Wouldn’t it be nice to get along with family and friends again? In our increasingly polarized world, fostering understanding and respectful dialogue is more important than ever. Along with Braver Angels, the City of Montgomery is hosting a series of workshops to help depolarize the political divide we face daily at work, with friends, and with our families. Join us in these workshops to build a more understanding and cohesive community. Trained local volunteers from Braver Angels will facilitate these workshops.
REGISTER
WORKSHOP
Families & Politics Workshop
Terwilliger Lodge at Dulle Park,
Saturday, November 1, 9:30-Noon
Family relationships are becoming casualties of our toxic, polarized environment. Family members are having political arguments, avoiding each other, or even cutting off lifetime relationships.
Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use strategies in this workshop with any loved one. You will laugh and have some fun in this workshop—it will not be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families!
Desired Outcomes
- Insight into why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging.
- Recognize common roles that family members play in political conversations (for example, the Gladiator, the Defender, and the Sniper).
- Strategies and skills for handling family political differences in a constructive way.
Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear from Braver Angels and learn a little more about each workshop!
FACILITATORS
Rebecca Johnson joined Braver Angels in 2019, co-founded the Greater Cincinnati Alliance, and served as a co-chair of the Alliance for three years. In early 2023, she became a trained Braver Angels moderator and has conducted several workshops over the last year, primarily with high school and university students and faith organizations. Rebecca is currently a Public History professor and consultant at Xavier University. Before that, she was an instructor in the Graduate Program in Public History at Northern Kentucky University.
Poppy Evans joined Braver Angels in 2022 and is a trained ambassador and moderator. She is also a licensed mental health counselor with experience in community mental health and private practice, where she specialized in couples counseling. Poppy joined Braver Angels because she was drawn to the principles and methods of Braver Angels that are also used in couples and family counseling.
Kelly Zimmerman joined Braver Angels as a member and accepted the role of Community Organizer as part of a grant to focus on the Greater Cincinnati area in 2021. Since then, he has taken on the role of Ohio State Co-Coordinator supporting Braver Angels’ grassroots efforts throughout the state. Before joining Braver Angels, Kelly spent 17 years working in product management in the consumer research industry.
Beverly Horstman joined Braver Angels in 2018 and soon trained as a workshop moderator, driven by her deep concern about the country’s growing divide. In 2019, she took on the volunteer role of Ohio State Coordinator, continuing her efforts to bring people together across differences. In 2024, she expanded her involvement by joining Braver Angels’ national Event Development & Delivery team as a Co-Chair. Beverly brings a wealth of business and educational experience to her work with Braver Angels and is deeply committed to its mission. She has organized or led more than 50 Braver Angels workshops and events.
Eugene Rutz has been a member of Braver Angels since 2021. Eugene has led numerous Braver Angels workshops in Ohio and Kentucky. Eugene has also developed a curriculum designed to develop a culture of civility and respect for University of Cincinnati students, where Eugene served as Associate Dean in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
About Braver Angels
Braver Angels is a national organization that envisions an America that respectfully embraces political disagreements, where civic friendship flourishes, and competing perspectives strengthen our nation. Their goal is not to change people’s views of issues but to change their views of each other. Learn more about Braver Angels at braverangels.org.