Lifelong educator and Braver Angels volunteer Mary Thomas-Vallens gets more hopeful about America’s political future when she’s working with teens.

“I’m fired up every time I talk to them,” she tells How Do We Fix It?. “I am their biggest cheerleader.”

In this episode we also hear from Braver Teens, the youngest members of the bridging movement that works to depolarize politics and work across rigid divides. “They’re showing incredible courage because they’re stepping away from the outrage”, says Mary. They’re “acting instead of silencing themselves”. Young people can also bring remarkable passion, energy, and social media savvy to campaigns and events.

We discuss how members of Braver Angels can learn from teenagers, and what high school students get from working with adults.  In a time of deep partisan divisions, cancel culture, and online shaming, how can 15, 16, and 17-year-olds help adults change our definition of citizenship? 

We hear from Jenna Freeman, Seraphine Chen, and Mia Dougherty, three of the Braver Teens who made presentations at the most recent Braver Angels National Convention. They are planning to set up a new website to help other teens set up workshops and discussion groups at their high schools.