Partisanship is up, trust is down, and our social media feeds make us sure we’re right and everyone else is ignorant (or worse). But avoiding and attacking one another is breaking… everything.

Journalist Mónica Guzmán is the loving liberal daughter of Mexican immigrants who voted—twice—for Donald Trump. When the country could no longer see straight across the political divide, Mónica set out to find what was blinding us and discovered the most eye-opening tool we’re not using: our own curiosity.

Join us at this unique event where Mónica Guzmán will take you to the real front lines of a crisis that threatens to grind America to a halt—broken conversations among confounded people. She'll show us how to overcome the fear and certainty that surround us to finally do what only seems impossible: understand and even learn from people in your life whose whole worldview is different from or even opposed to yours.

In addition to hearing from Mónica about her groundbreaking book, she'll lead us through a Curiosity Workshop. How can we have more constructive dialogue with those who disagree with us? Mónica will lead participants through a practice of listening and curiosity to be able to build our understanding of different views and perspectives, as well as ourselves.

Seating is very limited for this important event, so be sure to save your seat today. The first 50 to register will receive a copy of the book. The event is sponsored by the Richland County Foundation, Relax, It’s Just Coffee, and NECIC.

About The Book: “I Never Thought of it That Way“

Drawing from cross-partisan conversations she’s had, organized, or witnessed everywhere from the echo chambers on social media to the wheat fields in Oregon to raw, unfiltered fights with her own family on election night, Mónica shows how you can put your natural sense of wonder to work for you immediately, finding the answers you need by talking with people—rather than about them—and asking the questions you want, curiously.

In these pages, you’ll learn:

• How to ask what you really want to know (even if you’re afraid to)

• How to grow smarter from even the tensest interactions, online or off

• How to cross boundaries and find common ground—with anyone

Whether you’re left, right, center, or not a fan of labels: If you’re ready to fight back against the confusion, heartbreak, and madness of our dangerously divided times—in your own life, at least—Mónica’s got the tools and fresh, surprising insights to prove that seeing where people are coming from isn’t just possible. It’s easier than you think.

The first 50 individuals to register will receive a copy of "I Never Thought of it That Way." Click here to purchase additional copes of the book.