Temperatures will continue to fall over the next few days

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Is it possible to build relational bridges, even in contentious times?

 says yes. He’s dedicated his life to teaching others how to belong and bridge. As the director of the 

Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley

 at the University of Minnesota, powell — who spells his name in lowercase, to signify that “we are part of the universe, not over it” — studies equity and connection. 

,” is his thesis that connecting with others and honoring their humanity is the only way to create a world where we all belong. 

powell came back to Minnesota on a cold night in early December, at the invitation of The Bush Foundation and MPR, to talk with MPR News reporter and host Catharine Richert about how to do the work of bridging, even at this divisive moment in history. He shared stories from his own life, talked about how to bridge (or not) with folks who don’t want to bridge and discussed how the work of bridging and belonging is as much internal as external. 

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on:

Social Issues

Conversations around race and racial justice

Shows

MPR News with Angela Davis

Talking Sense

Host

Author

Scholar and author john a. powell returned to Minnesota on Dec. 2 to talk about his new book, “The Power of Bridging.” In a deeply divided world, what can be done to create a sense of belonging for everyone? 

A man and woman sit in chairs on a stage, speaking into microphones.

Author and activist john a. powell on 'The Power of Bridging'

Go Deeper.

Like this?