Jake Harriman: Building Trust Across Political Lines at More Perfect Union

In this compelling episode, Jake Harriman, founder of More Perfect Union, discusses his mission to bridge America's partisan divide through community service, civics, and social gatherings. Harriman, a former Marine with extensive combat experience in Iraq, shares how his military background and a transformational encounter in Southern Iraq pushed him to address extreme poverty in Africa through the nonprofit Nuru International. He later transitioned to More Perfect Union, inspired by the growing political divide in America. The conversation covers Harriman's active efforts in various communities, from rural Texas to urban Washington D.C., to unite people across political lines through structured activities and curated conversations. Key negotiation lessons emphasize active listening, empathy, and finding common ground.

00:00 Introduction to the Guest and His Mission

01:10 Jake's Military Background and Lessons Learned

02:10 Negotiation Stories from the Battlefield

12:37 A Life-Changing Experience in Iraq

17:33 Founding NRU International

19:42 Challenges and Successes in Africa

27:14 Negotiation Tactics in Challenging Environments

27:58 Ensuring Safety in Remote Areas

29:05 Building Trust with Local Leaders

30:45 Personal Stories of Security and Negotiation

32:03 Faith in the Military's Loyalty

33:23 Transition to More Perfect Union

35:24 Founding More Perfect Union

37:02 Brickyards: Building Community Trust

40:15 Success Stories from Brickyards

48:25 Recruiting and Training Brickyard Leaders

55:48 Final Thoughts and Getting Involved

Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.