Braver Angels of Florida

Have you ever felt like every political conversation is a landmine? Like no one really hears you anymore? That’s how I felt when I walked into my first Braver Angels meeting, arms crossed, ready to walk back out.

But something happened that day—something I didn’t expect, and it changed everything. Let me tell you about Sarah.

Sarah stood up in that meeting, her voice steady but unsure. 'I used to avoid hard conversations,' she said. 'It felt like the only way to protect my beliefs. Coming here? It felt like walking into the lion’s den.' Then she smiled. 'But instead of hostility, I found something I didn’t even know I was missing: people who were willing to really listen.'

Her words mirrored the fears I hadn’t even said out loud. How many of us avoid holiday conversations or mute someone on social media just to keep the peace? We think we’re protecting ourselves, but really, we’re just growing further apart.

It’s not just you or me. It’s all of us. Conservative, liberal—it doesn’t matter. We’re all carrying the weight of feeling misunderstood. And every day, we’re told that the divide is too wide, the differences too deep. But what if it isn’t?

At Braver Angels, I learned that when people truly feel heard, everything changes. The walls we build around ourselves start to lower, and suddenly, the person across from you isn’t your enemy—they’re someone who loves their kids and worries about their community, just like you do.

That’s why I’m sharing this with you. We have a choice. We can keep building walls—or we can start building bridges. It’s not easy, but the best things rarely are. I’ve seen people find common ground in places they never expected. And it starts with one brave conversation.

Remember Sarah? She’s now one of the most active voices in Braver Angels. She didn’t change her beliefs—she found her voice. And she’s helped others find theirs. That’s what happens when we choose to step into the hard conversations and listen.

Imagine a future where our communities thrive on understanding, where differences spark dialogue instead of division. That’s the story we’re writing, one relationship at a time. And it starts with you.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to be a Braver Angel with us?