Embedded Files
Reduce the Rancor,
The problem
The problem
Our national life -- from local schools to cities, towns, state legislatures and Congress -- has increasingly become a zone of disrespect and hostility, leading to paralysis in public policy and divisiveness in our communities, families, and friendship circles. Though Minnesota faces the same challenges, we have leaders and everyday citizens who know how to reduce the rancor and show other states how to do it. This does not mean giving up cherished values or policy beliefs. It means learning to disagree better, with respect rather than rancor.
Campaign co-sponsors
Campaign co-sponsors
Both major political party chairs in Minnesota are co-sponsors. They are from left: Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party; David Hann chairman of of the Minnesota Republican Party as they were interviewed by Bill Doherty, Braver Angels co-founder at the March 11 campaign launch event.
Photo by Jerad Morey, director of strategic relationships, Minnesota Council of Churches, from http://mnchurches.org/blog/2024/04/4/reduce-rancor
Reduce the Rancor, Minnesota campaign
Reduce the Rancor, Minnesota campaign
This is a statewide campaign to reduce hostile polarization in public life. Championed by the state chairs of the two main political parties, the campaign is a partnership with Braver Angels and about 25 organizations of elected officials, interested citizens, colleges and universities, civic, religious and business leaders, and other nonprofits. A key feature is that partner organizations will promote the campaign and offer depolarizing activities. We invite individual Minnesotans to take at least one action that will lower the political divisiveness in a challenging election year.
Six of the college and university partners joined campaign co-chairs, Bill Doherty and Jeff Thiemann, met May 9 via Zoom to exchange ideas about implementing Reduce the Rancor activities on their campuses. University of St. Thomas' Manuela Hill-Munoz shared that the university has had three learning sessions and hosted two Braver Angels workshops.
The Minnesota Humanities Center joined with Danger Boat Productions and local host partners to present Sketches of Minnesota, a civic improv comedy tour. These free events use laughter and comedy to celebrate Minnesota communities, promote dialogue, bridge divides and help find ways to work constructively across differences in today’s political environment. Read more about how humor can help depolarize.
In a time when so many despair, we encourage our partners to join the American Hope campaign, which is equipping thousands of Americans to work together across our divides and demand the same of politicians from all parties. Braver Angels suggests three ways:
Sign our petition to party leaders. We need our political leaders to take responsibility. Do you agree?
Help find common ground on immigration. Register interest to participate in a Common Ground Workshop on Immigration!
Reach fellow Americans on Election Day. On Election Day, our nation will be voting on our next president. Will you help us reach more Americans? Register interest.
Recent activities and articles
Recent activities and articles
May 2, 2025 Bemidji Pioneer published Braver Angels hosts Bemidji town hall to combat political polarization. "Braver Angels, a nonpartisan organization, hosted a town hall in Bemidji on Thursday to share tactics that help combat political polarization within the bcommunity while supporting collaboration..." More
May 2, 2025 - The West Central Tribune published Braver Angels events in Willmar, MN, provide a pathways for tough conversations, reporting about events for elected officials, community leaders and the public.
May 1, 2025 - Braver Angels spreads its 'building bridges' gospel across Greater Minnesota MinnPost contributor Forrest Peterson attended several Braver Angels events in Willmar on April 28, and wrote a good overview of the tour to counties in western and northern Minnesota. He also provides information about Braver Angels, in general.
May 1, 2025 - Broadcaster Al Travis Interviewed Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty about the recent 9-day tour to six cities in western and northern Minnesota, which included easy banter as they discussed other BA goals and activities.
April 29, 2025 - The Globe published Braver Angels finish weekend in Worthington, continue on the road , an interview with Rev. Jeff Thiemann, co-leader for the Reduce the Rancor campaign.
April 24, 2025 - The Minnesota Braver Angels Reduce the Rancor Bus Tour hit the road to visit parts of western and northwestern Minnesota. Teams in each city on the tour worked 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 identified Braver Angels workshops or other events best suited for their cities: Worthington, Willmar, Fergus Falls, Moorhead, Bemidji, and Brainerd. Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty and the Rev. Jeff Thiemann, both campaign co-chairs, were joined by other Braver Angels Minnesota leaders. The tour also provided an opportunity for Braver Angels supporters in those areas to gather and plan future events.
April 23, 2025 - 'Reduce the Rancor' campaign to make two-day visit to Worthington "Reduce the Rancor" is a statewide campaign to reduce hostile polarization in public life. Championed by the state chairs of the two main political parties, the campaign is a partnership with Braver Angels and about 25 organizations of elected officials, interested citizens, colleges and universities, civic, religious and business leaders, and other nonprofits.
April 21, 2025 - Brainerd Dispatch On Friday, May 2 the Minnesota Braver Angels Reduce the Rancor team will facilitate four events, two for the public and two for elected officials and other community leaders. Braver Angels is a nation-wide organization evoted to bridging political and cultural divides.
April 21, 2025 - Minnesota Public Radio produced Americans Reconnect: Talking Across the Political Divide, a project with Minnesota Braver Angels to record two years of difficult conversations.
March 23, 2025 - The Northern MN & WI Alliance gathered to talk about a Braver Way Beat podcast. "We have had some success with workshops over the last year and our board has been getting to know each other during organizing meetings. We wanted to do something that all of us could participate in and of course, practice using the guidelines. We would have been happy if it was only board members, but we were joined by a dozen others. Several of them were new, a couple had just heard of us the day before. There were many expressions of how well the conversation went and desires to do more. It was a simple format. One we plan to keep creating."
March 10, 2025 - Being able to have conversations with people that think differently than me was featured on the News and Events page of the University of Minnesota website.
Feb. 12, 2025 - About 100 people participated in the Common Ground Workshop, which was covered by MPR: An Ely group agrees on the value of the Boundary Waters — but they can’t agree on mining.
Feb. 6, 2025 -BA Ely Alliance hosted a 3-hour Common Ground workshop on Jan. 30 that brought community members together to explore the pros and cons of copper-nickel mining. An evenly balanced panel provided a foundation for the discussions. See Ely's Braver Angels host workshop on mining issues in Feb. 6 issue of The Timberjay.
Jan. 6, 2025 - MPR's Catharine Richert interviewed Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty. Listen to January 6 still divides people
Dec. 4, 2024 - Talking Sense: Coming together to solve tough problems Coming together to solve social challenges in today’s divisive environment sometimes feels impossible. But it doesn’t have to be. Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh describe dozens of examples in their new book “From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.” They both spent decades working in conflict resolution and have helped hundreds of groups build trust and create consensus solutions on issues ranging from healthcare to prison reform.
Nov. 28, 2024 - Wisconsin Public Radio: Nonprofit says listening can set Thanksgiving table for connections - not conflict.
Nov. 14, 2024 - Minnesota Public Radio’s Talking Sense hosted its fourth collaborative event with Braver Angels in Duluth on the campus of St. Scholastica. More than 100 Duluth area residents attended Managing Post-Election Highs or Lows: How to Move Forward with Other Citizens in a Divided Country, presented byBill Doherty, a co-founder of Braver Angels and University of Minnesota professor emeritus of family and marriage therapy. Handout from the event.
Oct. 21 - Bill Doherty conducted a one-hour Zoom discussion on how to deal with the aftermath of the election. You can watch the video of this session and download the handout.
Oct. 2024 - Bill Doherty was interviewed on The Al Travis show about navigating conversations related to elections, and the possibility of an unclear outcome. The entire interview is interesting, but make sure to make sure to listen to 13:18, where they discuss what happens Tuesday, then Wednesday and beyond.
Oct. 3, 2024 - Jeff Thiemann, Minnesota Braver Angels steering team member, led a Depolarizing Outselves workshop in Fergus Falls. The event was organized and hosted by Catharine Richert, who leads MPR's Talking Sense project, our Reduce the Rancor partner.
Sept. 14, 2024 - Bill Doherty on the Al Travis Show discussing a range of topics including the Braver Angels founding, and the possiblity of conducting a workshop on a future show.
Sept. 12, 2024 - Bill Doherty presented Skills for Disagreeing Better at General Mills. The staff was thoroughly engaged, and at the end Bill was rewarded with something unique that he suspects will last in his family more than almost anything else he owns!
Aug 31, 2024 - The Globe, Worthington, MN, published How a Guatemalan immigrand and a 4th generation farmer see immigration issues in Worthington, part of MPR's Talking Sense reporting project.
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 "Bill Doherty — a professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota and co-founder of Braver Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing partisan animosity in the U.S. — has given presentations to, and held workshops with, the Civility Caucus. He says that the establishment of such forums are valuable for creating a better political climate."
Aug. 15, 2024 - The Ely Alliance hosted a serious-but-constructive discussion entitled Gun Legislation - Do we need more or less?
Aug. 12, 2024 - The West Suburban Alliance hosted a discussion of the book Saving Us, by Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and evangelical Christian who changes the debate on how we can save our future in this nationally bestselling optimistic view on why collective action is still possible—and how it can be realized.
Aug. 9, 2024 - Americans are scared...about different things. Could that somehow help us Unite? Fear is dominating American politics. Could a deeper reckoning with this universal emotion somehow become a force bringing us togethe?
Feb. 27, 2024 - Minnesota Public Radio News held its Talking Sense kick-off in Woodbury, Talking Sense, the Roots of Polarization, in partnership with Braver Angels. Their Talking Sense website features Have Hard Conversations Better, an online and in-person platform using Braver Angels materials to help you navigate difficult conversations, despite political differences.
Dec. 23 2023 - KTIS Radio Community Spotlight -- Bill Doherty and Jeff Thiemann, co-chairs of the Reduce the Rancor, Minnesota campaign appeared on this radio show to talk about the campaign.
Dec. 19, 2023 - How to Have Hard Political Conversations, Better - Angela Davis of Minnesota Public Radio News interviews Bill Doherty and Corey Yeager, along with MPR reporter Catharine Richert, who leads their Talking Sense campaign.
Campaign partners
Campaign partners
In addition to the chairs of the Minnesota Republican Party (David Hann) and the Minnesota DFL (Ken Martin), other endorsers and participants include the organizations listed below.
Often, the missions of these organizations fit well within the purpose of this campaign.
Campaign partners line up to speak about why they are joining the campaign. More organizations are expected to join the initiative.
Photo by Scott Schluter
Colleges/Universities
Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, University of
Minnesota Twin Cities
College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University
Gustavus Adolphus College
Macalester College
St. Mary’s University
St. Olaf College
University of Minnesota Duluth
University of Minnesota, Morris
University of Minnesota Rochester
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Northwestern, St. Paul
Professional Associations
Advocates for Better Health
(formerly the Twin Cities Medical Society)
Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Minnesota Medical Association
Elected Officials Associations
Association of Minnesota Counties
Minnesota School Boards Association
Civic Organizations
Citizens League
League of Women Voters of Minnesota
Majority in the Middle
Minnesota Humanities Center
Minnesota Justice Research Center
Rotary District 5960, Roseville
Religious Organizations
Episcopal Church in Minnesota
Luther Seminary
Transform Minnesota: the evangelical network
Media
Minnesota Public Radio
Here's what our partners are saying
Here's what our partners are saying
Laurel Ries M.D., President, Minnesota Medical Association
"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."
Carlos Tellez, Faculty, University of Northwestern St. Paul
"One of my hopes is I want students to walk away thinking that it is OK to seek understanding, if not agreement. You don't have to just make people walk over to see things from your point of view. You can walk the distance and see it from their point of view. If my students can do that, I think we're going to have a much better future."
Julie Dolan, Faculty, Macalester College
"I think there's a grassroots desire to hear more from the other side because Macalester is a very left-leaning campus. And, in my work as a political scientist, I see what's happening in our country and am trying to figure out ways to facilitate better understanding amongst our students in the classroom."
Jake Loesch, Executive Director, Citizens League
"We've been in Minnesota since about 1952. And we're really focused on civic engagement and public policy solutions and how we can bridge divides to
bring people together to have the best policy outcomes for the state of Minnesota and everyone who lives here. There are so many reasons that this initiative fits with our organization. It's an absolute privilege to stand up here alongside so many leaders today. I'm really looking forward to the work that we all can do together. I appreciate the opportunity."
MPR's Talking Sense is an online and in-person platform to help Minnesotans have hard conversations, better. Talking Sense offers Minnesotans ways to think through challenging political conversations in advance, without letting the need to “win” and change minds stand in the way of preserving important relationships. Talking Sense also features Have Hard Conversations Better, an online and in-person platform to help you navigate difficult conversations, despite political differences.
Complete a free Braver Angels eCourse on the national Braver Angels site. Taken at your convenience, these online courses take about 40 minutes each. They can help you understand hostile polarization and how you can personally alleviate its effects. Visit the Braver Angels national website for Take an eCourse; Depolarizing Within is recommended.
Participate in a Braver Angels workshop or Reduce the Rancor event. See the Events page.
Ask your organization to become a Braver Angels partner and sponsor events Contact mn-coordinators@braverangels.org
Invite a Braver Angels ambassador to speak to your organization. Presentations can be limited to an hour or be longer for more depth and an exercise. Contact mn-coordinators@braverangels.org.
Join Braver Angels. Membership is $12 a year. To join and donate directly to the Minnesota State Alliance, visit Contact Us, then click on Alliances You will be able to attend in-person and online events, such as debates, workshops, book and film discussions.
Sign up for Braver Angels newsletters. The Minnesota Braver Angels newsletter is emailed about twice a month and features upcoming events and other items. The national newsletter is emailed once a week. You can sign up for both newsletters on the Braver Angels homepage and scrolling to the bottom. You can set your preferences for the national newsletter and other communications at the bottom of the national newsletter.
Join a local Braver Angels alliance. Meet people who hold different views and want to engage in hearing the "other side." Enjoy meaty conversations. Some alliances also hold social events. [link to alliances] If there isn’t one in your area, we can help you start one. Contact mn-coordinators@braverangels.org.
Become a Braver Angels volunteer. We have lots of opportunities that can fit your interests and schedule. We know you're busy people with full lives. Contact mn-coordinators@braverangels.org.
Read
Reading list on conservatism
Magazines: The American Interest, The National Review, Commentary
Columnists:
● Wall Street Journal: Peggy Noonan ● New York Times: David Brooks, Bret Stephens, Ross Douthat
● Washington Post: Megan McArdle, George Will
Books:
● Roger Scruton, Conservatism: An Invitation to a Great Tradition. St. Martin’s Press, 2017.
● Jerry Muller, Conservativism: An Anthology of Social and Political Thought from David Hume to the Present. Princeton University Press, 2003.
Reading list on liberalism
Magazines: The New Republic, Nation, Atlantic
Columnists:
● New York Times: Nicholas Kristof, Thomas Friedman
● Washington Post: Richard Cohen, Eugene Robinson
Books:
● Helena Rosenblatt, The Lost History of Liberalism. Princeton University Press, 2018.
● Paul Starr, Freedom’s Power: The True Force of Liberalism. Basic Books, 2007.
Also:
● Glenn Loury’s writings, blogs, and videos. Merton P. Stoltz Professor of the Social Sciences Brown Univ., African American.
● The Heterodox Academy Mixed political academic group promoting free speech on campuses.
● Theflipside.io: Sends a daily email of curated news articles from left, center and right that have been vetted for newsworthiness to "burst your
media bubble."
● Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. New York: Vintage, 2008. Psychologist looking at the moral intuitions of liberals and conservatives.
Reduce the Rancor, Minnesota campaign co-chairs
Reduce the Rancor, Minnesota campaign co-chairs
Bill Doherty is a co-founder of Braver Angels and the designer of the Braver Angels workshop approach. Doherty is a professor emeritus and director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. He combines a background in family therapy and community engagement.
Rev. Jeff Thiemann recently retired as president and chief executive officer of Portico Benefit Services, a separately incorporated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has been an active volunteer in Braver Angels at the national and state levels.
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