You can watch two short videos about Better Angels Debates at https://www.better-angels.org/debates/.

At this point, we need your help in choosing a topic. You'll find six different topics at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc98QitBr0vc0eDn8fpaJFStwZ6Z6WbXz_c05R3WwVGKzg6vg/viewform?usp=sf_link.

For each of the six topics or--as we say when debating--resolutions, you'll be asked to rate how much you care about it, whether you support or oppose it, and whether you'd be willing to speak about it at the debate.

Your answers to this poll will help us choose a resolution that evokes passion, and is likely to split the group with 50% in favor, and 50% opposed. If everyone agrees, it isn’t much of a debate!

Contact Bonnie Gilliom (bbgilliom@gmail.com) for exact location. 

In our current polarized political environment, many people avoid or dread political conversations with friends or family members whose politics differ from their own. They worry, rightly so, that any attempts at political discussions will devolve into arguments and acrimony, and result in hurt feelings or anger.

Better Angels Skills Workshops teach skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. They also give participants a safe environment to practice those skills.

You probably haven’t experienced anything like a Better Angels Debate. It’s not a political debate, where competing candidates attempt to win votes. Nor is it a high school or college debate, where people advocate positions in which they may not believe for the sole purpose of vanquishing their foes.

A Better Angels Debate is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out a little closer to the truth, more aware of the validity in opposing views, and with tighter community relationships.

YOU will chose the topics for this debate, two topics altogether. Bring your best arguments and let's start the DEBATE!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/better-angels-style-debate-tickets-77549926919

There's a lot of stress these days among friends and family members who are divided politically, and the current polarized public conversation doesn't help. Please join us for the free Better Angels SkillsWorkshop December 19 from 9am-noon in the Sonoran Room at Mountain View to learn skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-talk-across-the-political-divide-better-angels-skills-workshop-tickets-79742190037

Last month, filmmaker Brian Ellison, anthropologist Marlon Hall, and sculptor Anthony Suber launched a series of conversations focused on the black male experience in contemporary society called "The Black Man Project." Curated by Hall, the dinner series features a moving sculpture created by Suber with conversation centered around a documentary directed by Ellison, UnMASKulinity, debuting next year.

After a day spent in each community shooting for the film, the organizers host a confluence of 16 men from a variety of backgrounds in a recorded environment of listening and learning. Travis McPhail, the Engineering Lead for Maps SDK at Google, is working alongside the group to help identify men to participate in the discussion.

The group, along with other experts in the arts and education, will create a curriculum to accompany the dinner series aiming to empower communities to continue the conversation long after the dinner is over. According to Mental Health America, Black men are particularly conscious of stigma when it comes to seeking help from an expert such as a psychologist.

The events are hosted by The Black Man Project and funded in part by grants from the John Steven Kellet Foundation and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

What is the most critical political issue today, and why?

As with all Make Shift Coffee Houses, this is not a debate. It’s simply about listening and understanding each other’s political views, talking with our neighbors, and enjoying good company. Independents, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, we want to hear from all of you.  Everyone welcome!

Live music, free coffee and snacks will be provided.

For directions check out this Google Map.

For more information, follow this link to the Events Page on the Make Shift Coffee House website.

Make Shift Coffee House Founder, Craig Freshley is offering a full day of training in Maine on January 15, 2020. Whether you intend to facilitate an actual Make Shift Coffee House or not, this training will be valuable to anyone who wants to facilitate respectful conversation among people with different views for the purpose of understanding each other. And if you do facilitate a Make Shift Coffee House after attending the training, organizers are offering $500 for your services.

Here’s a link to the training page on the Make Shift Coffee House website. Learn all about it here.

For directions check out this Google Map.