Braver Angels Minnesota
Welcome to Braver Angels
Braver Angels Minnesota is part of a national citizens' movement that brings together conservatives, liberals, independents and others to restore trust, respect and goodwill in American politics.
We seek not to eliminate our differences but rather deal with them head-on -- with respect and understanding -- for the betterment of our communities. In short, we do not try to change people's views on issues but on how they view the other side.
We offer workshops, debates and structured conversations - typically for no charge - that allow participants to learn and practice effective listening and speaking skills.
Our volunteers share and model these skills because they believe that treating each other better is the answer to what's broken in America.
There will always be differences. We believe the best way forward is to change how we deal with those differences.
Braver Angels Minnesota offers Election Survival Guide
to reduce political rancor and preserve relationships
In a divisive election year, Braver Angels Minnesota has developed the 2024 Election Survival Guide to support Minnesotans who feel uncertain about handling political differences with those around them.
The free guide offers a three-minute video and other resources with practical ideas on preparing for challenging political conversations with family, friends and neighbors…more…
News about Braver Angels Minnesota
Oct. 15, 2024 - NPR: Are political disagreements stressing you out? Here are tips to bridge the divide
Oct. 3, 2024 - Talking Sense: How to connect with people you disagree with
Sept. 13, 2024 - The Current: MPR and nonprofit Braver Angels want Minnesotans to "disagree better"
Sept. 2, 2024 -Minnesota Star Tribune: Don't like coarse political discourse? Do something.
Aug. 26, 2024 - Minnesota Star Tribune: How the Minnesota Council of Churches is bridging divides this election year
Aug. 19, 2024 - How one state's new 'Civility Caucus' aims to bridge partisan divides
July 28, 2024 - St. Paul Pioneer Press op-ed ran op-ed Doherty, Thiemann: Time to reduce the rancor, Minnesota
July 28, 2024 - America's divisiveness got you down? Some Minnesota towns see an antidote: Improv comedy
July 17, 2024 - Fulcrum published Harry C. Boyte's article Building Civil Hope through Braver Angels
July 15, 2024 - Bill Doherty on WCCO-AM: Responding to the assassination attempt
June 9, 2024 - Duluth's Northern News Now covered Finding Common Ground: Braver Angels holds political discussion on gun regulation Sunday
June 6, 2024 - MPR broadcast of April 24 workshop in Rochester, Talking Sense: Skills for disagreeing respectfully across political divides
Featured Event: Preparing to be Tested as a Braver Angel -- Managing the Aftermath of This Election
Monday, October 21, 7:00-8:00 pm (Online)
Host: Minnesota Braver Angels
Register: Preparing to be Test as a Braver Angel -- Managing the Aftermath of This Election
This is for members only. If you want to become a member and join the conversation, we welcome you to sign up.
This event is for Minnesota Braver Angels members only. Come to a MN members-only presentation and conversation on how we can resist the pull of triumphalism if our own side wins the Nov. 5 election or vengefulness if it loses. And how will we manage our reactions if the country enters a constitutional crisis where both sides claim victory in the Electoral College, or if there is violence in the streets after the election?
While we hope for the best, this may be the greatest test of the Braver Angels spirit and skills since our founding in 2016. How will we treat one another in victory, defeat, or uncertainty? How do we handle different conclusions about the election without embracing the Four Horsemen of Polarization: Stereotyping, Dismissing, Ridiculing, and Contempt toward the millions who vote and think the other way?
Braver Angels cofounder Bill Doherty will share his thoughts about these questions and will lead a conversation among members on the call. The goal is to “immunize” ourselves against the potential onslaught of bitterness in the aftermath of winning or losing. How can we call on the better angels of our nature?
Get involved
We offer many ways to Get Involved. Join for $12 a year. Take a free eCourse. Attend a free local, state or national Braver Angels event, among other possibilities. Donations gratefully accepted.
Volunteer Profile - Read about Christopher Schoenherr in Get Involved. He's no stranger to achieving compromise, even in the most unlikely of places.
Join our latest campaign to build capacity among individual Minnesotans and constituencies in academic, civic and religious organizations to disagree better. Here's what one partner said about why her organization joined the campaign.
"We are expecting one in three rural physicians to retire in the next five years. And part of that is being driven by rancor or burnout. Nobody's out there saying we should be less healthy. We all want to be healthy. We have different strategies for how to get there. But health is a common goal."
Laurel Ries M.D., President, Minnesota Medical Association
Braver Angels Effectiveness
After participating in our programs
68% of participants had a positive view of the other side.
75% of participants said they are likely to share what they learned with friends and family.
After participating in our signature Red/Blue Workshop:
86% of participants reported believing that they better understand other points of view
71% reported feeling better understood by people with other points of view
81% reported feeling better prepared to apply the skills they practiced
After participating in 1:1 Conversations: 97% of participants say they found common ground with someone across the divide.
Questions?
Connect with your Minnesota Braver Angels state coordinators at mn-coordinators@braverangels.org.