February Newsletter
2026

Democracy begins in human conversation.

Kenneth Gergen

The health of a society is revealed not only in its laws or institutions but in the way its people speak to, and about, one another.

Martin Luther King III 

Dear Friends of the Center for Civil Discourse,

People often share with me that they feel a sense of powerlessness or lack of agency to affect change in the country about issues that concern them. I have heard this from people across political affiliations and irrespective of which political party is in the White House.

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 80% of people in the U.S. view the country as significantly divided on the values they view as most important. While disagreement in a democracy can be healthy, a division of core values can indicate a breakdown in social ties. This division and breakdown mean a lessening of trust between people, decreased civic engagement, and a weakening of collective cooperation in the name of the common good.

While the situation may feel overwhelming, it is in the erosion of social ties that people can exercise their agency.

Relational capacity is a term that refers to the quality of relationships between people, and it is critical to establishing and sustaining trust and collaboration at individual, organizational, and community levels. Cultivated through small, intentional acts of care over time, relational capacity translates values into action and highlights ways that personal choice can have collective implications.

In today’s partisan climate, where differences and gaps feel accentuated, there is a heightened opportunity to build relational capacity. It is possible (and arguably helpful) to understand current divides as invitations to reflect upon how we talk with and about one another. How people talk to one another impacts how people live together.

Being intentional about using language that creates connections rather than divisions; shows care rather than disdain; and expresses respect rather than judgement is an exercise of personal agency that simultaneously resists eroding social ties and invests in the wellness of the collective.

Each conversation is an opportunity to contribute to the common good—and this speaks to the heart of civil discourse.

Wishing you peace and wellness,

Lisa

What questions do you have about having challenging conversations?

Submitted Question

“I'm sometimes drawn into conversations across differences with people I work with. I try to use "I" language and remain curious about their point of view. But at times it is very frustrating because they draw on misinformation and disinformation, including conspiracy theories in the conversation. How should I approach conversations with people whose views are resting on fiction rather than facts?”

Response

Thank you for your question. This is a common dilemma shared by many, especially in today’s climate of intense polarization that gives shape to skewed facts and sensationalized stories. Verifying one’s information as well as cross-checking and diversifying one’s sources are important ways to resist misinformation and disinformation.

For conversations with people whose views appear to “rest on fiction rather than facts,” two things can be helpful.

Consider what you want from this conversation. What are your conversation goals?

It is often helpful to consider what brings a person to the conversation in the first place. Being intentional about our "why" impacts how we engage in the conversation. If people do not agree on what is misinformation and what is a verifiable fact, then shifting one’s conversation goals can help. Perhaps, rather than focusing on fact vs fiction, try wondering and being curious about an element of the conversation. For example, if someone cites a questionable statistic, instead of responding to the statistic, be curious about the value(s) being expressed through the statistic. What makes this value important for the other person? Invite their story.

Keep in mind that people’s viewpoints emerge through life experience. Be curious about these experiences.

Instead of responding to the perspective itself, ask the other person to share a story about what has brought them to their position. Helpful words might be, “I’m interested in better understanding your perspective. Can you tell me a story about how you’ve come to this view?” Reframing the conversation to be a sharing of life experiences rather than a debate between viewpoints can keep the conversation constructive, productive, and authentic. Stories humanize the conversation.

We look forward to your next question.

The Civil Discourse Team

Are you wondering how to hold true to your own values yet remain open to another's differing values? Or perhaps you seek concrete strategies for keeping conversations constructive and productive. Let us know what you are curious about. Responses to questions will appear in the following month's newsletter. 

Fremont Area Community Foundation Training

At the end of January, the Center was honored to provide a foundations of civil discourse training to the staff of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. We are excited to be invited back to provide FACF staff with a deeper dive into the material with a part-two of the training which is planned for early spring.

Here is what one participant shared about the training:

“Our recent Civil Discourse training helped me think differently about how I communicate, especially when things get tense. I learned practical ways to engage productively with others — even if we disagree –  and appreciated the advice to set boundaries and guidelines. The breakout conversations were a highlight for me. What has stuck with me most is how important it is to stay curious, listen carefully, and show empathy; these are good tools for connecting with people and increasing mutual understanding.”

Lisa Bougher
Payroll and Benefits Manager
Fremont Area Community Foundation

We thank the Fremont Area Community Foundation for the opportunity to support their mission and commitment to constructive and productive dialogue.

On February 4th, the Center hosted it's first Campus Conversation of Winter term,  Impacts of Change: How is Everyone Doing? We began with individual quiet reflection about the question the title poses: How are you? After everyone had a chance to gather their thoughts privately, we moved into small group table conversations that invited deeper reflection through conversation. People considered how their relationships have been affected; supports that have helped them deal with impactful current events; and their hopes.

The conversation then opened up to the whole room for a community conversation. Many people talked about how to balance care with disagreement. As we wrapped up the evening, people expressed gratitude for this conversation space and interest in the next Campus Conversaiton.

Thank you...

Co-Sponsors: Geography & Sustainable Planning; Political Science; Padnos International Center; Student Senate; GVSU Votes!; Asian Faculty & Staff Assoc.; Black Faculty & Staff Assoc.; Lakers Unidos!; LGBTQ+ Faculty & Staff Assoc.; Women's Commission

And a special thank you to the volunteers from Mediation Services who helped to facilitate.

 

SAVE THE DATE!

Next Campus Conversation

March 31, 6:00-7:30 pm, Kirkhof, Room 2204

Our topic is navigating eco-grief (emotional distress around the impacts of climate change). Environmental Sustainability Studients will help to facilitate this conversation, as part of their course experience with Professor Becky Williams. 

 

From left to right: Carol Sarosik (Founder), Shelley Padnos (Founder), Elizabeth Arnold (Endowed Professor 2018-2019), Greg Warsen (Endowed Professor 2022-2023), Jeff Kelly Lowenstein (Endowed Professor 2020-2022), Jack Mangala (Endowed Professor 2016-2017), and Lisa Perhamus (Endowed Professor 2014-2015, Director).  The Center's Endowed Professorship program is now named the Padnos/Sarosik Faculty Fellowship program.

We invite you to join us as we seek to increase our engagement and communication with the broader community through social media.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates about Center activities, tips about productive dialogue, and reflections on the practical applications of civil discourse.

On Instagram, we're sharing 3 habits that tend to shut down dialogue. If you're curious about these 3 things, check out the post on our Instagram!

"What experiences have you had in trying to reach across political divides?"

You can also stay updated about Center happenings through LinkedIn. Be sure to follow our page so you don't miss out on any of our posts!

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!

"Elevate Conversations, Deepen Connections is the sequel to Stop Blocking, Start Connecting. Communication expert Lee Broekman distills 20 years of communication workshops into a practical, compassionate guide for creating alignment in every conversation.

Drawing on the 'blockers' that quietly derail our best intentions, this book teaches you to pause, get clear, and proact—so you can bridge differences instead of escalating conflict.

With simple, actionable tools and relatable stories — you’ll learn to set the table for dialogue that is intentional, respectful, and deeply human.

Part field manual, part invitation to heal, these pages offer concrete skills to remove barriers, reduce stress, and transform personal and professional relationships. If our world is aching for connection, this book shows you exactly how to build it—one mindful conversation at a time."

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