In this episode of Democracy Does: The Civic Power Playbook, host Robin Hamilton speaks with grassroots organizer and advocate Freeda Cathcart, founder of the Common Sense Coalition Guide. Freeda shares the personal and political journey that led her to create a community-based framework for bringing people together across differences to address real-world policy impacts.

The conversation explores how in-person dialogue can counter isolation, polarization, and fear driven by modern political discourse. Freeda describes her workshops, which bring together farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, faith leaders, and small business owners across party lines to uncover shared values and lived experiences.

Freeda explains how the Common Sense Coalition Guide is designed to be replicable, empowering everyday people to host their own gatherings, build local coalitions, and move from conversation to collective action. Drawing from decades of organizing experience, including successful bipartisan efforts in Virginia, she illustrates how unlikely alliances can lead to meaningful policy change.

The episode highlights the power of listening, relationship-building, and showing up together as a foundation for restoring trust, strengthening communities, and creating solutions that reflect the needs of real people.