The Golden Rule Doesn’t Apply to Them, right?
Again, the Golden Rule is radical. And so is the mission of Braver Angels.
An Improbable Dinner
I 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.
Braver Politics is Live! Plus: Seeing the Unseen | Rev. Mark Beckwith with Ciaran O’Connor
Ciaran O’Connor introduces Braver Politics and interviews the former bishop of Newark about religion and politics.
‘A faith restoring example’
Following their debate at Denison University in Ohio, students agreed that something profound took place and that the experience had changed them. “I’m asking myself how I can carry this forward to other students,” one student said, “and even more, I’m wondering how we can expand and bring it to a multiplicity of campuses.”
President Trump, Ukraine, & the Future of Conservatism: Reds Discuss | Steve Saltwick, Marc Ang, & Paul N. with April Kornfield
Four Reds with different views of President Trump debate how conservatives should think about the former president.
Remembering a true Braver Angel
On April 3, Braver Angels and the world lost one of our best leaders. When we lost David Iwinski — a thinker, a bridge builder, and a believer in America — I and many members of our community also lost a beloved friend.
Bridging the Divide in the North Carolina General Assembly | John Torbett & Becky Carney with Ciaran O’Connor
Representatives Becky Carney (D) and John Torbett (R) of the North Carolina General Assembly discuss how politicians can work together to foster trust, citizenship, and goodwill.
The Musical Life of Coleman Hughes | with Alma Cook
You may know of Coleman “Coldxman” Hughes as a podcaster and writer—but have you heard his music? Alma Cook asks him about his musical past, present, and future.
Three Approaches to Conflict
Probably the most important question about social conflict, then, is not whether it exists (it does), or whether we can eliminate it (we can’t), or even whether we should try to eliminate it (we shouldn’t). The real question is how we should approach it.
Racism, Colorism, & the Complicated Legacy of Hollywood | Joy Donnell with John Wood Jr.
The racial dynamics of American life have been reflected—or perhaps distorted—by entertainment. Joy Donnell and John Wood Jr. explore this legacy of Hollywood.
The Power of Curiosity | Mónica Guzmán with Ciaran O’Connor
We think we have the answers—but what happens when we start asking more questions? Mónica Guzmán chats with Ciaran O’Connor about her new book, I Never Thought of It That Way.
Are you a part of the 32 percent?
I think it’s safe to say most of us have been involved in heated political discussions with family or friends, whether we initiated them or not. But what flipped the switch from polite family discussions about whose turn is it to go pick up groceries to tense discussions about politics?
Cocaine, Black L.A. and the Story of Lorenzo Murphy | with John Wood Jr.
Freeway Rick Ross’ once right hand man Lorenzo Murphy recalls the crack era.
Can We Talk About Class? | Annette Ritter & Len Breslow
Annette is a school-of-hard-knocks grandma from rural Maryland. Len is a retired cognitive psychologist from the suburbs. Here, they share their experiences with social class and explore the depth of America’s class divide.
Straight Outta the Black Bourgeoisie | John Sibley Butler with John Wood Jr.
Professor John Sibley Butler shares lessons from the black bourgeoisie.
Show us your Braver Angels moments
Help us to highlight the story of Braver Angels—your story—by sharing photos from your community!
The Man Who’s Seen It All | Daniel Seddiqui with Mónica Guzmán
Daniel Seddiqui worked 50 jobs in 50 states in 50 weeks in 2009—from coal miner in West Virginia to bartender in Louisiana. Today, he joins host Mónica Guzmán to share what he learned along the way.
The Future of Depolarization | Esther Cash with Ciaran O’Connor
Esther Cash, a liberal college student at a conservative university, chats with Ciaran O’Connor about her political evolution, polarization on campus, and her generation’s role in rehabilitating political dialogue.
Does our approach at Braver Angels work?
This past week we released our 2020-2021 evaluation, Depolarizing During the Pandemic, which uses rigorous evaluation data to measure the impact of Braver Angels programs on Americans’ attitudes toward politics, and toward one another.
A Conservative Perspective on January 6th & the 2020 Election | Peter Wood with Ciaran O’Connor
Anthropologist Peter Wood believes the 2020 election was stolen. Here, he joins Ciaran O’Connor to discuss the nature of anger, truth, trust, and conspiracy theories.
The Meaning of January 6th | John Wood, Jr. & Ciaran O’Connor
On the one-year anniversary of January 6th, 2021, John Wood, Jr. and Ciaran O’Connor reflect on the state of American politics and the future of Braver Angels.
Building the Beloved Community in 2021 | Rev. Adam Taylor with John Wood Jr.
How can we pursue Dr. King’s Beloved Community in 2022?
How Braver Angels Began | David Blankenhorn, Bill Doherty, & David Lapp
Five years after Braver Angels was born, three of the organization’s founders reflect on the 2016 event in Ohio where it all started.
My family’s Thanksgiving disaster
Thanksgiving 2017. My house buzzed with chattering voices. Two dining-room tables butted together to accommodate five sons and wives. A half-sized table awaited six small grandchildren.
Can We Talk About Abortion? | April Lawson, Alma Cook, Sage Snider, & Mónica Guzmán
On an all-women roundtable edition of our podcast, two Red and two Blue Braver Angels leaders get personal about abortion.
Grace Under (Political) Pressure? | Kirsten Powers with Mónica Guzmán
Kirsten Powers, senior political analyst at CNN, chats with Mónica Guzmán about what grace is and isn’t, and how to make grace a daily habit.
Moving Depolarization Forward | Andrew Yang with John Wood, Jr. & Silas Kulkarni
Andrew Yang joins Silas Kulkarni and John Wood, Jr. to talk electoral reform, political polarization, and navigating race and identity in political discourse.
A BLM Leader, a Trump Supporter, & an ICU Doctor Talk Vaccines | Hawk Newsome, David Iwinski, & Dr. Tess Russell with Ciaran O’Connor
Hawk Newsome, David Iwinski, and Dr. Tess Russell gather with host Ciaran O’Connor to talk about public trust, science, and the COVID vaccine.
Wait, You’re Married?! How a Republican & Democrat Keep It Together | Barbara Thomas & Rick Hotchner with Mónica Guzmán
Barbara is a lifelong liberal, and Rick is a committed conservative. As a married couple, how do they stand each other when they can’t stand each other’s politics?
Breaking the Social Media Prism | Christopher Bail with Ciaran O’Connor
Christopher Bail, author of Breaking the Social Media Prism, discusses how to combat online polarization and re-imagine social media platforms.
