I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

Mónica Guzmán’s personal and professional background drives her interest in addressing America’s political divides. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants who support conservative politics, while she herself holds liberal views, Guzmán’s family experience provides firsthand insight into the challenges of maintaining relationships across political differences. This personal dynamic deeply informs her work, particularly in I Never Thought of It That Way, in which she uses her family’s story to illustrate both the difficulties and possibilities of cross-political dialogue. Her experience of becoming a naturalized citizen at 17 alongside her family adds another layer to her understanding of American political dynamics and immigration discourse.

Her journalistic career has evolved from traditional reporting to focusing on bridging societal divisions. After co-founding The Evergrey, an innovative Seattle newsletter, Guzmán’s work increasingly centered on understanding community dynamics and fostering meaningful dialogue. The newsletter’s success in building community connections through local journalism provided practical insights into how media can facilitate understanding across social divides.

Her transition from local journalism to studying polarization was marked by significant fellowships, including time at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, where she examined how journalists can better serve participatory audiences. Her fellowship at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation allowed her to deeply study social and political division, research that would later inform her book’s approach to understanding political polarization. These academic experiences helped Guzmán develop the theoretical frameworks that complement her practical experience in fostering dialogue.

I Never Thought of It That Way emerges from Guzmán’s work with Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing political polarization in America. As Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, she has developed practical approaches to facilitating dialogue across political divides. Her role as host of the podcast “A Braver Way” allows her to demonstrate these techniques in action, providing listeners with concrete examples of productive cross-political conversations. The book synthesizes these experiences with her journalistic background, creating a work that bridges personal narrative, social science research, and practical communication strategies.

The book fits into a growing genre of literature addressing political polarization, but distinguishes itself through its emphasis on curiosity as a tool for understanding rather than persuasion. Unlike works that focus on winning arguments or changing minds, Guzmán’s approach centers on developing genuine understanding across differences. This perspective reflects her experience as the founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, an organization dedicated to building a more curious world. Her work in this area has earned recognition from diverse organizations, as evidenced by her advisory roles with Starts With Us and the Generations Over Dinner project.

As the inaugural McGurn Fellow at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, Guzmán continues to develop and study the techniques described in her book. Her work has gained recognition across the political spectrum, appearing in diverse forums from The New York Times to the Glenn Beck Podcast, demonstrating her ability to engage with various audiences while maintaining her focus on bridging divides. This broad appeal underscores the potential effectiveness of her approach to political dialogue.

The book emerges at a crucial moment in American political discourse, when increasing polarization threatens both personal relationships and democratic institutions. Guzmán’s work offers a practical response to this challenge, drawing from her unique position as someone who regularly navigates significant political differences in her own life while working professionally to help others do the same. Her ongoing research and practical work in this field continue to influence how individuals and organizations approach the challenge of maintaining relationships and fostering understanding across political divides.