2024 Election Week
This election season, at a time when many despair, Braver Angels is creating hope for America.
With the American Hope Campaign, we’re equipping the largest grassroots movement in America addressing political polarization by sending red/blue pairs to the polls, holding civil debates about our Presidential candidates, producing workshops that connect strangers across political divisions, and more – all with the goal of inspiring hope.
24 hours after the election, Braver Angels held a National Meeting reflecting on the state of the election, took stock of where we’re at as Americans, and reaffirmed our commitment to one another and building a house united. In this meeting, you’ll hear from Braver Angels leaders and prominent supporters that will inspire hope in this divisive time.
Speakers include: Batya Ungar-Sargon, Jim Robb, Diego Sánchez, Mónica Guzmán, Bill Doherty, David Lapp, David Blankenhorn. Hosted by John Wood, Jr.
On Election Night, tune in to see how Braver Angels is engaging with the election all across America. Our hosts Gabbi Timmis and John Wood Jr. will bring on leaders that showcase the breadth of our movement. It’s an opportunity to gather with us on this momentous day and hear directly from our members, from our red/blue pairs volunteering at the polls to local alliance gatherings, and more. If you don’t know who we are, this is the perfect time to find out. If you’re a longtime member, you’ll get to see the incredible work happening in our community.
This event is a presentation and conversation on how we can resist the pull of triumphalism if our own side wins the Nov. 5 election or vengefulness if it loses. And how will we manage our reactions if the country enters a constitutional crisis where both sides claim victory in the Electoral College, or if there is violence in the streets after the election? While we hope for the best, this may be the greatest test of the Braver Angels spirit and skills since our founding in 2016. How will we treat one another in victory, defeat, or uncertainty? How do we handle different conclusions about the election without embracing the Four Horsemen of Polarization: Stereotyping, Dismissing, Ridiculing, and Contempt toward the millions who vote and think the other way?
Braver Angels cofounder Bill Doherty will share his thoughts about these questions and will lead a conversation among members on the call. The goal is to “immunize” ourselves against the potential onslaught of bitterness in the aftermath of winning or losing. How can we call on the better angels of our nature?
Tune in on Election Night
Time: 8pm - 9:30pm ET / 5pm - 6:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
The Night After:
Braver Angels National Meeting
Tune in after the Election
Time: 8pm - 10pm ET / 5pm - 7pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
Past Events
Common Ground - Addressing Immigration
When: Saturday, October 12th. 2pm – 5:30pm ET / 11am – 2:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
The Braver Angels Common Ground Workshop brings together equal numbers of Conservatives and Liberals – Reds and Blues (4-8 of each) – for a deep dive into a problem – in this case, immigration. Together participants talk about their connection to the issue and their opinion on solutions. By the end of the 3-hour online event they have come up with jointly and unanimously held Points of Agreements on values, concerns and policies.
Coliseum Debate: Does America Need Radical Change?
When: Wednesday, October 16th. 6pm – 7:30pm ET
Where: New York City
Free Event
Join Braver Angels for a debate on the topic – “Resolved: America Needs Radical Change Now.”
You probably haven’t experienced anything like a Braver Angels Debate. This is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out a little closer to the truth, more aware of the validity in opposing views, and with tighter community relationships.
National Community Debate - National Debate Series: The 2024 Election (Part 1 of 2)
When: Thursday, October 17th. 8pm – 10pm ET / 5pm – 7pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
Join Braver Angels for a debate on the topic – “Resolved: Donald Trump will stand up against entrenched elites.”
You probably haven’t experienced anything like a Braver Angels Debate. This is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out a little closer to the truth, more aware of the validity in opposing views, and with tighter community relationships.
"Helping Loved Ones Divided By Politics" Webinar
When: Saturday, October 19th. 2pm – 3:30pm ET / 11am – 12:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
Braver Angels, an organization dedicated to depolarizing America, is hosting a special event to help people navigate politics within their close relationships. This webinar will feature a pair of loved ones—whether a couple, siblings, parent and adult child, or close friends—who are voting differently in the presidential election. They will be interviewed and guided by Braver Angels co-founder, Dr. Bill Doherty, an expert in the family dynamics of political differences. The goal is to help the participating pair, and the audience, learn how to better manage their political differences to strengthen their relationships. We hope this event contributes to healing divides across the country as well!
That's Not a Partisan Feeling, That's Patriotic: A New Play
When: Monday, October 21st. 8pm – 9:30pm ET
Where: New York City
Free Event
Braver Angels is partnering with New York University’s Verbatim Performance Lab to host That’s Not a Partisan Feeling, That’s Patriotic, a new play about the upcoming election and how Americans feel about the role of the Presidency.
This show takes a unique approach by utilizing interviews with individuals living and/or working across the United States as the primary source material for its performances. By gathering firsthand accounts and perspectives from a diverse range of voices, That’s Not a Partisan Feeling, That’s Patriotic creates a rich tapestry of narratives that reflect individuals’ lived experiences and collective consciousness surrounding the U.S. Presidency.
National Community Debate - National Debate Series: The 2024 Election (Part 2 of 2)
When: Thursday, October 24th. 8pm – 10pm ET / 5pm – 7pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
Join Braver Angels for a debate on the topic – “Resolved: Kamala Harris will preserve our democratic norms.”
You probably haven’t experienced anything like a Braver Angels Debate. This is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out a little closer to the truth, more aware of the validity in opposing views, and with tighter community relationships.
Film Discussion - "War Game"
Time: 8pm - 9:30pm ET / 5pm - 6:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
We choose films that address social, political or cultural issues that are relevant to society today. They may highlight liberal-leaning, conservative-leaning or independent themes, or feature actors or directors from opposite sides of the political spectrum.
We’ll be discussing the film War Game (1 hour, 34 minutes)
War Game is about a live training exercise featuring former members of both Republican and Democratic administrations role playing what might happen if some members of the National Guard and an acting general side with insurrectionists, with outbreaks of violence in DC and several state capitals. Role players include Retired General Wesley Clark, retired Major General Linda Singh, and former Montana Governor Steve Bullock. The players have six hours to save American democracy.
Being Tested as a Braver Angel: Managing the Aftermath of This Election
Time: 2pm - 3pm ET / 11am - 12pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
Braver Angels Resolution Development Workshop
Time: 2pm - 3:30pm ET / 11am - 12:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
Do you want to bring a Braver Angels Debate to your Alliance? It’s not as hard as it seems — but there’s one thing you’ll want to put extra time into, and that’s your resolution. In this online workshop, the Braver Angels Debate Team will help you ensure your resolution is about a question that people on both sides want to talk about. You will be debating in the Braver Angels Way in no time!
First Look: A Road Trip Across a Divided America
Time: 5pm - 7pm ET / 2pm - 4pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
A new documentary, A Road Trip Across a Divided America by Joseph Sim, follows Joseph’s journey on a summer-long road trip across the United States that asks, “How did we lose connection with our neighbor, and more importantly, how do we get it back?”
Join Braver Angels for a First Look of this new film. Q&A with director Joseph Sim to follow.
1:1 Conversations: The Golden Rule
Time: 3pm - 4:30pm ET / 12pm - 1:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
This event is a rare opportunity to participate in a group 1:1 Conversations Event, where you will be paired up with someone in the group to have your own 1:1 Conversation on the Golden Rule.
The 1:1 Golden Rule structured conversation provides participants with insight into what The Golden Rule means to them and how they have succeeded in living by The Golden Rule in the past. Unlike other 1:1 Braver Angels conversations, this is a one one-hour conversation, and we’ll pair you across a Red/Blue, generational, racial, ethnic, cultural or geographic difference, based on who else has signed up.
Led by Bruce France
Prerequisite: It is highly suggested but not required that attendees read in advance the 1:1 Golden Rule conversation guide.
That's Not a Partisan Feeling, That's Patriotic: Encore Performance
Time: 5pm - 6:30pm ET / 2pm - 3:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
Encore performance! New cast and new interviews!
Braver Angels is partnering with New York University’s Verbatim Performance Lab to host That’s Not a Partisan Feeling, That’s Patriotic, a new play about the upcoming election and how Americans feel about the role of the Presidency.
This show takes a unique approach by utilizing interviews with individuals living and/or working across the United States as the primary source material for its performances. By gathering firsthand accounts and perspectives from a diverse range of voices, That’s Not a Partisan Feeling, That’s Patriotic creates a rich tapestry of narratives that reflect individuals’ lived experiences and collective consciousness surrounding the U.S. Presidency.
If you caught our last performance, come see this one for a whole new experience!
Braver Angels Music: Bridging Divides Through Music
Time: 8pm - 9:30pm ET / 5pm - 6:30pm PT
Where: Online
Free Event
In this interactive session, the Braver Angels Music Team shares about how we build bridges across political divides through music. Over the course of a meaningful, inspiring and fun 90 minutes, our team will lead you through our songwriting workshop process, inviting you to find common ground and get creative with your fellow attendees. This session includes both large-group conversation as well as small-group, breakout room conversations and exercises.
