journey to tackling political division within her generation - Braver AngelsTeenagers, like most people, feel worn out by the current political climate. Seventeen-year-old Josie Reich has found a new way to be politically engaged.