Detox From the Political Polarization Trap
Overcome the toxic polarization harming your health, your relationships, and our country’s ability to thrive, starting with one short exercise a day.
Feel like we're more divided than ever?
You're not alone: 87% of Americans are exhausted by how politically divided we are. We've designed this challenge to help you address polarization in your life, so that you can:
Become your most effective self
Think more critically, relate with greater compassion, and develop your comfort with discomfort.
Repair strained relationships
Reconnect with proven methods that elevate understanding and common ground.
Help your community unite and thrive
Overcoming toxic polarization empowers us to solve our toughest problems together.
How It Works
The Challenge is a flexible skill-building bootcamp equipping you to break the blame cycle and be a leader of constructive conflict.
Commit to The Challenge: One exercise a day for four weeks. Start by setting a reminder.
Each day, select one of three exercise options: Easy, intermediate, or advanced. The easy options can be completed in as little as 5 minutes. See the exercises.
Keep it up for as long as you find it useful, and encourage others to join you in The Challenge.
Hear from some of the 87% of Americans tired of toxic political division.
"I was struck by how quick I am to assume and judge someone’s political identity based on one offhand comment during my Bible study group last week. Ironic right? When toxic polarization has warped our thinking in spaces all about grace and loving our neighbor, we have a problem. This was a wakeup call for me to resist this poison making me someone I don’t want to be."
Pearce G.
"As a Black man in America, I have always been suspicious of calls for "bridge-building" across political differences. What really drew me to the Polarization Detox Challenge was how it encourages us to disagree with one another with decency and responsibility. The key to The Challenge was stepping out of my comfort zone daily and facing the complex realities of politics today."
Jeremy W.
"One of the insights that emerged was that my identity was more contradictory than I'd imagined. In some ways, I'd become more liberal, in other ways, more conservative, and those labels didn't fit me anymore. It inspired me to become more curious about others, about their complexities, to see commonalities that I hadn't seen, and to have challenging conversations I would have avoided in the past."
Roi B.
"The most powerful moment of The Challenge came after the 4 weeks - suddenly, I could see how distrustful I'd become. My activism had become selfish, as opposed to nurturing and caring for my community. I know I have a lot to do in reconnecting with my community, and not automatically perceiving threat from those different from me."
Varshini S.
How To Overcome Toxic Polarization
What's behind The Challenge?
Based on decades of research from Columbia University professor and Starts With Us Expert-In-Residence Peter T. Coleman, Ph.D., the Polarization Detox Challenge is designed to help shape new habits and norms for political tolerance and courageous compassion. Think of it as a personalized bootcamp for building a healthier national culture, repairing broken relationships, and solving problems across differences.
Set a daily reminder
Get daily exercise reminders on your phone or email throughout The Challenge to stay on track.
- Better navigate politically polarizing situations
- Repair strained relationships with family and friends
- Become a less reactive and more effective communicator
By submitting your cell phone number, you are agreeing to receive periodic text messages from Starts With Us. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for more information. Text STOP to stop receiving messages.