What happens when two people with completely different political views actually keep talking?

In this episode of The Civic Generation, Ruthu Josyula shares how one late-night conversation with her roommate changed the course of her life—they disagreed on almost everything, but stayed friends by morning. Chelsea Beaupre reflects on growing up in the D.C. area, watching The West Wing, and how it shaped her political worldview.

Together, they talk about why civic engagement can feel hard and scary right now, especially for Gen Z, a generation deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. From algorithms pushing us into silos to the need for more nuanced stories, this conversation challenges the idea that disagreement has to equal division.

How do different generations talk about showing up in civic life?

In this episode of The Civic Generation, Gabe Lerner, founder of Democracy Notes, and Lennon N. Jackson of Howard University share how they each came to this work—and why they don’t always use the same words to describe it. Lennon feels strongly about “civic engagement” through her family’s experience in the Civil Rights Movement, while Gabe relates to a more hands-on, “roll up your sleeves” mindset.

They get into the difference between curiosity and othering, and what it looks like to try to understand someone else without jumping to conclusions. This conversation shows how language shapes the way people across generations can connect or miss each other entirely.

What are the defining moments that shape a generation?

In this episode of The Civic Generation, George Washington University sophomore Jonah Beinart and civic leader Debi Ghate share how defining moments for their generations—9/11 and October 7—shaped how they see the world, and how those different starting points actually help them relate to each other.

They both reflect on the pitfalls of black-and-white thinking and how labels make them feel boxed in. Instead, their conversation shows how getting a little more curious about each other might bring us closer.