Blog
What is motivated reasoning and how does it interfere with constructive discourse?
Motivated reasoning can be toxic for constructive discourse, especially if feelings get in the way of assessing information.
Do your values determine your political beliefs or vice-versa?
Liberals and conservatives have more in common than we might imagine. However, bridging divides must start with moral reframing if we hope to make any progress as a nation.
What are you thankful for?
FAV colleagues, Thanksgiving conjures feelings of gratitude. We celebrate this time of year thinking of all we are thankful for, even during hard times like the current health crisis and other challenges. Personally, I have been grateful for the lack of travel during...
Civic education in the U.S. needs our help
Rates of civic literacy and engagement among American youth are not where they should be if we hope to preserve a healthy democracy for years to come. What can we do to change that?
What is self-distancing and how could it help you navigate difficult conversations?
Want to have better conversations with people you disagree with? Self-distancing might be the key to adaptively managing interpersonal conflict and navigating your own emotions in difficult conversations.
Did you Vote?
Citizens, Have you had a chance to vote yet? If you haven’t, we encourage you to make a plan that meets your own health concerns and also takes into account the information you need to make informed decisions. Many citizens make one of the most important forms of...
How to remain civically engaged beyond voting
Voting is one of the most important things you can do as a citizen in a democratic society. However, there are so many other ways to get more civically involved in your community.
3 effective ways to combat misinformation on social media
Now that you know how to detect misinformation on social media, let’s examine how you can snuff it out with advanced media literacy skills.
Serving the community: Compassionate expressions of religious freedom in an era of COVID-19
How have religious individuals and groups responded to the COVID-19 outbreak?
Why should we be concerned about what’s happening with the Open Technology Fund
What is the Open Technology Fund, what’s going on with its funding, and why should Americans care about this controversy?
The power of invitational communication in political dialogues
How can invitational communication and "listening to understand" help you engage in more constructive conversations with those who don’t share your political beliefs?
Summertime Covid Blues?
FAV Fans, The virus has returned with a vengeance after most states relaxed restrictions, causing the case numbers and death toll to spike. We will get through this. It reminds me of dark times amidst sectarian violence in Baghdad. The hits kept coming, for...