Disagreeing Better

As political polarization continues to rise, differences, especially political differences, can feel insurmountable. It can feel impossible to talk to some friends and relatives. The majority of Americans always or often feel exhausted and angry when thinking about politics these days. (Pew Research 2023)

This workshop is team-taught by Braver Angels, one of our nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movements working to bridge the partisan divide. In the workshop, led by one red and one blue leader, participants will learn essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground. You will leave this interactive workshop with:

• A greater understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically
• Better listening skills that lets other people feel heard
• Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear even if they disagree
• Practice implementing these skills

Melissa Gizzi is the “Red” co-chair of the Braver Angels Lower Susquehanna Alliance and also serves as an ambassador and event organizer. Prior to retirement in December 2021, she spent 21 years working in the PA state senate and another 21 working in government and public affairs. She experienced firsthand the widening divide between conservatives and liberals. She was drawn to Braver Angels’ mission of bringing “Americans together to bridge the partisan divide” and finding ways to reduce rancor so that we can work together to solve today’s problems. She believes the best long-lasting decisions are made when everyone’s perspective is heard.

Nita Landis is the “Blue” co-chair of the Braver Angels Lower Susquehanna Alliance and a trained moderator for Braver Angels workshops. She is a spiritual director and retreat leader with a strong desire for her grandchildren to inherit a functional democracy. After reading Parker Palmer’s book Healing the Heart of Democracy, she began looking for a way to take action and joined Braver Angels in October 2020. She believes that curiosity and respect lead to far better outcomes than dismissing and demonizing those with whom we disagree.