Civility Is Not Silence: How to Talk Politics with Courage with Project Civility's Jeff Worrell

Chris Spangle sits down with Carmel City Councilor Jeff Worrell to discuss Project Civility and why disagreement is not something to avoid but a path toward stronger communities. They explore how civility is not about silence or politeness but about creating the groundwork for meaningful conversations on politics, religion, and tough issues. Worrell shares the core principles behind managing conflict, finding common ground, and staying in relationship—even when opinions clash. Learn why courage, listening, and respect are essential for building healthier dialogue in a divided time. To learn more or attend the upcoming Project Civility Summit, visit projectcivility.com. ⁠https://youtu.be/_nLEIj-kBPY⁠ 00:00 Introduction & Recent Events 02:16 What is Civility? Setting the Stage 05:20 Guest Introduction: Jeff Worrell 07:07 All About Carmel, Indiana 14:15 Building Community & Connection 17:36 Isolation, Fear, and Neighborly Issues 18:48 The Value of Disagreement 21:20 Courage, Empathy & Covenant Friendships 23:36 Techniques for Difficult Conversations 26:01 Listening, Pivoting, and Respect 29:00 Defining Civility & Handling Critiques 31:32 Civility is Not Weakness 34:08 Why People Retreat From Conversation 37:20 Navigating Disappointment & Speaking Boldly 40:12 Responding to Uncivil Politics 43:03 The Birth of Project Civility 46:39 The Civility Summit & Spreading the Message 48:23 How to Get Involved & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices