Healing America's Political Divide with Braver Angels' Elizabeth Doll | 06-24-26

Sam Bushman sits down with Elizabeth Doll, Director of the Politics Program at Braver Angels, to dig into one of the most urgent questions in American civic life: why are we so divided, and what can we actually do about it? Elizabeth brings a rare perspective from years of political consulting and grassroots organizing to explain why she believes political parties aren't too powerful; they're too unrepresentative. They explore George Washington's warning about the "spirit of party," James Madison's Federalist No. 10 on faction, and how most Americans share more values than the media and politicians let on. Plus, details on the Braver Angels National Convention in Philadelphia (June 25-28, 2026) at Temple University, where citizens from across the political spectrum gather to listen, debate, and rebuild civic trust. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro and show open 1:38 Elizabeth's background in political consulting 4:36 When did things get so bad? The 2016 turning point 4:56 Elizabeth responds: polarization predates 2016 5:38 Trust, media, and what Braver Angels figured out 6:31 Are parties the problem? George Washington's warning 8:33 Counterintuitive take: parties are too WEAK, not too strong 11:57 Braver Angels National Convention details 16:04 Inside the convention: debates, workshops, and breakout sessions 19:47 Hot debate question: Is the founders' vision outdated? 21:31 Should we abolish parties entirely? 23:51 Wrap-up and final thoughts Call to Action: If this conversation got you thinking, visit braverangels.org to learn more, find a workshop near you, and register for the National Convention in Philadelphia, June 25-28, 2026. You can attend in person at Temple University or watch online. Learn to disagree better without giving up what you believe.