Why Minnesota is Building a Statewide Campaign of Neighbors – DTH Episode 329 with Libby Stegger ...
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The Minnesota Land of Neighbors campaign is a multi-year, collaborative effort by a coalition of Minnesota foundations and bridging organizations — including Braver Angels, Civic Bridgers, Common Ground USA, CRD Connect, and Media Minefield—highlighting our shared values while countering toxic division and helping Minnesotans reconnect as neighbors, regardless of politics. Two-thirds of Americans say they're exhausted by division but don't know where to start; this campaign is Minnesota's answer. (Full disclosure: Wilk is part of the campaign's leadership team.)
Libby Stegger and Bill Doherty, two of the people helping lead and speak for the campaign, join Wilk to walk through how it works. The approach starts small and builds outward: neighborhood, then town, then state, using a three-tier listening session structure and a simple set of questions — not “what's wrong here,” but what people already share and what they aspire to.
One story from an early listening session in Fergus Falls stands out: a shared love of land and water surfaced as a value that cuts across political lines, in a place where the environment usually becomes a wedge issue instead. Libby, Bill and Wilk dig into why that kind of grounded, values-first storytelling works where policy talk usually fails.
Listening sessions are already underway across the state, from Lake City to Beaver Creek to Hibbing, with many more communities signing on to host. Learn more and get involved at Minnesota Land of Neighbors.
The world is a better place if we are better people. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!
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