MóNICA GUZMáN

The thing that gets me about great thinkers is how well they pull insights from the mess of our current moment. Take the diagnosis political analyst Yuval Levin...

Last week I shipped my daughter off to her first day of middle school, my son to his first day of high school, and myself to Gonzaga University and Chicago Lab Schools...

It’s easier to stay curious when you’ve got great resources to support you. Today, one of my favorite bridge builders, Julian Adorney, is going to tell you about one of the best: the Enemies Project. — Moni

I want to tell you a story. When Trump took office again in 2025, I called my friend Travis Tripodi.

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.

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.

“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.”

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?

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.

"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

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.

Do you ever worry, when you share your political opinion, that other people feel you’re not listening to theirs?

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.

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.

In two days I’ll be traveling somewhere I’ve never been and can’t wait to learn from — South Africa.

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.

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."

A couple weeks ago, I had one of those simple, profound moments with a friend that left a mark.

Curiosity is a muscle. And today — only if you’re up for it — I have a challenge to help you build it.

“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.