As a show of my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your support, I’m excited to share this list of articles, books, videos, podcasts and music that inspired and informed me over the past year. Compiling this list was a fun and useful exercise to reflect on what has most influenced or challenged my thinking over the past year. It has also been instructive – and a bit surprising – that so much of what I consume in my “private time” these days is deeply connected to the work of Convergence. I did, however, include a couple non-work-related items that I hope you enjoy.
1
Allsides for-profit news source
When I’m learning or catching up on an issue, this is where I click to read articles from more than one political perspective.
2
A New Narrative for American Democracy, Issue One
Even though this organization can lean markedly left, this report offers fascinating and mostly balanced research and analysis to which I refer often.
3
Targeted Universalism, john a. powell, Othering and Belonging Institute
This area of the Institute’s website features a brilliant theory, expounded by a Dean of the civil rights movement, that offers an antidote to growing conflict between twin imperatives: bridgebuilding across political divides and addressing racial inequality.
4
Against the Grain, Kelly Johnston
This Substack blog written by a former Convergence Board member is where I turn to get an unvarnished look at current politics and issues of the day from a conservative perspective.
5
I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times, Monica Guzman, Braver Angels
This is a thoughtful and provocative book from one of several regular commentators I follow from Braver Angels, a grassroots bridgebuilding organization. I also follow the writings of Braver Angels’ John Wood.
6
Let’s Find Common Ground Podcast Series,Common Ground Committee
Often provocative, always inspiring, these podcasts tell bridge-building stories with nuance and complexity, commonly engaging some of the most influential leaders of our time – and sometimes featuring unlikely allies from Convergence Dialogues.-
7
The wonderfully hopeful narrative and data in this video powerfully illustrates how our polarized perceptions of people in the “other party” drive distortions and exaggerations about exactly how different our positions are on critical issues.
8
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things are Better Than You Think, Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Ola Rosling
Although released several years ago, this book remains my go-to source for refuting the idea that the world is heading to hell in a handbasket.
9
We Will Never Wake You Up in the Morning, Drive-By Truckers
This 2022 song by a new favorite rock-band offers a relaxed-tempo meditation on alienation and addiction that includes the timely and haunting line: “The season of our discontent has given way to torment.”
10
All About Photo Awards 2022, boredpanda
As an amateur photographer, I’m captivated by what the medium offers at its best, which is well represented here.
