Transcending Politics Through Art | Sage Snider, Philippa Hughes, Luke Phillips and John Wood, Jr.

John Wood, Jr. is joined by Braver Angels leaders Sage Snider, Luke Phillips and special guest Phillips Hughes, founder of the Looking for America project, to talk about the Braver Angels songwriting contest, the cross-cultural artistic and convening work of Looking for America, and the power of music, art, food and culture to transcend the normal divisions of politics.

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Seven National Leaders Join Growing Braver Angels Advisory Council

09/13/2026 No Comments

Seven additional leaders from across civic life, education, public service, media, and social innovation have agreed to join a growing group of Americans standing publicly behind a simple but increasingly urgent idea: our country can navigate deep differences without sacrificing either conviction or respect.

‘It absolutely changed my life’: How a conflict-ridden ‘dirtball’ became a legendary bridge builder

09/02/2026 No Comments

Growing up in the eighties, his family moved all around the Midwest as his parents chased down steady, blue-collar work: factory jobs, construction, truck driving, whatever could pay the bills. “We were always poor,” Wilk said. And whether they were in Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, or Minnesota, he often found himself on the outs. “It didn’t matter which side of the tracks we were on,” he said. “It was always the wrong side of the tracks.”

‘Braver Angels really helped me to see the humanity in people from the other side’: One high schooler’s journey to better political conversations

06/18/2026 No Comments

A native of Boulder, Colorado, Mia didn’t know many Trump supporters—and she was nervous to engage with them. “I was like, ‘Don’t they hate women? Don’t they hate black people?’” she said. “That was my initial belief because that’s what I had heard about people who voted for Trump.” But she quickly realized she was wrong. During the first Braver Lens session, Mia was able to connect with conservatives in the group and recognize their points of commonality. “When we met, they showed their pictures, and explained their life stories, and I was able to see where our values overlap,” she said.

Transcending Politics Through Art | Sage Snider, Philippa Hughes, Luke Phillips and John Wood, Jr.

More to explore

Seven National Leaders Join Growing Braver Angels Advisory Council

‘It absolutely changed my life’: How a conflict-ridden ‘dirtball’ became a legendary bridge builder

‘Braver Angels really helped me to see the humanity in people from the other side’: One high schooler’s journey to better political conversations

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