About the Braver Angels of Washington State 

Braver Angels Washington is working in our local communities by holding workshops, debates and public presentations designed to bridge the polarizing political divide we experience in our country. This page provides basic information about our organization. 

 What We Do

We introduce citizens to the Braver Angels process of depolarization and civil discourse through:

We respectfully engage in political and public policy discussions about issues important to us and our country. We invite you to join us! 

Ongoing Braver Angels Experiences

Braver Angels Podcast: Hosts Ciaran O'Connor and John Wood Jr. use their years of experience working on opposite sides of the aisle to host a podcast focused on bridging the divide. They bring on guests with varied political backgrounds and use these perspectives to provide a nuanced understanding of some of the most pressing issues facing our country today.


1:1 Conversations: A novel way for people to connect personally and as citizens who are concerned for their country. The process involves two structured 1-hour conversations between two people using an online platform.


YouTube Recordings: The Braver Angels YouTube channel includes a variety of content ranging from online debates, public forums, podcasts, and even common ground themed musical performances. A great resource to learn more about and from Braver Angels and to watch an event you couldn’t attend live

Debates

If you haven’t experienced it, a Braver Angels Debate is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out a little closer to the truth, more aware of the validity in opposing views, and with tighter community relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions and answers are here.

Washington State Leadership

To contact the state coordinators, please email wa-coordinators@braverangels.org

Sharmin Banu 

Washington State Coordinator - Blue

Pacific Regional Coordinator - Blue

Sue Lani Madsen

Washington State Coordinator - Red

The Alliances of Braver Angels in Washington:

Western Washington

The Braver Angels in Western Washington Alliance started in late 2018. Mary Beth Stibbins, Will Clemmer, and a few others got together and produced our first event, the Red-Blue Workshop in Jan 2019 in Everette. 

Today, the Co-Chairs of the Alliance are Mary Beth Stibbins, Joe Pratt, and John Moran.

The Western WA Alliance meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 7:00-8:30 PM PT.

Questions?  Email us at western-wa-alliance@braverangels.org 

Eastern/Central Washington

Eastern/Central Washington Alliance covers a large geographical area, but that doesn't stop us from connecting every month via Zoom calls. This active group formed in March 2021 and consists of three Red and three Blue Co-Chairs and a membership that spans from Winthrop to White Salmon and Spokane to Walla Walla. We hold two meetings each month, often with guest speakers and ongoing programs to help members practice communication skills and ask Questions of Curiosity. In addition, Braver Angels workshops are planned two or three times a year, often attracting participants from all over the country. You can join our mailing list here.

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. For more information or to contact our co-chairs, please email central-eastern-wa-alliance@braverangels.org 

Curious Conversations Workshop with Mónica Guzmán - June 2022 

Eastern/Central Washington Braver Angels 

Western alliance “meet and greet” - July 2021 

Rocking the rural. Members of the Central/Eastern Washington Alliance pose at a meet up. (L-R): Janice Dickinson, Raven Odion, Liz Wise, Byron Odion.

Snohomish County  

A New Alliance

We are pleased to announce the formation of the Snohomish County Alliance in August 2022. 

Janelle Burke (Red), Miles Thornton (Blue) and Brea Nixon (Independent) are the co-chairs, and they welcome you to join them the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month for their meetings, starting September 22nd. They can be reached at snohomish-wa@braverangels.org  

If you are a Braver Angels member and are interested in being on the steering committee for this alliance, contact Janelle Burke at jburke@braverangels.org  

HELP WANTED

We are looking for volunteers to help us advance the mission of Braver Angels. There are lots of ways to help. We can help you figure out how to dive in, or just dip your toes in the water, given the time and skills you have. 

Please contact us to learn more. 

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

— John F. Kennedy