Builders

Starts With Us is now Builders. New name, same mission: to equip citizens to overcome toxic polarization and solve our toughest problems together. Join the Builders Movement to defy division, choose solutions, and BUILD a future with curiosity, compassion, courage, and creativity. Head to buildersmovement.org to learn more. #BeABuilder

How can we encourage leaders to engage in less toxic, more constructive ways? And: Different takes on 2024's "Lie of the Year."

Bridging Divides: A Lesson from Heineken A few years ago, Heineken ran an ad that stuck with me. Strangers with opposing views sat down, built something together, and shared a beer. The magic? They weren’t debating—they were doing. When we work with someone instead of just talking at them, something shifts. We see them as more than their opinions. Civic spaces—whether it’s a bowling league, a volunteer project, or even a DMV line—give us the chance to connect with people who think differently. In a world where we’re quick to judge, maybe the solution isn’t more arguments. Maybe it’s more building. What’s one way you’ve connected with someone you didn’t agree with? #BridgingDivides #Empathy #Outraged #Heineken

As we start 2025, some thoughts on polarization, introspection, and change. Plus: Resources to help you calmly discuss hot button issues.

Polarization is Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year for 2024. It’s a word that reflects the state of our world, but it doesn’t have to define our future. What if, instead of focusing on what divides us, we leaned into what connects us? What if we chose to be Builders? Being a Builder is about embracing a mindset grounded in curiosity, compassion, courage, and creativity. It’s about asking questions instead of making assumptions, seeking to understand rather than to win, and working together to solve problems that affect us all. Builders don’t shy away from differences—they lean into them. Like the interplay of black and white in a striking painting, differences can be powerful. But imagine adding vibrant colors, blending perspectives, and creating a masterpiece where every shade has a purpose. That’s what the Builders movement is all about: making the world more beautiful, resilient, and collaborative through the richness of our diversity. A Builder’s mindset leads to better lives for everyone. It opens the door to innovative solutions, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of belonging. When we think and act like Builders, we transform division into connection, isolation into community, and stagnation into progress. It’s a choice we make every day—to see challenges as opportunities, to approach others with empathy, and to work courageously for the common good. As we step into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to embrace this mindset. Follow Builders to see how people across the country are fostering connection and driving change. Explore our tools, like the Polarization Detox Challenge, which offers practical ways to navigate divides. Sign up to receive insights, inspiration, and opportunities to make a difference in your own community. Together, we can make 2024 the year we move beyond polarization and start building something extraordinary. Let’s build a world as vibrant and dynamic as a Picasso masterpiece—one where every color, every voice, matters.

If you missed it: our roundup of some of our most popular pieces from 2024. One of them answers the question: Why was a Heineken beer commercial successful at reducing partisan hostility?

5 Must-Reads from 2024 We put together some of the most popular pieces we wrote this year.

From the Builders blog: Our Top 5 Must-Reads of 2024 https://lnkd.in/ebJ8CRgN

Leading up to the election, we ranked Builders vs. Dividers. How did Builders do? Plus: Our views of each other influence the approaches leaders take.

"Polarization is a big deal, and how we address it matters." Some thoughts from Travis Monteleone about depolarization/bridge-building work and ways we might do it better: https://lnkd.in/essdZQ2b