Beyond The Politics Of Contempt

Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times
Available In

Paperback

Hardcover

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By Doug Teschner, Beth Malow, Becky Robinson

Are you discouraged by events in our country and the world? Does consuming the news bring you down and leave you wanting to shut it off? Have your relationships with friends or family been negatively affected by politics? Do you feel helpless to do anything about it?

In a climate of widespread contempt and even hatred for people who disagree politically, we can each make important contributions to better our lives, our relationships, and our country. We can stand up for what we believe while also building bridges across the political divide.

While many fear for our nation’s future, there are practical steps we can each take to build hope for a better America.

This award-winning book includes:

  1. Skills for greater self-awareness of how our reactions to political events and others impact our health and well-being;
  2. Practical ways to mend relationships torn apart by politics and to empower yourself and others when difficult conversations arise;
  3. Steps to integrate political activism and bridge building; and
  4. Actions to rebuild a national culture of kindness, dignity, and respect.

Available In

Paperback

Hardcover

Kindle

Publication date:
September 14, 2025
Language:
English
Print length:
302 Pages
ISBN-10:
985-1541321513
ISBN-13:
979-8999063205

This is a roadmap to bring us out of the chaos—and toward a better way forward for all of us.

Gary Holland,

Braver Angels Director, Office of Field Operations and CT State Coordinator

The authors are model bridge builders with no-nonsense tools. They’ve walked the walk, and this book’s the map.

Mónica Guzmán,

Author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearless Curious Conversations In Dangerously Divided Times

Doug Teschner

Doug Teschner ran the Peace Corps in Ukraine and led a community education effort to end the Ebola epidemic in Guinea. As Braver Angels New England Regional Leader, he led the effort that led to the creation of a bipartisan caucus in the NH House of Representative where he previously served as a GOP legislator.

Beth Malow

Beth Malow is a neurologist and science/health communicator working in public health and climate change and has given a TEDx talk, The Art of Communicating Science. Beth has appeared on NPR-1A, PBS Newshour, and other news outlets. She moderates workshops and debates for Braver Angels, the bipartisan non-profit grassroots organization focused on uniting Americans in our divided time.

Becky Robinson

Becky Robinson is the founder/CEO of Weaving Influence, a digital marketing agency supporting nonfiction authors since 2012, and award-winning author of Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book or Cause. Recognizing the importance of this work for our country, she stepped up to join as co-author.