What even is
The Bridge Store?
What's the problem we're trying to solve?
Millions of people around this country have seen relationships frayed or even broken by the political polarization that currently grips our society. It continues to grow, and is especially challenging during presidential election years. Fear of the potential risk to our closest ties makes people shut down altogether, and the stifled exchange of ideas puts our democratic republic in danger.
What's our approach to solving it?
Building trusting relationships is a core part of addressing polarization, so we focus on these relationships first and foremost. We take a variety of approaches, including developing and teaching strategies for our clients to use when they engage in tough conversations, and discussion sessions that help to develop trust and understanding between people in real time. Those who are genuinely committed to building those bridges have seen major changes in how they relate to their loved ones.
Why is this so important?
Polarization poses an existential threat not just to our individual relationships, but to our ability to live together and pursue our shared goals as a country. When every presidential election feels like "the most important election of our lifetimes," and when we see our political opponents as an enemy trying to destroy our country, the extremes that each "team" is willing to go to ensures that our democracy becomes weaker with each passing year. We must stand up now and declare our will to avoid that fate.
What are we not?
We are not licensed mental health counselors or family therapists that can fix all aspects of you or your broken relationship. We are not arbitrators that will help to settle disputes by telling you who's right or wrong. We are simply experts in navigating interpersonal political or cultural polarization and helping repair relationships that it has impacted.
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Oh, and we're not construction workers that build municipal infrastructure. That's just a metaphor. But you knew that already.