The Commons in Conversation: A Monthly Interview Series
March 30, 2025 | Read Time: 4 minutes
The Commons in Conversation is a monthly interview series that’s part of our project The Commons to explore divisions in the country and philanthropy’s efforts to bring Americans together. Some episodes are available as podcasts; all can be viewed on the Chronicle‘s YouTube channel.
The Commons in Conversation Podcast
Interview
LISTEN NOW: Reid Hoffman’s $10 Million Contest to Restore Trust in Institutions
Introducing our Commons in Conversation podcast! The LinkedIn co-founder joins Lever for Change’s Cecilia Conrad to talk about his open call to lift up new ideas — and attract funding — for reforms of government, the media, higher education, and more.
Interview
LISTEN NOW: Barbara Kingsolver on How Urban and Rural America Became Enemies
A conversation with the Pulitzer-Prize-winning author on Appalachia, her own nonprofit work, and how philanthropy can better serve the region.
Interview
LISTEN NOW: La June Montgomery Tabron’s ‘Powerful Journey’ Toward Racial Healing
The head of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and author of two new books talks about how organizations and communities can close the “empathy gap.”
Interview
LISTEN NOW: ‘Taking Action With Your Neighbors’: Inside a $30 Million Funder Collaborative
A conversation with Rockefeller Brothers Fund CEO Stephen Heintz and Katie Loudin of the West Virginia Community Development Hub about a national effort to strengthen democracy by improving life in rural communities.
Interview
LISTEN NOW: Move Over, Mega-Donor: Philanthropist Hali Lee the Power of Collective Giving
The co-founder of the Donors of Color Network argues that giving circles and mutual aid are the real change-makers.
Interview
LISTEN NOW! ‘Pick Your Lane’: Democracy Advocate Danielle Allen’s Advice for Philanthropy
The author, advocate, and nonprofit leader outlines where philanthropy fits in her “double barrel” strategy to strengthen democracy in Washington and nationwide.
Other Commons in Conversation Interviews
Interview
Tim Shriver on Philanthropy and the ‘Vortex of Contempt’
The chair of Special Olympics and co-founder of the Dignity Index talks with The Commons about the Charlie Kirk assassination and nonprofit work to rid our disagreements of hate and outrage.
Interview
How Distrust of Institutions Is an Opening for Philanthropy-Led Change
GOP pollster and CNN contributor Kristen Soltis Anderson talks of a growing “market for reform” that she believes nonprofits and funders are poised to lead.
Interview
A Polarization Expert on What Nonprofits Need to Do — and Stop Doing
Mónica Guzmán of Braver Angels talks about how her family handles its fundamental disagreements about politics — and how bridge-building groups mistakenly try to change minds rather than listen.
Interview
PBS Journalist Judy Woodruff on What Ails America, and How to Fix Things
In a Chronicle interview, the veteran reporter talks about her two years exploring what is tearing Americans apart — and the nonprofits working to bring people together.
Interview
Post-Election Analysis: Why Philanthropy Needs to Pivot — Fast
Democracy Fund president Joe Goldman on what’s next, how funders can show up for their grantees, and the need for a more ideologically diverse coalition to strengthen democracy.
Interview
‘We Meet the Bear Next Week’
Amy McIsaac of Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement talks about a post-election resource guide to help nonprofit leaders find the language to bring people together.
Interview
Can Nonprofits Help Stop Political Violence?
Common Ground USA executive director Nealin Parker — a veteran of conflict zones abroad — talks about the red flags she sees in the United States, and how organizations are trying to build peace.
Interview
A Hollywood Director Tells How He Built a Rom-Com Around Political Strife
In a new video interview as part of the Chronicle’s The Commons, filmmaker Erik Bork explains why he chose to revisit deep tensions after the 2020 election — and how his surprising movie, “The Elephant in the Room,” could help reduce today’s polarization.
Interview
‘Young People Are Going to Fix Our Democracy’
Future Caucus president Layla Zaidane talks about how Gen Z and millennial lawmakers cross the aisle to find solutions. Case in point: The removal of Confederate iconography from Mississippi’s flag.
Interview
Philanthropist Laura Arnold on What It Takes to Reduce Polarization and Partisanship
In the launch of a new interview series for The Commons, the Giving Pledge member and influential donor talks about the keys to bringing people together on tough issues.
