Enlightened Conversations Across Ideological Differences with Mónica Guzmán

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American society has become increasingly divided, with people sorting themselves into like-minded groups, othering those who disagree, and siloing themselves from opposing viewpoints. The good news is that people are more complex than the labels we assign them. Here we explore tools for fearless curiosity leading to empathetic conversations across ideological lines. Guzmán emphasizes the importance of curiosity, understanding, and human connection in bridging ideological gaps and shares her personal experience of growing up in a politically divided family and the transformative power of asking "How did you come to believe what you believe?" She highlights the need for in-person interactions, attention, and containment in dialogues. and also discusses the role of media in perpetuating polarization and the potential for small-scale conversations to impact larger institutions like politics and media. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Mónica Guzmán is a journalist, entrepreneur, and is the Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, a grassroots, cross-partisan, organization working to depolarize America. She is cofounder of the newsletter The Evergrey out of Seattle Washington. She is the proud liberal daughter of conservative parents and is a dual US/Mexican citizen.

Mónica Guzmán is the author of:

•  I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times (BenBella Books 2022)

To learn more about the work of Mónica Guzmán go to www.moniguzman.com

Topics explored in this dialogue include:

• What is Guzmán’s experience of being a liberal daughter of conservative parents
• How being more curious and asking open-ended questions leads to effective conversations when talking with people who hold different political views
• What is the importance of understanding and questioning one's own assumptions, biases, and beliefs
• What is the grassroots, nonprofit organization, “Braver Angels”
• Why Guzmán advocates focusing on people's stories rather than their political views
• Why it is important for people to feel they have been heard to be able to hear others
• Why is it difficult to hold uncertainty
• How conflict entrepreneurs in the media are making money off our divisions
• What are some critiques for having conversations across political divides

Host: Justine Willis Toms    Interview Date: 5/15/2025   Program Number: 3842

Music Playlist

Album: Oracle
Artist: Michael Hedges

Opening Essay: Track 02 Ignition
Music Break 1: Track 03 Baal T'shuvah
Music Break 2: Track 09 Theme From HATARI!
Music Break 3: Track 10 Aura Muunta