Ben Franklin Discussions

Inspired by the actions of my favorite founding father in the run-up to the Constitutional Convention, the Ben Franklin Discussions is an intentional policy discussion community built around one simple idea: community works best when people talk to each other with curiosity and respect. Since 2015, we have hosted monthly dinners and built an online community that has stayed active for years, created during a time when the national conversation was becoming louder and more polarized. Our response was to build a healthier way to engage.

Across these years, we have encouraged civic participation, thoughtful dialogue, and a deeper appreciation for the contributions that different people and different communities bring to our society.

Our gatherings explore policy issues that matter at the community, state, and national levels. The purpose is to create healthy debate across a wide range of political perspectives. Everyone brings a different lived experience, and those differences fuel better understanding. The focus is on practicing real democracy by listening, asking good questions, and engaging without judgment.

Our conversations move beyond complaints and polarization. We work to understand multiple sides of an issue, find areas of shared interest, and explore practical new ways to solve problems together. The goal is connection, insight, and a stronger sense of community responsibility.

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