One of the great joys of the journey is running into kindred spirits on the road. An unexpected sense of community. The welcome realization that you are not alone.

I’ve met artists reveling in the quirky charms of life. Storytellers amplifying powerful and necessary narratives, and travelers seeking beauty and wisdom in unlikely places.

You are not alone.

The angry voices of the world are loud. They demand your attention. Media platforms echo the corrosive bile and they consume your consciousness. It’s easy to get lost in the fray, but for me, the healing balm is being out in the world, meeting people face to face. And the more I see, the more I understand that there is hope. There are good people doing good things. And there are a lot of them.

I am encouraged, honored and delighted to be a part of the Listen First Project, a nationwide “movement to heal America by bridging divides.”

300+ organizations bringing people together across differences. Leading conversations and amplifying the power of connection.

If you’re tired of the division…if you believe something better is possible and want to be a part of building the movement…there are some things you should read and dates you should know about events coming up.

Pearce Godwin is a friend. He’s the founder and CEO of Listen First, and he just wrote a powerful op-ed piece for USA Today. You can read it here.

Listen First is leading a nationwide effort to bring people together for dialogue. America Talks on June 12 and 13, followed by the National Week of Conversation June 14-20.

USA Today just did a story on the events as well that you can see here.

A Peace of My Mind works to build conversation around the common good every day, but there is power in knowing there is a growing movement lifting up that same message. There is hope in seeing that momentum.

We will keep on doing our day to day, but during the National Week of Conversation, we have co-created a panel discussion with Arts Midwest and other artists about how the arts can (and do) bridge divides. Some old friends and new friends will join me on the panel on Tuesday June 15, from 11:30-12:30 CDT. Learn more and register at this link.

Are you tired of the division? Do you believe something better is possible? Are you looking for connection and willing to be a part of the solution?

You are not alone.