The CEO of America's largest depolarization organization has two children who aren't speaking to each other — one conservative, one progressive. Maury Giles of Braver Angels joins Dr. John Izzo to explain why "don't talk about politics" is the wrong answer in a country built on self-government, why he has never once asked anyone to be nice, and what ten years of bringing Republicans and Democrats into the same room reveals: we share the same values and weight them differently. He lays out "courageous citizenship" — act instead of react, build across difference, own your part — and the practical tools behind it: one-on-one conversations, common-ground workshops, and citizen-led solutions that treat elected officials as "on tap, not on top."

Guest: Maury Giles — CEO of Braver Angels (https://braverangels.org · YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BraverAngels), the country's largest volunteer-led effort to help Americans work across political difference. A conservative based in Salt Lake City, he came to the role after a long corporate career in research and strategy and five years as a Braver Angels volunteer — and was nominated for the job by a colleague from the other side of the aisle.

🎙️ Hosted by Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier · produced by Jim Burke

🤝 In collaboration with @BraverAngels

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💬 Have you had a real conversation lately with someone who votes differently than you? What happened? Tell us below.

🔗 Mentions & Resources:

🤝 Braver Angels — sign up for a one-on-one conversation or find your local alliance: https://braverangels.org

▶️ Braver Angels on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BraverAngels

📖 Jonathan Haidt, "The Righteous Mind"

📖 James Madison, The Federalist Papers

🏛️ National Civic League (database of 12,000+ civic-renewal organizations): https://www.nationalcivicleague.org

🎧 Our earlier episode in this series with Beth Noveck on rigidity, contempt, and democratic decline: [LINK]

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⚠️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Way Forward. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.