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Talking Sense

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

On the cusp of a contentious election year, Ely finds new ways to talk about divisive issues

On the cusp of a contentious election year, Ely finds new ways to talk about divisive issues

The northern Minnesota town has long been the epicenter of the state’s conflict around mining and the environment. Now, though, there’s a renewed effort in Ely to restart a civil discussion around long-standing divisions.
by Catharine Richert

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Fergus Falls hosts U.S. premiere of documentary about an international scandal which touched the town

Fergus Falls hosts U.S. premiere of documentary about an international scandal which touched the town

In 2018, allegations of fabricated stories rocked the prestigious German magazine Der Spiegel. The Minnesota city of Fergus Falls found itself a victim of an unscrupulous journalist. Now the town will host the U.S. premiere of a documentary about the scandal called “Inventing Truth: The Relotius Affair.”  
by Mathew Holding Eagle III

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Can a 5,000-mile journey help a mother and son survive their differences?

Can a 5,000-mile journey help a mother and son survive their differences?

Jedidiah Jenkins and his mom diverge wildly on their ideological views. She is a Trump-supporting conservative evangelical from Tennessee. He is a gay, progressive man who lives in California. But they love each other. Can they find common ground on a cross-country road trip? That’s the story of his new memoir, “Mother, Nature.”
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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10-year-old Minnesota singer Mira Babal tells it like it is in ‘Mad for No Reason’

10-year-old Minnesota singer Mira Babal tells it like it is in ‘Mad for No Reason’

You haven’t heard 10-year-old Mira Babal's latest track on the Billboard Hot 100 — at least not yet. But “Mad for No Reason” is catchy, upbeat — and a callout to the adults in Mira’s life. She wants them to stop arguing all the time. 
by Catharine Richert

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Try the Talking Sense digital tool

Try the Talking Sense digital tool

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

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How to have hard political conversations, better 

How to have hard political conversations, better 

The holidays are almost here — and so is another contentious election year. MPR News host Angela Davis and reporter Catharine Richert introduce MPR’s new project Talking Sense, designed to teach Minnesotans how to have conversations with friends and family on opposite ends of the political spectrum.  
by Angela Davis, Catharine Richert and Maja Beckstrom

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