Video and Discussion Series: “Bridging Divides” with Marla Estes, MA

NOTICE 10JAN24, 4 PM: EVENT CANCELED DUE TO SNOW • SERIES RESUMES WED, FEB. 14

FREE ADMISSION – 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, OR. One mile west of I-5 Exit 14

“Bridging Divides” Learning to Depolarize Our Relationships. Facilitated by Marla Estes, MA. A Monthly Video and Discussion Series. Every Second Wednesday, 7 PM at RVML.

January 10 Topic: “Let Go of Certainty:”

A prerequisite to bridging divides is being able to not be so certain about, and cling so tightly, to our perspectives.

“Let go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox, rather than choose up sides.”

Series Description: Are you feeling concerned about the growing divides occurring in our world? The first step, and one that each one of us can do, is to “depolarize within.” We do this by learning about our human “operating systems,” becoming self-aware and then making different choices about how we behave.

Polarization not only diminishes our capacity for true deliberative dialog and problem solving, but it is dividing society into contentious, conflicted parts. Left unchecked, it is becoming a fundamental threat to social harmony and ultimately the core mechanisms of democratic society.

Join facilitator Marla Estes, MA every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm and learn how to “depolarize within.” Watch fascinating and insightful videos carefully selected to explore ways to depolarize and then engage in facilitated discussion to help integrate new perspectives.

With a background in Psychology, Marla created Building Bridgers in 2017 to address the growing social and political polarization in our country.

For over 15 years, she has been giving presentations, movie nights, book groups, workshops, and classes helping people learn to develop insights and skills in approaching difficult conversations, deepening and growing healthy, functional, and fulfilling relationships.

Marla is currently the Jackson County Coordinator for Urban Rural Action which builds relationships through differences.

Presenter’s Website: https://www.BuildingBridgers.com

RVML’s Full Events Calendar: https://rvml.org/events