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Welcome to Braver Angels
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.
Latest Minnesota Braver Angels newsletter
The March 15 MN Braver Angels newsletter features information about the Reduce the Rancor Bus Tour, Update about the Civility Caucus in the Minnsota Legislature, and more.
News about Braver Angels Minnesota
May 1, 2024 - MinnPost: Braver Angels spreads its 'building bridges' gospel across Greater Minnesota
May 1, 2025 - The Al Travis Show: Interview with Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty
April 23, 2025 - RadioWorks: 'Reduce the Rancor' campaign to make 2-day visit to Worthington
April 21, 2025 - Brainerd Dispatch: Reduce the Rancor bus tour rolls May 2 into Brainerd
March 26, 2025 - PBS NewsHour: Ex-NIH director and truck driver explore how to bridge divisions deepened by the pandemic.
March 26, 2025 Minneapolis Star Tribune
Interview with Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty in response to proposed bill to address growing concern about the current administration.March 21, 2025 - Minneapolis Star Tribune: Tolkkinen: Minnesota GOP senators should apologize for introducing the Trump derangement syndrome bill
March 10, 2025 - University of Minnesota News and Events featured Being able to have conversations with people that think differently than me.
Minnesota Braver Angels hit the road April 24 to visit parts of western and northwestern Minnesota. Teams in each city on the tour are working with Reduce the Rancor project leaders to create events — workshops, presentations and discussions -- for the public, elected officials, and other community leaders. In addition, local teams have identified Braver Angels workshops or other events best suited for their cities.
April 24-26 -Worthington
April 26-28 -Willmar
April 29 - Fergus Falls
April 30 - Moorhead (private events at Concordia College)
May 1 - Bemidji
May 2 - Brainerd
May 12 - Skills for Disagreeing Better, 6-8 p.m. In-person, Brookdale Library
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.
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
Braver Angels Effectiveness
After participating in our programs
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?
Questions?
Connect with your Minnesota Braver Angels state coordinators at mn-coordinators@braverangels.org
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