Reimagining Us

About Reimagining Us

Reimagining Us is not just another conversation series—it’s a vital tool for healing divisions, designing our lives and communities for belonging, and empowering a movement of “builders.” Hosted by two distinguished leaders from the fields of psychology and equity-building, the show takes a nuanced look at the forces that fuel division and highlights actionable paths toward reconnection. As the nation navigates a post-election landscape rife with challenges, Reimagining Us offers a timely and necessary space for discovery, dialogue, and change. Throughout America, our neighborhoods and local communities find themselves at an unprecedented moment. Pundits and political leaders roil us in toxically polarized, "us vs. them" narratives. In many places, our communities are marked by mistrust, fear of or inability to engage neighbors across differences, and loneliness & isolation. What can make us resilient? The answer is easy but profound: Each other. Our communities thrive when they are places of belonging for all. It’s time to rebuild the “we” – a bigger sense of “we” than what we see around us today. And no moment could be more critical to do this than now: Regardless who emerges victorious in November, half the country will feel left behind, or worse, betrayed. Local communities are the life force of democracy, but belonging doesn’t just happen by default. The way for folks to begin to imagine a feasible/fair future is to begin to experience themselves as mattering, as belonging in their communities, now – in their families, their neighborhoods, their grocery stores, their town halls, in all aspects of their daily lives. And we’re not talking about being “nice” or polite. We–all of us— need to design our lives and communities for belonging, to be intentional about how we show up, and how we create spaces for others to show up—both through our interactions and the structures and systems we put in place. And we need to start at home, in our communities. HOSTS: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

Publisher

Nichole Argo

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Nov 2024

Latest episode

27 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Oct 2026

   Season 2 - Episode 3 - What Makes Civic Life Sacred?

   What makes a group of strangers become the kind of people who visit one another in the hospital, check on an elderly neighbor, or come together when their community is in crisis? In this episode of Reimagining Us, Dr. Nichole Argo and Scott Hutcheson explore what makes civic life feel not merely obligatory, but meaningful—even sacred. Drawing on stories from communities across the country and insights from Sam Pressler, john a. powell, Seth Kaplan, and Dan Gutekanst, they examine what happens when people repeatedly experience being seen, valued, and needed by one another. The answer is about more than participation. It is about relationship. From an arts class where strangers became a community of care, to the Zulu concept of Sawubona—“I see you”—Nichole and Scott explore how recognition and shared experience can transform the way we understand our responsibility to one another. Relationships can widen our “circle of concern,” turning people who once seemed distant or abstract into people whose lives and well-being matter to us. But belonging also has a shadow side. History shows that tightly connected communities can still exclude, segregate, and reinforce inequality. The challenge, then, is not simply to create more belonging, but to intentionally build opportunities for people across race, class, age, identity, and experience to encounter one another, develop relationships, and shape community life together. The episode ultimately asks us to reconsider what civic infrastructure is for. It isn’t simply about meetings, programs, or institutions. At its best, civic life creates repeated opportunities for people to show up, be seen, contribute, experience joy, and build the reserve of relationships and trust that communities can draw upon when times get hard. The takeaway? Civic life becomes powerful when people experience themselves as part of something larger—and when we intentionally design that sense of belonging to include everyone. Key Discussion Points Why Joy Matters in Civic Life: Sam Pressler challenges the idea that civic participation should feel like “eating your spinach.” If we want people to participate, community life has to offer meaning, connection, fun, and a genuine sense that showing up is worthwhile. The Power of Being Seen: john a. powell introduces Sawubona, a Zulu expression meaning “I see you.” Recognition, dignity, and compassionate presence are not small gestures; they are fundamental human needs and building blocks of belonging. Expanding the Circle of Concern: Relationships with people whose identities, experiences, or beliefs differ from our own can change who we consider part of “us.” We may still disagree, but we begin to account for one another’s humanity when we make decisions. The Double Edge of Belonging: America’s history of local civic associations demonstrates the tremendous power of community institutions—but also their capacity to exclude. Civic renewal without attention to equity can strengthen belonging for some while leaving others outside the circle. Designing a Bigger “Us”: Strong civic infrastructure creates repeated opportunities for people across differences to build relationships, work together, and have a meaningful voice in shaping their community. The goal is not simply participation, but belonging that crosses social and economic lines. Relationships as Community Resilience: The relationships communities build during ordinary times become especially valuable during moments of conflict or crisis. The experience of Needham, Massachusetts, shows why trust and relationships are far easier to draw upon in an emergency when they have already been built beforehand. Practical Takeaways Make participation worth showing up for. Joy, meaning, relationships, and shared purpose are not extras; they are part of what keeps people engaged. Practice seeing people fully. Move beyond roles, labels, and demographics toward genuine recognition and curiosity about another person’s experience. Ask who is missing. A connected community is not necessarily an inclusive one. Pay attention to whose voices, relationships, and experiences are absent. Create repeated contact across differences. One-off encounters matter, but belonging grows through recurring opportunities to work, create, celebrate, and solve problems together. Build relationships before you need them. Trust is infrastructure. Communities are more resilient when people and institutions already know how to reach one another before conflict or crisis arrives. Hosts: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of⁠ TogetherUp Institute⁠ Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of⁠ E Pluribus Unum⁠ Produced by⁠ Next Chapter Podcasts⁠ Sources cited in the episode Pressler, Sam. Founder, Armed Services Arts Partnership; author of Connective Tissue (newsletter and policy framework). (the arts class; "eating your spinach"; embedding connection in housing) Cox, Daniel A., and Sam Pressler. Disconnected: The Growing Class Divide in American Civic Life. Survey Center on American Life, American Enterprise Institute, August 22, 2024; survey of 6,597 adults. (the education divide in civic life) powell, john a. Director, Othering and Belonging Institute, UC Berkeley. (Sawubona; being seen; the circle of concern) Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. Random House, 1952. (named by powell) Brooks, Arthur C. Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt.Broadside Books, 2019. (powell's friendship with Brooks) Kaplan, Seth D. Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time. Little, Brown Spark, 2023. (the woman at 903; the Great Quieting) National Women's History Museum. "National Association of Colored Women." (founded 1896; Mary Church Terrell) National Park Service. "Maggie L. Walker." (St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, Richmond) Center for Inclusion and Belonging, American Immigration Council. Understanding Belonging Where It Is Lived.2026 research brief on the 2025 Belonging Mixed Methods Study, using the Belonging Barometer developed with Over Zero. (older adults report stronger local belonging) TogetherUp Institute. CivicWorks, Needham, MA; with Dan Gutekanst, Needham Superintendent of Schools (Season 1, Episode 8). (relationships built before a crisis) Background research Crimston, Daniel, Paul G. Bain, Matthew J. Hornsey, and Brock Bastian. "Moral Expansiveness: Examining Variability in the Extension of the Moral World." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 111, no. 4 (2016): 636–653. (the circle of moral concern) Singer, Peter. The Expanding Circle: Ethics and Sociobiology. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1981. (origin of the expanding-circle idea) Holt-Lunstad, Julianne, et al. Social Connection in America. Barnes Family Foundation, 2025. (community ties, health and wellbeing) Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. 2023. (connection and community health, cohesion and resilience) Skocpol, Theda, Marshall Ganz, and Ziad Munson. "A Nation of Organizers: The Institutional Origins of Civic Voluntarism in the United States." American Political Science Review 94, no. 3 (2000): 527–546. (late-19th-century boom in chapter-based associations) Putnam, Robert D., with Shaylyn Romney Garrett. The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again. Simon & Schuster, 2020. (Gilded Age to Progressive Era civic revival) Skocpol, Theda, Ariane Liazos, and Marshall Ganz. What a Mighty Power We Can Be: African American Fraternal Groups and the Struggle for Racial Equality. Princeton University Press, 2006. (Black Americans building their own institutions) Cox, Karen L. Dixie's Daughters: The United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Preservation of Confederate Culture. University Press of Florida, 2003. (Scott on the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Lost Cause) Aldrich, Daniel P. Building Resilience: Social Capital in Post-Disaster Recovery. University of Chicago Press, 2012. (relationships as crisis infrastructure) TogetherUp Institute. Pleasanton Community Connection Survey. 2025. (belonging accumulates with time and tenure)

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Season 2 - Episode 2 - Embracing Complexity, Letting Go of Control

   Why do so many well-intentioned efforts to bridge our political and social divides struggle to create lasting change? In this episode of Reimagining Us, Dr. Nichole Argo and Scott Hutcheson explore why even promising efforts to bridge political and social divides can struggle to produce lasting change. Moving beyond the assumption that bringing people together for conversation is enough, they examine the psychological and systemic forces that sustain polarization and what it takes to counter them. Their central insight? **Lasting change requires both a shift in how we relate to one another and structures that make those relationships possible to sustain. That means cultivating curiosity rather than defensiveness, embracing complexity rather than reaching for simple solutions, and investing in civic infrastructure that brings people across identities and sectors into lasting relationship and shared action. Key Discussion Points Clock Problems vs. Cloud Problems: Columbia University conflict researcher Peter Coleman draws on philosopher Karl Popper to distinguish between mechanical "clock problems" (fixable, single-point breakdowns) and complex "cloud problems" (self-reinforcing, multi-layered system failures like toxic polarization). Coleman and the hosts discuss how treating polarization as a simple clock problem often backfires because social systems naturally compensate and resist simple fixes. How Polarization Flattens Communities: John Sarrouf (Co-Executive Director of Essential Partners) explains how contentious local issues can transform neighbors into opposing camps, reducing complex people to one-dimensional adversaries. As conflict intensifies, moderate voices withdraw and the loudest dominate. Nichole and Scott explore how overlapping relationships and shared institutions can help buffer communities against these dynamics. Building Civic Infrastructure for Lasting Connection: Curiosity is essential, but individual conversations alone cannot overcome the structural forces that keep us divided. Nichole and Scott explore the need to build lasting civic infrastructure that creates opportunities for sustained relationships across identities, communities, and sectors. Through initiatives like TogetherUp's CivicWorks, locally representative networks bring residents, community leaders, and institutions together to build trust, develop skills, and work collectively on shared challenges. The goal isn't simply more dialogue, but stronger relationships and greater capacity to act together over time. The Intolerance of Uncertainty: Nichole and Scott explore why uncertainty can feel so threatening, and how our brains and bodies respond when the world feels unpredictable or beyond our control. When uncertainty triggers fear or anxiety, we may gravitate toward simplified, binary narratives and quick fixes that promise certainty and control. But what if we could learn to embrace complexity rather than retreat from it? The "Toggle" Between Curiosity and Defense: Journalist and author Mónica Guzmán (I Never Thought of It That Way) explains how difficult conversations can shift us from wanting to understand to wanting to defend ourselves or win, often without our realizing it. By noticing physical signs of tension, we can recognize that shift and choose how to respond, whether by pausing, acknowledging our discomfort, or stepping away until we're ready to reengage with curiosity. Curiosity as a Form of Care: In conversation with peacebuilding expert John Paul Lederach and author Scott Shigeoka (Seek), Nichole and Scott explore how curiosity can help us move toward people we fear or disagree with, rather than retreating into judgment. By asking genuine questions and recognizing our shared humanity and interdependence, we create space for understanding and connection, even when we disagree. Practical Takeaways Notice the Physical Radar: Pay attention to bodily sensations (gut, throat, chest) that signal you've moved from curiosity to defensive mode. Ask One Real Question: Instead of setting a trap to win an argument, ask a genuine question about how the other person came to hold their perspective. Show Your Math: Walk others through your thought process and life experiences rather than just stating and defending a rigid conclusion. Start Close to Home: Practice holding space and being curious with family or neighbors before tackling intense public or political arenas. Name the Feeling Underneath: Recognize that hostility and anger are often armor for underlying fear, anxiety, or vulnerability. HOSTS: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Season 2 - Episode 1 - The Architecture of Belonging

   What if belonging isn't something we find, but something we can intentionally create? In the Season 2 premiere of Reimagining Us, hosts Nichole Argo and Scott Hutcheson shift the conversation from what's pulling us apart to what we can build together. Drawing on insights from social psychology, community-based research, and conversations with leading thinkers, they explore the hidden architecture of belonging: the everyday interactions, shared spaces, and local institutions that shape whether we feel connected, valued, and able to make a difference. From the science of belonging to the surprising power of libraries, front porches, neighborhood gatherings, and even a simple smile, this episode reveals how our environments can either bring us together or keep us apart. Featuring insights from Peter Coleman, Seth Kaplan, Daniel Stid, and Sam Pressler, Nichole and Scott consider what it takes to design communities where people don't just live alongside one another, but genuinely feel part of something larger. The takeaway? Connection doesn't happen by accident. And if we've designed a world that too often keeps us apart, we can begin designing one that brings us back together. Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

4. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Introducing...Season 2 of Reimagining Us

   In Season 2 of Reimagining Us, we go deeper... If you care about connection, community and real change, this season is for you! Reimagining Us is a podcast series that "lifts the hood" to uncover what's behind our feelings of division today, identify how we can rebuild connection and collaboration across differences in communities. The show is hosted by behavioral scientist Nichole Argo, the Founder and Executive Director of the TogetherUp Institute & Scott Hutcheson, Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum. Nichole Argo, Ph.D.: A behavioral scientist and Founder/Executive Director of the TogetherUp Institute, Nichole brings cutting-edge insights from the psychology of human conflict and connection to understand why we feel divided, and what we can do about it. Scott Hutcheson: Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum, Scott offers a wealth of experience addressing systemic inequities and fostering meaningful collaboration across race, class, and culture in the Deep South and beyond. As a region often at the epicenter of racial, political, and economic divides, the Deep South offers a powerful lens for exploring and addressing these issues nationwide. Together, Nichole and Scott create a dynamic, solutions-oriented conversation that engages listeners with authenticity, curiosity, and expertise. For more information or to share your stories and feedback, email info@togetherup.org, or comment on YouTube and Social Media @togetherupinstitute Reimagining Us is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

5. 

   30 Jan 2025

   Episode 8 - "Bright Spots: The Needham Resilience Network”

   In this episode, Nichole and Scott explore how philanthropy is getting behind work to connect and collaborate across differences at the local level with Kristen Scott Kennedy of the Council on Foundations. They then highlight a scalable example of this work: The Needham Resilience Network (NRN) brings town officials, diverse residents, and key stakeholders together to build relationships, anchor in the concept of belonging, learn skills in communicating across differences, and co-create solutions to local problems. This episode opens with Kristen Scott Kennedy discussing how philanthropy can play a critical role in place-based work to connect across differences by acting as norm-shapers, modeling collaborative strategies, and supporting nonprofits. Then, Needham Resilience Network members Bala Venkat, John Schlittler, Rabbi Jay Perlman, Marcus Nelson, Dan Gutekanst, and Beth Pinals talk about how the NRN has influenced their lives and transformed their community. The NRN was founded in response to significant challenges faced by the Needham community in Massachusetts, including demographic shifts, increased hate incidents, and distrust between groups. Actionable Takeaways: For Individuals, Nonprofits, and Municipal Officials: Adopt the Long View: Recognize that meaningful cultural and social change will require ongoing commitment and care. Emphasize Collaboration Amongst Diverse Stakeholders for Greater Impact: Cultivate broad partnerships and coalitions across organizations, community leaders, and residents to co-create impactful events and initiatives. Involve both formal and informal leaders who represent different parts of the community, including marginalized groups. Invest in Relationships: Develop protocols and nurture relationships in stable times to prepare for future challenges. Encourage Diverse Voices: Actively invite underrepresented groups to participate in community dialogues and leadership. Elevate Belonging: Incorporate narratives and activities that foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Employ Evidence-Based Design, & Do No Harm: Prioritize evidence-based approaches to programming; design with an eye towards “Do No Harm”; and begin initiatives with a "listening tour" to understand community needs and build trust . Center on Skill-Building: Train participants in listening to understand vs. persuade and conflict transformation skills Leverage Local Data for Reflection & Relationship-Building: Incorporate local data to ground discussions in shared realities and enable storytelling around lived experiences. Foster Community Co-Governance: Create channels for community involvement in governance, focusing on shared values and co-creation. Utilize Networks During Crises: Maintain open communication channels with diverse groups to resolve conflicts with sensitivity. Engage Local Foundations: Identify and partner with local or regional foundations that are invested in the community. For Philanthropic Organizations: Model Best Practices in Pluralism: Use your freedom to showcase innovative approaches to collaboration, influencing broader societal norms. Invest in Local Partners: Strengthen community-based nonprofits that are on the frontlines of building connection and resilience. Resources: READ: “Coming Together, Not Apart: How Philanthropy Supports Connection in a Time of Dangerous Division,” and “Coming Together, Not Apart: Inside the Work of Turning Conflict Into Cooperation,” by the Council on Foundations WATCH: The Needham Resilience Network information video VISIT: The NRN website READ: “My Parting Prescription for America,” by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Jan 7, 2025. Community as the formula for fulfillment. HOSTS: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

6. 

   22 Jan 2025

   Episode 7 - "Transforming Our Communities"

   In this episode, Nichole and Scott talk about how individual and group efforts to revitalize connection in communities are necessary---but may not be sufficient for sustained change. Once we have the mindset and skills of pluralism, we need spaces and institutions that enable us to practice them. We need local governments and community stakeholders to invest in policies that foster “civic infrastructure.” Special guests Sam Pressler and Layla Zaidane help us explore the role of policy and institutions in fostering this kind of connection. In order to thrive, Sam Pressler argues that local governments and community leaders should refocus on building civic life, prioritizing relationships and belonging as part of their policies and initiatives. Sam introduces the Connective Tissue Framework, which identifies over 150 policy opportunities to strengthen community connections, and highlights examples of this work, like Boston's Office of Civic Organizing (which fosters neighborhood interactions through block party grants and cleanup events) and citizen-government partnerships to create welcoming materials for newcomers, or “Old Home Weeks” to bring former residents back for community-building activities. Layla Zaidane, the President and CEO of Future Caucus, describes how organizations focused on relationship building can promote collaboration across differences, just as Future Caucus does with young elected officials, regardless of political affiliation—by leveraging a shared, third identity (for Future Caucus, generation). While receiving training in leadership, communication, negotiation and bridge-building, young lawmakers build personal relationships, allowing them to see beyond polarization and find common ground across the aisle. Layla emphasizes the importance of “institutionalizing relationships across differences” in order to ensure continued contact and support. Actionable Steps For Communities: Create Inclusive Spaces: Develop public parks, libraries, and community centers as hubs for connection. Design accessible spaces that encourage diverse groups to gather and interact. Promote Civic Engagement: Organize town-wide events like block parties, festivals, or cultural celebrations. Start initiatives like "Neighborhood Watch" or "Adopt-a-Street" programs to foster collaboration. Develop Welcome Initiatives: Create welcome kits for newcomers with resources about local services and groups and host orientation meet-and-greets to integrate new residents. Support Bridging Activities: Provide micro-grants for projects that bring different groups together, such as intergenerational programs or cross-cultural events. Encourage shared-use facilities for meetings, classes, or celebrations. Use a Connection Lens in Policy: Embed policies that strengthen social capital into housing, education, and transportation planning. Incentivize participatory design in public projects to ensure residents feel a sense of ownership. HOSTS: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

7. 

   14 Jan 2025

   Episode 6 - "Be The Change - Part II - Tool Chest"

   Nichole Argo and Scott Hutcheson explore actionable tools with experts John Sarrouf, Melissa Weintraub, and Scott Shigeoka to foster curiosity, connection, and understanding in challenging conversations across differences.

8. 

   7 Jan 2025

   Episode 6 - "Be The Change - Part I - Key Insights”

   In Part I, Nichole and Scott invite three top thought leaders to share foundational insights that can help listeners connect across differences. Curiosity is a bridge to connection, an essential tool allowing us to explore the stories, values, and perspectives of others, says Scott Shigeoka, author of SEEK.  It  strengthens personal, work and civic relationships…“People who feel seen, stay.”  Activating curiosity also generates dopamine, a feel-good neurochemical, and is tied to creativity, problem-solving and innovation, and better health. Like any muscle, our ability to be curious grows stronger with practice..and it’s contagious! Dialogue is different from well-intended conversations, according to John Sarrouf, co-Executive Director at Essential Partners, because it focuses on mutual understanding rather than persuasion or debate, seeks the complexity in different perspectives, and is designed to avoid defensive patterns (e.g., attack, defend, or withdraw). Every one of us can learn these skills. Avoiding differences to focus solely on common ground can be counterproductive, says Melissa Weintraub, co-Executive Director at Resetting the Table. People feel seen and valued when their perspectives are acknowledged, which is why engaging with differences builds trust and can serve as a springboard for collaboration (or repair amidst challenges). Actionable Takeaways: Build the Curiosity Muscle: Regularly engage in conversations with people holding different perspectives. Use curiosity to approach disagreements or complex problems by seeking alternative perspectives and solutions. Practice active listening and ask open-ended questions to understand others deeply. Adopt Dialogue Skills: In challenging discussions, listen to understand rather than persuade. Focus on understanding the other person’s beliefs, the stories behind them, and the complexity of their views. Engage Differences with Openness: When faced with divisive topics, lean into the discomfort rather than avoiding it. Use differences as an opportunity to build deeper relationships and mutual respect. Create New Patterns for Collaboration: Establish norms of deep listening, respectful inquiry, and reflection in group settings. Use these patterns to foster trust and resilience during joint projects or coalition-building. Apply Multivocality: Explore opposing views by seeking out their most reasonable and eloquent explanations. This doesn’t require agreement but promotes a nuanced understanding of where differences truly lie. Revisit Dialogue in Tough Moments: When action-oriented efforts hit roadblocks, return to dialogue to rebuild trust, clarify misunderstandings, and reignite progress. Resources Read SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, by Scott Shigeoka Visit Essential Partners at www.whatisessential.org for free resources, dialogue facilitation guides, or to sign up for training. Visit Resetting the Table at www.resettingthetable.org for workshops and events near you, or to sign up for training. For more information or to share your stories and feedback, email info@togetherup.org, or comment on YouTube and Social Media @togetherupinstitute HOSTS: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

9. 

   24 Dec 2024

   Episode 5 - "Belonging: A North Star for our Communities” with john a. powell

   In this episode, Nichole and Scott are joined by john a. powell, who leads them in an exploration of belonging while contrasting it with the damaging effects of othering.  By understanding and addressing the dynamics of belonging and othering, communities can create spaces where everyone thrives. Belonging is a fundamental human need that reflects feeling seen, heard, and valued in a community. Othering is when we fail to see others' humanity or treat differences as threats to belonging. It is not differences alone that cause othering, but the socially constructed significance that is given to them. Belonging and othering are relationship with one another in part because othering is often a misguided tool used to create belonging, when groups bond by excluding or vilifying others. john describes bridging---recognizing the humanity in others through compassionate listening and valuing their perspectives, even without agreement---as the antidote to 'othering.' Bridging is not about persuasion or conflict resolution --- it is about compassionate listening, to create trust and understanding. He talks about how small, intentional acts of bridging can feed a collective vision of connection and belonging. But boundaries are essential. For example, one may refuse to bridge with those who condone violence. In addition to bridging, shifts in collective identity can be driven by storytelling that enables larger "we" groups to form (e.g., via religion, national identity, and other forms of common values, interests, or humanity). Actionable Steps for Individuals: Reflect on how one's reactions to differences can either perpetuate or counteract othering. Recognize and challenge socially constructed differences that perpetuate division. Practice compassionate listening in conversations, focusing on understanding rather than persuasion. Start with "short bridges" (e.g., family, neighbors who hold differing perspectives) by listening compassionately and acknowledging what matters to them. Set boundaries to ensure bridging efforts align with personal values and safety. Encourage others to adopt bridging practices by sharing tools and techniques discussed in the episode. Support leaders and initiatives that depolarize their audiences by emphasizing mutual understanding over fearmongering. Actionable Steps for Leaders & Communities: Promote the idea of belonging as a goal for inclusive communities. Promote dialogue and education to counter fear-based narratives. Focus on shared values and common humanity to build bridges across polarized or fragmented communities. Share stories and examples of bridging, like Nelson Mandela’s or others in the podcast, to inspire collective action. Equip residents with tools and structures/systems to process change and uncertainty in collaborative, non-polarizing ways. Resources Read Belonging Without Othering by john a. powell and Stephen Menendian Read The Power of Bridging by john a. powell, with Rachelle Galloway-Popotas Take free classes with the Othering and Belonging Institute at OBI University. For more information or to share your stories and feedback, email info@togetherup.org, or comment on YouTube and Social Media @togetherupinstitute HOSTS: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

10. 

    17 Dec 2024

    Episode 4 - “Want to be Resilient? Build Local, Build Now” with Seth Kaplan and John Paul Lederach

    Nichole and Scott explore how building local relationships and institutions can help communities become resilient in the face of modern challenges with Seth Kaplan and John Paul Lederach.

11. 

    10 Dec 2024

    Episode 3 - “Know It, Name It, Inoculate Against It” with Peter Coleman and Stephen Hawkins

    Co-hosts Nichole Argo and Scott Hutcheson explore toxic polarization with Dr. Peter Coleman and Stephen Hawkins, revealing actionable strategies to foster connection and mutual respect in a divided society.

12. 

    3 Dec 2024

    Episode 2 - Toxic Polarization and Its Antidote, Pluralism, with Daniel Stid

    Nichole Argo and Scott Hutcheson explore the dangers of toxic polarization with Daniel Stid, a leading expert on pluralism and civic engagement, as they reimagine a more inclusive and compassionate society.

13. 

    26 Nov 2024

    Episode 1 - Why This Podcast, Now? Bridging Divides and Rebuilding Communities

    Nichole Argo and Scott Hutcheson, a behavioral scientist and equity expert, explore how to bridge divides and rebuild communities through nuanced conversations and actionable paths toward reconnection.

14. 

    15 Nov 2024

    Introducing...Reimagining Us

    Reimagining Us is a podcast series set out to understand why we feel divided in order to inspire human connection and repair our sense of community. HOSTS: Nichole Argo is the Founder and Director of Research at TogetherUp Institute Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum Produced by Next Chapter Podcasts

Who has been a guest on Reimagining Us

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• John Sarrouf
• Melissa Weintraub
• Monica Guzman
• Scott Shigeoka

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

293,898

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

67

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

32