Keep Talking Episode 110: David Blankenhorn - Saving America Through Conversation
David Blankenhorn is an author, an activist, a community organizer, and the co-founder and President of Braver Angels. During our conversation, David talks about polarization in the United States, the workshops that Braver Angels puts together to bring together politically opposed Americans for conversation and common ground, the threat of division to the future of the country, the receding of a "civil religion" in the U.S., the importance of approaching disagreements with a sense of goodwill, and having hope in this dark time.
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00:00 Intro
00:28 The state of civic friendship in America
04:18 The growth of Braver Angels
11:13 What motivates Braver Angels' members?
16:37 The work and mission of Braver Angels
23:20 We're less polarized than we've been told
27:25 Who is benefiting from social division?
33:19 Habits to maintain one's humanity
40:14 Politics replacing civic virtues in modern times
49:28 George Kennan's threat of internal division
55:25 The example of Daryl Davis