Communicating Across Differences: Braver Angels and Joslin Library host workshop

March 23, 2026  |  By Katherine Cadwell

Talking with friends and family about contentious topics can be challenging. How do you share your ideas confidently without feeling like you’re stepping on eggshells?   

In this difficult time of fractured politics, many people find that the political becomes personal, causing relationships with family, friends and colleagues to fracture as well. Our country is more divided than ever, with too many of us isolated from those who hold different views. 

Braver Angels is a nationwide organization that believes this division damages our communities, disrupts our families, and stops us from working together for the common good. The organization forms local alliances, holds local workshops and debates, discusses differences civilly, seeks common ground and encourages everyone to do the same. It is a grassroots movement to fix our broken politics from the bottom up.

The Vermont Braver Angels Chapter and the Joslin Library in Waitsfield are co-sponsoring a workshop titled, Communicating Across Differences, on April 12. It will be led by Beth Malow, author of the new book, ”Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times.” 

An experienced trainer with Braver Angels, Beth will provide practical advice and model techniques and strategies to stay engaged in difficult conversations with others. Beth is a Vermont neurologist and science communicator focused on public health, sleep, and climate change. She moderates workshops and debates for Braver Angels, and has appeared on NPR 1A, PBS Newshour, and other news outlets.

The workshop will take place at the Joslin Library, Main Street/Rt. 100, Waitsfield, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Registration is encouraged as space is limited. To sign up,  see the Upcoming Programs section of the Joslin Library website, or use this link. 

Contact the Joslin Library for more information or email kcadwell@braverangels.org.