In today’s polarized climate, the meaning of citizenship often feels reduced to voting and venting. But in Episode 270 of the Derate The Hate podcast, Dr. Bill Doherty—renowned therapist and co-founder of Braver Angels—offers a compelling alternative: thick citizenship. This values-driven approach calls for personal responsibility, civic engagement, and community-based problem-solving. It’s not just a theory—it’s a roadmap for healing America’s divides.

🌱 The Birth of Braver Angels

Braver Angels was born in the wake of the 2016 election, when 21 citizens—Trump and Clinton supporters—gathered in South Lebanon, Ohio to talk, not fight. That moment sparked a movement. Today, Braver Angels is the nation’s largest cross-partisan, grassroots organization working to depolarize politics through structured dialogue, workshops, and civic renewal.

Explore the movement at braverangels.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

📚 Thin vs. Thick Citizenship

Dr. Doherty contrasts “thin” citizenship—limited to voting and tax-paying—with “thick” citizenship, which demands active participation in local communities. Thin citizenship breeds frustration and passivity. Thick citizenship fosters agency, dignity, and real-world impact.

He warns against outsourcing societal solutions to politicians or professionals. Instead, he urges us to become co-creators of democracy, solving problems shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbors.

🗣️ The Power of Structured Conversations

Braver Angels’ signature approach is structured dialogue—not traditional debate, but deep listening. These conversations have helped thousands of Americans find common ground across ideological divides. Dr. Doherty shares stories of transformation, where empathy replaced animosity and understanding replaced assumptions.

🧭 The Path Forward

Thick citizenship is not a partisan idea—it’s a civic imperative. It starts with showing up: attending town halls, joining local initiatives, and engaging in respectful dialogue. It’s about choosing hope over cynicism and action over outrage.

📢 Call to Action

Ready to be part of the solution?

  • 🎧 Subscribe to the Derate The Hate podcast for weekly insights on empathy, accountability, and civic renewal. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
  • ❤️ Join Braver Angels to volunteer, attend workshops, and become a bridge-builder in your community.
  • 🏘️ Become a “thick” citizen by engaging locally—because the most powerful change happens close to home.

 

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