Beyond The Politics Of Contempt

Buy Paperback here and at links below.

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

Buy Audiobook here and at links below

Upcoming Events

Join Us at an Upcoming Appearance

Upcoming conversations, author talks, and Braver Angels events.

JUL 11

Rochester Public Library

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: 22 S Main St, Rochester, VT 05767

In-person event.

JUL 22

Central Texas Braver Angels Alliance

Time: 8:30 PM

Location: Online via Zoom

Registration required to receive the Zoom link.

JUL 23

RI Braver Angels Alliance

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Details coming soon

AUG 04

Tampa Braver Angels Alliance

Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Location: Details coming soon

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 Holland
Braver 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 Beckwith
Retired Bishop of Newark (Episcopal), Braver Faith of Braver Angels co-chair, and author of <i>Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms and Party Lines</i>
“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 Hawkins
Global 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 Mirra
Former 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 Mautz
Author 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 Scanlan
New Hampshire Secretary of State

FAQ

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 look at how Americans became so polarized, personal stories 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 help readers replace fear and contempt with hope, listening, curiosity, and respect.

Who is this book for?

It is for anyone who worries about the future of the country and wants practical steps to do something constructive about it.

Whether you are dealing with tense conversations with colleagues, cousins, neighbors, strangers, friends, or family members, the book offers tools to build healthier relationships across political differences and repair 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, communication, and bridge-building.

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 New Hampshire House.
Beth Malow is 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 is the founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, a digital marketing agency supporting nonfiction authors since 2012, and the award-winning author of Reach.

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 major platforms:

What practical steps or exercises does the book include?

The book is built around action. It includes storytelling and reflective exercises that help readers examine their 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 readers clear, doable practices they can use in everyday conversations.

Is there a trailer or preview I can watch?

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

Can I invite the authors to speak?

Yes. The authors are available for conversations, interviews, book events, workshops, and community programs focused on building healthier relationships across political differences.

Visit the Contact page to inquire about speaking opportunities.

How is this connected to Braver Angels?

Co-authors Doug Teschner and Beth Malow volunteer with Braver Angels, a national citizens’ movement dedicated to bridging America’s partisan divide and strengthening our democratic republic.

Their experience with this work helped shape the book’s practical guidance for building healthier relationships across political differences.

How can I stay connected?

You can stay connected by subscribing to Together Across Differences, a newsletter that expands on themes from the book and offers practical ideas for building healthier relationships in politically divided times.