Last year we talked with Pearce Godwin, a North Carolina native who had an experience on a bus ride in Uganda that changed his life forever. He started a national effort called Listen First designed to bring people who disagree with each other into conversation with each other.

As the Institute for Emerging Issues continues its efforts to “reconnect NC,” we are launching a statewide effort called Civic Conversations. After listening to this week’s “throwback” episode with Pearce, we hope you’ll be inspired to go to our website at emergingissues.org/civic-conversations and commit to hosting a civic conversation of your own.