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Talking Sense

Talking Sense

Two men, one black and one white, talk while one holds sheets of paper
A man and a young woman talk while one holds sheets of paper
A man talks with two young woman; all the people are holding sheets of paper

Try the Talking Sense digital tool to start having hard political conversations better.

Try It Now

MPR News and the nonprofit organization Braver Angels have created Talking Sense to help Minnesotans have hard conversations, better.

Talking Sense is a reporting project that explores the roots of polarization in communities, families and homes, and looks at how Minnesotans are navigating these divisive times. It’s also a series of live events and online tools that help Minnesotans have challenging political conversations without letting the need to change minds stand in the way of preserving important relationships. 

Has political polarization affected your family or community? Send us your Talking Sense story at talk@mprnews.org

Talking Sense Events

Talking Sense in Duluth: How to manage emotions from politics

At an MPR News Talking Sense event in Duluth on Thursday, Nov. 14th, 2024, Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty discusses how we can manage our emotions and relate to others in victory or defeat following the presidential election.

Talking Sense: Depolarizing Ourselves

Polarization is fueled by how we talk about those on the other side of an issue. Too often, we ridicule, dismiss, or stereotype our fellow citizens. MPR News and Braver Angels hosted a free in-person workshop in Fergus Falls, Minn., at Fergus Brewing on Oct. 3. The goal was to make participants more aware of their own “inner polarizer” and how they can be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population.

Talking Sense in Rochester: Skills for disagreeing better

MPR News, the nonpartisan organization Braver Angels and University of Minnesota-Rochester hosted an in-person conversation on April 24 for Talking Sense — our election-year reporting project that aims to help Minnesotans have hard political conversations, better.

More stories from Talking Sense

The Trump administration’s impact on free speech

The Trump administration’s impact on free speech

President Donald Trump says he’s brought back free speech. But has he? MPR News host Catharine Richert talks about the consequences of expressing some ideas under the Trump administration.  
by Catharine Richert and Maja Beckstrom

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She’s a rabbi. He’s a Palestinian peace activist. They’re trying to start a movement

She’s a rabbi. He’s a Palestinian peace activist. They’re trying to start a movement

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended. But even as peace in the region seems out of reach, a group of Twin Cities Palestinian peace activists and Jewish people have continued to meet and have difficult conversations.
by Catharine Richert

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Love is political? ‘Love is Blind’ Minneapolis season centers politics more than ever

Love is political? ‘Love is Blind’ Minneapolis season centers politics more than ever

Production of season eight took place in early 2024 while primaries were still underway for the presidential election. During the pods, participants had in-depth conversations about the LGBTQ+ community, the murder of George Floyd, religion and more.
by Sam Stroozas and Feven Gerezgiher

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In polarized times, these Minnesota legislators want to restore civility at the state Capitol

In polarized times, these Minnesota legislators want to restore civility at the state Capitol

This year’s legislative session started with a lot of vitriol between DFLers and Republicans. But a bipartisan group of legislators is trying to get both sides to be more collaborative and civil.
by Catharine Richert

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Communication Styles

Your next hard conversation will go better if you prepare. It helps to know who you’re talking to and how they will react. Here are four communication archetypes you might encounter in your next challenging political conversation.

The Gladiator

The Defender

The Peacekeeper

The Sniper

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