improbable dialogues

the centuries wrap round us

A weaving of personal story, poetry, and contemplative writing that illustrates the brilliance of local communities and inspirational leaders whose lives illuminate how we human together better and human ourselves whole.

2025

article

Washington Post OpEd A recipe for cooling down American politics

An OpEd published on The Washington Post about lessons from around the world to deescalate toxic polarization in the United States.

2024

book

The Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War: Surprising ideas from everyday people who shifted the cycles of violence

A collection of stories, reflections, and wisdom offering insight into the challenge of facing down toxic polarization layered with violence and the surprising ways everyday people found to shift harmful patterns of violence that had lasted decades.

2024

podcast

Peace Building in a Polarized Public Health Landscape

A conversation with John Paul and David Addis share strategies for building relationships, restoring trustworthiness, and fostering solutions-oriented conversations to bridge ideological gaps in polarized contexts.

2025

video recording

Better Communication for Better Health: A Conversation with Dr. John Paul Lederach

A conversation exploring how to apply the principles of peacebuilding to public health communications in settings of conflict and polarization.

2025

podcast

John Paul Lederach on Facing Down a Civil War

A conversation between John Paul by David Swanson about dynamics of conflict and polarization, and pathways to resist these dynamics in the United States.

2025

podcast

When toxic polarization becomes a civil war – and what we can do about it

A conversation hosted on Nonviolence Radio about nonviolent resistance to polarization in the United States that is grounded in community, relationship, and the humble courage of creativity.

2025