#ListenFirst Friday: Deep Listening with Emily Kasriel YouTube video by Listen First Project

This #ListenFirst Friday, we invite you to learn about a new book from author Emily Kasriel: Deep Listening: Transform Your Relationships with Family, Friends and Foes.

youtu.be/wbcl0Kn1EAc

Rising Star Awards - Future Caucus Each December, Future Caucus recognizes a bipartisan group of young legislators for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building.

This #ListenFirst Friday, we’re spotlighting a new generation of lawmakers who are proving it.
You aren’t just a character in the story of democracy. You’re a coauthor, and these Future Caucus Rising Stars are showing what’s possible when we write that story together futurecaucus.org/future-caucu...

The Counterculture That Could Stop Political Violence Amid the rage that followed Kirk’s assassination, young people are building a hopeful movement that could push the country away from violence and toward the change philanthropy seeks.

A new counterculture is rising. One that rejects outrage-as-default and insists that dialogue, not division, is the radical act this moment demands.

www.philanthropy.com/commons/char...

We are deeply disturbed by the news that Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking at UVU today. We stand alongside bipartisan leaders and elected officials who have condemned this attack on a fellow American. We denounce this shooting and all forms of political violence.

Democracy Day is just a week away! We are thrilled to be participating in this event hosted by Team Democracy and The Pluralist Lab next Monday, September 15th from 7:30-9:00pm ET (and you're invited!).

Register Now us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Bridge Grades: A report card for Congress [explainer video] YouTube video by Bridge Grades

Congress just got graded. Bridge Grades has launched its first report for the 119th Congress. It's like Rotten Tomatoes, but for politicians. 🍅

Find out if your Member of Congress is a bridger or a divide today.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2hG...

Rafting the divide: How a politically diverse group tackled a river’s rapids — and listening, reflecting, building understanding Deseret News video follows the group’s journey on the Green River and explores how time together can bridge America’s divides.

Despite our perceived differences in perspective, ideology, and political affiliation, Americans are all in this raft together, quite literally, when it comes to RAFT for America (Reuniting America by Fostering Trust).

www.deseret.com/utah/2025/08...

Understanding the other | George W. Bush Presidential Center

What if “they” aren’t who we imagine? 🤔

Research shows we vastly overestimate how extreme the other side is. Change moves at the speed of trust—and trust starts with real relationships.

www.bushcenter.org/catalyst/pro...

Conviction Is No Excuse: An Open Letter to My Fellow Leftists Convictions are only as powerful as your ability to explain them. Without challenging our convictions, we sacrifice progress in the name of comfort.

“Clarity doesn’t come from echo chambers. It comes from friction.”

In her recent essay, Sophie Levy reflects on what she learned after joining a virtual, conservative-leaning podcast listening club—not to be persuaded, but to understand.

www.unasbtheclub.com/p/conviction...

Are political differences straining your relationships?

You’re not alone—and we’re here to help.

Join us Aug 12 @ 7pm ET for a session on navigating relationships across divides.
🔗 tinyurl.com/Takes-Two

Happy #ListenFirstFriday! 👂🌍
What if tech brought us together instead of tearing us apart?

🎥 Watch @civichealthproject.bsky.social's Kristin Hansen share why the June 26 Global Expo on Tech & Social Cohesion matters.

🗓️ Free + hybrid → Register + Agenda: techandsocialcohesion.org/ctsc-expo/

If you’ve never changed your mind on anything, you’re not evolving.

You’re just rooting for a team.

Happy #ListenFirst Friday! Ethical storytelling means honoring everyone in a story. Join Stories Change Power’s June course to learn how to share stories with dignity, impact, and empathy—in just 1 hour a week. Space is limited, so register now!

www.storieschangepower.org/product/ethi...

Gen Z isn’t anti-democracy.
They’re just asking: What has it done for us lately?
New research from @moreincommonus.bsky.social CommonUS shows their skepticism stems from disillusionment—not dictatorship.

It’s a call to deliver, not dismiss.

📖 Report: moreincommonus.com/publication/...

Thanks for this thoughtful comment. We agree: dialogue requires nuance. Not every space allows for meaningful engagement, and defending core values matters. Our aim is to support sincere conversation where it’s possible, not flatten real dangers. Appreciate you complicating the narrative with care.

A Truth Universally Acknowledged: Blessed Are the Peacemakers - Word&Way Since the popular screen adaptation of “Pride & Prejudice” is back in theaters for its 20th anniversary, it is worth thinking about how this enemies-to-lovers story can offer us a unique glimpse into ...

Darcy needed less brooding, Elizabeth needed fewer assumptions, and everyone needed a decent conversation. A new blog post shows how bridge-building could’ve saved a lot of drama (and heartache):

wordandway.org/2025/04/25/a...

In a Divided America, We Must Refuse To Disengage From the “Other Side” This week, citizens and organizations across America celebrate the National Week of Conversation. In a time of deep division in our country, this week provides a crucial reminder of the power of conve...

“Change doesn’t happen in echo chambers—it happens in the hard, messy spaces where people choose to stay in conversation.” — Chelsea Miller

Have the courage to connect during this year’s National Week of Conversation.

thefulcrum.us/civic-engage...

Americans feel more divided than ever. You can do something about that. | Opinion The Week of Conversation is an invitation to every American to find a way to come together in real conversation − not to win arguments, but to listen.

“That shift can start anywhere... with the stories we dare to tell − and the humanity we choose to see.” —Steven Olikara,
Bridge Entertainment Labs.

In this USA Today op-ed from Bridge Entertainment Labs, storytelling takes center stage as a path to connection.

www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...

listen first friday 1 This is "listen first friday 1" by Cambria Findley-Grubb on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Happy #ListenFirst Friday from Out for Undergrad!

One important quote? “You can't create relationships of support when you shake hands with a closed fist or think with a closed mind. You have to listen deeply first — even to those who oppose you.”

vimeo.com/1070374784

Happy #ListenFirstFriday!

We're thrilled to invite you to join us for National Week of Conversation— taking place April 21–27, 2025. Today's powerful video captures the heart of why National Week of Conversation (NWoC) matters—and why we need you.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njtb...

The Connection Opportunity More in Common’s two-year study of 6,000+ Americans reveals key insights into Americans’ interest in connection across lines of difference as well as the barriers that stand in the way.

Connection fuels trust, but Americans need more chances to engage. @moreincommonus.bsky.social’s report shows bridging divides starts with shared action—when people connect once, they’re more likely to do it again. Let’s create spaces that bring us together. 📖 moreincommonus.com/publication/...

Celebrating you and your work: Bridging divides, strengthening democracy Through the generous support of the Prohuman Foundation, we are providing $500 grants to support a pizza party for your staff, books for your library, and support in getting recognition in your commun...

📣 TEACHERS! 2 paragraphs could win your school PIZZA, BOOKS & RECOGNITION! Share how you're teaching empathy & dialogue for a chance at $500 from the Prohuman Foundation. Submit between March 10-April 27: #CivicLearningWeek

The future of online communities isn’t about scale—it’s about trust. As people seek smaller, more intentional spaces, we have an opportunity to design digital environments that foster connection, reduce division, and support meaningful dialogue.

#ListenFirst Friday: Urban Rural Action YouTube video by Listen First Project

Happy #ListenFirst Friday! Urban Rural Action is taking applications for their Uniting for Action programs in southern Oregon (Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties) and south-central Pennsylvania (Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, and York Counties)!

youtu.be/UUyDJ9zOvRw

The Case for a Return to "Pluralism" Re-thinking America's ideological tug-of-war. We are pulling the wrong rope.

Rather than fight about what we don’t agree on, lean into what we do. A new post from Bridge Grades discusses how we can rethink America's ideological tug-of-war.

bridgegrades.substack.com/p/the-case-f...

Good news – Facing the Fracture is shortlisted for the Chanticleer International Book Awards (Instruction and Insight genre) and was named a finalist for the Feathered Quill Book Awards (self-help category). taniaisrael.com/writing-book...

We didn't have this on our 2025 bingo card! We love seeing people who embody different sides of the political spectrum calling out what they admire about each other, even when they disagree on politics.

Looking for a good read? Check out this book by @leedrutman.bsky.social

Our politics is stuck in a doom loop—two parties fighting for power, not solutions. We need more players in the game.

That’s where fusion voting comes in—reviving coalition politics and making our democracy work for us. 🗳️✨

How do you teach students to navigate polarizing conversations with confidence, curiosity, and respect?

At the University of Texas at San Antonio, Professor Sara DeTurk has been doing just that. 👉 iftalks.org/G5BhR

#WhatIF #CollaborativeDiscussion #HigherEd #DialogueMatters

This Republican says, “There’s always a place for loving our brothers and sisters.”

Everyday Americans explore what divides us and understand what unites us.