Bridging Movement Summit Recap

Listen First Project's first ever in-person gathering

In an era dominated by Zoom calls and digital meetings, the Bridging Movement Summit organized by Listen First Project at George Washington’s Mount Vernon was a refreshing and deeply meaningful reminder of the power of gathering in person. Over the course of three days, leaders, practitioners, and community members from across the country came together—not just to talk about bridging divides, but to connect, collaborate, and imagine what’s possible when we step beyond the screen.

I attended the summit representing Outrage Overload and Crossing Party Lines. The setting itself was profound. Meeting at the historic home of the nation’s first president, we were reminded of Washington’s own warnings about division and factionalism—words that resonate strongly today. Against that backdrop, this summit created space for candid conversation, new partnerships, and even the simple but powerful human gestures we’ve been missing in recent years: shaking hands, sharing a meal, and yes—even hugging.

I’m especially grateful to all of you who helped make my trip and participation possible. From the organizers and volunteers who brought this event to life, to the friends and colleagues who supported my attendance, and to those who shared the ride and their time with me—thank you. This spirit of generosity and collaboration is exactly what the summit was all about.

This recap offers highlights from the gathering: what can be shared publicly, the themes that stood out, and some personal reflections on what I took away from the experience.

“As toxic polarization and political violence escalate to a horrifying level… I remind myself of two things. One, there is a growing movement of patriotic Americans lighting a way out. And two, I have the power to control my own heart, mind, and actions.”
- Pearce Godwin

I was told there were 70 attendees representing dozens of organizations across the country. Below are just a few of them:

I made some new friends in the hotel lobby on the first evening and was able to score a carpool ride with Jerad, Jessica, and Saadia. Mark joined the fun on the second day. Of course, being a man of a certain age, I totally forgot to take a group selfie. Thank you Jerad for driving us around and being so conscientious about tracking us down and making sure no one was left behind.

I also got a chance to meet IRL several folks that I’ve had on the show but who I’ve only met online in Zoom calls, including June Klees, Kristin Hansen, James Coan, and Luke Nathan Phillips, and of course Listen First CEO, Karissa Raskin. Getting a chance to speak with Wilk Wilkinson of the Derate The Hate podcast in person was a pleasure as well. Overall, it was wonderful to meet with so many of the coalition members who I usually only see as Zoom thumbnails.

Structure of the Event

The Summit unfolded over three days, blending public engagement with more intimate, working sessions.

Opening Night (Wednesday, Sept. 24)
The gathering began in the Ford Orientation Center with a public evening program that was also livestreamed (check out the replay here). The night featured a panel moderated by Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky with leaders from Braver Angels, The Village Square, the American Exchange Project, and C-SPAN. They explored what bridging looks like in communities, politics, and the media. The evening also introduced the inaugural George Washington Unity Awards, recognizing five community-based teams for their innovative efforts to foster unity across divides. The night closed with a reception and time to connect informally.

Here are the inaugural George Washington Unity Award winners:

• Civi Coalition (Genesee Valley, New York)

• Farmington Bridge Builders (Farmington, Michigan)

• Needham Resilience Network (Needham, Massachusetts)

• Walworth County Uniters (Walworth County, Wisconsin)

• We the People Warwick (Warwick, New York)

Day One (Thursday, Sept. 25)
The first full day, held in the George Washington Presidential Library, centered on relationship-building and learning from both research and practice. Participants began with intentional introductions before diving into new research from More in Common and breakout sessions with the Unity Award recipients. The day also highlighted national initiatives that can be adapted to local communities and included sessions on media, deliberation, and even parks and recreation as adjacent spaces to bridging. The evening concluded with a guided tour of the Mount Vernon estate for those who opted in.

Day Two (Friday, Sept. 26)
The final day built on the momentum with creative approaches to bridging through photography, film, theater, and music. Participants also engaged in breakout sessions focused on timely issues such as identity, mental health, and the role of outrage in culture. The Summit concluded with reflections from leaders across the bridging field, closing remarks, and a sense of renewed energy for collaboration.

Key Themes

Several themes emerged for me consistently throughout the Summit, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities of the bridging field.

1. Place-Based Work Matters
Much of the energy at the Summit centered on “boots on the ground” efforts. From small towns to larger cities, local initiatives are proving that bridging divides is most powerful when it takes root in communities. The Unity Award recipients offered tangible examples of how dialogue, trust-building, and creative programming can make lasting impact where people live and work.

2. Collaboration Over Conversation
A recurring message was that while dialogue is essential, collaboration is transformational. Working side by side on shared goals not only builds trust but also creates durable relationships that withstand political and cultural tensions. Many presenters emphasized that bridging must move beyond talk and into collective action.

“Our crisis of division in America is really a crisis of connection.”
- David McCullough III (American Exchange Project)

3. The Need for Better Public Understanding
Another theme was the gap between how the public perceives “bridging” and what practitioners actually do. Some audience members came expecting a left-versus-right debate, highlighting how much work remains to clarify the movement’s purpose. There’s a growing recognition that the field needs stronger communication and storytelling to resonate with wider audiences.

4. Navigating Cynicism and Skepticism
Not everyone arrives open-minded. Some attendees voiced doubts about whether bridging can truly change attitudes, especially at the political extremes. Yet the stories shared throughout the Summit demonstrated that impact is happening across the country. While cynicism is real, the collective experience underscored that progress is possible—and is already underway.

“As much as humans are very groupish and we’re always going to be that way, we also have this superpower: reciprocity. If you are kind in some way to someone, you just watch what that pays forward in the world.”
- Liz Joyner (Village Square)

5. Building a Broader Network of Collaboration
Research presented at the Summit highlighted both the strength of existing bridging organizations and the opportunity to connect with many more outside the immediate coalition. This points to a future where greater alignment and partnership across groups could multiply the impact of the movement.

Personal Reflections

This experience reinforced the very themes we explore on Outrage Overload. It has inspired me to take things to the next level. As a result, we’re expanding into a full-blown civic media platform.

Our mission is now bigger and bolder: to expose outrage, strengthen civic muscle, and build a healthier democratic culture together. This step forward is possible because of you—our core community. Thank you for being on this journey with me from the very beginning, and for continuing to walk alongside as we grow.

I’ll close with this note from Pearce Godwin:

“I challenge each of you first of all just to hope, and then to plant your feet firmly against the current of contempt and combat… May we resist rage and get grounded in our family and our friends and our neighbors. It takes courage to choose a different path.”