In this presentation, NHPA board member Scott Dickman will facilitate a conversation between Braver Angels members Joel Berman (Blue) and Dan Messina (Red). They will discuss why they joined, what they've done in the organization, and how Braver Angels offers each of them hope in an otherwise bleak political landscape.

Dan joined Braver Angels in 2021 and took on multiple leadership roles within the organization. He became the Red Co-Chair for the newly formed Northeast Ohio (Cleveland/Akron area) Alliance and currently serves on the Red Caucus Steering Committee. Since 2012, Dan has been actively involved in the electoral process, working as an elections official and taking on various responsibilities over the years. Currently, he dedicates part of his time to community outreach as a member of the Board of Elections. Dan’s deep fascination with elections has led him to engage in independent study on the subject. Additionally, Dan actively contributes to the political landscape as a member of the central committee of the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County and through volunteering for different campaigns. Despite his academic background in mathematics, Dan possesses a lifelong passion for history, and he also nurtures interests in philosophy, physics, science, psychology, technology, and government.

Joel Berman, a retired physician, is a certified facilitator for The Compassionate Listening Project, an organization that teaches skills for peace building in everyday life. During four Compassionate Listening journeys to Israel and Palestine, and two visits to Alabama, Joel recorded and transcribed more than 50 listening sessions that form the basis for public presentations designed to help audiences recognize the common humanity and shared values of people across geopolitical divides.