Reclaiming the Digital Public Square

In this episode of Disagreeing Well, I sit down with Shlomit Broder, CEO of the Canadian organization Digital Public Square, to explore how technology is reshaping the way we engage with each other. Although the “digital public square” can be a place for meaningful dialogue, digital spaces can also fuel polarization. Shlomitt and I discuss the nature of polarization in Canada today and the challenges posed by new technologies – from misinformation to amplified outrage to the way it often drowns out nuanced voices.Shlomit shares how her organization is building digital tools and creating spaces that foster curiosity, empathy, and meaningful dialogue—even on the most polarizing issues, including Israel-Gaza. The conversation offers both a clear-eyed assessment of the risks of online discourse and a hopeful vision for how we can rebuild trust, embrace nuance, and learn to disagree well.Learn more about Digital Public Square