“We’re not disagreeing anymore on how to solve the problem. We’re disagreeing that the problem even exists.”

Last October, we partnered with Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and invited students and alumni to have a conversation with someone with whom they disagree through our One Small Step initiative.

One Small Step brings together people with different political views of all backgrounds and beliefs to record a StoryCorps interview with each other. This new use of the classic StoryCorps interview seeks to remind us that we have more in common than divides us and that treating those with whom we disagree with decency and respect is essential to a functioning democracy.

Bettina King-Smith, a sophomore at Trinity College, and Nick Engstrom, a freshman, talked about their political views, and gained insights into each others’ beliefs that allowed them to find common ground. You can listen to the audio from their interview with the WNPR program “Where We Live” here:

OSS Trinity participants

Interested in learning more? You can find more information about the One Small Step initiative here and sign up to have a meaningful conversation from across the political spectrum.