Polarization.
Let’s talk about it.
Let’s Talk Unite is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to combatting affective polarization through stimulating constructive dialogue across the political spectrum. We aspire to promote a culture of accountability and awareness in which members confront their biases and welcome divergent perspectives.
Our Mission
Let’s Talk Unite inspires bipartisan discourse through free digital resources, local workshops, and a podcast. We have high school and college students in all executive and teaching roles so that they gain invaluable communication and leadership skills. We are fortunate to have a strong board of advisors who are aiding the expansion of Let’s Talk Unite across the United States.
Let’s Talk Polarization
Podcast
The rise of affective polarization, a potent force driving Americans to antagonize those who hold opposing political views, has become a defining feature of 21st century politics. From abortion to gun control to immigration, the political discourse concerning our nation’s core issues has become plagued with cross-party intolerance, antipathy, and sometimes even violence.
My enthusiasm to explore the causes and consequences of this divisive tendency inspired Let’s Talk Polarization, my podcast featuring monthly dialogues with global scholars as they unravel the complex interplay between polarization and vital issues such as economic uncertainty, vaccine hesitancy, and campaign strategy as well as large groups of partisans to seek common ground on contentious issues, with the hope of inspiring young people to engage with contentious issues across political divides.
In episode nine, for example, the Tata Chancellor’s Chair and Associate Dean of Social Sciences at the University of San Diego, Dr. John H. Evans, examines the origins of religious divides, the effects of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, voting behaviors across various sects of Christianity, and ways individuals and the United States government can fight extremism and uphold our pluralist society. By contrast, episode eleven of Let’s Talk Polarization features five religious leaders from diverse backgrounds across the United States, Swami, Lauren, Jeana, Chander, and Claire, as they engage in a respectful exploration of their unique political and social worldviews, while embracing their religious differences.
I learn best through hearing the perspectives of others. I hope that you, too, can listen first, using the precious knowledge that others share to grow.
Sincerely,
Olivia Chiang
Perspectives on Polarization
America is not beyond fixing, but we must care enough to meet the task. If we view our current system as unchangeable, then our future becomes inevitable.
Jack Brady
Opinion Columnist
“We became more consistent in the party we vote for not because we came to like our party more, but because we came to dislike the opposing party more. Even as hope and change sputter, fear and loathing proceed.”
Ezra Klein
Author of Why We’re Polarized
“One reason we rush so quickly to the vulgar satisfactions of judgment, and love to revel in our righteous outrage, is that it spares us from the impotent pain of empathy, and the harder, messier work of understanding.”
Tim Kreider
Author of We Learn Nothing
“Polarizing people is a good way to win an election, and also a good way to wreck a country. Many a time freedom has been rolled back, and always for the same sorry reason: fear.”
Mary Ivins
Newspaper Columnist
“How do we nurture both families and communities, promote a civil discourse, and approach problems with solutions and hope instead of fear and blame?”
Jim Wallis
Articles
Breaking Through the Palo Alto Bubble: A Call to Address Educational Inequality
Pleasant weather, picturesque beaches, and vibrant farmers" markets have characterized my upbringing in the City of Palo Alto. I am fortunate to call this city my home. Amidst these luxuries, the aspect that resonates most deeply with my parents and me is the access...
The Greatest Challenge to Democracy
Evangelical. Conservative. Christian. The meaning of these words has changed drastically in the past couple of years. A non-Christian friend recently asked me how Christians could justify Christian nationalism. That question stuck in my head for days afterward....
It’s Not About Us
Afghanistan. Myanmar. And now, Ukraine. The past few years have had no shortage of national and global disasters, and it makes perfect sense that we feel somewhat lost in how to help out with a war going on across the world. A lot of people have turned to social media...
Conservatism Today
I represent the teens and youth in Palo Alto, and the wider Bay Area, who hold conservative values. We are a silent minority, and oftentimes you may not see our political views and social values. We are the people who sit next to you, who enjoy boba and lunch...
Find us on Instagram
Resources
The Let’s Talk Unite team has compiled a comprehensive list of resources regarding political polarization, productive dialogue, and related fields, among them, social media misinformation and election strategy. We invite you to browse the books, journal articles, courses, and documentaries on the “Resources” page. Ultimately, the Let’s Talk Unite team hopes that these resources provide viewers with a structured learning experience that helps foster a more unified and collaborative political culture.
Media Moments
Our Team
We are a coalition of diverse students, scholars, educators, and organizations united by a shared dedication to fight affective polarization within our respective fields.
Olivia Chiang
Founder, President
Olivia Chiang is a student at The Nueva School and a passionate advocate for bridging partisan divides. Struck by the severe polarization plaguing our political system, she founded the nonprofit Let’s Talk Unite in 2021 to raise awareness about polarization’s ramifications and transform the way we approach political discourse. She leads local workshops on identifying bias and manipulation, designs open-source conversation guides, and hosts a podcast featuring interviews with leading researchers concerning the intersection between polarization and corporate interests, vaccine hesitancy, and religious identity. Long term, Olivia aspires to conduct transformative research that disrupts our echo chambers and revitalizes our political discourse.
Charlotte Kofman
Executive Director
Charlotte Kofman is a student at The Kehillah School highly interested in bridging political divides and fostering civil discourse. Drawn to Let’s Talk Unite’s mission in 2024, she quickly became involved in its efforts. She leads local workshops and events focused on reducing polarization and identifying biases, manages social media outreach, and oversees LTU’s Public Relations and Event Divisions. Charlotte hopes to expand the LTU network, leading projects that challenge entrenched viewpoints and contributing to a more collaborative political environment.
Events Division
Mathilde Huynh
Mathilde Huynh is a high school sophomore at Henry M. Gunn High School. She is interested in educating people on political matters, encouraging them to understand diverse perspectives and move beyond simplistic black and white thinking. Mathilde is the Community Outreach officer for Youth and Government as well as a member of the Gunn Dance Team. In her free time she loves to bake, read, and hang out with her friends.
Maya Mazin
Maya Mazin is a high school freshman at The Kehillah School. Maya is also a member of the Palo Alto Youth Climate Advisory Board and volunteers weekly at DreamCatchers. She enjoys baking, reading, and playing tennis in her free time.
Jenna Mu
Jenna Mu is a high school sophomore at The Kehillah School. She is passionate about how political polarization changes the nature of civil discourse on topics such as human rights and climate change. Jenna is also a member of the Palo Alto Youth Climate Advisory Board and the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, discovering new coffee shops, and understanding more about the world around her..
Public Relations Division
Kensie Pao
Kensie Pao is a high school junior at Palo Alto High School. She is thrilled to join Let’s Talk Unite to develop her knowledge of political and affective polarization. Kensie is also the President of the Paly Book Club and Paly Young Sheldon Club.
Neel Gupta
Neel Gupta is a high school sophomore at The Nueva School. Through his roles as a member of Let’s Talk Unite, a reporter for the Nueva Current, and the President of the Nueva Promise (a club combatting gun violence), Gupta hopes to increase productive dialogue. Gupta also enjoys dancing, true crime, and reading.
Nathan Yoon
Nathan Yoon is a high school sophomore at Henry Gunn High School. He joined Let’s Talk Unite to combat the ostracization of minority political groups. Nathan is also the Secretary of the Palo Alto Teen Advisory Board. He enjoys playing volleyball, skiing, and spending time with his friends.
Academic Advisors
Shakir Stephen
Doctoral Student, University of California, Santa Barbara
Vyacheslav Fos
Associate Professor, Boston College
James Adams
Professor, University of California, Davis
Contributers
Joanna Bryson
Professor, Hertie School
Ilya Somin
Professor, George Mason University
Andrea Baronchelli
Professor, City University of London
Maddalena Torricelli
Postdoctoral Scholar, City University of London
Kaitlin Senk
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Exeter
Marc Hetherington
Professor, The University of North Carolina
Rune Strubager
Professor, Aarhus University
Matthew Levendusky
Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Elisabeth Nadin
Associate Professor, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Thomas Hirschl
Professor, Cornell University
Jon Roozenbeek
Postdoctoral Scholar, Cambridge University
Seth Radwell
Author, American Schism
Hui Bai
Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University
Jan Voelkel
Doctoral Student, Stanford University
Emily Kubin
Doctoral Student, University of Koblenz and Landau
Community Partners
The City of Palo Alto
Listen First Project
The Nueva School
The Oshman Family JCC
Citizen Connect
The City of East Palo Alto
NeuroPsych(ED)
