We can turn the politics of fear and contempt into the politics of hope, and build a national culture of kindness, dignity, and respect.

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about the book

Literary Titan Book Award Winner. 

While many fear for our nation’s future, there are practical steps we can each take to build hope for a better America. 

“In Beyond the Politics of Contempt, Teschner, Malow, and Robinson offer nourishment for America’s hungry soul. You’ll discover, in invitingly bite-sized chunks, a cogent analysis of how we became so polarized. Diverse in their politics and rich in expertise, these authors add in generous dollops of storytelling where they examine their own assumptions and biases, often with surprising outcomes. Then, they challenge us with intriguing exercises to explore our own role in today’s political dynamic. Take them up on the challenge. Use this book to get together with colleagues or cousins, neighbors or strangers, friends or frenemies, and explore the art of listening to understand.”

- Susan Clark, coauthor of Slow Democracy: Rediscovering Community, Bringing Decision Making Back Home
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Praise for the Book

“Packed with insight, grounded in facts, and bursting with practical actions, this book hands citizens the keys to take control, step up, and make a difference in their communities. Feeling overwhelmed by the toxic polarization in our country? Tired of the stress, the division, and the urge to retreat? This book is a wake-up call. It doesn’t just explain how we got here—it shows what we can do, starting now. No more doom-scrolling. No more sitting on the sidelines. This is a roadmap to bring us out of the chaos—and toward a better way forward for all of us.”
- Gary HollandBraver Angels Director, Office of Field Operations and CT State Coordinator
“Doug Teschner and Beth Malow bring their formidable experience -- Doug's in politics, diplomacy, and consulting, Beth's in medicine with kids with a wide array of confounding neurological problems -- along with their commitment and leadership in Braver Angels (a movement to depolarize America), to bear in this timely and helpful book. They offer guidance and resources to help people move from intense disagreement and hostility to find common ground and common purpose. Thanks to them for their courage and wisdom.”
- The Rt. Rev. Mark BeckwithRetired Bishop of Newark (Episcopal), Braver Faith of Braver Angels co-chair, and author of Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms and Party Lines
“Teschner, Malow, and Robinson draw from a deep field of researchers, bridge-builders, and democracy reformers to craft a work of clarity and conviction. Beyond the Politics of Contempt rejects the notion that division is inevitable and reminds us that it is, in fact, a choice. For those who have chosen to devote their efforts and talent to healing a fractured republic, this book stands as a clear and compelling blueprint.”
- Stephen HawkinsGlobal Director of Research at More in Common
“Having served in politics, I have witnessed firsthand how division and polarization led to a decline in trust for government and our fellow citizens. This led me to join the citizens organization Braver Angels where I helped lead a national initiative to bring people together to increase voter confidence in trustworthy elections. People need to find better ways to connect and listen to each other, and this book includes many practical suggestions to do just that!”
- Lenny MirraFormer Republican state legislator, Massachusetts
“As someone who has long advocated that we elevate our values to sacred status, I was excited to see these authors bring this approach to addressing the national political divide. Living our values is an important first step to better understand how we treat and lead others and how we are being manipulated in unhealthy ways. This book includes practical ways to manage difficult conversations with courage and perseverance and help create a better political environment that can benefit us all. If you want to find ways to feel better about yourself and our country, read this book!”
- Scott MautzAuthor of The Mentally Strong Leader
“Having served in politics since the 1980s, I have had a front-row seat to growing polarization and distrust for government. Having served with author Doug Teschner in the NH House of Representatives some years ago, I was not surprised when he stepped up to volunteer with Braver Angels. This included leading workshops to help citizens and elected officials work better together. And now he and his colleagues have authored this book which is so needed in these challenging times!”
- Hon. David ScanlanNew Hampshire Secretary of State
“In the past 25 years I have had a front row seat as we have witnessed the decline of public discourse in America. It is easy to become discouraged, but the authors of Beyond the Politics of Contempt offer a hopeful alternative to this trajectory. The steps they describe are both practical and vital for our country’s future. I encourage everyone who cares about the future of politics and governance in the United States to read this book!”
- Steve DriehausFormer State Legislator, Member of Congress (D-Ohio), and founding partner of Good Government Group LLC
"Beth and Doug are such model bridge builders. They've inspired me and so many others with their no-nonsense tools and the thoroughly disarming way they share them with divided communities. They've walked the walk, and this book's the map."
- Mónica GuzmánAuthor of I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times
“All of us are capable of feeding the rancor and division that dominate our politics. Beth Malow and Doug Teschner point to a brighter alternative. Beyond the Politics of Contempt provides a much-needed breath of fresh air to a world often suffocated by anger and animosity. It’s a welcome invitation to transcend the forces that paint your fellow citizens as the enemy.”
- Seth GillihanLicensed psychologist and author of Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks
“These are challenging times for our country with declines in trust of both neighbors and democratic institutions. But, as Robert Putnam and I have documented, we faced similar difficulties a century ago. But we overcame them then, and we can do it again. The authors of Beyond the Politics of Contempt, lay out clear steps to help make it happen!”
- Shaylyn Romney GarrettCo-author of The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Beyond the Politics of Contempt, the authors, and how you can join the movement toward a national culture of kindness, dignity, and respect.

What is Beyond the Politics of Contempt about?

Beyond the Politics of Contempt is a hopeful, practical book about moving past the anger and division that define so much of American political life today. It offers a clear-eyed analysis of how Americans became so polarized, personal storytelling from the authors about their own assumptions and biases, and hands-on exercises that help readers explore their own role in today's political dynamic. The goal is to replace fear and contempt with hope, listening, and respect.

Who is this book for?

It's for anyone who fears for the future of the country and wants practical steps to do something about it. Whether you're navigating tense conversations with colleagues or cousins, neighbors or strangers, friends or frenemies, the book gives you tools to build positive relationships across political differences and to mend ties that politics may have strained.

Who wrote the book?

The book is written by three authors who bring complementary backgrounds in public service, science, and communication:

  • Doug Teschner — Ran the Peace Corps in Ukraine, led a community education effort to help end the Ebola epidemic in Guinea, and served as a Republican legislator in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. As a Braver Angels New England Regional Leader, he helped create a bipartisan caucus in the NH House.
  • Beth Malow — A neurologist and science/health communicator working in public health and climate change. She gave a TEDx talk, "The Art of Communicating Science," and moderates workshops and debates for Braver Angels.
  • Becky Robinson — Founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, a digital marketing agency supporting nonfiction authors since 2012, and the award-winning author of Reach. She joined as co-author because of how important this work is for the country.

You can read more on the About the Authors page.

Where can I buy the book?

The book is available in print from these retailers:

You can also see all options on the Where Can I Buy? page.

Is there an audiobook?

Yes. The audiobook is available across all major platforms:

What practical steps or exercises does the book include?

Beyond analysis, the book is built around action. It includes storytelling and reflective exercises that help you examine your own assumptions and biases, listen to understand rather than to win, and take concrete steps to build and repair relationships across political divides. The aim is to give you clear, doable practices you can use in everyday conversations.

Is there a trailer or preview I can watch?

Yes — you can watch the book trailer video on YouTube for a quick look at what the book is about and the spirit behind it.

Together Across Differences

Together Across Differences is focused on building healthier relationships in politically divided times. 
We feature a newsletter that expands on themes in our book, Beyond the Politics of Contempt, which offers practical ideas
Based on the book Beyond the Politics of Contempt, this publication offers practical ideas, reflections, and tools to help readers move from contempt to curiosity, protect their well-being, and engage across differences with dignity and respect.
Subscribe for thoughtful guidance on repairing relationships, navigating hard conversations, and helping create a culture of kindness in your home, community, and country.
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Braver Angels

Braver Angels is a national citizens’ movement dedicated to bridging America’s partisan divide and strengthening our democratic republic. Its mission closely aligns with Beyond the Politics of Contempt, which calls readers to move beyond hostility and engage one another with dignity, curiosity, and respect. 
Co-authors Doug Teschner and Beth Malow volunteer with Braver Angels, and their experience in this work helps shape the book’s practical guidance for building healthier relationships across political differences.
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