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.
Preparing to be Tested as a Braver Angel: Managing the Aftermath of the Election
Bill Doherty, a co-founder of Braver Angels and University of Minnesota professor emeritus of family and marriage therapy, conducted a one-hour Zoom Oct. 21 discussion on how to deal with the aftermath of the election. You can watch the video of this session and download the handout.
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
Nov. 1, 2024 - Minnesota Star Tribune: Can Americans discuss political disagreements respectfully? Yes, says this Minnesota pastor
Oct. 29, 2024 - Northfield News: Rotary Club of Northfield: About Braver Angels and civil discourse
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
Managing Post-Election Highs or Lows: How to Move Forward
Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:00-8:00 pm
Host - Minnesota Public Radio Talking Sense
College of Saint Scholastica, Lounge in Somers Hall
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
Register: Managing Post-Election Highs or Lows: How to Move Forward
How do you want to manage your emotions and relate to others in victory, defeat, or ongoing uncertainty about the election? We will be tempted by triumphalism if our side wins and by spite and revenge if our side loses. Either way, we all lose, and our ability to govern ourselves in a democratic republic will further erode. But we do have a choice about how to show up after the election. We can be bridge builders or bridge burners. Join us for a presentation and conversation about how to repair and move forward together after this polarizing election. Door open at 5:30 pm. Questions? Contact Melinda Voss at mvoss@braverangels.org.
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.