Facing the Fracture, with professor of counseling psychology Tania Israel, Ph.D.
In this episode of Storylinking, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Tania Israel, a psychologist and author of the book Facing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation. Her work on bridging divides offers a hopeful perspective amid today’s polarized climate. Dr. Israel’s insights highlight the power of personal connection in addressing political tension and fostering a healthier democracy.
As we navigate today’s political climate, it can be easy to feel that real connection is slipping away and that our divisions are insurmountable. But Dr. Israel offers a powerful reminder of our agency.
“The best hope that we have for holding our country and our democracy together is the relationships that we have with other people in our country. We can talk about what elected officials or the media should do, but we can actually do something about strengthening our connections with other people, and it will make a difference.”
Our conversation touched on both the personal and societal aspects of navigating polarization. Here are some recommendations based on Dr. Israel’s research:
Reduce polarizing inputs (and outputs) for greater balance
One of the first steps Dr. Israel emphasizes is understanding and reducing polarizing input. “We’re exposed to so much polarizing input,” she explained, “and it really ties into our cognitive biases.” She described how our brains are wired to interpret conflicting perspectives in ways that often reinforce existing beliefs, leading us to perceive those on the other side as more extreme or irrational than they actually are.
For leaders, I think this is an especially important dimension of our self awareness. When we can recognize our own biases, we’re better equipped to approach conversations without immediately categorizing people as “us” versus “them.” This openness not only builds empathy but can also inspire us to reduce the polarization of the stories that we share through our community channels.
The role of affective polarization: move beyond fear and mistrust
Dr. Israel differentiates between two types of polarization: ideological (differences in beliefs) and affective (how we feel about those differences). She pointed out that it’s affective polarization—our tendency to view those with opposing opinions as morally inferior or dangerous—that poses the biggest threat to democracy. “We see this increase in animosity and mistrust,” she said, “such that people don’t even want to live near, work with, or have a family member marry somebody from another political party.”
This strikes me as a critical distinction for community builders. Ideological differences can fuel healthy debate, but affective polarization erodes the trust needed for meaningful collaboration. As leaders, it’s worth asking ourselves: Are we creating spaces that allow people to engage across divides without feeling they have to choose sides?
The transformative power of storytelling and listening
Dr. Israel believes that sharing and listening to personal stories is one of the most effective ways to bridge divides. “Stories require us to reveal our humanity,” she said, adding that storytelling helps us transcend facts and figures to connect on a deeper level. Research even suggests that stories are perceived as more truthful than raw data, making them powerful tools for fostering understanding.
Stories provide a platform for people to see each other’s humanity, something data or arguments can rarely achieve but I’ve felt time and time again in my filmmaking work with communities. For leaders working to build inclusive communities, providing spaces where individuals can share and listen to each other’s stories can be a vital step toward bridging divides.
Embrace bridging organizations to support dialogue and connection
For organizations interested in more structured ways to foster understanding, Dr. Israel recommends learning from “bridging organizations” such as Braver Angels and Interfaith America, which facilitate dialogue and collaboration across divides. “There are over 500 organizations working to strengthen social cohesion and democracy,” she noted. She encourages leaders to explore these resources, participate in national events like the National Week of Conversation, and consider how bridging activities can be incorporated into their regular programming.
Take small steps toward connection
As Dr. Israel reminds us, building bridges doesn’t always mean tackling large-scale issues head-on. Sometimes, the most meaningful actions come from small, everyday interactions. “The first step doesn’t have to be a big one,” she explained. “Start with conversations on common ground—whether that’s a shared interest or a neighborhood concern. Relationships start to grow from those small connections.”
This idea of beginning small resonates deeply with me. Taking the time to engage with those around us, to ask about their stories, and to find areas of mutual interest can open doors to greater understanding and collaboration. In our current environment, these small efforts can have an outsized impact on the health and resilience of our communities, as well as the capacity each of us has to stay engaged as a leader.
Strengthening community through intentional connection
In a polarized world, the work of building bridges may feel daunting, but Dr. Israel’s insights offer a roadmap. Her perspective underscores that even in divisive times, there are practical steps we can take to connect across differences. For leaders and community builders, fostering understanding starts with examining our biases, listening deeply to others’ stories, and finding ways to partner with bridging organizations. While the path forward may be challenging, it is also one we can navigate together, one small step at a time.
Listen to the full episode above, or subscribe to Storylinking on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform for more conversations that explore the power of storytelling to build community.
Additional Resources
Facing the Fracture (Book)
@taniaisraelphd on Instagram, X, and Threads
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-israel/
