How Do We Fix It?

In 2017, data analyst Wesley Warshawer was shocked by a poll that said 50% of Americans supported Donald Trump, about half lived with a gun their home, and a third believed in a literal reading of The Book of Genesis.This didn’t match the views of anyone he knew in Silicon Valley, California. What he read about our country's deep divides led him to sell his apartment in San Jose and spend 18 months living in some of the most conservative parts of America.What he found was that most people across the country, from right wing conservatives to lefty liberals live by a similar ethical code. “I was so shocked to find that we were so similar”, Wesley told us. To his surprise, the bubbles in California and in rural America turned out to be quite alike.In this episode we explore whether Americans are a lot less divided and more friendly than we’ve been told. We consider what can be learned about America when we listen and acknowledge people with different political beliefs. We also discuss this provocative question: Do Braver Angels and other groups in the bridging community have it wrong about how polarized we are?Wesley Warshawer shares moving stories about what he learned from his travels to Bismark, North Dakota, Biloxi and Clarksdale, Mississippi, and other conservative parts of America.“I always think it’s so paradoxical that the best way to learn about yourself is to meet other people. And the best way to learn about your bubble is to leave it.”Find many more of our podcasts at http://www.howdowefixit.me. We report on the people, projects, and ideas of Braver Angels and others who are working every day to bridge divides, rebuild America’s civic muscle, and make courageous citizenship the accepted norm. Most episodes are 30 minutes or less.Our guest, Wesley Warshawer, is a business analyst in Silicon Valley’s semiconductor industry, a Fulbright Scholar to South Korea, essayist, podcast host, and public speaker. He loves his work. For a living he analyzes data and communicates about it. Wesley has looked for wisdom in travel— across the world, or simply across town, meeting a new person or experiencing a new neighborhood. “Outside your comfort zone", he says, “you are a sponge to personal insight and growth.”Our host Richard Davies spent four decades as a Radio Correspondent at ABC News. Richard writes a Substack column about issues covered by “How Do We Fix It?”. His “Here Hear” posts offer frequent thoughts on listening, language, and public square.

What role does the news media play in polarizing us? How do print, radio, TV, and online journalists reinforce our views of the world rather than connecting us to all sides of an issue? Our guest is John Gable, co-founder and CEO of AllSides.com, which rates news media sites for bias, organizes citizen roundtables, and links readers every day to coverage from left, right, and center-biased media. AllSides presents major news stories from a range of perspectives. In the episode we hear how it does it and why.Over four decades our podcast host, Richard Davies, worked in network radio newsrooms as a correspondent, reporter, and newscaster. He shares his concern that the work of many journalists “does more to divide us than make people curious about new ideas including those we disagree with or simply weren’t aware of.”At its worst, news coverage can be preachy, one-sided, or contain flat out lies. As consumers, how do we navigate this? What’s the best way to find balanced and truthful news that you can trust? Every day, AllSides dot com offers a free service: balanced news from MAGA, conservative, centrist, liberal and progressive publications. “The mission at AllSides is to free people from filter bubbles, to help them understand the world and each other,” John tells us in this episode. “If you only know the facts and don’t understand each other that’s not understanding.”John Gable is co-founder and CEO of AllSides, a public benefit corporation. He often writes about news coverage, polarization, and how technology impacts the media. John believes that information integrity is needed in news, AI, businesses, schools, government, and throughout our daily lives — wherever good decisions matter.Richard writes a Substack column about “How Do We Fix It?”. His “Here Hear” posts also offer frequent thoughts on language, politics, and the public square. 

Here’s something many Democrats and Republicans agree on: The way we debate and discuss politics is messed up. We talk past each other instead of getting things done. Huge amounts of time and money are wasted on bickering and bravado. Neither political party has built a lasting coalition to deal with the most urgent problems of the day. In this podcast we look something local and practical: New Hampshire’s experiment in bi-partisan cooperation. Dozens of state legislators are part of the nation’s first Braver Angels-inspired cross partisan caucus where elected officials put aside political combat and learn skills of cooperation. Our guests are Democrat Patricia Higgins and Republican Doug Teschner. Patricia served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2012 to 2018. Doug is also a former state legislator, and co-author of the recent book, “Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times.”Both work with New Hampshire politicians at workshops and other events where caucus members learn how to disagree better and listen closely to the views of the other side.“It’s not easy and it has its ups and downs, but we’re excited we found people who are committed to the idea that we need to get along and have relationships,” Doug told us. “It’s not that we can’t disagree. We should disagree, but do it respectfully.”Political polarization is part of everyday life in America. Families are divided, friendships have been torn apart, public meetings can descend into shouting matches, and the work of elected officials can be stalled or disrupted when the political becomes the personal. “We know that fundamentally Americans need to learn how to talk with one another,” says Patricia Higgins. “This has to part of all the work that we do.”In this podcast we also discuss courageous citizenship, what Doug and Patricia learned as civic renewal activists, and the many challenges facing the national movement to bridge bitter partisan divides. How Do We Fix It? is a member of the Democracy Group network of podcasts and media publications. Our latest podcasts cover the people, projects and ideas of Braver Angels.Journalist Richard Davies is the host of “How Do We Fix It?” During four decades as an ABC News Radio Correspondent, Richard covered breaking news in 35 states and filed reports from more than ten nations in Europe, The Middle East and Latin America.

Here’s the bad news about civic renewal: It will not come easily or quickly. Toxic divides won’t be dramatically reduced because of one person or a dramatic election result. Renewal of America’s civic culture will require enormous effort in every state of the nation.Now the good news. Everyone can make a difference. Participation in renewal requires neither money nor fame. It begins with all of us. Locally and often through one-on-one conversations. These personal encounters can change hearts and minds.Our guests are Braver Angels volunteers Maryanne Colter and Chauncey Williams. Both of them embrace civic renewal in their communities.“So much of our politics today is ‘I just want to win’, but we’re not getting anything done because we can’t talk to one another,” says Maryanne, who serves as state coordinator for Braver Angels in Illinois.At workshops and other events, she works to physically bring opposite sides together in the same room. “This is where the magic happens, when we can sit across the table and treat people as human beings.”Chauncey Williams was honored recently at the Braver Angels Convention in Philadelphia for what he’s doing in Colorado. His unique project is called “Chats in the Park”. Chauncey visits parks in the Denver area, where he sets up a poster that says “what’s on your mind” along with two chairs next to him: One for Chauncey and the other for anyone who’d like to have a one-on-one conversation.Chauncey’s chats often change minds, including his own. “It’s been an interesting journey for me,” he says. “I’ve often been fascinated and humbled by realizing my own limitations in knowledge, and having that revealed.”“It’s been both an uncomfortable and also fun part of these conversations.”Both of these interviews were featured in earlier episodes of “How Do We Fix It?” Here are to our longer podcasts with Chauncey and Maryanne.Learn more about Braver Angels workshops and other activities.“How Do We Fix It?” is hosted by Richard Davies, and produced by Miranda Shafer. We get frequent help from Maury Giles, Gabby Kearns, and Wilk Wilkinson. Please review and subscribe to our frequent episodes where you listen to podcasts. Thank you.

“Braver Angels events always leave me hopeful and energized,” says Yuval Levin of the recent Convention in Philadelphia. “A lot of people from different parts of our politics, from different parts of our country, from different parts of our economy come together and express a a kind of conviction that ultimately our country matters more than our parties, and our country matters more than ideological convictions.”In this wide-ranging conversation with one of America’s most admired public intellectuals, we discuss the resilience of the American constitutional system, the impact of attention politics, and the need for constructive disagreement and courageous citizenship at a time of toxic divides.“The American political tradition speaks in the first person plural in a really beautiful way and speaks in the voice of a people taking a kind of common ownership of their future together,” he says.Yuval Levin is a conservative political thinker and theorist, but unlike most writers and journalists of the right or left, he is a gentle advocate who does not argue for a strictly partisan agenda. His most recent book is "American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation— And Could Again".Levin is The Editor-in-Chief of National Affairs and the director of Social, Cultural and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a leading think tank in Washington D.C. Levin’s has written many articles for The National Review, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and other widely-read publications.He says that he is worried that America’s constitutional system is “under some assault by a president who wants too much power, and by a Congress that wants too little power and therefore is willing to allow the system to be deformed.”However, Levin remains hopeful. In retrospect, “I think our time will seem more stable and less divided than it seems to us,” he tells “How Do We Fix It?” “Our division is real. We need to make sure we don’t allow it to tear us apart. The fact that it has always been like this isn’t a reason not to worry. It’s a reason to take it seriously.”Recommendation: Yuval Levin recommends “The American Revolution”, a recent 12-part PBS documentary by Ken Burns. “It doesn't take partisan sides, and tells the story of the revolution in a very, very engaging way.”Here's a link to one of Yuval Levin's appearences at the 2026 Braver Angels Convention.

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.

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.

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.

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.