The Change Lab and Listen First are deeply aligned in mission and method. Both believe that systems change begins with relational culture—and that connection across difference is both a practice and a movement. Listen First provides vital infrastructure and national amplification for bridge-building work already happening in communities like ours.
Listen First Project is a nonpartisan nonprofit that ignites a movement of conversations across divides to mend the social fabric of America. Founded in 2013, the organization began with one powerful idea: that listening—especially to those we disagree with—is a courageous and transformative act.
What started as a solo effort by founder Pearce Godwin has evolved into a national initiative with a global coalition of over 500 partner organizations. Listen First promotes a culture of curiosity, empathy, and human dignity in civic life by encouraging people to listen, understand, and connect.
What They Do
America Talks
A national two-day event that pairs strangers from different backgrounds for one-on-one, face-to-face virtual conversations.National Week of Conversation
An annual campaign bringing together hundreds of organizations for dialogues, workshops, and events focused on bridging divides.Listen First Coalition
A network of 500+ partner organizations united to elevate the power of listening in public life.Public Awareness Campaigns
Messaging initiatives that reframe listening as a civic virtue and call Americans to lean into conversations across difference.Research & Impact Tools
Collaborates with institutions to understand the science of connection and measure the impact of bridging work on community resilience.
Why They Matter
Listen First Project elevates one of the most underappreciated tools for civic healing: the act of listening. In an era of deep polarization, their work helps restore trust, dignity, and shared humanity—offering a pathway back to meaningful dialogue and social connection.
Connection to The Change Lab
The Change Lab and Listen First are deeply aligned in mission and method. Both believe that systems change begins with relational culture—and that connection across difference is both a practice and a movement. Listen First provides vital infrastructure and national amplification for bridge-building work already happening in communities like ours.
