Turning Conflict into
Culture Change
We Need to Talk
About How We Talk
Remember when families could debate politics at dinner without someone storming off? When neighbors with different political yard signs still borrowed cups of sugar?
Those days can feel long gone.
Today, 8 out of 10 Americans1 feel our country is coming apart at the seams.
Nearly half2 of us say politics has torn our families apart.
And the anger we carry into our workplaces costs our economy billions3 every single day.
The problem is not that we've forgotten how to agree; the problem is we've forgotten how to disagree.
—Yuval Levin, Constitutional scholar and author
A Governor's Bold
Invitation
In 2023, Utah Governor Spencer Cox looked at this mess and asked a simple question:
What if our leaders showed us a better way?
As chair of the National Governors Association that year, he launched something revolutionary called Disagree Better.
The idea was beautifully simple: When leaders from both parties engage one another with respect and genuine curiosity, they reflect the best of who we are and remind us what’s possible when we do the same.
From Idea
to Movement
What started as one governor's nonpartisan rallying cry has grown into something much bigger.
Now an independent nonprofit, Disagree Better is spreading across America through creative campaigns, powerful partnerships, and real conversations that matter.
We're working with celebrities, athletes, musicians, public figures, influencers, and political leaders to show what respectful disagreement looks like in action.
Because when people see their leaders treating each other with dignity, even in heated debates, it gives all of us permission to do the same.
Think of it like this: When a respected coach shows good sportsmanship, the whole team follows. When parents model kindness, children learn. And when our leaders show us how to disagree with courage and care, it ripples through our communities.
The Science Behind
the Change
Want proof this actually works? Stanford University put our approach to the test with over 6,500 Americans.
Read the research here.
Here's what they found:
People who saw our
Disagree Better campaigns:
Became more willing to listen to the other side
Showed greater openness to different perspectives
Felt less hostile toward people from the opposing party
Stanford's Professor Robb Willer, who led the research, put it perfectly:
"Polarization isn't just a political problem—it's a social one. This campaign showed that strategic messaging can help rebuild trust and dialogue."
Even better? The leaders featured in our campaigns saw their approval ratings go up, proving that Americans are hungry for leaders who choose respect over rage.
Your Invitation to
Change America
Think about an America where:
- Family gatherings are lively debates, not bitter battles
- Social media becomes a place for real conversation, not cruel comments
- Our children learn that strong beliefs and kind hearts go hand in hand
- Democracy thrives because we engage instead of retreat
This isn't just a dream, it's a choice we can make together.
We're inviting you to change how you share them.
To listen with curiosity. To speak with conviction and compassion. To remember that the person across from you is still your neighbor, your colleague, maybe even your family.
Join Us.
Because democracy works best when we all show up. Not to fight, but to build.
Together, we can
Organization Can Donate or Get Involved
Meet the Team Driving the
Disagree Better Movement