How Do We Fix It?

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We report on the people projects and ideas of Braver Angels, the largest volunteer-led grassroots movement to bridge partisan divides. Braver Angels brings people together from right, left and center, and works to restore America's civic muscle through curiosity and dialogue. From politics to the personal, we're about listening with humility and courage to those we disagree with. Produced by DaviesContent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 13 uur geleden

    They Disagree Better on Immigration Reform: Diego Sanchez & Jim Robb

    Immigration law reform and enforcement is a very heated and emotional issue. In recent years, no public policy has been discussed with more outrage, demonization, and disgust. Both sides of the immigration debate demand total victory. But their all-or-nothing approach has resulted in nothing. No major immigration reform legislation has been signed into law in three decades. Perhaps it’s time for less emotion and more respect for different points of view. The Braver Angels Citizens Commission on Immigration is working to show Congress and the nation that Americans with differing views on immigration can find common ground. The Commission includes includes citizens from all sides of the issue. Our expert guests in this episode come from opposing sides of the debate. They work closely together and are now friends. Jim Robb and Diego Sanchez are on the leadership team of the Commission, and served as co-chairs at the recent Braver Angels National Convention in Philadelphia. Diego was nine years old when he arrived in this country from Argentina. Before becoming a US citizen, he was an undocumented college student and DACA recipient. Today he’s a policy and strategy leader at the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, helping college and university leaders navigate immigration policy. “Citizenship for me is not just a legal status. It’s a responsibility, and that’s what I bring to this work: A responsibility to help the country’s future.” Jim supports more limits to immigration than Diego. As Vice President of Alliances at NumbersUSA, the nation’s largest-member immigration organization he advocates for a modernized system that aims to better serve America’s workers and long-term national interests. “It’s very hard to pass legislation, especially landmark legislation that affects policies on into the future, but that’s what we’re trying to do,” says Jim of his work on the Braver Angels Commission. “To get there you have to get to the missing word in American politics, which is actually not compromise. It’s agreement and persuasion. The democracy we’re all so proud of is built on checks and balances." For Diego, his work together with Jim and others includes a vital space for disagreement. “Disagree better means honest disagreement without contempt. It’s refusing to surrender the humanity of the person across from you.” In this episode we mentioned the Braver Angels weekly newsletter about current and upcoming workshops, debates and much more. If you want to receive it, send an email to newsletter@braverangels.org and ask to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 1 jul

    Braver Angels 2026 Convention Report and Reactions From Delegates

    Something remarkable happened in Philadelphia, days before America celebrated its 250th birthday and streets away from where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Nearly 900 Braver Angels delegates at their Convention signed a pledge to be courageous citizens. Being a courageous citizen stands in proud contrast to easy citizenship. In America’s current culture of contempt, it’s courageous to build, not destroy.  In this episode we hear from delegates, convention organizers and conference speakers, including two Members of Congress: Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Brian Fitzpatrick. Both Congressmen warmly praised Braver Angels for the work it does. One of major themes at the Convention was the work of the Citizens Commission on Immigration. We will hear much more about that on our next podcast episode.  There was also a sense that almost ten years in, Braver Angels is moving from start up to take off. National leaders rolled out a strategic plan that calls for a big increase in volunteers and subscribers. And there was signing and song every day of the convention. You might now say that music is central to the heart and soul of Braver Angels. Here is the wording of the Pledge agreed to by Braver Angels delegates: "I pledge to be a courageous citizen: To choose curious listening over contempt; To build alongside those with different politics; And to embrace our shared duty to renew America's civic culture." Want to watch the plenary sessions at the four-day convention? All are available free on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 6 jun

    A Conversation About Differences: Sue Lani Madsen

    It's very easy to be outraged or depressed about American politics today, and much more challenging and interesting to consider how things might be better. Instead of dismissing our political opponents or viewing them with disdain or disgust, how can we understand them better and learn from them? That's where Braver Angels 1:1 Conversations come in. Two people from different backgrounds and beliefs use a structured list of questions. The goals are for both of them to better understand their experiences, feelings and beliefs, find out what you may have in common, and learn how to bridge divides. In this episode, our podcast host Richard Davies has a lively and fun 40 minute 1:1 Conversation with Sue Lani Madsen about their red/blue, rural/urban differences. Along the way, they learned a lot of interesting things about each other. Sue Lani Madsen is an architect and founding partner of a major regional architecture and interior design firm with over 40 years of experience serving public and private clients. She writes frequently on Substack, is a US Army veteran, volunteer firefighter and mother of five who lives on a ranch in rural Eastern Washington. A political conservative, Sue Lani serves as a co-chair of the Central/Eastern Washington Alliance of Braver Angels. Richard Davies spent nearly four decades as a Correspondent and reporter at ABC News Radio. He began his career as a radio journalist in England. Richard is a liberal and is a volunteer for Braver Angels in Connecticut and New York. "How Do We Fix It?" is committed to asking constructive questions across differences. For nine years, Richard co-hosted this podcast with his good friend, James Meigs, of The Manhattan Institute and Wall Street Journal. In recent episodes, we've reported on the people, projects, and ideas of Braver Angels, America's largest volunteer-led grassroots movement devoted to healing divides and building civic muscle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. 22 mei

    Braver Angels Convention: A Pledge Renewed. Mark Metzger

    One week before America celebrates its 250th birthday, Braver Angels will hold its annual convention in Philadelphia, the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. More than one thousand citizen delegates— Blues, Reds, and Independents— will be in the same place together over four days, June 25-28. They will honor the final words of the Declaration's authors: “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” In Philadelphia “we will figure out how to renew that pledge to strengthen our civic bonds together,” says podcast guest, Convention Director Mark Metzger. “The theme is 1776-2026, a pledge renewed. We’re looking at what that pledge meant… at the start of the new nation, and what it means to us today.” America’s 250th anniversary focuses national attention on who we are as a nation, and who we hope to become. The Braver Angels Convention will play an active and engaging role in this national endeavor. The Declaration was not only a statement of independence from Great Britain, it was also a declaration of dependence on one another.  Debates will be held, speeches made, workshops organized, music played, and films shown at this convention. This episode also discusses the meaning and goals of courageous citizenship. “True interdependence insists that rural conservatives and urban progressives, religious and secular citizens, activists and traditionalists do not have to agree in order to remain bound together,” says Jeff Thiemann of the Braver Angels Leadership Team. “It affirms that every group brings dignity and distinct experiences, and that our shared future depends on facing common challenges together.” Mark Metzger joined Braver Angels in 2022. In 2023, he oversaw operations and logistics for the Braver Angels National Convention in Gettysburg, PA, led the arts initiatives Four Score: A Memory Play and Braver Lens: Amateur Photography to Heal American Divides, and managed day-to-day operations of the National office.  "How Do We Fix It?" reports on the people, projects and ideas of Braver Angels, the nation's largest volunteer-led grassroots organization devoted the healing civic divides. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. 1 mei

    Building Bridges, Crossing Divides in Utah. Jorgensen and Bernards

    The nation has been shaken by violence yet again. The assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents Dinner was another jarring tear in the fabric of our public life. Every day Americans also hear divisive, angry, rhetoric from national political leaders and media pundits.  On "How Do We Fix It? we discuss how growing numbers of Americans are pushing back against toxic divides.  We report on the work of Braver Angels: The national movement that brings reds and blues together in the same room. This episode with Reena Bernards and Casey Jorgensen covers the Braver Angels Mobile Summit in Utah, a traveling conference where practical steps were taken to build bridges and cross divides. Volunteers drove an RV across Utah, and also ran in-person events where red and blue citizens worked together on polarizing issues such as immigration. Two mobile summits in late 2025, and again in the spring of this year, featured workshops, debates and dialog. The aim was to depolarize communities and strengthen civic engagement.  "It was a wonderful experience," says Reena. "We became like a family." At the immigration workshop, which included equal numbers of conservatives and liberals, there was agreement on the need to secure the border and having a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants who'd lived and worked in the U.S. for a long time, contributed to society, paid taxes, and had not done anything illegal. Going into that workshop "I think people were thinking we'd be lucky to come up with one or two points of agreement," says Casey. "To have a list of over a dozen was really exciting." See more about the Braver Angels Utah mobile summit here. Casey Jorgensen is Braver Angels’ National Strategic Projects and Event Coordinator, and volunteers as the Red Mountain Region Co-Lead. Originally from Boise, Idaho, she and her husband, Dean (from Alberta, Canada) as well as their three grown children, and two more by marriage, live in Utah.  She’s also the unbiased grandmother of two perfect grandchildren.  Casey is President/Chair of Patriot Camps of America, a Utah Higher Education Inclusion Alliance Board Member, and has served as a GOP Precinct Chair and Delegate.  She enjoys live theater, is a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and feels honored to work with true Braver Angels. Reena Bernards leans Blue. As a volunteer Braver Angels moderator, she created the Common Ground Workshop, which brings together conservatives and liberals for constructive dialogue on a single issue. She was the Project Lead for Braver Angels Trustworthy Elections Campaign. Reena is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, in private practice in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. Reena lives with her husband Tom Smerling, also a Braver Angels moderator, in Takoma Park Maryland. They are pleased that their 2 adult children live nearby. Reena greatly enjoys being part of a performing dance group, The Chalice Dancers . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. 10 apr

    Why Braver Angels Workshops Bring Surprise and Hope. Maryanne Colter

    Right now is a really difficult time to convince Americans to come together and listen to the other side. How can we be hopeful at a time of so much anger, division, violence and despair when our political leaders speak with such venom about their opponents? “What we’re doing now is sorting into our tribes and silos,” says our guest Maryanne Colter, state coordinator for Braver Angels of Illinois. With curiosity and humility she works to physically bring people of opposing views together in the same room. “This is where the magic happens, when we can sit across the table and treat people as human beings.” Here we learn about different types of Braver Angels workshops and how they often surprise and change the perspectives of those who take part. “That’s what brings me hope,” Maryanne tells us. “How Do We Fix It?” podcasts report on the people, projects, and ideas of Braver Angels, the national movement that pushes back against toxic polarization and brings reds, blues and independents together to find common ground and gain respect for different points of view. In their workshops, debates, and online events, Braver Angels explores how we can disagree better and choose connection over domination. In this episode we include extracts from a public television documentary by WTTW Chicago about the work of Braver Angels of Illinois. We hear what happened when blue-leaning members of Braver Angels spent an evening with Chicago Young Republicans last September, right after Charlie Kirk was murdered. Maryanne Colter has been a volunteer with Braver Angels since 2019. She has Moderated dozens of Braver Angels Workshops and took on the role of State Coordinator for Illinois in December of 2024. Maryanne recently retired after a long career in Project Management and Organizational Change Consulting.  Learn more about previous episodes of How Do We Fix It? here. Please rate and review our podcasts wherever you listen to digital audio. Braver Angels holds events almost every day in towns and cities across the country. Explore its mission and work here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. 27 mrt

    Braver Angels Ambassadors. Barbara Hancin and Ron McFarland

    Braver Angels Ambassadors are among the most courageous of courageous citizens. Not only do they bridge the partisan divide, these volunteers meet people where they are. At meetings and events across the country, they go speak about Braver Angels as they try to convince skeptics that rebuilding civic trust is a cause worth supporting.  In this episode, we hear from Barbara Hancin and Ron “Sugar Bear” McFarland, volunteer co-chairs of the Braver Angels ambassadors program. “What we’re were doing is giving hope to people,” says Barbara. “We don’t have to stay in the rancor. There are ways to build bridges and we’ll help you do that.” Barbara has more than 35 years of experience in higher education, with expertise in linguistics and second language learning, global studies, and academic administration. She’s a moderator for workshops that bring people together across differences. Barbara leans Blue and lives in Colorado. Ron leans Red and calls home home Ames Iowa. A former star college football player at Iowa State University, Ron has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an educator, coach, mentor and civic bridge builder.  In this episode, we hear about the mission of Braver Angels Ambassadors, plus exactly how and why they do their work. We share compelling and surprising examples of how Ron and Barbara engage with total strangers. Both of them say their volunteering has brought personal rewards. “It made me be more patient,” says Ron. “It changed me to understand that just because I think something should be a certain way that doesn’t mean the other person agrees.” “How Do We Fix It?” publishes frequent reports on the people, projects and ideas of Braver Angels, the largest nation group of citizen volunteers who are working to overcome America's divides and restore civic trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. 13 mrt

    Braver Angels Citizens Commission on Immigration. David Lapp

    Is it possible to find points of agreement on some of the most heated and divisive issues in American politics? Can people who profoundly disagree sit down and learn from each other? The answers to both questions is an emphatic "yes!". In this episode we hear about the current work of the Citizens Commission on Immigration from its Director, Braver Angels co-founder, David Lapp.  The goal of the Citizens Commission is to demonstrate to Congress and the nation that Americans with differing views on immigration can find common ground. The Commission works in a red/blue balanced way and includes Americans from all sides of the issue. Over the past two years, grassroots Americans and national experts and advocates of all sides of the immigration issue have met together. "There have now been about 50 immigration events across the country," David tells us. "We can find some meaningful areas of agreement." Large majorities of participants from the left and right agree on the need for secure borders, and believe that businesses should face penalties for hiring undocumented workers. Some agreement was also found on a pathway to citizenship for "Dreamers" who came to the US as children.  The Commission was launched after about 750 delegates at the 2024 Braver Angels National Convention voted to establish immigration as a Braver Angels priority issue. By the end of this year The Commission aims to hold one hundred grassroots events across the country, and eight National Roundtable meetings. The point of having a citizens commission on immigration speaks to what Abraham Lincoln said: "In America we're a government of the people, by the people, for the people", says David. "Our laws and our policies should reflect what we the ordinary people think." In our interview we also discuss what David has learned in his years of committed work with Braver Angels. If you want to get a sense of the heart and soul of this movement, it's well worth listening to him. Before helping to start Braver Angels, David spent several years interviewing working-class Ohioans about their life experiences and families. He lives with his wife, Amber, and their six children in South Lebanon, Ohio—the site of the first-ever Braver Angels workshop in December 2016. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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We report on the people projects and ideas of Braver Angels, the largest volunteer-led grassroots movement to bridge partisan divides. Braver Angels brings people together from right, left and center, and works to restore America's civic muscle through curiosity and dialogue. From politics to the personal, we're about listening with humility and courage to those we disagree with. Produced by DaviesContent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • Maker
    DaviesContent
  • Jaren actief
    2015 - 2026
  • Afleveringen
    454
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    Veilig
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    © All Rights Reserved
  • Website van aflevering
    How Do We Fix It?

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