Cohesion Strategy LLC

Too often, bridgebuilding is dismissed as moral compromise—or worse, as weakness. But here’s the truth: it’s not self-sacrifice, it’s strategy. If you are afraid of getting cut out of someone else's political solutions, build a community or coalition that includes you-and them. That doesn’t mean agreeing on everything. It means knowing when to align, when to contest, and how to navigate real differences without losing sight of the goal. Our latest blog breaks down why effective bridgebuilding isn’t about giving in—it’s about expanding what’s possible. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJ3XzfKv #CohesionStrategy #ExpandWhatsPossible #Bridgebuilding

New Blog out now: Pluralism as a Path to Conviction Ramadan is a time of reflection and self-inquiry, but what if that process extended beyond faith? In our latest blog, Maya Radwan explores how pluralism—engaging with diverse perspectives, even those we deeply disagree with—doesn’t weaken our convictions but strengthens them. Whether in religion, politics, or society, true conviction isn’t about avoiding disagreement—it’s about meeting it head-on, questioning, refining, and emerging with a deeper understanding of what we believe and why. ?? Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/ekTC-j2c #Pluralism #Ramadan #Dialogue #CohesionStrategy

?? Happening today at 12 PM ET! ?? Join Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D. and Skippy Mesirow (Healing Our Politics) for a live conversation on Instagram about religion, societal openness, and what history teaches us about how to manage our diversity. When: 12:00 PM ET Watch live on Instagram: @skippymesirow or https://lnkd.in/e-_MUYU6 How do we navigate massive global shifts with wisdom rather than conflict? Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion. Tune in live! #ReligionAndSociety #HealingOurPolitics #CohesionStrategy

New Blog Alert: Bridgebuilding Strategy & Design The final installment of our Bridgebuilding Effectiveness series, co-authored with Michelle Garred, PhD, is finally out! This piece explores two essential tools—Do No Harm (DNH) and the Reflecting on Peace Practice (RPP) Matrix—that help bridgebuilding programs navigate unintended effects and expand their impact. ?? Why this matters: ?? Bridgebuilding is necessary but not always sufficient—we must go beyond individual relationships to impact the socio-political landscape. ?? DNH helps us mitigate harm and strengthen intergroup cohesion. ?? RPP guides programs in scaling their impact beyond personal transformation. This work is more urgent than ever as democracy and social trust decline. Read the blog to learn how these evidence-based tools can strengthen bridgebuilding efforts! Read here: https://lnkd.in/eFHcJFdP What are your thoughts on bridgebuilding’s role in democracy? #Bridgebuilding #Democracy #Peacebuilding #CohesionStrategy #ExpandWhatsPossible

NEW BLOG: Religious Freedom, Immigration, and the Future of Democracy Religious freedom is once again at the forefront of public debate. Recent lawsuits from faith-inspired organizations—ranging from Quaker congregations to a multi-faith coalition of 27 organizations and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops—are testing how consistently the First Amendment applies across different traditions. At Cohesion Strategy, we believe that defending democracy requires working across ideological and religious divides. As faith groups step up to protect their rights, pro-democracy organizations have an opportunity to build broader coalitions, strengthen alliances, and ensure religious liberty is applied fairly. What happens next will shape the role of religious freedom in our democracy. Read our latest blog to explore how we can navigate this moment together. ?? https://lnkd.in/eH6nFTN5 #ReligiousFreedom #Democracy #Pluralism

Reflections from the Principles First Summit This past weekend, Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D. attended the #PrinciplesFirst Summit in Washington, D.C.—a gathering of mostly right-leaning pro-democracy advocates committed to rebuilding American democracy. The event brought together a powerful mix of voices—former Republicans, democracy defenders, and even left-leaning allies—who all recognize the urgency of the moment. While the discussions were sobering, one thing was clear: The fight for democracy isn’t about partisanship; it’s about principle. Even in the face of threats—including a bomb scare and intimidation attempts—this movement is standing firm. Read the full reflection here: https://lnkd.in/ersiwbcK #Democracy #Leadership #PrinciplesFirst #CohesionStrategy

This Friday, Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D. will be attending the 2025 Principles First Summit in Washington, D.C.! The summit brings together leaders, thinkers, and changemakers dedicated to principle-driven leadership in politics, policy, and governance. We’re excited to engage in meaningful conversations and explore how principled decision-making can shape a stronger future. If you're attending, connect with Allison at the event! ?? More about the summit: https://lnkd.in/euaSt73R #PrinciplesFirst #Leadership #Policy #CohesionStrategy

New Publication Alert! Americans are angry—for many valid reasons. But anger alone won’t create change. In the Florida Times-Union, Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D. reflects on her own journey with anger and how we can channel frustration into strengthening our democracy, rather than deepening our divides. ?? Link in the first comment. #CivicEngagement #Democracy #CohesionStrategy The Florida Times-Union I Jacksonville.com

What holds a diverse movement together? Over the past week, Allison attended three major gatherings of pluralism leaders—the Pluralism in Action conference (New Pluralists), the Global Faith Forum (Multi-Faith Neighbors Network), and the International Religious Freedom Summit (IRF Summit). Each brought together people working to navigate deep differences—and underscored an important reality: ? Pluralism only works when people stand up for each other’s rights—not just their own. We suggest the five First Amendment rights as a concrete starting point. ? Who shows up shapes the movement. When certain voices are absent, they leave the conversation to those who are willing to step in. If we want to strengthen pluralism, we need more than shared values—we need a shared commitment to one another. Read more in our latest blog: [Link in first comment.] #Pluralism #SharedRights #BridgeBuilding #ReligiousFreedom #ExpandWhatsPossible

Founder and Principal Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D., will be attending both the Global Faith Forum and the International Religious Freedom Summit this week in DC. These events bring together leaders, advocates, and practitioners working at the intersection of faith, pluralism, and global cooperation. At Cohesion Strategy, we believe that fostering cross-faith engagement and protecting religious freedom are critical to building a more inclusive and pluralistic society. We look forward to the conversations and collaborations ahead. If you’ll be attending either event, let’s connect! #Pluralism #ReligiousFreedom #ExpandWhatsPossible