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Robots found my most depolarizing chapter
Researchers Rémi Thériault, Dominic Packer, and Jay Van Bavel set up this big experiment using multiple AI models to ask how depolarizing 26 prosocial nonfiction books might be for real-life humans.
Aug 22 min read


The weird rule that changes everything
Last month at the Braver Angels National Convention, I got to do something I love: chair a community debate.
The topic? Whether the U.S. legislature should be the most powerful branch of government.
Jul 202 min read


How to let people offend you
“Blown away.” “I was furiously jotting notes the entire time.” “Loved it, loved it, loved it.”
I am floored by your feedback to our first new episode of “A Braver Way.”
Jun 222 min read


Is it humanizing or enabling?
What's the line between humanizing someone … and enabling them?
How do I avoid using "peacemaking" as a cover for a lack of courage?
And in a moment that feels loud, urgent and overwhelming, how do I figure out what is the right thing for me to do?
Jun 81 min read


Guess who’s back?
Today I get to share something I’ve been itching to tell you all for months:
A Braver Way podcast is coming baaaack! And not a moment too soon. Those political headwinds are practically hurricanes.
May 252 min read


Are you a pleasure to disagree with?
"Be a pleasure to disagree with. Quick to listen and slow to speak. Full of grace and never compromising truth. That’s how we learn, that’s how we grow, that’s how we serve others." — Marie Beecham
Apr 271 min read


What do you do with an 'almost' story?
Wherever I go, I try not to shy away from tough questions. But here’s the beautiful thing about unanswered questions: They breathe. They linger. They wait.
Apr 62 min read


These two sentences change everything.
Do you ever worry, when you share your political opinion, that other people feel you’re not listening to theirs?
Mar 221 min read


How do we hold each other?
A while ago, my mom found herself wading into political topics with a new friend. Let’s call her Tracy. Tracy leans left, and I guess she assumed Mom did too. Things got ugly.
Mar 82 min read


What do you need most?
The other night here in Cape Town, South Africa, I turned to one of the most extraordinary teachers I’ve ever met and asked her a question that had been tickling me for days.
Feb 212 min read


We’re getting curious in a new continent
In two days I’ll be traveling somewhere I’ve never been and can’t wait to learn from — South Africa.
Feb 92 min read


Are we speaking different languages?
One day when I was six, my teacher told me to go to a “drawer,” and I had no idea what she meant. I had just moved to a new school — a new country — and was still learning the language.
Jan 262 min read


You’re being exploited.
Not long ago I saw a poster that stopped me. "The only thing we have to fear,” it read, “is how easily I can make you afraid."
Jan 122 min read


This is what joy can do.
A couple weeks ago, I had one of those simple, profound moments with a friend that left a mark.
Dec 29, 20251 min read


I dare you to read both of these...
Curiosity is a muscle. And today — only if you’re up for it — I have a challenge to help you build it.
Dec 15, 20252 min read


Conversation as sanctuary — join me?
“Disagreeing in public should not be a death sentence.” I heard a fellow bridge builder say those words a few days ago and they haven’t left me since.
Sep 22, 20252 min read


The only thing that counts...
Because of this weird work I do, I sometimes find myself dipping deep into a conservative-dominated conversation, then deep into a liberal-dominated conversation — or vice-versa — always coming out a little stunned.
Mar 24, 20252 min read


We started off strangers...
I’ve had some amazing conversations this month with the likes of brilliant Ivy League students and passionate pluralism pros. But none were as memorable as the one I had with July...
Mar 3, 20252 min read


If I were president...
It’s been an intense couple weeks since the new administration rolled in, and in addition to this wild idea ⬆️ I know inspired at least one person to actually call their representative (YES!), I’ve got three quick things to spark your curiosity...
Feb 5, 20251 min read


The book that got under my skin
For someone who goes on and on about staying curious, I haven’t made a lot of time to read books. Until now. I just finished one by one hell of a bold thinker — the sociologist Musa Al-Gharbi.
Jan 20, 20251 min read
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