Skills for Disagreeing Better

July 18, 2026

1:30pm to 3:00pm EDT

Location:  Middletown Library (In Person)

31 East Green Street, Middletown, MD 21769

Host Org:  Frederick County Braver Angels

Brief Description:

In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves–their core values and central concerns–but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested.

When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding.

We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.

Workshop Goals

• More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically

• Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard

• Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear — even if they disagree

Workshop Format: This free 1.5 hour workshop is offered in person.

For more information contact Becky Orsini, Organizer. 585-278-4484 or beckyorsini@gmail.com;  Jim Carpenter - jcarpenter@braverangels.org or 301-514-1356

Register Here

Use promo code 'Braver'

Depolarizing from Within 

August 29, 2026

10:00am to 1:00pm EDT

Location:  Miller Branch Howard  - County Library  (In Person)

 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Host Org:  Howard County Braver Angels

Brief Description:

Depolarizing Within is a  workshop that helps people recognize and manage their own internal reactions to political conflict. Instead of focusing on “fixing” others, it teaches participants how to notice their automatic judgments, reduce knee‑jerk hostility, and respond to political differences with more curiosity and calm. The goals are to strengthen your ability to stay grounded, communicate respectfully,  contribute to healthier dialogue—starting with your own mindset, how to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population and learn strategies for intervening constructively in social conversations with like-minded peers when these conversations veer into contempt and ridicule for people who hold other political views.

Workshop Format: This free 3 hour workshop is offered in person.

Questions: Call Deborah Kleinberg, Organizer 301-503-9469 dkleinberg@braverangels.org. Or Becky Orsini, Organizer 585-278-4484, beckyorsini@gmail.com

Register Here

Use promo code 'Braver'

Depolarizing from Within 

October 17, 2026

12:00pm to 3:00pm EDT

Location:  Glenwood Branch Howard County Library  

(In Person)

 2350 MD 97, Cooksville, MD 21723

Host Org:  Howard County Braver Angels

Brief Description:

Depolarizing Within is a  workshop that helps people recognize and manage their own internal reactions to political conflict. Instead of focusing on “fixing” others, it teaches participants how to notice their automatic judgments, reduce knee‑jerk hostility, and respond to political differences with more curiosity and calm. The goals are to strengthen your ability to stay grounded, communicate respectfully,  contribute to healthier dialogue—starting with your own mindset, how to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population and learn strategies for intervening constructively in social conversations with like-minded peers when these conversations veer into contempt and ridicule for people who hold other political views.

Workshop Format: This free 3 hour workshop is offered in person.

Questions: Call Deborah Kleinberg, Organizer 301-503-9469 dkleinberg@braverangels.org. Or Becky Orsini, Organizer 585-278-4484, beckyorsini@gmail.com

Register Here

Use promo code 'Braver'