Listen First Project

We are beyond proud to work alongside 500 organizations who are helping Americans to bridge our divides. Organizations mentioned in this piece like Urban Rural Action, The Village Square,?Living Room Conversations,?National Institute for Civil Discourse, Braver Angels, and AllSides are making a tangible difference in this work. Learn more now!

Happy #ListenFirst Friday from Mary-Lee Smith, Executive Director of Renew America Together! Renew America Together was formed in 2019 by General (ret.) Wesley Clark in a response to the growing polarization in the country. Our goal is to equip people with the tools they need to engage in civil dialogue in order to find common ground. We believe that people have more in common than they might realize and, with the right collaboration, progress toward solving big problems can be found. As a non-profit, we have several key programs that help us achieve this goal.?One of these programs is Renew America Together’s SERVE communications curriculum. SERVE is a powerful framework designed to help people from all walks of life engage with civility. The principles of SERVE guide individuals and organizations to foster better communication, understanding, and problem-solving.?What makes SERVE unique is its hands-on approach to finding solutions and common ground. Whether you’re working in the private sector, nonprofit, education, or government- these skills are essential for building strong teams and effective partnerships. Renew America Together recognizes we are not alone in the work to build a stronger, more civil democracy. We are proud to connect and partner with organizations across the country who are a part of this ecosphere of change. We would love to seek additional opportunities for collaborations and trainings.

"Democracy isn't something we have – it's something we do, one conversation, one connection, one day at a time." We knew that going into this election, half of the country would come out shocked and hurt/angry. However, in the wake of the election, millions of Americans are stepping up to say "enough is enough" about the division and dysfunction we see in American politics. Democracy is an ongoing process, and yes, there will be people with whom you disagree. However, this morning we can say we are proud of Americans who stepped up to cast their vote, who volunteered on campaigns, and who got to know their neighbors through conversations. Now it's time for us to start healing and weaving America back together. At Conversation.us you can find actions you can take right now to help make a difference to bridge our divides, and also stories of how Americans around the country are coming together.

Are you fed up with division and dysfunction? You’re not alone. Across the country, millions of everyday Americans—people just like you—are rising up to take action. We’re done with the bickering and blame games that weaken us. We’re rebuilding our country, and our trust in our fellow Americans, from the ground up. The future is ours—let’s claim it, together. Join the movement at Conversation.us and find concrete ways that you can take action today to help strengthen our great country across our divides and rebuild the American dream. Then read stories of people taking action in their communities and submit a story of your own.

With Halloween and the election happening less than a week apart, we found it apropos to share a curated watch list to help you overcome the scaries. Grab that pumpkin spice latte and a group of friends, family, or colleagues, and open yourself up to reframing how we think about our divisions. Regardless of who wins the election, we selected a list of movies that provide a roadmap to reconciliation and mending. As storytellers and citizens, we hope these films inspire you to refocus narratives on what’s possible as a nation that embraces our differences – new American Stories of Us. See the films: https://lnkd.in/gYGWKWTk

The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit,?released a study last week?that shows the alarming frequency with which American teenagers are exposed to – and believe – conspiracy theories on social media. But the research also found that teaching students media literacy is associated with healthy online habits like fact-checking before sharing on social media and that an overwhelming majority of teens (94%) want their schools to teach media literacy. Among the findings: * Eight in 10 American teenagers say they see conspiracy theories on social media at least once a week. Some of the most frequent narratives cited include the 2020 election being rigged or stolen, the COVID-19 vaccine being dangerous and the Earth being flat. * Of those teens who reported seeing conspiracy theories, 81% report that they believe at least one of them. * Almost half of teens (45%) think the press does more to harm democracy than protect it. * Eight in 10 say information from news organizations is no more impartial than other content creators online. * Less than one quarter of teens (23%) say they use generative artificial intelligence chatbots once a week or more, challenging the notion that AI tools have already upended the way young people approach schoolwork. Access the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gAQWpKSx

We know social media can be toxic, especially when it comes to politics during election season. What if a team was doing something to detoxify social media at scale? Well that's exactly what Civic Health Project is doing! Take one minute today and vote for their work in the Best Use of Ai category for The Anthem Awards. Vote here: https://lnkd.in/gYVwP63h This small but mighty team is doing great work, and we are proud to support them.

Can social and political divides be bridged? We believe they can. Scrolling through election season content can feel disheartening, but there's reason for hope—especially when we connect face-to-face. In this video, Ben Klutsey from George Mason University's Mercatus Center shares three powerful principles to guide us in these challenging conversations: Respect, Authenticity, and Curiosity. When we commit to these values, we set the stage for meaningful dialogue. Adding reflective listening to the mix encourages us to truly understand each other and lower the tension. As we head into the election, why not try something different? Challenge yourself to genuinely engage with someone who sees things differently. Step into their shoes, listen deeply, and watch how it transforms the conversation.

Happy #ListenFirst Friday from Annie?Caplan of Living Room Conversations. Are?you?looking for a way to make a difference in the upcoming election? I’ve got good news. You can host a Living Room Conversation and build trust in our elections, one conversation at a time. Wherever each of us may be in our political beliefs, I think we can all agree that free and fair elections are the foundation of a healthy democracy. It takes all of us to build both trustworthy and trusted elections. So how do we inspire more trust? We talk to each other. We listen. We learn. We move out of our media bubbles and into real conversations with real people. Living Room Conversations allow us to do this. Communities across the nation are joining this initiative…. Now you can too! You will also have the opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking research study, focusing on the impact of dialogue on trust in elections. This research is the first of its kind and you can play a major role in influencing it. To get started, visit our website,?https://lnkd.in/gURi5_HR?where you’ll find everything you need to host your conversation. It’s the 11th hour but it’s not midnight yet. Now is the time to strengthen our democracy and build trust in our elections and each other, one conversation at a time.

As we approach one of the most pivotal elections in our history, it's easy to focus on what divides us. But together with hundreds of organizations in the bridging movement, we believe that no matter our differences, there's so much that we share. We invite you to join with us after the election to focus on bringing communities together to LOVE ANYWAY. Sign up to host a Love Anyway Feast in your area and create space for meaningful conversations. Whether it's friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, this is your chance to foster connection in a time when unity is more important than ever. Learn more and sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ebJ5Ku6K Hosting a Love Anyway Feast is simple: 1. Invite people from your community 2. Share stories about what you value, no matter your differences 3. Celebrate the common humanity we all share. Our friends at Common Ground USA @Search for Common Ground Common Ground USA have prepared all the tools and support you need to host an event. Whether you prepare a full meal, organize a potluck, or simply share a bag of chips in the conference room, the important thing is that we are getting together to listen to one another and agree that no matter our differences, we will love anyway. Together, we can ensure that this election season is not just about division — but about coming together. #ListenFirst #loveanywayfeast #loveanywayfeast2024