State-Wide Meeting of Braver Angels Connecticut

WED  MAY 15, 7:00PM ET

You are invited to attend a state-wide meeting of the Braver Angels Connecticut

Alliance! This is a great opportunity to:

• Learn more about our efforts in Connecticut to bridge our political divide,

• Meet the leaders of our alliance,

• Get a brief "taste" of one of our typical workshops, and

• Hear about different ways you can become involved with us.

We hope you can make it on the 15th!

Register ⧉

"Should individual towns in Connecticut, or the state government, decide what affordable housing gets built?"

TUES APRIL 23, 7:00PM ET (Zoom)

In addition to Braver Angels' national debates, local Braver Angels alliances also host free in-person and online debates. While Braver Angels does not advocate for political positions, we help individuals and communities have difficult conversations around political topics. People with different views are invited to participate in an open and honest conversation, to share their opinions and beliefs about issues that are currently being discussed in their communities. Share your thoughts and learn from others in a refreshingly civil debate!

Facilitated by the Braver Angels Connecticut Alliance

"Does the right to affordable bail interfere with public safety? 

THURS APRIL 18, 7:00PM ET

In addition to Braver Angels' national debates, local Braver Angels alliances also host free in-person and online debates. While Braver Angels does not advocate for political positions, we help individuals and communities have difficult conversations around political topics. People with different views are invited to participate in an open and honest conversation, to share their opinions and beliefs about issues that are currently being discussed in their communities. Share your thoughts and learn from others in a refreshingly civil debate!

Hosted by the Braver Angels Memphis Alliance

"Should Ridgefield support increased Housing Diversity?"

SUN APRIL 7, 3:00PM ET, St Stephen's North Hall, Ridgefield, CT

In addition to Braver Angels' national debates, local Braver Angels alliances also host free in-person and online debates. While Braver Angels does not advocate for political positions, we help individuals and communities have difficult conversations around political topics. People with different views are invited to participate in an open and honest conversation, to share their opinions and beliefs about issues that are currently being discussed in their communities. Share your thoughts and learn from others in a refreshingly civil debate!

Sponsors: St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Ridgebury Congregational Church, The Meeting House, Poets & Prophets, and Compassionate Ridgefield. Facilitated by: Braver Angels Connecticut Alliance

A Critical Conversation with John Wood Jr.

TUES MARCH 26 12:30PM ET

Braver Angels’ National Ambassador John Wood Jr. speaks on political polarization, bridging ideological divides, and fostering respectful and constructive conversations in today's society. This is part of a series of critical conversations at Quinnipiac University that provides intentional opportunities for engagement with difficult, yet timely issues facing our communities.

Tackling Climate Change: The Importance of Finding Bi-Partisan Solutions

MON FEB 26 11:00AM ET (Zoom)

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and former U.S. Representative Bob Inglis (R-SC, currently Executive Director of RepublicEn) engage in a timely discussion about the importance of bi-partisan cooperation on the issue of climate change. Hear about Senator Murphy’s legislative progress on environmental issues with Republican colleagues in Congress and learn about Mr. Inglis’s evolution on this issue, along with his mission to re-frame the challenge of climate change in a way that better engages fellow conservatives. 

Event Organizer: League of Women Voters of Greenwich; Event Co-Sponsors: Braver Angels Connecticut Alliance, Connecticut Public, Town of Greenwich Sustainability Committee, Greenwich Audubon Center, Greenwich Land Trust, Greenwich Green and Clean, and Waste Free Greenwich.

For Newcomers & New Volunteers

2ND WED 7:00PM-8:00PM ET (Zoom) Sept to June

Tired of the toxic divisions tearing our country apart? You're not alone. At this Intro for Newcomers & Volunteers, learn how we're bringing together citizens from across the political spectrum to bridge the partisan divide, and how you can help too. 

7:00PM ET — Part 1: For newcomers & new members interested in learning about Braver Angels and our upcoming events to bridge the partisan divide. Feel free to stay for Part 2 also.

7:30PM ET — Part 2: For members interested in volunteering, locally or nationally. Feel free to attend Part 1 also to meet and greet newcomers.

Presenting a Teaching in a Polarized World: Bridging Differences in Our Classrooms

TUES NOV 7, 9:30AM-2:00PM ET (Zoom)

A program presented at a professional development day for 50+ social studies teachers at Connecticut's Tech High Schools, in collaboration with BridgeUSA and Starts With Us, as part of our Braver School Communities effort in Connecticut.

Resources Shared ⧉

Bridging the Covid Divide: Can We Move Forward
SAT OCT 21, 9:00AM-3:30PM ET,  The Berlin-Peck Memorial Library, 234 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT

The magnitude of the COVID pandemic, and related responses, caused deep fractures and great pain in our country, including a breakdown of trust in institutions, and in each other. Across our country, public response to national public health COVID policies has often been divided, and contentious. This workshop will bring together a small group of people who have different views on the national policy response to Covid for a series of exercises designed to help participants clarify disagreements, reduce stereotyped thinking, and discover common values.

Learn More ⧉

Managing Difficult Conversations with Constituents
TUES OCT 17, 10:00AM-12:00PM ET (Zoom)

Elected officials and staff frequently communicate with constituents with different points of view. With communities becoming more politically polarized and public dialogue becoming more confrontational, new skills are required for leaders to better navigate disagreements and encourage a more constructive environment for doing business. 

This workshop will equip elected official with practical tools they can use immediately to help lower the stress of difficult conversations and find common ground in an increasingly divisive environment. 

Co-sponsored by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), and the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) for their members.

Learn More ⧉

Depolarizing Within

SEPT, SEPT 16, 7:00PM-9:00PM ET (Zoom)

There's a lot of stress these days among family members and friends who are divided politically, and the current polarized public conversation doesn't help. Join other members of the Connecticut Alliance in learning skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. 

Learn more ⧉

Bridging Our Differences: How to Have Curious Conversations
THURS APR 27, 7:00PM-8:15PM ET,  The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd, Westport, CT

Connecticut Public's Lucy Nalpathanchil talks with Mónica Guzmán and Wilk Wilkinson of Braver Angels about their work building bridges across differences. They share strategies everyone can use. The panel discussion will be followed by questions from the audience.

A partnership between Connecticut Public, the Braver Angels Connecticut Alliance, The Westport Library and the Hearst CT Media Group. 

Details >

Book Club Series

Our first four-session Book Club series focused on I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times (Benbella Books, 2022) by Mónica Guzmán, Director of Digital & Storytelling at Braver Angels.

Details >

THE ABORTION TALKS Documentary
SAT JAN 21, 6:30PM-9PM ET (film via online link / Q&A via Zoom)

Follows trial and murder convictions of a person who murdered two abortion clinic employees in Boston. Importantly, it is the story of six women who sought to find something deeper than justice. Disillusioned by the rhetoric and postering from both sides, three pro-life and three pro-choice leaders meet secretly to see if together they could fix their broken worlds. In true Braver Angels fashion, before Braver Angels was ever conceived, they were able to talk about their differences, respect each other, and become friends.

Co-sponsored by Braver Angels of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut

Learn more ⧉

For Newcomers & New Volunteers

2ND WED 7:00PM-8:00PM ET (Zoom) Sept to June

Tired of the toxic divisions tearing our country apart? You're not alone. At this Intro for Newcomers & Volunteers, learn how we're bringing together citizens from across the political spectrum to bridge the partisan divide, and how you can help too. 

7:00PM ET — Part 1: For newcomers & new members interested in learning about Braver Angels and our upcoming events to bridge the partisan divide. Feel free to stay for Part 2 also.

7:30PM ET — Part 2: For members interested in volunteering, locally or nationally. Feel free to attend Part 1 also to meet and greet newcomers.

Depolarizing Within

TUES, SEPT 13, 7:00PM-9:00PM ET (Zoom)

There's a lot of stress these days among family members and friends who are divided politically, and the current polarized public conversation doesn't help. Join other members of the Connecticut Alliance in learning skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. 

A Braver Angels national workshop hosted by the Connecticut Alliance

Learn more ⧉

Moving Beyond Polarization: Making Politics Work

THURS, SEPT 8, 7:30PM-9:00PM ET (Zoom)

Join us for this special online event demonstrating how two state representatives—one red, one blue—can communicate across differences and bridge the political divide. In this first “Braver Politics” event in Connecticut, Braver Angels Co-Founder Bill Doherty will engage Republican State Representative Stephen Harding & Democratic State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey in discussing life experiences that have influenced their policy views, how polarization has impacted government, and what can be done to address it. A Q&A will follow the discussion. Open to people of any and all political viewpoints.

Co-sponsored by Connecticut Public and The Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford

Details >

Skills for Bridging the Divide

SAT, MAY 7, 2:00PM-4:00PM ET (Zoom)

There's a lot of stress these days among family members and friends who are divided politically, and the current polarized public conversation doesn't help. Join other members of the Connecticut Alliance in learning skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. 

A Braver Angels national workshop co-hosted by the Connecticut Alliance

Learn more ⧉

For Newcomers & New Volunteers

2ND WED 7:00PM-7:45PM (Zoom) from Sept to June

Want to know more about Braver Angels, hear about our upcoming Alliance events, and find out how to use your talents and interests to get involved? Bring your questions and join us at an informal meet-and-greet. See you there!

Families & Politics

SUN, NOV 14, 1:00PM-3:15PM ET (Zoom)

Family relationships are casualties of our toxic political environment. Preserve important family bonds while staying true to your values. Learn strategies and skills for handling family political differences in a constructive way in Families & Politics: How to Talk with Loved Ones on the Other Side, a free Braver Angels workshop.

A Braver Angels national workshop hosted by the Connecticut Alliance

Learn more ⧉

What is Critical Race Theory?

MON, SEPT. 20, 7:00PM-8:30PM ET (Zoom)

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a hotly contested idea. Some state legislatures want to ban CRT in schools. Some say it is an obscure academic theory taught in law schools that is a useful tool in understanding society. What is and what isn’t CRT? What is a CRT based curriculum? Is teaching about issues and history related to race CRT? Learn the concepts, learn the essential questions people are asking, and have an informed discussion without the outrage in this free information session.

Learn more ⧉

Should Social Media be Regulated?

APRIL 11, 2:00PM-3:00PM ET (Zoom)

Social media companies have emerged as monopolies, extremely powerful and influential. Social media should have an obligation to monitor and screen for hate speech, but to what extent can they decide what is free speech? When does it become cancel culture? Join us for this free debate.

Learn more ⧉