Ep. 38 - How to Disagree Without Dehumanizing: A Conversation with Marianne Viray of Disagree Better
In this episode of The CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Marianne Viray, Executive Director of Disagree Better, a nonprofit committed to transforming how Americans engage across political and ideological divides. With a career spanning Washington D.C. policy work, campaign reform advocacy, and national unity initiatives, Marianne brings deep expertise on conflict, civility, and the mechanics of polarization.
We explore the mission of Disagree Better, an initiative designed to reshape political behavior by championing healthy conflict, curiosity, dignity, and human-centered dialogue. Marianne breaks down how disagreements escalate, how contempt fuels polarization, and how tools like the Dignity Index help evaluate political speech — from harmful, dehumanizing language at the lowest levels to respectful, collaborative dialogue at the highest.
Through stories from her early Model U.N. days in Portugal to her work helping governors, elected officials, and community leaders across the country, Marianne shares why disagreement is not the problem — how we do it is. This episode dives into practical steps we can all take: listening to understand instead of rebutting, asking better questions, recognizing shared goals, and choosing dignity over division.
Whether you’re interested in civic engagement, social cohesion, political psychology, bridge-building, conflict resolution, or emotional intelligence, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful roadmap for navigating disagreement in a polarized world.
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