Send us Fan MailThis is the Number One downloaded episode of the Kindness Matters Podcast.You can feel the country pulling apart in tiny, personal ways: the friend you stop texting, the family group chat you mute, the coworker you avoid because one comment could turn into a fight. We want a different path, so we sit down with Bill Groner, a longtime trial lawyer who represented more than 10,000 Ground Zero responders after 9/11 and now teaches depolarization and civil dialogue skills to college students. His work is rooted in one big idea: society gets healthier when we practice “we” instead of “me,” especially when it’s hardest. 

We dig into why political polarization escalates so fast, how confirmation bias and stereotypes load conversations with negative emotion before anyone speaks, and why intellectual humility is a real-world communication tool, not a slogan. Bill shares lessons from applied positive psychology, including the importance of balancing negative emotions with positive ones, and how shifting your goal from winning to understanding can change the entire tone of a disagreement. 

From there, we get practical. Bill breaks down curious questions that invite honesty rather than defensiveness, the subtle difference tone makes when you ask something hard, and the active listening habits that build trust quickly. We also talk about workshop tools like paraphrasing, the “one mic rule,” and the LAPP framework from Braver Angels (listen, acknowledge, pivot, perspective), plus how these skills apply to marriages, parenting, friendships, and workplace conflict, not just politics. 

If you want better conversations with people you love, even when you disagree, hit play. Subscribe to Kindness Matters, share this with someone who values connection, and leave a review so more listeners can find these dialogue skills.This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.comYou can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world.“Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com Support the show