Pearce Godwin /// Calm Tides /// Season4:E101

Pearce Godwin is described as the national voice for bridging divides—is Founder & CEO of Listen First Project, Executive Director of National Conversation Project, and leader of the #ListenFirst Coalition of 300 partner organizations. He catalyzes the #ListenFirst movement to mend the frayed social fabric of America by building relationships and bridging divides. His passion is combating the universally felt crisis of distance, division, and dehumanization across differences with conversations that prioritize understanding.

Pearce graduated from Duke University and received an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill. He spent five years working in Washington, DC—in the U.S. Senate and as a national political consultant for presidential and statewide campaigns. Before moving home to North Carolina in 2013, Pearce spent six months in Uganda, Africa where he wrote It’s Time to Listen. That message—printed in dozens of papers across the United States—launched Listen First Project and led thousands to sign the Listen First Pledge—“I will listen first to understand.” 

In 2018, Pearce helped create the first National Week of Conversation and hosted the kickoff event, Listen First in Charlottesville. Pearce then launched the overarching, collaborative movement platform National Conversation Project, which scales the #ListenFirst movement by promoting annual National Weeks of Conversation, #ListenFirst Fridays, Rapid Response & Featured Conversations on Major Issues, Locally-Focused #ListenFirst Movements, and any conversation creating social connection.

The #ListenFirst movement has been recognized by journalists at CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, USA Today, Associated Press, and The New York Times as Pearce has spoken about the mission on national television and to live audiences around the world.

 

"I don't think any of us, ultimately, want to live in a society that is defined by how we're different as opposed to common hopes and dreams.  Common values around freedom, equality and opportunity." - Pearce Godwin

Topics we discuss:

• His Optimistic outlook on the future
  • The nuance of this optimism
  • Breaking the divisions in our country and what that looks like
• Perspective on how we started sliding into advent disagreement
  • Politicians
  • Internet & Social Media
  • News Media
  • Human nature
  • Social Echo Chambers
• Common threats as a unifier
• How he got to this place after years in politics
  • The choice to go to Uganda
  • That trip's impact on his journey
• Political Affiliation
  • The danger of our identities being tied to the tribe we identify with.
• Listen First Project and Weaving Community
• Listen First Project and Weaving Community

References:

• The Listen First Project
• National Conversation Project
• The Pledge "It's time to listen" that started it all
• Definition of Pollyannish
• Definition of Optimism
• Asteroid Theory
• Graham Bodie's episode
• Infinite Game - Simon Sinek
• Brene Brown's Core Values
• Weaving Community with David Brooks
• His final thoughts in USA Today

 

Credits:

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes

 

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

Guest theme:  "Lady in Bronze " by DJ Rufbeats created as a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.