November Newsletter
2025

Dear Friends of the Center for Civil Discourse,

Recently, a friend and I had a conversation about the value of intergenerational relationships. Our conversation prompted me to reflect upon the many lessons I have learned from people older and younger than me and reminded me that when people talk (and listen) across generations, the differences in life perspective often enrich the conversation.

My grandparents were great teachers. They taught me about gardening and sharing in the abundance of the gardens; creative ways to cook and bake with what was grown; how to fix things oneself with the materials at hand; and the importance of keeping one’s door open to the possibility of someone stopping by.

I have also learned from my students. In the beginning of my career, I was an Early Childhood Education teacher, and I have had the honor of working with many children. While people commonly associate childhood with things like innocence, play, and lightheartedness, the varied stories children have shared with me over the years have taught me not to make assumptions about people’s lives. Like adults, young people’s lives can be a complicated mix of laughter and tears, joy and hardship.

I’d like to think that my grandparent’s open-door policy aligns well with the lesson that children taught me about not making assumptions. An open door is an invitation to engage, and conversations that begin with such an invitation are more likely to remain curious. We cannot not know the heaviness of what people might be carrying or the joys that could lighten their load.

I am grateful to my grandmother and grandfather for sharing their home remedies, wisdom, and perspectives and appreciative of my students who have reminded me over the years that everyone has a story.

I hope that more people have conversations across generations. We have much to teach and learn from each other. And when people connect intergenerationally, it can be a powerful interruption of social division.

Wishing you peace and wellness,

Lisa

Michigan Listens

On November 5th, people gathered in the L.V. Eberhard Center for the first ever Michigan Listens. It was an evening of storytelling, comaraderie, and listening to understand rather than listening to respond. Unlike many events, there was no clapping. No cheering. No Q & A. Just the quiet of intentional, focused listening.

Against this backdrop, 9 Michiganders shared heartfelt stories about what they value and why. Their stories highlighted people's shared humanity--a powerful reminder of our interdependence during this time of national division.

As the speakers from different areas of Michigan told their stories, the room collectively traveled the state. Metaphorically, we traveled from Detroit to the Thumb, across the state's mid-section to the Upper Peninsula, headed south along the shoreline to Battle Creek before circling back to Grand Rapids. Through our travels, we met new neighbors and were reminded that being open to listening to one's neighbor is a powerful antidote to political, social, and cultural polarization.

We invite you to join us in listening to and reflecting on their stories.

 

At this time of year, many families and friends gather around traditions that involve sharing a meal. Dinner table conversations with loved ones can be simultaneously comforting and fraught with tension. The Center for Civil Discourse shares the following resources for navigating conversations at family gatherings.

Life Kit: How to Have Difficult Conversations During the Holidays
(3-minute listen)

How to Have Fun with That Relative Whose Opinions You Can’t Stand This Thanksgiving
(6-minute read)

Political Divides Won’t Ruin the Holidays…
If You Pack Accordingly
(3-minute read)

Six Tips for Dialogue & Understanding
This Holiday Season
(3-minute read)

Tips to Make Space for Civil Discourse
at Your Holiday Table
(3-minute read)

How to Protect Your Emotional Health
During the Holidays
(55-minute watch)

The Big Idea: TED’s 4-Step Guide to the Holiday Season
(6-minute read)

Home for the Holidays:
Dialogue Across Divides Among Family & Friends
(10-minute read)

The Center for Civil Discourse offers workshops and trainings for community organizations, area businesses, and professional groups, as well as for students, staff, and faculty at Grand Valley.

 

The Rapid

"These sessions have not only enriched our team’s professional interactions but also provided them with valuable tools for personal growth."

Fremont Area
Community
Foundation

"We view this work as essential to philanthropy, and to the quality of life in our communities... I’ve never had better civil discourse engagement training, and highly recommend it to colleagues, communities and citizens concerned with an increasingly coarse society.”

GrandPR, GVSU

"This workshop was eye opening to being able to share insights and understanding far beyond a differing opinion."

CASA of Kent County 

"CASA of Kent County’s volunteers consistently engage in heavy and emotionally-charged conversations... We hope to incorporate the Center's dialogue tools...in our conversations."

GR Community Foundation

"Through this training, step by step, one story after another, I felt encouraged by the practical, relevant, and tangible tools I was collecting."

Are you having roommate issues? Do you belong to a student organization that would like some help with how it communicates or handles its conversations during meetings? Are you struggling with group work in one of your classes? Or perhaps you wish to talk with one of your professors, but you're not sure where to begin.

The Center for Civil Discourse can help! We offer one-to-one facilitation, group facilitation, educational workshops, and both retreat and training sessions that are tailored specifically to you. Let us know how we can help by submitting an Interest & Request Form. All submissions are confidential.

 

Naming the Podcast

As an antidote to societal division, the center is developing a student produced and hosted civil discourse podcast.

The center has been working with GrandPR, an award winning student marketing firm on campus, to survey students about ideas for a podcast name.

After distributing surveys, doing tabling events, and having individual conversations, the GrandPR team has identified the top 3 name contenders.

Stay tuned for the launch of the Podcast Naming Campaign where you will have a chance to vote!

Hmm...what could the name be?!

 

Did you know that we have a video series on Instagram created by our very own Britlynn Veliz? Listen in on some advice from around campus about having difficult conversations! Real Talk is a sample of what we share through social media. Follow the Center's social media to learn more!

The Center's new LinkedIn offers another opportunity to engage. Through LinkedIn, you can stay current on Center activities, read staff reflections on recent polarization and social trust data, and learn about ways you can engage with the Center. 

We are excited to be on LinkedIn and invite you to be a part of our developing network! Join us as we work to create a culture of conversation rather than debate and seek to nourish human connection through dialogue.

We invite you to be a part of the movement!

Have you seen Cecil (pronounced See-sul) around campus?

Thank you for sharing a few of your favorite campus spots. Cecil went on an adventure!

See Cecil at Zumberg Pond, the Office of Multicultral Affairs (with a study buddy), 2nd floor of Lake Ontario Hall, and 1st floor of Idema Pew Library.

Next up, Cecil appreciates the suggestion to visit the Blue Connection!

 

 

 

Connect with us on social media to share a description or photo of your favorite campus spot and be placed in a drawing for a Cecil tshirt!

 

Check out our resources for bridge-building and engaging in conversations across difference. Have a resource to share? Let us know what we could add to the list!

TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves (by Alison Wood Brooks)

"All of us can struggle with difficult conversations, but we’re often not very good at the easy ones either...Addressing our face-to-face conversations as well as those we have by phone, email, text, and social media, Talk is a thoughtful guide for anyone seeking to better establish and sustain their relationships. From managing our emotions and sparking creativity to navigating conflict and being more inclusive, the right conversation skills just might be the key to leading a more purposeful life."

Ex Officio
Shelley Padnos: Center Founder
Carol Sarosik: Center Founder
Mark Schaub: Dean, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Advisory Council
Jessica Collette: Founder & CEO of Float Above Ventures
Alex Priebe: Assistant Director Digital Engagement & Communications                                        James Rademaker: General Manager, WGVU Public Media                                                      Faye Richardson-Green: Committed Community Steward
Milt Rowher: Community member (retired business leader)
Tamela Spicer: Founder & Principal at The Intentional Catalyst                                           Aaron Turner: Vice President of Philanthropy, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Britlynn Veliz: Civil Discourse Student Communications Coordinator
Greg Warsen: Graduate Program Director & Faculty, Educational Leadership  

Give to support bridge-building programs for students...

And be part of depolarizing our communities.

Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse
LMH Suite 167
Office: (616) 331-8044
Email: civildiscourse@gvsu.edu