Reconnecting Despite Political Divides

We are Jay and Lauren, and we want to help you build bridges and restore communication with loved ones strained by political disagreements. Jay is an educator who has a long history of using dialogue to help individuals and organizations find a way to communicate. Lauren has a doctorate in counseling psychology and helps people through their most complicated life transitions. (Yes, we’re married and have been for a long time…!) We believe that you and your family member or friend, who you love and miss and are desperate to be able to talk with again, can find a way to reconnect, even though you disagree about truly fundamental things.

“We used to be so close but now we can’t be in the same room.” “We agree on absolutely everything…but THIS.” “We love each other…why aren’t we able to work this out?”

You love your cousin/sister-in-law/former college roommate. You care for and respect them…you have been close forever! But lately there have been big problems, and you don’t know how to work through them.

Let’s say you’re Jewish (we are!) and since October 7th, 2023, you have not been able to talk about anything remotely close to the Israel-Palestine confliect without the conversation devolving into deep disagreements. You have vastly different relationships to Israel, diametrically opposed ideas about the past, present and future for the region…and can’t fathom how anyone else could feel so passionately in the absolutely opposite way.

Or maybe national politics divides you, and you simply can’t be together without feeling the need to fight. Or something happened in your family or community, an issue that unexpectedly landed between you…you simply don’t agree about it and it’s too important to just let go. So, rather than be in the same space and seethe or simmer, you’ve been staying away. You canceled a visit to your friend, skipped out on a family holiday… You’re at an impasse and now you’re just…tired.

Reviving Communication Starts With Dialogue

We know your relationship can heal! And no, you don’t have to agree. Bridging a divide starts with a willingness to listen… That’s where you’ll start.

Explore our three step process for making space for understanding and connection. The “main event” will be a structured dialogue that will give you and your friend or family member a chance to HEAR each other, without either of you trying to convince each other of anything — perhaps for the first time in a long time.

Each meeting will last approximately and hour and will take place on Zoom.

Meeting Separately Before Dialogue

We will meet with each of you individually to get to know you, explore your view of the relationship and discussion your goal for the dialogue.

Structured Dialogue

We will all meet together! In this meeting (which will take place virtually — you don’t have to be in the same physical space) we will lead both of you in a structured dialogue that will provide the unique opportunity to talk about your thoughts and feelings without interruption, then listen as your friend/family member does the same.

Separate Post-dialogue Reflection

After the dialogue we’ll meet each of you individually once more to reflect on the experience and discuss your vision of where you’d like the relationship to go from here.

Let’s take a break from being so serious. One of these dogs is our dog. Guess which one.

Okay…we’re back.

This is important to you. Let us help.

We understand that the issues that divide you are desperately important — deeply existential. There must be debate in this world…there is often, absolutely, a right and a wrong. But here, in your life, with your friends and family, something has to change. Let this be a start.

STEP 1:

One of you will contact us for a free initial consultation. We’ll tell you about ourselves, explain the concepts and mechanics of “structured dialogue,” and confirm that you and your friend/family member are in the right place for this work.

STEP 2:

We’ll embark on the sessions — the initial meeting with each of you individually, the dialogue, and a follow up.

STEP 3:

We’ll leave you with tools that will set this broken relationship on the right path! If you need more support we’ll figure out what that looks like and suggest structured or unstructured ways to take your next steps.

We Are Still Family