This Mind & Life article introduces a study led by social psychologist Rémi Thériault (NYU). The idea is simple: reading clear, thoughtful nonfiction for about 10 minutes a day may help people understand others and work well together. Participants read for 10 weeks. The team looks at changes in care for others, how we speak with people who see things differently, and whether readers feel more connected. Books are picked for easy reading and helpful themes, using both expert review and AI tools. Earlier work from the team suggests that reading plus reflection can be a welcoming first step. The public is invited to suggest book titles for future rounds.

The Climate Mental Health Network supports emotional well-being in the face of climate change by empowering communities with resources, conversations, and intergenerational healing tools.

At a time of division and violence, ICAN Peacework provides pathways for youth to develop leadership through nonviolence, emotional wellness, and community-centered justice. Their work builds resilience and healing through storytelling, conflict resolution, and restorative circles—equipping future generations with the tools to shape more compassionate, inclusive communities.

Generational divisions are deepening just when collaboration is needed most. CoGenerate addresses this by building intergenerational bridges that spark innovation, expand belonging, and nurture mutual understanding—offering a replicable model of age-integrated social progress.

Personal and shared stories shape how we move—and how we belong. Bailey’s work rests at the intersection of identity, healing justice, and curiosity. By inviting readers to engage with ancestral scripts, this book cultivates empathy, continuity, and civic imagination.

Good Good Good offers more than a break from the bad news—it’s a compass for building civic resilience. Their radical transparency, editorial integrity, and community-first values create a roadmap for how media can heal rather than harm.

Leadership Houston is one of the city’s premier civic leadership programs, dedicated to educating and connecting leaders who are passionate about making a difference. Since 1982, it has brought together professionals from every sector to explore Houston’s most pressing issues, engage with decision-makers, and build lasting relationships across industries and ideologies. The goal? To create a more informed, inspired, and civically active Houston.

Ben McBride’s Troubling the Water is both a personal testimony and a public call to action—a deeply spiritual, emotionally honest, and politically relevant work that challenges the reader to live differently.

Builders is a national movement of Americans from all walks of life who are committed to repairing our civic fabric by building trust, relationships, and common purpose. Whether in small towns or big cities, online or in person, Builders believe that community doesn’t just happen—it’s something we make, together. This nonpartisan initiative brings together people who are willing to act locally and connect across differences to strengthen democracy from the ground up.

Braver Angels eCourses

These free, self-paced online courses are designed to help individuals navigate political and personal divides with empathy, clarity, and courage. Each course takes approximately 40 minutes to complete and can be taken independently or in conjunction with Braver Angels worksho

It all begins with an idea.