Our nation needs healing dialogues-- especially now. In the wake of the coronavirus and George Floyd killing, many of the issues dividing us as a nation--race, politics, class, gender, climate change, globalism, and religion--have only been magnified, and although the U.S. Surgeon general has called for an end to bickering and partisanship, it is unclear to what extent this will take effect. What is clear, however, is that safe, mindfully structured dialogues are imperative if we are to salvage our republic and the democratic principles on which it is built. The Depolarizing of America is the culmination of years of effort to promote safe, mindfully structured dialogues in homes, offices, classrooms, and community centers. It is an attempt to "give away" the time-tested skills with which the author, Kirk Schneider, has intimate experience, to a range of both laypersons and professionals; people who yearn to socially heal. The book begins with personal observations about our polarized state, both within the United States (and by implication) the world. It follows up with a reflection on how the sense of awe toward life--issuing in part from America's founding spirit--can serve as a counter to this polarized state. It concludes with practical strategies centered on dialogue. These strategies translate awe-based sensibilities, including humility and wonder toward life, to a rediscovery of one another, a rediscovery of our potential to shape and revitalize our times. As a follow up to Schneider's groundbreaking book, The Polarized Mind, The Depolarizing of America is an essential read for those who are striving for social healing and positive collective change. "With The Depolarizing of America , Kirk Schneider has created a remarkable process for helping to rebuild our democracy one relationship at a time, from the level of ordinary citizens to that of public leaders. The 'Experiential Democracy Dialogue' is a gift to a nation that badly needs healing." --William J. Doherty, Ph.D., is a professor of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota and co-founder of Braver Angels. "Once again, Kirk Schneider has challenged us to claim our humanity or ignite our own self-imposed psychological and physical demise. It is extremely important to note that in the face of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, much of the United States has become more explicitly polarized. We debate our patriotism based on what states remain shelter in-home versus those who are re-opening for business. We condemn those African Americans and other communities of color who do not adhere to CDC guidelines as being responsible for the disproportionate prevalence of deaths; completely ignoring the pre-existing/persistent socio-economic-political contexts and health care disparities that would clearly predict such an outcome. We have leadership that waxes and wanes almost on a daily basis and outwardly projects onto others for his short-comings; fueling the us versus them spirit. The Depolarizing of America: A Guidebook for Social Healing provides relevant historical contexts that spawned much of the divisiveness of today, as well as a blueprint for optimal engagement in bridging those differences. I applaud Schneider's clarity in centering the "fear" that divides us. I am reminded of the insightful quote from the character, 'Fear,' from Pixar's moving 2015 film, Inside/Outside. "Alright, we did not die today! I'd call that an unqualified success." However, should we not expect more in determining the "success" of humanity? Should we be so bold as to determine that the success of humanity is not just living yet how we live? Schneider's timely work contributes to our capacity to raise up other emotions and ways of being that are necessary to balance "fear" in promoting civility and collective sanity. I, for one, am counting on the complex-simplicity of the experiential democracy dialogues that Schneider is inviting us to engage in for the sake of humanity; to do otherwise is a frightening thought!" --Theopia Jackson, Ph.D., Chair, Clinical Psychology Program, Saybrook University; President, Association of Black Psychologists "Kirk Schneider succinctly describes healthy communication processes that effectively diffuse polarizing differences while inspiring intellectual curiosity, empathy, compassion, and hope for a better tomorrow. Through structured, safe, and mindful communication formats, readers will discover how participants can unpack differences, focus on commonalities, and relinquish fear and anger associated with personal and group stereotypes, identity politics, myths, and other important issues. This book lays out a cogent vision of virtuous dialogue possibilities that could be broadly used within divisive political processes, schools, religious settings, and other institutions, as well as a means to bridge the divides with historically marginalized communities. The author provides relevant examples, including one