WAYZATA — Just over a month after Wayzata City Hall filled to capacity for a community conversation on political polarization, residents will gather again tonight for the second installment of the Braver Angels series: Skills for Disagreeing Better.
The workshop, hosted by Mayor Andrew Mullin in partnership with Braver Angels Minnesota, begins at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Community Room. While October’s session focused on understanding polarization and building empathy across differences, tonight’s program turns toward practical, hands-on tools for communicating constructively—especially when conversations become tense.
To help orient residents attending for the first time, Wayzata.com’s October coverage is included below as background:
A Natural Next Step After a Full House in October
Tonight’s workshop is designed as the practical companion to the October event, which featured Braver Angels co-founder Dr. Bill Doherty and drew one of the broadest cross-sections of civic leaders Wayzata has seen in recent years.
Where the October dialogue explored polarization—how it rises, what fuels it, and how it shapes our relationships—the Skills for Disagreeing Better program focuses on what residents can do next:
how to listen when emotions run high, when to pause before responding, and how to ask questions that open a conversation rather than close it.
Participants will practice specific techniques used by Braver Angels volunteers nationwide, including “searching questions,” “humanizing statements,” and structured listening exercises modeled on Doherty’s family therapy background. The evening follows a step-by-step curriculum used in communities across the country.
Why It Matters for Wayzata
Wayzata has always been a place defined by civic participation—from its earliest days as a lakeside settlement shaped by Dakota homelands, to the logging and railroad era, to its modern role as a regional hub for business, philanthropy, and public service. Tonight’s workshop continues a long tradition of local leadership stepping toward, rather than away from, difficult conversations.
Mayor Mullin has emphasized that this series is not about agreeing on politics, but about strengthening the civic fabric. His invitation frames it simply: if neighbors can learn to communicate across differences here, Wayzata can model something much larger than itself.
What to Expect Tonight
Participants can anticipate a more interactive format than October’s lecture-style session. Exercises will involve:
- Paired and small-group listening activities
- Tools for interrupting escalating tension
- How to express disagreement without contempt
- How to maintain relationships despite political difference
The program lasts approximately 90 minutes and is free and open to the public.
Looking Ahead
Depending on community interest—and early indicators suggest enthusiasm is high—a third workshop may be scheduled in early 2026, potentially focusing on “Depolarizing Within,” an internal-skills session that helps participants examine their own reactions, biases, and triggers.
For now, tonight’s gathering represents Wayzata’s continued commitment to civil dialogue and community leadership at a time when many cities struggle to create space for it.
Skills for Disagreeing Better
Thursday, November 20, 2025
6:30–8:00 p.m.
Wayzata City Hall – Community Room
Free and open to the public