99 | Healing Political Polarization: Braver Conversations Across Difference | Dr. Bill Doherty

What happens when politics begins to tear families—and communities—apart?

In the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk, I spoke with Bill Doherty—family therapist, author, and co-founder of Braver Angels—about how political polarization is straining relationships and what it takes to begin repair. Drawing on family and couples therapy, Bill explores how the dynamics of divided households mirror our national divide, and how structured dialogue can help people see beyond labels and into one another’s humanity.

Bill shares what actually happens inside Braver Angels workshops, how this work has changed him personally, and what each of us can do—right now—to ease political tension in our own families and communities.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why political conflict so often breaks families apart
• How therapy principles apply to healing political divides
• What makes Braver Angels conversations work
• How to lower defensiveness without giving up your values
• Practical steps for bridging political tension in everyday life

Bill Doherty is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, where he taught marriage and family therapy for 38 years. Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, he cofounded Braver Angels, a citizen initiative bringing conservatives and liberals together to counteract political polarization and restore the fraying social fabric in American society. Braver Angels now has volunteers working in all 50 states. Among his awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Family Therapy Academy.

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik