Strengthening our communities through conversation
The Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media are thrilled to reconvene for a second year of Talking Together: Strengthening Our Communities Through Conversation - a dialogue initiative aimed at interrupting polarization and creating instead a culture of conversation on campus and in surrounding communities.
Our Talking Together collaboration began in 2022-2023 as a year-long Grand Valley Presidential Initiative with a number of opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage in conversation with one other across differences in perspective, identity, and life experiences.
This year, we are returning to build upon those foundational strategies and techniques from Year One by intentionally leaning into spaces of deep listening and story-telling from a multiplicity of perspectives.
2024-2025 Series Schedule
September 24, 2024 - Faith Over Division Tour: A Conversation with Rev. Randy Callender
October 1, 2024 - One Small Step Listening Event & Reception
October 15, 2024 - Progressive / Conservative Summit: The Myth of Left and Right?
November 21, 2024 - Gen Z Voices: If We Were President (Annual Civil Discourse Symposium)
January 2025 - "Bridging Divides: Sharing Heartbeats" Documentary - Airing on WGVU Public TV
April 2, 2025 - Michigan Listens: An Evening of Stories from Across Our State
Seeking Participants to take One Small Step
with WGVU and StoryCorps
Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us, even those with whom we disagree. The initiative brings strangers with different political beliefs together for a 50-minute conversation—not to debate politics—but to get to know each other as people.
WGVU and their valued partners: Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse; Kaufman Interfaith Institute; Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies; Seeds of Promise; and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation as well as StoryCorps invite you to take part in One Small Step, an effort to bring communities together, one conversation at a time.
WGVU is one of just seven stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2024.With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
We’re teaming up with civic organizations, churches, and other community groups and leaders to spread the word and connect West Michigan residents from all backgrounds who are ready to take One Small Step. Do you want to get your group or organization involved in the effort? Contact Phil Lane at [email protected] or (616) 331-6791 for more details.
Talking Together is a partnership between the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media.