The vitriol in American politics was a problem long before Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the 2020 election. Affective political polarization (not only disagreement on issues but personal contempt and distrust) has been growing between us for at least 25 years, and today there is evidence to suggest that we are now as polarized as we have been since the Civil War. Americans no longer see their political opponents as simply wrong or misguided. They see them as enemies who must be defeated at all costs.

Braver Angels was formed shortly after the 2016 election because they do not accept this division. They reject the normalizing of this extreme polarization and our work is about building civic trust in the USA, healing the wounds between left and right.

We welcome Beverly and David to The Third Place to learn how we can begin to see ourselves as fellow Americans once again.

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Braver Angels was inspired by the words of Abraham Lincoln, who not only called on Americans to summon the “better angels” of our nature — but called on us to find the courage needed to pursue a more perfect union, “with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right.”

To meet the current moment, at this time of national crisis, we need more than civility. We need to challenge ourselves to work together when we disagree. We need bravery.

braverangels.org

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-third-place/donations