7 Questions to Ask Someone You Disagree With

Before you fire off that scorching comeback, try taking a beat and asking a question instead. Nobody’s ever been insulted into changing their mind. But a good question can crack open a real conversation.

👉 Start here

News & Views

My Father’s Math. In 1992, Movement Partner Alex Kruglov had just arrived in the U.S. after leaving Ukraine. The 12-year-old refugee thought he had America figured out: you don’t spend time on anything that doesn’t pay. Then he watched his father sprint across the street to haul a stranger’s mattress up four flights — for free. They must be paying him, he thought. They weren’t. It took him 30 years to understand why. A Father’s Day lesson.

Muslim, Jewish, and Chirstian — all in one family!? Noah Eckstein’s family spans Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. His Muslim grandfather, Jewish grandfather, and Christian grandmother never gave up their beliefs. But they never gave up on each other either. Eckstein, who just completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard, gave a commencement speech at the university that has the whole internet talking. His inspiring speech.

Bill Burr describes the real danger in America. States hating states. People hating people. Burr says enough is enough. After traveling the world, the comedian has discovered a universal truth that may help us wake up. The root of our problems.

Builders Weekly Challenge

Find someone you disagree with and ask them one of the seven questions from today’s blog. Then reply to this newsletter and tell us how it affected the conversation. Did it lower the temperature? Were they more receptive to your thoughts? We’ll share the best replies in an upcoming blog post.

Help Turn Common Ground Into Real Change

In a world where extremists seek to divide for power and profit, Builders take action to unite, create, and bring light to the world. Support the development of new media, tools, and platforms to help us give the power back to the people.

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