Rise for Freedom #3: How to Talk With People You Might Disagree With
- AdvoKate
- May 7
- 5 min read
This video is mostly practicing, so you get to fast-forward a lot. If the topic interests you, you may want to check out braverangels.org, which is the organization the speakers are from.
The Zoom meeting to discuss will be on May 21, 2025 at 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 636 423 8921
Passcode: 0gT23h
Here is a link to some Braver Angels materials from the Minnesota chapter's website.
Link to the meeting video: https://youtu.be/SomlZmsO3i0
0.8.19 Agenda, welcome, and overview
0.16.15 SAVE Act update
0.20.45 May Day Mobilizing
0.28.00 Outreach training
0.33.20 Quick review of Pillars of Support
0.35.15 Dr. Beth Malow and Dr. Doug Teschner, both from Braver Angels
1.03.03. Return from break
1.24.30 Back from Break
Executive Summary:
Kaden Quimet introduced the "Rise for Freedom" training series, focusing on nonpartisan efforts to protect democracy. This session, led by Dr. Beth Malow and Dr. Doug Teschner from Braver Angels, taught techniques for respectful communication across political differences.
Key upcoming events: May Day National Mobilization on May 1st with 23 actions across the country, and a mobilization on April 19th organized by Women's March. Justin reported on the SAVE Act passing the House, urging continued action to block it in the Senate.
Main takeaways: Find common ground and shared humanity, practice active listening, avoid demonization, and use "I" statements in political discussions. Participants were encouraged to apply these techniques in their outreach efforts and join future training sessions.
Meeting Notes:
Introduction and Overview
Kaden Quimet (Kaden Wymie) from Public Citizen welcomed over 560 participants to the Rise for Freedom training call
Tonight's topic: How to talk across differences and speak with people you might disagree with
Partners for the training series include:
Public Citizen
Women's March
League of Women Voters
Declaration for American Democracy Coalition
League of Conservation Voters
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
Recap of training series timeline:
April 3rd and 10th: Previous trainings
April 17th (today): Talking across differences
April 24th: Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence and Repression
May 1st: Shifted back a week for May Day International Mobilization
May 8th: Mutual aid and structures for local organizing
May 15th: De-escalation and advanced strategic organizing skills
Ethos of the training series:
Big tent approach - progressives through conservatives welcome
United in support of democratic republic and stopping Trump's authoritarian power grab
Welcoming, love-centered, joy-centered, and connection-focused
Continuous outreach and recruitment essential
Nonviolence is a core principle
Trainings are nonpartisan and C3 compliant
Icebreaker Activity
Question: "Think of someone you care about who strongly disagrees with you about something important. What's something you can both agree on?"
Key themes that emerged from responses:
Family and love for each other
Education
Respect and civility
Human rights and voting rights
Friendship
Shared concerns about corporate power in politics
Action Items and Upcoming Events
May Day National Mobilization on May 1st
23 different actions happening across the country
Website with action locations and toolkits available
Highlighting issues like wrongful deportations and attacks on immigrant communities
Mobilization on Saturday, April 19th
Organized by 50-51 and Women's March
Focusing on recent attacks on immigrants and concerns about potential expansion to U.S. citizens
SAVE Act Update
Justin (Justin Kwasa) from League of Conservation Voters provided an update:
SAVE Act passed the House last week
Fewer votes in favor compared to last time it was introduced
Bill was delayed by almost three months due to constituent pressure
Next steps: Thank House members who voted no, urge Senators to block the bill
Movement call scheduled for Tuesday at 7:00 PM next week
Speakers include Secretaries of State from Maine and Michigan
Will discuss federal and state-level "Save Acts" and related issues
May Day Mobilization
Jose (José Arnulfo Cabrera) from Chiirla shared details:
May 1st actions to uplift undocumented workers and workers' rights
23 different actions planned across multiple states
Website available with action locations and messaging toolkits
Highlighting cases of wrongful deportations, like Kilmar's story
Kilmar wrongfully deported to El Salvador, accused of gang membership without evidence
238 immigrants sent to maximum security prison in El Salvador, 75% without criminal records
Senator Van Hollen from Maryland currently in El Salvador investigating
Outreach Tips
Med (Medjane) from Corporate Accountability provided key outreach tips:
Keep outreach joyful and personal, even in challenging times
One-on-one conversations are powerful - listen deeply and connect
Make clear and bold asks - be specific about what you're inviting people to do
Follow up consistently to show commitment and build trust
Celebrate every effort and progress over perfection
Poll results on outreach efforts:
30% of participants reached out to at least one person
16% reached out to all five people they committed to
Over 30 new attendees joined tonight's training due to outreach efforts
Main Training: Talking Across Differences
Trainers introduced:
Dr. Beth Malow (Dr. Beth Malo): Neurology physician and science communicator
Dr. Doug Teschner (Dr. Doug Teaschner): Former Republican state legislator, Peace Corps Country Director
Both affiliated with Braver Angels, focusing on reducing partisan polarization
Co-authors of the book "Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times"
Context for the training:
Importance of inclusive political diversity to preserve democratic republic
Need for respectful, kind, and gracious communication across differences
Key concepts presented:
How framing and language impact political discussions
Importance of going "high" when others go "low" in political discourse
Techniques for reframing negative statements into more constructive ones
Strategies for having respectful conversations with those who disagree
Reframing Exercise
Participants shown examples of negative political statements and asked to reframe them positively
Examples included:
"Republicans couldn't care less, they want our kids to starve" reframed as "One thing that's so special about our state is that we take care of each other. We all deserve to have enough to eat, regardless of income level, race, or ethnicity."
"Republicans hate women" reframed as "I worked hard all my life. I bet you did too. When you work hard, you want to be paid fairly for your work, and that's why I think women should get equal pay."
Participants practiced reframing in small groups or individually for 5 minutes
Conversation Practice
Techniques for respectful political conversations:
Connect on common interests
Listen actively and show you've heard the other person
Acknowledge what was said, even if you disagree
Ask follow-up questions to go deeper
Be mindful of tone and body language
Use "I" statements and personal experiences
Avoid stereotypes and labels
Role-play exercise:
Participants paired up for 12-minute practice sessions (6 minutes each)
One person described someone they struggle to talk with, the other role-played that individual
Practiced listening, speaking, and de-escalating tense conversations
Trainers demonstrated a sample role-play about police funding and community safety
Key Takeaways
Importance of finding shared humanity and common ground
Effectiveness of active listening and "sacred listening"
Recognition that democracy is about having differences of opinion, but avoiding demonization
Value of asking for permission to speak in discussions
Importance of being "soft" when talking to people who don't agree
Benefit of finding ways to talk to people who disagree to learn something new
Understanding that vulnerability (e.g., using "I think" statements) can be appropriate in tense discussions
Next Steps
Next training session scheduled for April 24th: "Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence and Repression"
Participants encouraged to continue outreach efforts and apply conversation techniques learned
Recording, slides, and resources to be shared via email the following day
Participants invited to join the National mobilization on Saturday, April 19th
Encouraged to follow togethernow.substack.com for more content on the themes discussed
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