If you ask most Americans what they want for their communities, the answers are surprisingly similar. People want to feel heard. They want safe neighborhoods, respectful workplaces, welcoming schools, and leaders who solve problems instead of creating them. They want to disagree without being dismissed. They want conversations that build understanding instead of resentment. In…
HOUSTON, TX. — The Institute for Civility proudly celebrates co-founder Cassandra Dahnke’s recent TEDxFoggyBottom presentation, where she challenged audiences to rethink the role civility plays in strengthening communities, fostering meaningful dialogue, and creating lasting change. Speaking before a live audience at TEDxFoggyBottom in Washington, D.C., Dahnke shared insights drawn from decades of experience helping individuals,…
Every Fourth of July, Americans gather to celebrate the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government. Yet in today’s climate, it can sometimes feel as though our differences overshadow the very freedoms we share. Patriotism doesn’t require uniformity. One of America’s greatest strengths is the freedom to hold different opinions, beliefs, and experiences. The challenge and…
At the Institute for Civility, we believe meaningful change begins with people who are willing to listen, learn, and engage. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Aleksandra “Sasha” Mayer as our new Program Development Intern. Sasha recently graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in History of Public Policy and Law….
June is Men’s Mental Health Month, a reminder that many men carry stress, anxiety, grief, and loneliness without ever talking about it. Too often, men are taught that strength means handling everything on their own. In reality, strength can also mean asking for help.
The days grow shorter, the nights stretch longer, and the world feels quieter—almost as if it’s asking us to pause. Unlike other seasons that push us toward productivity and movement, winter creates space. Space to breathe. Space to reflect. Space to sit with what we’ve been too busy to notice. When life finally slows, we’re…
This week, a major national news organization filed a lawsuit challenging new media-access rules at the Pentagon that it says restrict in-person coverage unless reporters agree to certain limits. Some journalists reportedly chose to give up their credentials rather than operate under those conditions. This moment goes beyond one lawsuit or one institution. It raises…
Giving Tuesday showed up like a soft knock you almost missed — the kind that makes you pause and look over your shoulder, wondering for a moment what you could do to make the world feel a little less heavy. And let’s be honest… it has felt heavy lately. People were talking louder and faster…
Black Friday has a way of turning even the most peaceful souls into track stars, strategic masterminds, and—let’s be honest—occasional cart-rammers. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it tests patience in ways that would make even the calmest among us consider a deep sigh and a side-eye. But here’s the thing: days like Black Friday aren’t…
Have you noticed how often people start their sentences with “honestly” lately? It’s everywhere, in interviews, TikTok, and casual chats. Somehow, saying it makes people sound sincere, annoyed, or just done with explaining themselves. At the Institute for Civility, we don’t see it as just a trendy word. It actually says something about how much…
