How are you feeling in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade? Are you devastated, delighted, or somewhere in between? Are you celebrating, or are you protesting? Are you hopeful or concerned about the future of our country? …

Last week, I attended a Braver Angels online debate about abortion. Over 150 people participated, representing a wide range of views. Braver Angels debates are highly structured and skillfully moderated. The format encourages thoughtful consideration of controversial topics and prevents the conversation from devolving into conflict. With courage and vulnerability…

As a teenager, I spent a lot of time at my friend, Peggy’s house. I loved her large, Irish Catholic family’s holiday traditions — decorating cookies, midnight mass, Christmas Eve smorgasbord. My secular Chinese Jewish family was not devoid of tradition — we decorated a Christmas tree, went caroling in…

Real change comes with understanding and connection. — I’m hearing a lot of frustration with people who aren’t vaccinated. My Facebook feed is replete with posts that describe them as “ignorant” or “morons,” including, “it started as a virus and mutated into an IQ test” and “I won’t die of stupid.” Others frame unvaccinated people as irresponsible or…

Dialogue can help us bridge the political divide Calls for unity have been met with considerable skepticism. Is it possible, or even desirable, to seek unity at the current zenith of political polarization? Indeed, polls indicate that Republicans and Democrats are deeply divided about guns, race, climate, immigration, and COVID-19…