In this episode, we’re connecting with Joan Blades, the creator of Living Room Conversations. Joan is on a mission to rebuild respectful discourse across ideas, cultures, and party lines, while embracing our shared human values because when we care about each other, we find ways to meet each others’ core needs regardless of our beliefs. As co-founder of MomsRising.org and MoveOn.org, Joan has given people the space to come together and promote their shared values. She’s a nature lover, artist, and mom, and a true believer in the power of people respectfully coming together to connect over difficult conversations.

Listen on to find out six ways to have impactful conversations with people in your community, three core value questions that will help everyone get connected within minutes of sitting down together, and what Joan is working on, to be released later this year, called MisMatch, a program that brings together junior high and high school students across the country for powerful conversations. Don’t miss out on this inspiring conversation and opportunity for personal growth!

We all know that communication is essential to creating meaningful connections with others, so how do we have the difficult discussions that bring us closer? Joan’s format for effective conversation relies on recognizing what we have in common, what brings us together as people. Whether you’re having a discussion with your partner, your grandparents, or your arch-nemesis, remember that we can all find common ground and connectedness.