9/22/2023 Families and Politics Workshop

On September 12^th the Fairfax County Alliance of Braver Angels held a Families and Politics Workshop facilitated by Theo Brown. Families & Politics was designed by Bill Doherty, a national expert on the family dynamics of political differences and a lead designer of other Braver Angels workshops. Theo Brown is an experienced facilitator, a long-time organizer for citizens engagement groups, and BA’s state coordinator for Mississippi and Alabama. The 16 participants engaged with the workshop’s themes and practices with seriousness and lots of humor.

Here are some comments from participants:

• Our little changes will add up to big changes - both for us personally and for the situations around us.
• We're not trying to change what people think of issues, we're trying to change what people think of each other.
• Many of the workshop's recommendations are designed to create connections between the conversants.  This is what enables productive communication.
• Here's the Prime Directive: Do not try to change a family member.  You can only change yourself.
• Humility and sharing personal stories are powerful ways to shift the conversation in a positive direction.

Here’s a link to a description of the Families & Politics Workshop and others. The brief participants guide is attached. Take a look at Page 2 and ask yourself, which role or roles do you play in political conversations?

Download the Participant Workbook.