How Do We Fix It?

Something remarkable happened in Philadelphia, days before America celebrated its 250th birthday and streets away from where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Nearly 900 Braver Angels delegates at their Convention signed a pledge to be courageous citizens. Being a courageous citizen stands in proud contrast to easy citizenship. In America’s current culture of contempt, it’s courageous to...

It's very easy to be outraged or depressed about American politics today, and much more challenging and interesting to consider how things might be better. Instead of dismissing our political opponents or viewing them with disdain or disgust, how can we understand them better and learn from them? That's where Braver Angels  1:1 Conversations come in . Two people from different backgrounds and...

One week before America celebrates its 250th birthday,  Braver Angels  will hold its  annual convention  in Philadelphia, the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. More than one thousand citizen delegates— Blues, Reds, and Independents— will be in the same place together over four days, June 25-28. They will honor the final words of the Declaration...

The nation has been shaken by violence yet again. The assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents Dinner was another jarring tear in the fabric of our public life. Every day Americans also hear divisive, angry, rhetoric from national political leaders and media pundits.  On "How Do We Fix It? we discuss how growing numbers of Americans are pushing&nbs...

Right now is a really difficult time to convince Americans to come together and listen to the other side. How can we be hopeful at a time of so much anger, division, violence and despair when our political leaders speak with such venom about their opponents? “What we’re doing now is sorting into our tribes and silos,” says our guest  Maryanne Colter,  state coordinator for  Braver A...

Braver Angels Ambassadors are among the most courageous of courageous citizens. Not only do they bridge the partisan divide, these volunteers meet people where they are. At meetings and events across the country, they go speak about Braver Angels as they try to convince skeptics that rebuilding civic trust is a cause worth supporting.  In this episode, we hear from  Barbara Hancin  ...

Is it possible to find points of agreement on some of the most heated and divisive issues in American politics? Can people who profoundly disagree sit down and learn from each other? The answers to both questions is an emphatic "yes!". In this episode we hear about the current work of the  Citizens Commission on Immigration  from its Director, Braver Angels co-founder,  David Lapp ....

Conflict entrepreneurs get money, influence and power by sparking anger and outrage. The  Braver Angels  call for  courageous citizenship  does precisely the opposite. In this podcast we hear the case for citizen power not paralysis, action not reaction, and why building America's civic muscle is so much better than burning things down. Here is a passionate, thoughtful and curi...

The recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to several thousand arrests, mass detentions, angry protests, deepening political divides, and the deaths of two US citizens in Minneapolis is coming to an end.  What’s life been like for the residents of the Twin Cities during the recent surge of at least three thousand ICE agents on the streets? How wi...

If we’re going to get out of the political mess that we’re in right now, we will need a lot of help from Gen Z. Young people inherited our broken civic space, and they’re ones who will be the  courageous citizens  who   reimagine it. In this episode we learn from two former  Braver Angels  debate interns, Natalie LaRoche and Genevieve Raushenbush, about...

For many Americans, taking part in a debate is just about the last thing they’d put on their dance card. But Braver Angels debates are different. In this episode  Sam Rechek  explains why. “Braver Angels debates are fun,” Sam tells us. “We’ve created a structure where people can have productive disagreements about contentious issues. That’s something many yearn for, and they get int...

Pick a controversial topic. Whether it’s immigration, race, climate change, the role of religion, or the economy, many of our assumptions that we view as completely reasonable can seem whacky or wrong to others. This may well include very smart, thoughtful people, who’ve had very different life experiences than our own. Our guest for this episode is Chauncey Williams, a Democratic-leanin...

More than at any time in our nation’s history, news coverage of politics and public events is dominated by national media, but many of the solutions to Americans toxic partisan divides are to be found at the local level. In this episode we hear from  Steve Saltwick , the inaugural Senior Fellow of Braver Angels, and founding conservative co-chair of the  Braver Angels...

Many people say Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday: No cards to be sent. No presents to be purchased. A pause with family and close friends before the year-end holiday rush.  Thanksgiving is about gratitude, but it can also be a time of anxiety, and even dread. What do you say to family members, friends and neighbors who vote for a candidate or political party you despise? How do you reac...

Just over three months into his new role as leader of Braver Angels, we hear from  CEO Maury Giles  about his hopes, plans and goals for America's largest volunteer-led movement working to bridge partisan divides and disagree better for the common good. America has lost much of its civic muscle, and it's time to get it back, Maury tells our host, Richar...

Liberals and conservatives are caught in a politically toxic feedback loop. Our guest,  Zachary Elwood , argues that when people express contempt for those on the other side, they contribute to a cycle of conflict that weakens our nation. Increasingly, Americans view polarization as a worsening crisis. Two-thirds say the political system is too divided to solve the nation’s problems.  A...

How do we help people see their common humanity and find common ground? We discuss this and much more with our guest, independent filmmaker and storyteller,  Swati Srivastava . At a time of polarization and deep political divisions in America, growing numbers of citizens are now pushing back against the fear, loathing and distrust that poison our national conversation. Our podcasts report on...

“Our political leaders— left, right, and center— have a thin view of citizenship,” says  Braver Angels  co-founder  Bill Doherty . He argues that everything from healthcare and education to public safety and politics “is the work of we the people. That’s the robust idea of citizenship…Ultimately the big problems are those of all of us” This episode features an interview re...

Americans are divided by geography. Most of us live in  overwhelmingly red or blue Congressional Districts.  We are less likely than ever to know someone from the other side of the political spectrum. We are often misinformed about what members of the other tribe actually believe.  In this episode we speak with Kirk Tatnall, Starla Brown, and Cade Smith about a  Braver Ang...

Political speech in America is all too often dominated by hyperbole. We don’t just disagree, we find those on the other side to be offensive or even worse. All too often the language of curiosity, nuance and humility is missing from our dialog. In this episode we look at a novel way to reach across the divide. During the spring,  Minnesota Braver Angels...

What is America’s role in a dramatically changing world? How does the health of our democracy impact other nations? In this episode we hear a rich mix of ideas in a conversation with podcaster, commentator, and former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor  Ben Rhodes . “Young people today are going to have to imagine a new US government and a new set of international institutions,” says Ben....

If you’re disturbed or simply turned off by America's rigid political divisions this is the show for you. We discuss creative skills and practices that put a little hope back in your political life Doug Teschner  and  Beth Malow  are co-authors of the forthcoming book "Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times." Their work buil...

Ten years ago this month we launched our first show at a time of new beginnings for podcasts. We were early to this game, and well before podcasting became part of mainstream media.  In contrast to other shows about politics and current affairs we ran against the grain, avoiding snarky slogans and angry attacks. How Do We Fix It? focused instead on solutions journalism and what...

We release this show at a moment of high political drama. Economics, financial markets, and America’s relations with the rest of the world are in a state of tumult. So how on earth do we talk with and listen to people on the other side? Should you even try?  Jessie Mannisto , Director of Debates at Braver Angels says “yes!”  In this episode we learn why understanding those who you d...

I don’t do this work in optimism. I do it in hope”,  Braver Angels  President  David Blankenhorn  tells our podcast. “If we’re going to have any chance to fix this and save our country, this is what needs to be done.” Soon after the tumultuous 2016 election Braver Angels sprung to life— co-founded by David, Bill Doherty and David Lapp. Two years after its founding this nationwi...