Fed up with today's politics? Let's do something about it.
Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the political divide.
Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, we’re creating hope — and showing Americans a braver way. Our focus is not on changing people’s views, but on changing people’s views of one other. Learn more, attend a program, join us...
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Depolarizing Within
Much of today’s polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies. Become more aware of your "inner polarizer.” Learn methods for disagreeing without contempt and ridicule.
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Skills for Disagreeing Better
We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground. Gain more understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically. Learn better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard. Practice skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear, even if they disagree.
Related workshop: Skills for Bridging the Divide
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On-Demand Courses
Braver Angels also offers a number of its live (in-person or online) workshops in a 40-minute, on demand e-course format. Our e-courses can be used to prepare you for a live workshop you're planning to attend, or they can stand alone and provide a valuable learning experience.
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View Recent Events
Update: Over 200 people attended. If you missed it, you can view the recording here.
Tackling Climate Change: The Importance of Finding Bi-Partisan Solutions
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
Update: Over 75 people attended this in-person event. If you missed it, you can view the recording here.
Bridging Our Differences: How to Have Curious Conversations
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, in a panel discussion 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 >
Update: Over 125 people attended Connecticut's first "Braver Politics" event! If you missed it, you can view the recording here.
Moving Beyond Polarization: Making Politics Work
A 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 engages 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 follows the discussion.
Co-sponsored by Connecticut Public and The Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford
Details >
Learn About Major Initiatives
For Elected Officials, Candidates, Staffs:
Braver Politics
American politics is broken. Become part of the solution.
Braver Politics is a national initiative to depolarize our politics and remake our political culture in a spirit of trust, citizenship, and good-will. Our programs enable elected officials, candidates, and their staffs to participate with each other and with their constituents, develop skills for communicating across difference, and build constructive relationships across partisan divides. Braver Politics will continue to influence our politics at the local, state, and federal level in the current election cycle and beyond. Learn how you can help as a citizen volunteer, candidate, or elected official or staff.
For Organizations, Large and Small:
Braver Network
One organization can’t change the country. A movement can.
Braver Network is a network of organizations from across the political spectrum, representing many different goals, working together to bridge the partisan divide. Our vision is a civic renewal movement in which all people are treated with dignity and no one is silenced. We strive for better conflict, an accurate understanding of differences, and common ground. What brings us together is that we all recognize that America is being torn apart by polarization. We believe we can do better as Americans, and we want our organizations to be part of the solution. Join us in building a movement for civic renewal.
For School Communities:
Braver Schools
Depolarizing America one community at a time.
Our Braver School Communities program engages high school and middle school communities—students, parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members—in our bridge-building efforts through presentations, workshops, discussions, one-to-one conversations, debates, and more. Our programs help participants improve their listening skills, speaking skills, and empathy in the context of cross-partisan discussion and disagreement. It is a pressing need to bring these skills to our youth and the entire school community. Help us bring Braver Angels programs to your school community.
Volunteer
In addition to the events and programs you can attend right now, we're also looking to grow our alliance to bring this important work to all of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. For that, we need you!
Connect With Us
Learn About Us
We bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide. Learn more about us and our efforts at the national and local levels.
Email Us
Got questions or want to learn more about how to get involved? Email us: ctalliance@braverangels.org
Subscribe to Our Email List
Use this form to subscribe to our email list to get updates on news and upcoming activities, including workshops, skills trainings, debates, and town halls sponsored by Braver Angels.
Support Us
Donate
Help us build a house united by making a one-time donation to support the efforts of your local alliance. We welcome donations from members and non-members alike.
Join Us
Join our legion of Americans who believe that the fight to save our nation begins with a ceasefire among ourselves. Become a member of Braver Angels for as low as $12/year. A member of Braver Angels is part of a national community—we are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents of all political persuasions. We form local alliances and hold local workshops and debates. We discuss our differences with civility and look for common ground. We encourage each other and we organize others do the same. We are a grassroots family fixing our broken politics from the bottom up.
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Read Press Coverage
3/27/24
Quinnipiac Today
Building trust: A Critical Conversation on 'The Art of Democratic Discourse in 2024'
