Ben Bain of More Perfect Union on Strengthening Communities Through Relationships

In this episode, we talk with Ben Bain, volunteer Brick Yard leader for the Washington, D.C. area for the organization More Perfect Union. More Perfect Union seeks to strengthen communities through social connection, service, and civic engagement. Ben is a veteran – and a dog lover – who wanted to find ways to weave connective tissue …

Michael McRay on Becoming Re-storied to See the Humanity in Yourself and Others

In this episode, we talk with Michael McRay, experiential story coach, and founder of Becoming Restoried. Michael helps others find and share their own stories, toward healing, reconciling, and connection. The stories we create have the power to connect or divide – and when someone does not have control of their story, it can be dehumanizing. …

Mónica Guzmán on the importance of curiosity to build relationships that bridge divides

In this episode, we talk with Mónica Guzmán, Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, and author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times. Mónica at first dedicated her career to connecting people across differences through journalism… but then moved into the bridging space to …

New York Times Columnist David Brooks on How to Know a Person

In this episode, we talk with David Brooks, New York Times columnist and author of How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. We explore David’s journey to find ways to know other people better and learn how to share his own stories and experiences as part of the knowing …

Writer and Civic Renaissance Founder Alexandra Hudson on “The Soul of Civility”

In this episode, we chat with Alexandra Hudson about her new book -The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Hudson explores the difference between politeness and what Hudson calls civility – and we call CIVITY – truly seeing an OTHER and recognizing their humanity and dignity. Alexandra is also founder of …

Seth Kaplan on Fragile Neighborhoods Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time

In this episode, we explore the importance of strong neighborhood and community relationships to the health of nations, and we discuss the fact that many neighborhoods in the U.S. don’t have strong local ties and need structural and systemic help. My guest is Seth Kaplan – Author of Fragile Neighborhoods Repairing American Society One Zip …

Riaz Patel on Connecting Across Difference by Recognizing Our Shared Humanity

In this episode, we talk with Riaz Patel, executive producer and director focusing on reality shows that depict people connecting and having positive transformations. Riaz created what he calls the EPIC system – with EPIC standing for Equalization, Personalization, Information Gathering, and Collaboration – which is very in line with Civity’s approach to helping people …

How Seeing Humanity Helps Us Address Homelessness More Effectively, with Eric Tars

In this episode, we explore how “othering” has led to increased marginalization and vilification of people who are un-housed – and how civity can help counter this trend by helping people who are housed see the humanity of those without housing. My guest is Eric Tars, Legal Director of National Homelessness Law Center, who reminds …

Bridging Divides & Cultivating Solidarity to Counter Strategic Racism, with Ian Haney López

In this episode, we explore how engaging across our racial and class divides and cultivating solidarity can help bring us together to care for and nurture our democracy. My guest is Ian Haney López, professor at UC Berkeley School of Law, and author of several books, including Dog Whistle Politics: How Coded Racial Appeals Have …

Strengthening Democracy by Increasing Social Trust & Cultivating Connections Across Difference, with Robb Willer

In this episode, we explore a massive new study on improving the health of democracy. The Strengthening Democracy Challenge invited more than 30,000 people to engage with 25 interventions. The goal was to find ways to reduce things like partisan animosity, partisan violence, and anti-democratic attitudes, and increase social trust and a willingness to engage …

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