The organization runs workshops, debates, and other events where "red" (conservative) and "blue" (liberal) participants attempt to better understand one another's positions and discover their shared values.

"[5] As noted by Cavendish, they say that their "method involves bringing politically diverse people together in small groups to listen empathetically to each others' perspectives.

[7] The organization's original Better Angels name was inspired by Abraham Lincoln's plea for national unity at the close of his first inaugural address:[8]We must not be enemies.

In their declaration, the signers claim to represent 3,100 members in a call for an end of political polarization and their affirmation of "a shared faith that this land we love will again be touched by the better angels of our nature.

The delegates passed a platform and heard from speakers, including leaders from Black Lives Matter NY and the Tea Party in Cincinnati.

Featured speakers included Jay Bhattacharya, Batya Ungar-Sargon, Jonathan Rauch, and Monica Harris of the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism.

The workshop was designed by Braver Angels co-founder, Prof. William Doherty, an expert in family social science at the University of Minnesota, based on therapy methods use in couples counseling.

[19] In a chapter for a book published by the American Psychological Association, Doherty "describes the origin and development of Braver Angels, with special attention to the workshops it offers, its initial impact.

"[22] The debates reportedly were shown to more than 15,000 people, with such speakers as former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, author Andrew Sullivan, and former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt.

In a 2.5 hour format, the workshop aims to convey information about meaningful, non-polarizing discussions, give participants some hands-on practice, and to convince people to do such bridge-building.

[33] Sociologist James Cavendish believes that religious groups should use the Braver Angels model, among others, to counter polarization in America and build more robust social relationships, regardless of political antagonism.

Past guests have included Bill Kristol, James Comey, Scott Adams, Jonathan Haidt, Coleman Hughes, Hawk Newsome, Carol M. Swain, and Greta Van Susteren.

[35] The group's website promotes a 50-minute documentary about an early Red/Blue workshop, in April 2017 in Waynesville, Ohio, entitled Better Angels: Reuniting America.

According to an evaluation of this effort, the participants reported that, by large margin, they improved their ability to set a constructive tone, in difficult conversations, and to "listen to people on the other side in a way that they felt heard."

[26] Braver Angels defines itself a "nonpartisan group whose mission is to study and strengthen civil society" with a focus on reducing polarization.

[42] For example, Braver Angels ran workshops for mayors in Minnesota, county commissioners in North Carolina, election day officials in New Hampshire, and with 60 members of the U.S. House of Representatives "Problem Solving Caucus.

"[43] Scholarship on Braver Angels has included an examination of its meetings as artistic performances[44] and as comparable to religious teachings, such as those dealing with reconciliation and creating opportunities to "listen attentively and empathetically to [people's] authentic concerns.

"[43] One study found that Red/Blue workshop participants learned to get along with each other, understand each other's positions, and identify points of common interest, and improved their skills in relating across political differences.

[45] The Braver Angels approach also has been used as a model to compare methodologies for mutual understanding between people from opposing partisan communities, such as "imagined dialogue" as an arts-oriented mode for improving empathy.

[46] Hartman et al. cover a variety of other organizations that aim to defuse partisan animosity, including AllSides, BridgeUSA, FairVote, Living Room Conversations, and Public Agenda.

In a study of Red/Blue workshop methods, Oliver-Blackburn et al. found that Braver Angels facilitators effectively promoted dialogue by using five strategies: "greetings, acknowledging power differences, enforcing ground rules, listening actively, and providing appreciation for sharing."

(p.62) Researchers found that a crucial element for perspective-taking and conversations was the agenda order, allowing Blue and Red participants to first meet separately with their own in-group and safely explore their own viewpoints, before trying to listen and attend to people with an opposing perspective.