Living Room Conversations

Living Room Conversations Building a better world one conversation at a time. https://linktr.ee/livingroomconvo Belonging starts with conversation.

Living Room Conversations are a conversational bridge across issues that divide and separate us. They provide an easy structure for engaging in friendly yet meaningful conversation with those with whom we may not agree. These conversations increase understanding, reveal common ground, and sometimes even allow us to discuss possible solutions. No fancy event or skilled facilitator is needed.

06/03/2026

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, American democracy faces profound challenges in the form of declining trust in institutions and growing political and cultural divides. While policy solutions and institutional reforms are essential, they are not enough. The strength of our democracy depends on a civic culture that sustains it. Can we foster a shared set of norms, values, and beliefs that empower our institutions and help us navigate our differences?

Please join the American Enterprise Institute, the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy, and the Chautauqua Institution for a thought-provoking conversation on what it will take to renew the foundation of American democracy. Moderated by UVA Karsh's Melody Barnes, the panelists include: Christine Rosen (AEI), Hahrie Han (Johns Hopkins University), E. J. Dionne (Brooking's Institution), William A. Galston (Brooking's Institution), and Yuval Levin.

06/03/2026

Can people be taught to be moderates?

I host online Living Room Conversations with strangers from all across the country. Most of the time, the calls are between people who fall somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum, rather than on either end. Why is that?

Is it because only moderates are willing to engage in civil dialogue? Or is there something about the environment of the conversations that makes people feel a greater sense of moderation?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Sometimes we get so caught up on who is right and what facts to believe, that we forget the shared humanity of people we...
05/29/2026

Sometimes we get so caught up on who is right and what facts to believe, that we forget the shared humanity of people we disagree with.

In a recent Living Room Conversation, I had the opportunity to talk to strangers from all across the country, who despite different political, social, and economic backgrounds, all found things in common with each other. There's a shared core to each of us, a common way of seeing the world that we so often don't notice because we are blinded by our differences.

LRC helps us set aside those differences and find the many meaningful and incredible things we have in common.

Join an upcoming event at livingroomconversations.org

05/27/2026

11 participants. 3 loaded guns.

The locals in Zebulon, GA have been hosting Living Room Conversations at A Novel Experience, a community bookstore, for YEARS. One of their many exceptional experiences was a conversation about gun control where three participants placed their loaded revolvers on the table before they started talking.

Stories like these are found all across the LRC community. We give people opportunities to deeply and truly connect with others through structured and respectful conversation.

Learn more at the link in our bio

We can’t do this work alone. Real change happens when organizations pitch in to create spaces where people can talk hone...
05/22/2026

We can’t do this work alone. Real change happens when organizations pitch in to create spaces where people can talk honestly even when they disagree.

One of those partners is Civil Dialogues, who recently hosted a town hall highlighting how to navigate tough conversations with Community leaders, students, faculty, and staff from Houston Community College.

"After speaking on a panel with two BridgeUSA leaders and a former Interim Dean at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, I joined a small table discussion on Healthy Communication and the Community. You could feel the grief, tension, and frustration. These were experiences far outside my own. And while the group couldn’t shift policy, we could be there for each other. We could listen with empathy." -- Becca Kearl, Executive Director of Living Room Conversations

Find out how to get started at livingroomconversations.org

05/20/2026

Trust is built face to face in your local community.

It's overwhelming to think about the WHOLE world and all the issues all the time. Although that is important, it is also important to focus on the people in your neighborhoods, in your cities, and in your states. Those are the people who we can truly connect to and where we can have the most influence.

Take a step back. Focus on your local community. And build trust and understanding with those directly around you.

From our friends at Living Room Conversations: The Living Room Conversations' Youth Council is now recruiting for the ne...
05/16/2026

From our friends at Living Room Conversations:

The Living Room Conversations' Youth Council is now recruiting for the next cohort of Youth Voices in Action (YVIA), a six-week, engaging virtual summer leadership program for high school students nationwide starting June 6th!

YVIA gives students something meaningful to be part of this summer while connecting with peers from different backgrounds, building leadership skills, and exploring issues that matter to them.

Through weekly interactive workshops, mentorship, expert guest speakers, and team-based projects, participants will gain experience in:

- Leadership and collaboration
- Civil discourse and respectful dialogue
- Research and critical thinking
- Public speaking and pitch development
- Problem-solving across differences
- Civic engagement and creating real-world solutions

Students will work alongside peers from around the U.S. to develop proposals around issues they care about, then present their ideas during a final public showcase.

This program is completely free for participants.

We are currently recruiting students in grades 9–12, with an application deadline of May 30th. The program runs from June 6 to July 11.

Application Link

About LRC Youth Council: We are a project of Living Room Conversations (LRC), led by youth across the country. We are committed to bringing LRC to spaces where young people can engage in meaningful, transformative conversations that break down barriers, build bridges, and foster greater understanding. We create spaces of respect where young people lead productive, transformative conversations. We support youth and our communities through our offerings and conversations, ensuring every voice is heard, every perspective is valued, and growth occurs through self-discovery, education, and empowerment to action.

05/13/2026

Connect with intention. Listen with curiosity.

Every time I participate in a Living Room Conversation, I am SHOCKED by how much I have in common with random strangers. People from different walks of life, from across the political spectrum, with different priorities and interests than me *consistently* prove to me that there are more good people in the world than bad.

People are thoughtful, they are trying their best, they are hard working, hopeful, and kind. People want to fix problems, help their neighbors, and build a better community, country, and world.

We just need to open our eyes enough to see them.

- Stewart Fletcher | Communications Manager at LRC

Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah, campaigned the movement, which is a call to increase civility, respect, and understandi...
05/08/2026

Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah, campaigned the movement, which is a call to increase civility, respect, and understanding even amid disagreement.

Without the ability to talk to one another, our democracy will fail and our country will fall apart. Come to the table and join us in conversation.

Listening will always be the key to connecting. What are you doing right now to better listen to the people you care abo...
05/06/2026

Listening will always be the key to connecting.

What are you doing right now to better listen to the people you care about? Let us know in the comments

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80301-80310, 80314, 80321-80323, 80328, 80329

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