Listen First Project

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.

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

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.

6 Lessons on Love: How a Democrat and Republican Make It Work - Builders Drew Benbow is a Republican and Sydney Bradford is a Democrat. They met more than twenty years ago as political science majors at Hampton University, and fell in love after reconnecting nearly two yea...

This bipartisan couple shows that love and politics aren’t mutually exclusive. Their story is a reminder that listening and respect can bridge even the widest divides.

buildersmovement.org/2025/02/10/6...

YouTube video by What's Up With Hate No Reason to Hate | Super Bowl LIX Commercial | 30

"The reasons for hate are as stupid as they sound." It says a lot about where we are at as a nation that Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady need to make an ad calling that out. With conversation.us we are proud to help Americans lower the temperature.

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

YouTube video by NFL on FOX Super Bowl LIX: Brad Pitt explains what it means to be American on Super Bowl Sunday | NFL on FOX

The Super Bowl message wasn’t just about football—it was about us. Our greatest victories come when we stand together in ways that have lifted the world and one another. The only way forward is together. America, it's time to huddle up.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkji...

Stalemate Is Not An Option Beth talks to No Labels co-founder Holly Page about getting things done in D.C.

Finding common ground isn’t weakness—it’s the foundation of progress. Stalemate serves no one, and productive dialogue is the only way forward. Thank you for emphasizing the importance of working together for real solutions.

www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/p/stalemate-...

The Cost of Incivility: Addressing Workplace Challenges into 2025 Workplace and societal incivility reached record highs in 2024, according to SHRM’s Q4 Civility Index. To combat the risks incivility poses to business outcomes, leaders must take action to foster res...

U.S. organizations lost over $2.7 billion per day due to reduced productivity and absenteeism caused by incivility and polarization—an increase of over $600 million lost per day from Q3.

$2.7 BILLION PER DAY. We can, and need to do better.

www.shrm.org/enterprise-s...

In 2010, Oregon's evenly split House turned potential gridlock into effective governance through strict power-sharing and collaboration. A testament to the power of bipartisanship and both sides are still talking about it!

www.ncsl.org/state-legisl...

More in Common's Stephen Hawkins sits down with Will Kaback at @tanglenews.bsky.social to discuss our post-election polling. Listen to the free preview here (26 min): pod.link/1538788132/e...

Learn More About State Business Executives and their work here: statebusinessexecutives.org

YouTube video by Listen First Project Listen First Friday: Jeff Wasden of State Business Executives

Happy Listen First Friday! Jeff Wasden, President of State Business Executives, discusses how civility and common sense benefit business and society, including tackling $2B/day polarization costs. Learn how leaders can make a difference.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1zj...