Braver Angels Minnesota


Learn about Reduce the Rancor, Minnesota - Check out 2024 Election Survival Guide

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

Picture of the volunteers at a Hold America Together dinner event

Featured Event: Skills for Disagreeing Better

Wednesday, October 9,  6:30-7:45 pm (In-person)
Host: University of St. Thomas
Meeting Room 340 the Anderson Student Center
2115 Summit Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55105
Register:  Skills for Disagreeing Better

In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves–their core values and central concerns–but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested.

When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding.

We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.

Goals for Participants


The statue of liberty with the American Flag in the background

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.

Two angry people looking at the camera while pointing at eachother as if saying "Can you believe this?"

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

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Braver Angels Effectiveness

After participating in our programs 


After participating in our signature Red/Blue Workshop:


After participating in 1:1 Conversations:  97% of participants say they found common ground with someone across the divide.


Source: Braver Angels Program Evaluations 

Questions?

Connect with your Minnesota Braver Angels state coordinators at mn-coordinators@braverangels.org.