With holiday parties in full swing, many of us face a dilemma. When family members or friends are not on the same page politically, how do we talk to each other? Two things often happen: either we take politics off the conversational menu, or we end up arguing. But what if there’s another way?

Our December meeting will feature two guests to help guide us as we navigate through conversations with people with whom we disagree. Dr. Christy Berghoef is an author, speaker, and dialogue consultant who leads workshops on civil discourse. Dr. David Myers is a social psychologist who teaches at Hope College and is a prolific author of books and articles on how humans interact with each other. 

They will consider questions such as: Why do well-intentioned people support harmful leaders and policies? Why is it so hard for people to change political beliefs? Why do our efforts to persuade each other often fail?

Using sociological and psychological research they will help us to understand the society we live in and gain strategies for having more open and productive conversations with folks we know. 

Now more than ever we need people from all political persuasions to work together to maintain our democratic system of government and determine policy for the common good. We can’t do that if we can’t talk to each other in a civil way. Here’s our chance to learn some tips on how to do that.

You can learn more about our speakers at christyberghoef.com and davidmyers.org. Don’t miss this instructive presentation! Thursday, December 11, 6:30 p.m., at Hope Church, 77 W 11^th Street, Holland.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash