Paths to Renewal: Dialogue Series

Let’s Get Started!

Living Room Conversations offers a simple, sociable and structured way to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Typically, 4-7 people meet in person or by video call for about 90 minutes to listen to and be heard by others on one of our nearly 100 topics. Rather than debating or convincing others, we take turns talking to share and learn. No preparation is required, though background links with balanced views are available on some topic pages online. Anyone can host using these italicized instructions. Hosts also participate. 

Introductions: Why We’re Here (~10 min)

Each participant has 1 minute to introduce themselves.

Share your name, where you live, what drew you here, and if this is your first Living Room Conversation.

Conversation Agreements: How We’ll Engage (~5 min)

These will set the tone of our conversation; participants may volunteer to take turns reading them aloud.

• Be curious and listen to understand: Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives.
  
• Show respect and suspend judgment: People tend to judge one another. Setting judgement aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk. 
• Note any common ground as well as any differences: Look for areas of agreement or shared values that may arise and take an interest in the differing beliefs and opinions of others.
  
• Be authentic and welcome that from others: Share what’s important to you. Speak from your experience. Be considerate of others who are doing the same.
  
• Be purposeful and to the point: Do your best to keep your comments concise and relevant to the question you are answering. Be conscious of sharing airtime with other participants.
  
• Own and guide the conversation: Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation as a whole. Be proactive in getting yourself and others back on track if needed. Use an agreed upon signal like the “time out” sign if you feel the agreements are not being honored.

Question Rounds: What We’ll Talk About

Optional: a participant can keep track of time and gently let people know when their time has elapsed.

Round 1: Getting to Know Each Other ( ~10 min)

Each participant can take 1-2 minutes to answer one of these questions:

• What sense of purpose/mission guides you in your life?
• What would your best friend say about who you are and what inspires you?
• What are your hopes and concerns for your community and/or the country?

Round 2: What are your thoughts on Civic Renewal? (~45 min)

One participant can volunteer to read the paragraph below.

Civic life encompasses the infinite ways that people may connect and contribute to their community and society: from voting in an election or organizing a neighborhood block-party, to standing up for a just cause or supporting arts in our parks. For some time, however,  many facets of civic life have been in decline. Forces, such as partisan division, racism, and hyperindividualism, are causes and consequences of declining civic life. 

This conversation is an opportunity to reimagine our civic life. We have a chance now to embrace our interdependence and to create just and productive communities. Success depends on our ability to create spaces that foster relationships of belonging, ensuring everyone has the opportunity and motivation to contribute to a thriving civic life.

Take ~2 minutes each to answer one question below without interruption or crosstalk. After everyone has answered, the group may take a few minutes for clarifying or follow up questions/responses. Continue exploring additional questions as time allows.

• When is a time that you felt especially engaged in civic life in your community? What did that look like for you?
• Describe a time that you felt excluded from your community’s civic life. And how has that impacted you?
• How do we create a civic life where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and experience a sense of belonging?

Round 3: Reflection and Opportunities for Civic Renewal (~15 min)

Take 2 minutes to answer one of the following questions:

• Where could your community start in order to bridge what divides it?
• What was most meaningful / valuable to you in this Living Room Conversation?
• What learning, new understanding or common ground was found on the topic?
• How has this conversation changed your perception of anyone in this group, including yourself?

Closing: (~5 min)

• Give us feedback! Find our feedback form here.
• Donate! Make more of these possible; give here.
• Join or host more conversations! With a) this group by exchanging your emails; b) others in person and/or by video call online. Get more involved or learn how to host here.
• Check out ideas, tools, and stories about ways to enhance civic life on Thriving.US or sign up here. 

Let’s Get Started!

Living Room Conversations offers a simple, sociable and structured way to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Typically, 4-7 people meet in person or by video call for about 90 minutes to listen to and be heard by others on one of our nearly 100 topics. Rather than debating or convincing others, we take turns talking to share and learn. No preparation is required, though background links with balanced views are available on some topic pages online. Anyone can host using these italicized instructions. Hosts also participate. 

Introductions: Why We’re Here (~10 min)

Each participant has 1 minute to introduce themselves.

Share your name, where you live, what drew you here, and if this is your first Living Room Conversation.

Conversation Agreements: How We’ll Engage (~5 min)

These will set the tone of our conversation; participants may volunteer to take turns reading them aloud.

• Be curious and listen to understand: Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives.
  
• Show respect and suspend judgment: People tend to judge one another. Setting judgement aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk. 
• Note any common ground as well as any differences: Look for areas of agreement or shared values that may arise and take an interest in the differing beliefs and opinions of others.
  
• Be authentic and welcome that from others: Share what’s important to you. Speak from your experience. Be considerate of others who are doing the same.
  
• Be purposeful and to the point: Do your best to keep your comments concise and relevant to the question you are answering. Be conscious of sharing airtime with other participants.
  
• Own and guide the conversation: Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation as a whole. Be proactive in getting yourself and others back on track if needed. Use an agreed upon signal like the “time out” sign if you feel the agreements are not being honored.

Question Rounds: What We’ll Talk About

Optional: a participant can keep track of time and gently let people know when their time has elapsed.

Round 1: Getting to Know Each Other ( ~10 min)

Each participant can take 1-2 minutes to answer one of these questions:

• What are your hopes and concerns for your family, community and/or the country?
• What would your best friend say about who you are?
• What sense of purpose / mission / duty guides you in your life?

Round 2: What are your thoughts on Economic Renewal? (~40 min)

One participant can volunteer to read the paragraph below.

Our economic life encompasses more than jobs, businesses, and financial institutions. It is an expression of what we value, who we value, and how we work together. It structures and channels our most basic transactions—and our most complex innovations. Our economic life holds tremendous possibilities for tapping into human potential, building wealth for all and sustaining the living ecosystems that support our existence.

COVID-19 exposed a variety of challenges and changes in our economic life. We have seen women leaving the workplace in staggering numbers, child care challenges for working parents, people losing jobs and employers not being able to fill positions, unprecedented federal relief, and a growing number of people working remotely. Where do we go from here? How have we felt the individual and collective impact of recent years? In this conversation, we’ll explore what quality of economic life could look like for you and your community and how this has shifted over the years.

Take ~2 minutes each to answer one question below without interruption or crosstalk. After everyone has answered, the group may take a few minutes for clarifying or follow up questions/responses. Continue exploring additional questions as time allows.

• How have you experienced economic security or insecurity in your family, neighborhood, and community?
• How has COVID-19 opened up areas of opportunity to discuss our economic life? What has that looked like in your life?
• What impact does economic life have on your life as a whole?
• What would economic renewal or revisioning for your community or region look like?
• What do we need to do right now to make it easier for families, communities, and businesses to thrive?

Round 3: Reflection (~15 min)

Take 2 minutes to answer one of the following questions:

• What was most meaningful / valuable to you in this Living Room Conversation?
• What learning, new understanding or common ground was found on the topic?
• How has this conversation changed your perception of anyone in this group, including yourself?
• Is there a next step you would like to take based upon the conversation you just had?

Closing: (~5 min)

• Give us feedback! Find our feedback form here.
• Donate! Make more of these possible; give here.
• Join or host more conversations! With a) this group by exchanging your emails; b) others in person and/or by video call online. Get more involved or learn how to host here.
• Check out ideas, tools, and stories about ways to enhance civic life on Thriving.US or sign up here. 

Let’s Get Started!

Living Room Conversations offers a simple, sociable and structured way to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Typically, 4-7 people meet in person or by video call for about 90 minutes to listen to and be heard by others on one of our nearly 100 topics. Rather than debating or convincing others, we take turns talking to share and learn. No preparation is required, though background links with balanced views are available on some topic pages online. Anyone can host using these italicized instructions. Hosts also participate. 

Introductions: Why We’re Here (~10 min)

Each participant has 1 minute to introduce themselves.

Share your name, where you live, what drew you here, and if this is your first Living Room Conversation.

Conversation Agreements: How We’ll Engage (~5 min)

These will set the tone of our conversation; participants may volunteer to take turns reading them aloud.

• Be curious and listen to understand: Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives.
  
• Show respect and suspend judgment: People tend to judge one another. Setting judgement aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk. 
• Note any common ground as well as any differences: Look for areas of agreement or shared values that may arise and take an interest in the differing beliefs and opinions of others.
  
• Be authentic and welcome that from others: Share what’s important to you. Speak from your experience. Be considerate of others who are doing the same.
  
• Be purposeful and to the point: Do your best to keep your comments concise and relevant to the question you are answering. Be conscious of sharing airtime with other participants.
  
• Own and guide the conversation: Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation as a whole. Be proactive in getting yourself and others back on track if needed. Use an agreed upon signal like the “time out” sign if you feel the agreements are not being honored.

Question Rounds: What We’ll Talk About

Optional: a participant can keep track of time and gently let people know when their time has elapsed.

Round 1: Getting to Know Each Other ( ~10 min)

Each participant can take 1-2 minutes to answer one of these questions:

• What sense of purpose/mission guides you in your life?
• What would your best friend say about who you are and what inspires you?
• What are your hopes and concerns for your community and/or the country?

Round 2: What are your thoughts on Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal? (~40 min)

One participant can volunteer to read the paragraph below.

Our social, emotional, and spiritual life is tied to how we understand ourselves, relate to others, and experience belonging and purpose. It is about our thoughts, feelings, perceptions, memories, and states of being. This sense of self is further shaped by culture, early life experience, faith, ZIP code, and other factors. Our social, emotional, and spiritual life guides our decisions, influences our actions, and helps us know who we are. Society can present us with negative influences like trauma, exclusion, and violence that impact our social, emotional, and spiritual lives.

As we consider the idea of renewal in these areas, we can also recognize the ways individuals and institutions in our communities can play a major role in fostering connection and support. In this conversation, you are invited to consider your own experiences, name what has helped you to develop resilience, and dream up what could be possible in our communities moving forward.

Take ~2 minutes each to answer one question below without interruption or crosstalk. After everyone has answered, the group may take a few minutes for clarifying or follow up questions/responses. Continue exploring additional questions as time allows.

• Describe a time when your social, emotional, or spiritual health was tested. How did you respond? What did you learn from the experience?
• What does resilience look like? How have you or people you know demonstrated resilience?
• What does it look like to cultivate caring and compassion across the lifespan? How can our schools, workplaces, or religious institutions support our social, emotional, and spiritual health?

Round 3: Reflection and Opportunities for Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal (~15 min)

Take 2 minutes to answer one of the following questions:

• What was most meaningful / valuable to you in this Living Room Conversation?
• What learning, new understanding or common ground was found on the topic?
• How has this conversation changed your perception of anyone in this group?
• Is there a next step you would like to take based upon the conversation?

Closing: (~5 min)

• Give us feedback! Find our feedback form here.
• Donate! Make more of these possible; give here.
• Join or host more conversations! With a) this group by exchanging your emails; b) others in person and/or by video call online. Get more involved or learn how to host here.
• Check out ideas, tools, and stories about ways to enhance civic life on Thriving.US or sign up here. 

Let’s Get Started!

Living Room Conversations offers a simple, sociable and structured way to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Typically, 4-7 people meet in person or by video call for about 90 minutes to listen to and be heard by others on one of our nearly 100 topics. Rather than debating or convincing others, we take turns talking to share and learn. No preparation is required, though background links with balanced views are available on some topic pages online. Anyone can host using these italicized instructions. Hosts also participate. 

Introductions: Why We’re Here (~10 min)

Each participant has 1 minute to introduce themselves.

Share your name, where you live, what drew you here, and if this is your first Living Room Conversation.

Conversation Agreements: How We’ll Engage (~5 min)

These will set the tone of our conversation; participants may volunteer to take turns reading them aloud.

• Be curious and listen to understand: Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives.
  
• Show respect and suspend judgment: People tend to judge one another. Setting judgement aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk. 
• Note any common ground as well as any differences: Look for areas of agreement or shared values that may arise and take an interest in the differing beliefs and opinions of others.
  
• Be authentic and welcome that from others: Share what’s important to you. Speak from your experience. Be considerate of others who are doing the same.
  
• Be purposeful and to the point: Do your best to keep your comments concise and relevant to the question you are answering. Be conscious of sharing airtime with other participants.
  
• Own and guide the conversation: Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation as a whole. Be proactive in getting yourself and others back on track if needed. Use an agreed upon signal like the “time out” sign if you feel the agreements are not being honored.

Question Rounds: What We’ll Talk About

Optional: a participant can keep track of time and gently let people know when their time has elapsed.

Round 1: Getting to Know Each Other ( ~10 min)

Each participant can take 1-2 minutes to answer one of these questions:

• What sense of purpose/mission guides you in your life?
• What would your best friend say about who you are and what inspires you?
• What are your hopes and concerns for your community and/or the country?

Round 2: What are your thoughts on Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal? (~45 min)

One participant can volunteer to read the paragraph below.

When we talk about renewing our social, emotional and spiritual life, we are really talking about our mental health. Our mental health is tied to what we think about ourselves, how we connect with our family and friends, and if we feel like we belong. It is about our thoughts, feelings, and memories along with culture, early life experiences, where we live, our faith, and other factors. Mental Health and renewal of our social, emotional, and spiritual selves is critical because how we feel about ourselves and our connection to our schools, jobs, or communities influences our decisions and actions. This conversation guide is designed to help you consider your personal experiences, how you can support others, and what kind of impact we can have on a community.

Take ~2 minutes each to answer one question below without interruption or crosstalk. After everyone has answered, the group may take a few minutes for clarifying or follow up questions/responses. Continue exploring additional questions as time allows.

• What thoughts or feelings come up when you think of your social, emotional, and spiritual self?
• Where are you feeling confident? Where are you struggling?
• Describe a time when you felt like your school or adults in your life were listening to you. What did it feel like or look like?
• When a friend faced a challenge, what helped them get through the difficult time? Looking back, what else do you wish they had to support them?
• What does belonging mean to you? Describe a time when you felt at home and appreciated for being you.

Round 3: Reflection and Opportunities for Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Renewal (~15 min)

Take 2 minutes to answer one of the following questions:

• What was most meaningful / valuable to you in this Living Room Conversation?
• What learning, new understanding or common ground was found on the topic?
• How has this conversation changed your perception of anyone in this group?
• Is there a next step you would like to take based upon the conversation?

Closing: (~5 min)

• Give us feedback! Find our feedback form here.
• Donate! Make more of these possible; give here.
• Join or host more conversations! With a) this group by exchanging your emails; b) others in person and/or by video call online. Get more involved or learn how to host here.
• Check out ideas, tools, and stories about ways to enhance civic life on Thriving.US or sign up here.