Why you should talk to people you disagree with about politics
- Aug 18, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 25, 2025
Absolutely loved this article! Rachel Wahl is an associate professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development.
She researches how people engage in dialogue across political divides, especially in polarised environments, and has spent more than a decade studying what makes these conversations constructive, even when participants disagree deeply.
Here are a few snippets to give you a taste:
“In political conversations, changing minds is rare but changing hearts? That’s real progress.”
“Let curiosity, not confrontation, guide the conversation.”
“Ask what someone fears, hopes for, or values - that often builds real connection.”
“Listening with sincerity leaves a longer impression than winning an argument ever could.”
Read it here, very insightful:
I thought this was such a valuable piece of content. In our current world there is so much divisiveness, mostly brought about by people simply talking and not listening. Everyone wants to be seen, heard and valued. Having open conversations from the perspective of curiosity, people begin to feel accepted and valued and not attacked which means more understanding and connectedness between us. I listened to a great little 30 minute podcast similar between Simon Sinek and Bob Chapman. Worth a listen https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lS15ERwnyHwoi9WpYbCHe?si=24a13d1b9f3545db