Our Story
We met in the fall of 1985, and from that moment on, our lives changed forever.
What began as a chance encounter at work quickly grew into a partnership rooted in love, curiosity, and a shared belief that people—and the world—can always do better.
After 37 years of marriage, countless adventures, and a deep commitment to living by the Golden Rule, our passion has evolved into a mission: inspiring others to build bridges, seek common ground, and help create a more peaceful, compassionate, and united world.
Our Work with Braver Angels
Brenda and Brian are active members of Braver Angels, a national organization dedicated to depolarizing America and helping people work together again on the challenges we all face.
Our Mission
Braver Angels brings Americans together to bridge the partisan divide, strengthen our democratic republic, and foster a culture where civil dialogue, civic friendship, and differing viewpoints make us stronger—not more divided.
We uphold values of respect, humility, honesty, and responsible citizenship. Our goal isn’t to change anyone’s political views—it's to change how we see and engage with one another.
The Braver Angels Way
Speak your views freely and fully, without fear.
Treat those who disagree with dignity and respect.
Welcome opportunities to engage across differences.
Recognize we all have blind spots—and all voices matter.
Disagree accurately, without exaggeration or stereotypes.
Seek common ground and work together where possible.
Believe that both sides learn through disagreement.
No one is teaching or correcting the other—we meet as equals.
Ways to Get Involved
Take an E-Course
Free, expert-designed, 40-minute online courses that build skills for communication and depolarization. Courses include:
Skills for Bridging the Divide
Depolarizing Within
Families & Politics
Skills for Social Media
Managing Difficult Conversations
Try a 1:1 Conversation
A structured, one-hour conversation between two people with differing views. The goal: understand each other’s experiences, find points of connection, and explore how we can bridge divides across the country.
Join a Debate
Braver Angels Debates offer a respectful way to explore controversial topics. The goal isn’t to win—it’s to understand each other better. Speak freely, then listen fully.
Citizens Commission on Immigration
A red/blue balanced group demonstrating that Americans with different perspectives on immigration can still find common ground and model solutions for Congress and the nation.
Learn More on the Braver Angels website
Brian explains what Braver Angels is all about and why they’re passionate about it.