Making this episode was a special treat, not least because it didn’t end up being anything like the episode I thought I’d be making! But it’s so much better … kind of like one of those conversations where you enter with a spirit of humility, listen generously, and allow your mind to be changed. As someone who specializes in helping people have better conversations across differences, I devoured Lara Hope Schwartz’s book Try to Love the Questions: From Debate to Dialogue in Classrooms and Life (Princeton UP, 2024). I reached out to Professor Schwartz, who teaches at American University, hoping we could talk about her excellent book and maybe learn some more about the program she founded and directs at AU, called the Project on Civic Dialogue.

She accepted my invitation, but suggested that the best way to learn about the Project on Civic Dialogue would be to talk as well with some of the student facilitators who moderate conversations and lead other events that PCD sponsors at the university. I am delighted to present my conversation about PCD and its work, featuring current American University students Grace Manson and Arjun Mishra, alumna Khushi Ramnani, and Professor Schwartz.

Professor Schwartz’s book addresses college students as its target readership, but anyone interested in better conversations will profit from this engaging read. Including worthwhile reflection and writing prompts with each chapter (and activities for professors in the appendix), the book is logically laid out, clearly written—and leavened with the same wit you hear in our podcast conversation. For example, my fave chapter epigraph is “‘An opinion is not an accomplishment.’ —ME. I SAID THAT.”)

As always, books ordered from my site benefit neither me nor Jeff Bezos in any way. I link to listings from bookshop.org, which helps to support independent booksellers.

ABOUT PROFESSOR SCHWARTZ. Lara Hope Schwartz is a lawyer and former civil rights strategist who teaches in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C., where she is founding director of the Project on Civic Dialogue. She co-authored How to College: What to Know Before You Go (And When You’re There) with Andrea Malkin Brenner (MacMillan, 2019).

ABOUT PCD. To learn more about The Project on Civic Dialogue at American University, here’s their site.

PRODUCTION SUPPORT. Special thanks to PCD Program Coordinator Rahul Kirkhope for his logistical support with this episode.

RELATED MATERIALS. I’ve done about a dozen episodes on topics related to dialogue, so please browse the back catalog at whim! A recent fave of mine is The Certainty Trap with Ilana Redstone. In this PCD conversation, I suggested that schools would be well-served to take up our relationship with our phones as a high-interest, nonpartisan topic. Here’s my op-ed about that from earlier this year.

MUSIC. Point of Learning’s signature intro and outro are special instrumental versions of “Weight of the World” and “Villainous Thing” from Shayfer James’ 2011 album Counterfeit Arcade. This episode also features instrumental versions of “Learning to Be Lost” and “Devils and Rebels” (both including fiddle lines by a podcaster who may be typing this right now) from Shayfer’s 2023 album Shipwreck. All of Shayfer’s music is used by Point of Learning with the artist’s explicit permission. To find the latest tour and new release information for Shayfer James, visit his website.

Many people support this podcast in one way or another. Some are able to contribute financially, which sustains this passion project to share great ideas about what and how and why we learn. To make an episode that sounds like this takes me and my staff of zero other people about 40 hours. Even a nominal gift helps with everything from audio software patches to buying my copy of Try to Love the Questions: From Debate to Dialogue in Classrooms and Life. There are two easy ways to donate!

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