Jake Harriman: Building Trust Across Political Lines at More Perfect Union

In this compelling episode, Jake Harriman, founder of More Perfect Union, discusses his mission to bridge America's partisan divide through community service, civics, and social gatherings. Harriman, a former Marine with extensive combat experience in Iraq, shares how his military background and a transformational encounter in Southern Iraq pushed him to address extreme poverty in Africa through the nonprofit Nuru International. He later transitioned to More Perfect Union, inspired by the growing political divide in America. The conversation covers Harriman's active efforts in various communities, from rural Texas to urban Washington D.C., to unite people across political lines through structured activities and curated conversations. Key negotiation lessons emphasize active listening, empathy, and finding common ground.00:00 Introduction to the Guest and His Mission01:10 Jake's Military Background and Lessons Learned02:10 Negotiation Stories from the Battlefield12:37 A Life-Changing Experience in Iraq17:33 Founding NRU International19:42 Challenges and Successes in Africa27:14 Negotiation Tactics in Challenging Environments27:58 Ensuring Safety in Remote Areas29:05 Building Trust with Local Leaders30:45 Personal Stories of Security and Negotiation32:03 Faith in the Military's Loyalty33:23 Transition to More Perfect Union35:24 Founding More Perfect Union37:02 Brickyards: Building Community Trust40:15 Success Stories from Brickyards48:25 Recruiting and Training Brickyard Leaders55:48 Final Thoughts and Getting InvolvedHost Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.