We Choose Hope: Bill Doherty on Bridge-Building in a Polarized Time

Host Wendy Wollner talks with Bill Doherty, family therapist, professor emeritus, and Co-Founder of Braver Angels, about practical ways leaders, teams, and clinicians can repair trust across deep political divides. Bill shares ground rules that make hard conversations possible, the difference between optimism and a choice for hope, and how therapists can serve as “citizen bridge-builders” at work, at home, and in their communities. What You’ll Learn Why polarization blocks solutions—and how “respectful rules” reopen dialogue A simple reframing: change minds about people, not just policies How to listen when you’re triggered (even for therapists) The line is behavior, not opinion: how to hold strong views respectfully Practical on-ramps for clinicians: from self-checks in session to moderating public workshops Why hope is a decision leaders can make—and model