Events

Braver Angels workshops are typically free events as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. To donate to Minnesota Braver Angels, go to Support a Braver Angels Field Organization - Minnesota.

Minnesota events are listed below, as well as some national events. To find additional national events, visit the Events Calendar on the national Braver Angels website. The national BA events calendar offers in-person and online events and can be searched by date and location. Most Registration links go to Eventbrite, a service that lists events and manages registrations.

Upcoming events and activities in Minnesota

Sept. 25 - Two important events in Winona

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.     Register
COMMUNITY LUNCHEON for Elected Officials and Community Leaders (registration is limited to 50)

Bridging the Gap: How Local Leaders Can Counteract Polarization

Minnesota State College Southeast, 1250 Homer Rd, Winona, MN 55987

Our nation is more divided than ever—and the ripple effects are being felt right here at home. What started as national polarization now threatens the unity and resilience of communities like Winona. Join fellow community leaders for a thoughtful lunch and interactive conversation led by a national Braver Angels leader. Together, we’ll discuss the challenge of polarization and how you as community leaders help turn down the temperature, build trust across differences, and create a stronger, more connected community. 

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Workshop for the public     Register

How Do We Find Community in Our Differences?
Winona State University  Kryzsko Commons Solarium

In a time when politics can so easily drive us apart, how do we build stronger communities that bring us together? This interactive workshop invites people from across the political spectrum to come together for honest conversation, fresh perspectives, and practical skills for navigating our differences. Through a mix of large- and small-group discussions, we’ll explore how polarization shapes our families, neighborhoods, and nation—and discover what each of us can do to bridge divides and strengthen the ties that hold us together.

Sept 29 - West Suburban Alliance - Examining How Media Misleads, Manipulates, and Divides

Monday, September 29, 6-8 pm
Host: West Suburban Alliance
Brookdale Library
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway #Suite 800 Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Register

In this practical, hands-on workshop we will use resources from AllSides to practice examining the tactics of modern media (i.e. spin, ad hominem, slant, flawed logic, etc.)

From the AllSides website: "Journalism is tied to a set of ethical standards and values, including truth and accuracy, fairness and impartiality, and accountability. However, journalism today [from both Red and Blue sources] often strays from objective fact, resulting in biased news and endless examples of media bias. Media bias isn't necessarily a bad thing. But hidden bias misleads, manipulates and divides us."

The purpose of this workshop is to learn - together - how to not be misled, manipulated, or divided by our media.

Questions? Contact Bruce Pomerantz at bpomerantz@braverangels.org

Oct 9 - Bridging the Political Divide: How Local Leaders Can Help

Thursday, October 9, 2025
6:30-8 p.m.
Wayzata City Hall, 600 Rice St. E, Wayzata, MN

Register

Questions?  Melinda Voss, mvoss@braverangels.org

Oct 13 - West Suburban Alliance - Concord Coalition: Tackle the Federal Budget!

Monday, October 13, 6-8pm
Host: West Suburban Alliance
Brookdale Library
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway #Suite 800 Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Register

Join us for a hands-on, interactive exercise that puts you in Congress’s shoes for two hours as we tackle the federal budget.

Working in small groups, you’ll debate spending cuts, tax changes, and national priorities. You will grapple with the same tough choices lawmakers face and see just how challenging it is to balance competing demands. Along the way, you may also discover surprising areas of agreement across political divides.

This program uses the Principles & Priorities budget exercise from the nonpartisan Concord Coalition, trusted nationwide to spark constructive conversations. Participants explore trade-offs, weigh their personal principles against fiscal realities, and learn how citizens with different viewpoints can still find common ground.

Whether you lean red, blue, or somewhere in between, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of the federal budget, your own priorities, and a deeper appreciation for the power of working together.

To ensure that sufficient materials are available, registration is required.

Questions? Contact Bob Sigafus at bsigafus@braverangels.org

Oct 14 - Minnesota State Alliance Open House - Online

Save the date - More info to follow

Oct 14 - Our Ballooning National Debt – Will It Eventually Pop?

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center

5121 McAndrews Road Apple Valley, MN 55124

Host: Dakota County Alliance

Register

Join us for a hands-on, interactive exercise that puts you in Congress’s shoes for two

hours as we tackle the federal budget.  Working in small groups, you’ll debate spending

cuts, tax changes, and national priorities. You will grapple with the same tough choices

lawmakers face and see just how challenging it is to balance competing demands.

Along the way, you may discover surprising areas of agreement across political divides.

This program uses the Principles & Priorities budget exercise from the

nonpartisan Concord Coalition, trusted nationwide to spark constructive conversations.

Participants explore trade-offs, weigh their personal principles against real fiscal

realities, and learn how citizens with different viewpoints can still find common ground.

Whether you lean red, blue, or somewhere in between, you’ll leave with a clearer

understanding of the federal budget, your own priorities, and a deeper appreciation for

the power of working together.

Oct. 20 - Is Renewable Energy a Fairy Tale? Unraveling the Energy Puzzle for AI and Beyond

Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, 7-8:30 p.m.  Save the date
Host: MN State Alliance
Register  

Join us for a provocative evening that cuts through the noise on renewable energy and the skyrocketing demands of AI, data centers, and electrification. Is the dream of a 100% renewable energy future a realistic solution or a feel-good fantasy? This event is designed to spark curiosity and bridge divides, bringing together conservatives, liberals, and everyone in between to tackle one question: Can we power our world without compromise?

Why You Should Attend

• The Stakes: AI and data centers are devouring energy at an unprecedented rate, while electrification pushes our grid to the brink. Can renewables like wind and solar keep up, or are we chasing a myth?

• The Debate: Hear from an energy expert and Braver Angels Moderator Chris Schoenherr, on whether renewables can deliver or if we need a broader mix—nuclear, gas, or beyond.

• Your Voice: Interactive Q&A in the Braver Angels Way to share your perspective, whether you prioritize affordability, innovation, or the environment.

• The Hook: Expect myth-busting insights, surprising data, and a bold discussion on balancing clean energy, cheap power, and the infrastructure we all love to hate (but need).

Why It Matters

We all want reliable electricity, low costs, and a healthy planet—but nobody wants a wind farm or power plant in their backyard. With AI’s energy demands doubling every few years and electrification transforming our economy, the pressure is on. Can renewables be the “silver bullet” we’ve been promised, or do we need a pragmatic, all-of-the-above approach? This event will challenge assumptions, spark debate, and leave you with answers that matter—whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in between.

Who Should Attend

• Conservatives curious about energy independence and practical solutions.

• Liberals passionate about climate goals and sustainable innovation.

• Tech enthusiasts eager to understand AI’s impact on our energy future.

• Anyone who wants to cut through the hype and get real answers.

Let’s explore the energy question head-on—together.

Nov. 15 - Families and Politics

Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. – noon

Black Hawk Middle School

1540 Deerwood Drive Eagan, MN 55122

Host: Dakota County Alliance

Register

Family relationships can become casualties of a toxic political environment. Family members are having bitter political arguments, avoiding each other, or even cutting off lifetime relationships. If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this in-person workshop will offer you:

• Insight into why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging

• Recognition of common roles that family members play in political conversations

• Strategies and skills for handling family political differences in a constructive way

Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use learnings in this workshop with any loved one. You’ll laugh and have some fun in this workshop—it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families.

Questions? Contact Kraig Finwall at kfinwall@braverangels.org

National Events - Online

Sept 11 - National Online Debate: Confidence in Science

Thursday, Sept. 11, 8-10 p.m. EDT

Host Organization: Braver Angels Debates

State/Region: - National

Setting: Online

Register

Join Braver Angels for a debate on the topic – “Resolved: Trust the Science”

Come join us for this free national debate, in which all participants from across the ideological spectrum will have an opportunity to speak and ask their questions. Tell us what you have experienced and what you think.

Register  After registration, you will be emailed the zoom link to attend the event. Keep an eye out!

Questions? Email debates@braverangels.org.

You probably haven’t experienced anything like a Braver Angels Debate. This is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out a little closer to the truth, more aware of the validity in opposing views, and with tighter community relationships.

To learn more about these debates, you can view this video of a sample debate (it lasts about 15 minutes). This file might help you understand the debate process that we use.

This debate is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit as part of our mission to depolarize America. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible. Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America.

You will have an opportunity to make a donation as you register, if you so choose. Your choice will have no bearing on your registration or Zoom meeting assignment.

Braver Angels events may be recorded, and may be shared with media or used in Braver Angels publications, including web pages. Participants who object to this may disable their video.

This is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. To donate, click here.

Sept 13 - Depolarizing Within

Saturday September 13, 1-4 p.m. 

Host Organization: BA National - Workshops 

Setting: Online

Register

Much of today’s polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies.

This free, three-hour workshop teaches participants:

• How to be more aware of their own “inner polarizer”

• How to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population

• Strategies for intervening constructively in social conversations with like-minded peers when these conversations veer into contempt and ridicule for people who hold other political views.

Workshop Format: The 3-hour workshop is offered online over Zoom.

Who can come? Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.

See you there!

This workshop is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. Click here to donate.

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For more national online opportunities, visit Braver Angels Events Calendar.