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

April 13 - Depolarizing Ourselves - Roseville

Monday, April 13  7-8:30 p.m.
Roseville Lutheran Church
1215 Roselawn Ave W, Roseville, MN 55113

RESERVE A SPOT  *Tickets are Free, Donations Help  Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.  As a spam prevention measure, you must use promo code BRAVER during registration to secure your spot in the workshop. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3. Braver Angels does not ask for a donation if the participant is making one to their faith organization.

Note: This free* event is to be attended in person. 

Faith-Sponsored Workshop Overview

For people of faith, civil discourse begins in recognizing the image of God in our conversation partner. Since we are all children of God, our approach should involve mutual respect. Respect, not agreement, is an essential key for a healthy discussion. This workshop addresses how we may inadvertently be complicit in, or possibly even encourage, polarization.

Abraham Lincoln’s famous 1858 quote, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” refers to Matthew 12:25 – “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” As members of the faith community, we are ones who can bear witness to the importance of unity and togetherness; and – even more importantly – we can be a ministry of reconciliation to others.

About this event

Polarization is fueled by how we talk about those on the other side of an issue. Too often, we ridicule, dismiss, or stereotype our fellow citizens. When Braver Angels addresses “polarization,” we are not referring to healthy disagreements over issues or philosophy. We are addressing how we regard and talk about large groups of people — people who happen to be on the other side of the political aisle.

Goals

In this 1.5-hour session, participants will learn:

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

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

Who Can Attend?

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

April 14 - Skills for Disagreeing Better: An Interactive Non-partisan Workshop - Hudson

Tuesday, April 14  6-8:30 p.m.
YMCA - Camp St. Croix/Royal Credit Union Discover Center
345 RiverView Drive, Hudson, WI

REGISTRATION

Since the founding of the United States, citizens have always disagreed with one another. So why does it seem so hard today to respectfully share our differences and find common ground? 

One reason, especially in this age of algorithms that divide us, is that we lack a 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.

The good news is that we can learn to disagree better, even in polarized times, by accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground. 

That's why we're excited to bring Braver Angels' "Skills for Disagreeing Better" workshop to the Hudson area in partnership with the Hudson Daybreak Rotary, Rotary Club of Hudson, the Golden Rule Initiative, and Hudson YMCA! In this interactive workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to learn new skills and put them into practice in a safe, non-partisan setting.

April 20 - How Do We Find Community in Our Differences - Eden Prairie

Monday, April 20    6:30-8 p.m.

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church

13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

RESERVE A SPOT   *Tickets are Free.
Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations support Braver Angels, a nonprofit 501(c)3.

In a time of deep cultural and political divides, building community across differences is challenging. In this 90-minute Braver Angels interactive session, participants will explore how to engage in respectful dialogue, find common ground without compromising values, and strengthen relationships despite disagreements.

The event will be led by Bill Doherty, an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, where he taught marriage and family therapy. He focuses on couples on the brink of divorce and on political stress in relationships. Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, he co-founded Braver Angels, a citizen initiative bringing conservatives and liberals together to counteract political polarization and restore the fraying social fabric in American society. Braver Angels now has volunteers working in all 50 states. Among his awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Family Therapy Academy.

Questions? Contact mvoss@braverangels.org

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to mvoss@braverangels.org

April 20 - Skills for Disagreeing Better (Protestant)  -  Roseville

Monday, April 20    7-8:30 p.m.
Roseville Lutheran Church (ELCA)

1215 Roselawn Avenue West, Roseville, MN 55113

RESERVE A SPOT     Note: This *FREE* event is to be attended in person. Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket.  Tickets are Free, Donations Help. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

Overview

Seeing where we differ and where we share common ground

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

• More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically

• Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard

• Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear -- even if they disagree

Questions? Contact Jeff Thiemann at jthiemann@braverangels.org

April 21 - Debate: ICE should be abolished - Woodbury

Tuesday, April 21   7-9 p.m. 

East Ridge High School - Media Center (2nd floor)

4200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129

(Park in the lot closest to the flagpoles at the front of the building. A nearby elevator is available.)

RESERVE A SPOT    Tickets are free. Donations are tax deductible and support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

Join us for a friendly and intellectually engaging experience you won't find anywhere else! Listen to speeches for or against the resolution—and then share your own, if you feel so moved. (And there's no pressure, but we hope you will!)

Note: This resolution does not represent Braver Angels' stance on the issue. We will alternate between speeches in support of and against the resolution.

A Braver Angels debate is about the heart as much as the head. It's a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen to one another carefully and with curiosity, and allow themselves to be touched by each other’s ideas. It's not a political debate, nor is it like your high school debate club. It's our own depolarizing debate system, and it works best when we embrace our uncertainty and parse the shades of grey together. When we manage to do this, we walk out of a Braver Angels debate a little closer to the truth, more aware of the sincere and sympathetic feelings of our political opponents, with our relationships a little stronger.

To learn more about our debates, you can take a look at our quick start guide and this video about the spirit of a Braver Angels Debate. For further information, including to find additional upcoming events or view recordings of some of our past debates please visit: https://braverangels.org/what-we-do/debates/.

Questions? contact Melinda Voss, mvoss@braverangels.org

April 22 - Ely Alliance/Members Meeting - Ely

Wednesday, April 22 - 6-8:30 p.m.

Ely Community Center

27 E 2nd Ave, Ely, MN 55731

Braver Angels members and supporters in the Ely area gather each month to have respectful conversations about timely topics. 

Questions? Reach out to johnnie@ravenwords.com

April 28  -  Immigrants and the American Dream: Who Should Get In and Why?   "*ONLINE**

Tuesday, April 28   7-8:30 p.m.

Focus: Minnesota

RESERVE A SPOT   *Tickets are Free, Donations Help Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

Overview

Explore the ins and outs of legal immigration

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on one of the most debated issues of our time: who should have the opportunity to immigrate to the United States. Should the system prioritize family ties, humanitarian needs, economic growth, or workforce demands? We’ll start with a brief, fact-based overview of today’s legal immigration pathways—including asylum—and then open the floor for a wide range of perspectives. A fact sheet and resources will be shared in advance, but no preparation is required. Just bring your curiosity and your views to the table.

Questions? Contact mvoss@braverangels.org

April 29 - Depolarizing Ourselves - Mound

Wednesday, April 29      6:30-8 p.m.

Gillespie Center

2590 Commerce Boulevard

Mound, MN 55364

Host Organization: West Suburban Alliance-MSP

Partner organization: Bethel of Mound United Methodist Church

Note: This free* event is to be attended in person. 

RESERVE A SPOT NOW!   *Tickets are Free,  Donations Help As a spam prevention measure, you must use promo code BRAVER during registration to secure your spot in the workshop. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3. Braver Angels does not ask for a donation if the participant is making one to their faith organization.

About this event

Polarization is fueled by how we talk about those on the other side of an issue. Too often, we ridicule, dismiss, or stereotype our fellow citizens. When Braver Angels addresses “polarization,” we are not referring to healthy disagreements over issues or philosophy. We are addressing how we regard and talk about large groups of people — people who happen to be on the other side of the political aisle.

Goals

In this 1.5 hour session participants will learn:

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

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

Who Can Attend?

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

National Events - All Online

April 9 - National Online Debate: Voter ID   **ONLINE**

Thursday, April 9,   7-9 p.m. CDT

RESERVE A SPOT  
After registration, you will be emailed the zoom link to attend the event. Keep an eye out!
Note: This Free event is to be attended ONLINE (Promo Code "BRAVER"). You will not need physical or virtual tickets in order to attend this event. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

Overview

Should voter ID be required to vote? Join Braver Angels for a debate on:   Resolved: Require voter ID.
Remember, our resolutions never represent Braver Angels' stance on any issue, and we alternate between speeches for and against the resolution.

In an era of heightened polarization, the debate over how we verify our votes has become a central flashpoint. Proponents of voter ID requirements believe that a clear, uniform standard for identification is the simplest way to prevent fraud and ensure that every legal vote counts. Opponents suggest that the focus on fraud is misplaced and that these requirements disproportionately impact low-income, elderly, and minority communities who may face significant hurdles in obtaining the necessary documentation.

Is a government-issued photo ID a common-sense safeguard for the ballot box? Or is it a barrier that risks disenfranchisement of voters? Does requiring ID strengthen our democratic institutions, or does it undermine the principle of 'one person, one vote'?

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.

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 our debates, you can take a look at our quick start guide and this video about the spirit of a Braver Angels Debate. For further information, including to find additional upcoming events or view recordings of some of our past debates, please visit: https://braverangels.org/what-we-do/debates/.

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 event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org.

April 18 - Depolarizing Ourselves    **ONLINE**

Saturday, April 18, 1-2:30 p.m. CDT

RESERVE A SPOT  Note: This Free event is to be attended online (Access Code: "BRAVER"). 
*Tickets are Free, Donations Help As a spam prevention measure, you must use promo code BRAVER during registration to secure your spot in the workshop. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3. 

Overview

A free Zoom session to become more aware of your "inner polarizer" and to learn methods for disagreeing without contempt and ridicule

Polarization isn’t just about disagreeing on issues — disagreement is normal and even healthy. What really fuels polarization is the way we talk about the people on the other side of an issue. It’s easy to slip into dismissive or stereotypical language without realizing it.

In Braver Angels, when we talk about “polarization,” we’re not referring to differences in policy or philosophy. We’re talking about the habits we develop in how we view and speak about broad groups of people — fellow community members who simply hold different political views.

Goals

In this 1.5 hour session participants will learn:

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

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

Who Can Attend?

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

Questions? Contact Brady Young, byoung@braverangels.org

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org.

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