07/07/2025

Frustrated with American politics? You’re not alone—but launching a new party isn’t the only way to make change. This open letter urges Elon Musk (and the rest of us) to invest in the growing, cross-partisan movement already working to strengthen democracy, reform elections, and bridge our divides from the ground up.

06/26/2025

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, we hosted two hybrid expo events exploring how technology can foster trust, social cohesion, and collaboration—rather than fueling polarization and division. Together, we spotlighted exciting innovations from researchers, technologists, and practitioners working across: Prosocial Design, Digital Peacebuilding, Deliberative Tech, LLMs and AI Agents, and Prosocial Tech Policy. Check out detailed agenda and recording.

5/13/2025

Technology can divide—but it can also heal, connect, and build. This blog introduces Civic Health Project’s bold new focus on social cohesion technology and highlights the growing ecosystem of tools, platforms, and partnerships reshaping digital spaces for good.

4.21.2025

In the wake of another polarizing moment in American life, many are asking: where do we go from here? This blog explores how, even in the midst of turbulence, millions of Americans are choosing connection over contempt—and finding hope through bridging, dialogue, and civic renewal.

4/20/2025

Kristin Hansen shares five powerful ways Americans can rise to meet this moment—drawing on her own journey from private sector to democracy reform.

03/26/2025

Kristin Hansen and Glenn Ellingson from Civic Health Project share their work building an LLM that aims to detoxify social media at scale at the LLMs and Public Discourse Showcase on February 27, 2025. This event was co-hosted by Plurality Institute and The Council on Technology and Social Cohesion and organized with support from Google.org, Jigsaw and The John Templeton Foundation.Plurality Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to fostering human cooperation and progress. We serve as a hub for academics, industry researchers, practitioners, and leaders from both civil and governmental sectors, all of whom are pushing boundaries to reimagine collaborative frameworks.

09.05.2024

As students head back to school this fall, many are stepping into classrooms shaped by polarization, global conflict, and civic anxiety. Fortunately, a growing movement of educators, programs, and resources is equipping young people with the tools to bridge divides, foster civil discourse, and strengthen democracy from the ground up.

8.22.2024

These days, we're all being tossed around in the same turbulent waters. Must be a presidential election year in America! But take a quick peek under the choppy surface, and you'll discover that a momentous wave is building. At the federal and state levels, so many creative and bipartisan policy prescriptions for what ails our divided country are gaining meaningful traction.

6.27.2024

It's nearly impossible to capture, in just a few short paragraphs, the incredible energy being poured into bridge-building and civic strengthening work right now. But maybe that's the point! With every repairing stitch being sewn into our civic fabric, we vastly increase the odds of holding together in the face of yet another highly divisive election.

4.12.2024

The new film Civil War is sparking urgent conversations about political division—but it doesn't have to be our future. This blog explores how we can channel that discomfort into real action during the National Week of Conversation and the Better Together Film Festival, inspiring connection over conflict.

1.31.2024

In a time of deep division, Kristin Hansen urges Americans to reject fatalism and recommit to loving both their country and each other. She calls for grace, curiosity, and bridge-building in 2024—arguing that our greatest threat isn’t political outcomes, but a fraying civic fabric.

1/30/2024

The difference in this presidential election cycle is how raw and bruised we Americans are already feeling toward each other, after years in which the 'rage meter' has been dialed to 11.

1.25.2024

These dynamics will certainly ramp up in 2024, with media outlets and candidates deploying divisive rhetoric to drive up levels of fear, anger, and contempt. The money that pours into campaigns will be spent fueling America’s divisions, with an estimated $10B going into political ads warning us about the existential threat posed by “the other side.” Against this fraught election-year backdrop, Civic Health Project has our work cut out for us. We need to step up our game, and we need to do it fast.

10.23.2023

During these politically tumultuous weeks at home and abroad, and as we head into yet another bruising election cycle, it's reasonable to think that America faces even more deeply divided times ahead. Why then, should we feel hopeful? Because many leading indicators, not yet widely visible, suggest that Americans are more and more ready to turn the page on this era of extreme political and social division. And the 2024 election provides an opportunity to send a clear signal to dangerously divisive political and media figures that they need to turn the page, too.

9.21.2023

Bridge Entertainment Labs, a non-profit organization dedicated to leveraging the power of entertainment to reduce America's divisions and strengthen democracy, announced today the appointment of Steven Olikara as president. Olikara brings two decades of experience in transformative media, political, and nonprofit leadership roles to the organization as it launches a suite of new programs this fall convening key entertainment industry leaders.

5.2.2023

Toxic polarization isn’t only on Twitter. Many companies are witnessing first-hand how contentious social and political issues create workplace conflict and reduce productivity. It’s a bottom-line business issue, and corporate leaders are seeking solutions. How can businesses help repair America’s social fabric — both in and out of the workplace? Hear from experts on how businesses can bridge workplace divides:

4.11.2023

Calls for a “national divorce” are growing louder—but so is a movement committed to courageous, constructive conversation. This blog invites readers to join the Sixth Annual National Week of Conversation and discover real ways to bridge divides, repair relationships, and strengthen America from the inside out.

3.22.2023

1.11.2023

1.10.2023

Kristin Hansen shares why true bridge-building requires letting go of desired outcomes—and why changing hearts and minds is the key to repairing our democracy. Watch her full conversation on polarization, democracy, and the path to a healthier civic culture.

9.22.22

Can a few minutes really reduce partisan hatred and strengthen democracy? This blog explores the groundbreaking results of the Strengthening Democracy Challenge—revealing how short, research-backed interventions can shift attitudes and offering new opportunities for bridge-builders to put those insights into action.

7/31/2022

It is no secret that America is facing unprecedented levels of political and social division, undermining the social cohesion that binds the citizens of a healthy democracy together. This guide describes the work of organizations, practitioners, and funders whose efforts are geared toward reducing affective polarization and deepening social cohesion.

03/21/2022

The Center for Entertainment & Civic Health (CFECH) [Now Bridge Entertainment Labs] is dedicated to harnessing the power of storytelling and entertainment to bridge America’s divides. We explore the impact of entertainment media on polarization and societal cohesion, and promote the creation of content that fosters civic health and democratic norms. This free half-day virtual event brought together content creators, entertainment executives, and experts from academia and leading nonprofit organizations for a first-of-its-kind exploration of the question: Can Popular Entertainment Save a Fracturing America? Learn about concrete narrative strategies and successful case studies from some of Hollywood’s most recognizable names in TV and film.

1.22.22

As fears of division dominate headlines, a quieter movement is gaining momentum: Americans across the country are choosing to build bridges instead of burn them. This blog highlights the growing visibility of peacebuilding and depolarization efforts—from PBS to classrooms—and invites readers to explore nonviolence as both a principle and a path forward.

10.18.2021

9.23.2021

More and more Americans are stepping up to say “enough” to toxic division—and we’re proud to support them. This blog celebrates Civic Health Project’s 2021 grantees and initiatives like the Strengthening Democracy Challenge, all working to foster a healthier, more connected democracy.

6/30/2021

Sign up for America Talks to join thousands of other Americans on June 12 who will meet in hourlong video conversations across political divides.

06/24/2021

Political polarization isn’t only on Twitter. Many companies are witnessing first-hand how contentious social issues create workplace conflict and reduce productivity. The failures of the political system are forcing corporate leaders to seek solutions. How can businesses help repair America’s social fabric — both in and out of the workplace? In this session, we’ll discuss examples from the history of how extremism was kept at bay during difficult times, and pull out lessons for the modern era. We’ll explore ways companies can help reduce polarization in their workplaces and communities, thereby helping to restore stability in society and government.

6.10.2021

05.21.2021

In a time of deep division, thousands of Americans are coming together to connect across differences through America Talks and the National Week of Conversation. This blog highlights how Civic Health Project and partners are building momentum for a more united, empathetic, and civically engaged future—one conversation at a time.

04/28/2021

02.09.2021

As America watches yet another political showdown unfold, a powerful new documentary invites us to consider a different path—one of bridging, not just battling. This blog explores the urgent need for reconciliation and highlights the people and projects working to unite a divided nation.

09.15.2020

Feeling anxious about the election? You’re not alone—but there’s hope. This blog highlights powerful initiatives helping Americans navigate Election Week with resilience, empathy, and a renewed commitment to healing our divides.

9.15.2020

The future of America's unity is in our hands, and we have the power to break free from the cycle of extreme polarization. Join us in supporting depolarizing initiatives and help empower a path to a more connected and less divided country.

09/1/2020

Constructive engagement across political divides is a precondition for democracy. If we can’t talk with each other, we can’t govern ourselves as a nation – it’s that simple. America is trapped in a damaging cycle of toxic political polarization and negative partisanship. Undoing the damage requires identifying, funding, and promoting initiatives with demonstrated potential to reduce polarization and improve civic health.

08.04.2020

In the last edition of Depolarize, we asked whether coronavirus would bring Americans together or push us further apart.

5/4/2020

As America faces both a pandemic and a polarizing election, we stand at a crossroads: division or connection. This blog highlights how a growing movement—#WeavingCommunity—is offering a hopeful path forward, grounded in relationships, empathy, and shared purpose.

9/17/2019

ChatGPT said: Turning fifty has brought a sharper awareness of change—both personal and global. This reflection channels that awareness into a call for action, urging us to move beyond despair and fight for a more just, livable future for the next generation.

10/22/2018

What began as a personal sabbatical to understand America’s political divide became a deeper calling to help heal it. This blog shares one progressive’s journey from confusion to commitment—joining a growing movement to reduce toxic polarization through dialogue, media literacy, and civic innovation.

4/28/2022

This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart features Kristin Hansen, lecturer in management and executive director of Civic Health Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to reduce extreme polarization and foster healthier civil discourse in U.S. citizenry, politics, and media.