The list of topics that might spark an uncomfortable conversation feels like it’s getting exponentially longer. Mention a sensitive topic and at best, a friendly conversation turns cold— at worst, you’ve started a debate no one actually wants to be a part of.
Despite these challenges, people want to listen to each other. Earlier this year, the nonprofit More in Common released results from a two-year study that showed two-thirds of Americans agree we “can learn a lot” from people with different viewpoints. Seventy percent of people believed we share a responsibility to bridge our differences.
To help University of Utah students meet this moment, Student Leadership and Involvement, in collaboration with the Bennion Center for Community Engagement, regularly hosts “Brave Conversations.”
“We believe students should be empowered to take on really tough conversations and navigate them successfully,” said Cassie Zamora-Cathcart, director of Student Leadership and Involvement.
The purpose of Brave Conversations is not to persuade or debate, but to create a space where people can listen to understand. Most recently, the Brave Conversations team partnered with Interfaith U to host an event around the topic, “Is the U Hostile to Students of Faith?” More than 40 students from various disciplines on campus participated, including Brielle Brow, a recent transfer student studying finance.
“I think at school, religion is something no one really wants to talk about,” Brow said. “There are different clubs all around campus where people love to talk about their own religion, but I never see them speaking to each other.”
How it works
Each Brave conversation is planned by student volunteers. These Constructive Dialogue Leaders also moderate each event. Attendees are divided into groups of about 4-6 people, with one participant serving as their table’s facilitator. Before the discussion, everyone agrees to a set of communication guidelines to create a space dedicated to understanding, not debate.
Communication Agreement:
- Speak for yourself and let others speak for themselves.
- Be respectful and separate people from ideas.
- Share the airtime, stick to limits and do not interrupt.
- Pass or pass for now are acceptable responses.
- Keep these conversations confidential.
From there, groups discuss a series of questions. Participants are given a moment to think and write down their answer, so they can be more present while others are sharing. When it’s time to respond, each person is given a set amount of time for an uninterrupted response. The discussion facilitator may ask follow-up questions.
“I can always tell who the first timers are because there is a little bit of hesitancy and a little bit of nerves,” Zamora-Cathcart said. “Almost every time I leave, students are saying, ‘This wasn’t what I thought it was. It was great and I learned so much.’ That’s the core of it. At the end of the day, we are all humans. We are entitled to our different perspectives and we can lean into curiosity and be respectful.”
Building connections
Douglas Howle is a student employee at Interfaith U who attended the most recent Brave Conversations event as a discussion facilitator. It was his first event and the amount of interaction happening in the group surprised him.
“It was really cool to have a guided, intentional conversation,” he said.
At the event, Howle made connections with other students that he is excited to continue as part of his campus Interfaith work.
“It gives me hope,” Howle said. “Spreading those connections across campus creates a better place for students, staff and others.”
Moving forward
Brave Conversations was inspired by the work of Natasha Seegert, an associate professor of communication at the U. Seergert worked with Student Leadership and Involvement to develop the program into what it is now. This year, the Bennion Center at the U is joining Student Leadership and Involvement in hosting the events. The team is continuing to imagine what the program can be.
Josh Shulruff, the Campus Dialogue Program manager, is housed in the Bennion Center. Fall 2025 marks his third semester at the U and he’s excited to expand the conversations to be even “braver.”
“This semester, we were able to pick some topics that I really think people aren’t talking about without a nudge or some structure,” Shulruff said, referencing earlier conversations on the topics of Guns on Campus and Free Speech and Hate Speech. “I’m so impressed with the work Michael Jacobsen, Daniela Imbrett-Hook and Lourrie Penaredondo have done as Constructive Dialogue Leaders. With the right support, people are willing to be a little uncomfortable in order to learn from one another. That’s a beautiful thing.”
Topics and dates have not been set for the Spring 2025 series. Submit your suggestions or volunteer to be an event partner here or by emailing leadership@utah.edu.
Perspectives is another resource for U community members to can build constructive dialogue skills.