Allison K. Ralph

We're starting a Cohesion Strategy newsletter! Emails will go out only a few times a year with updates, announcements, and news. Head to this link or drop a comment/like on this tweet, and I'll make sure you get added: cohesionstrategy.com/blog

Our Quarterly recap is up. It covers: -Field notes from summits and convenings -Op-eds on democracy, political anger & faith-inspired partnerships -Podcasts/webinars on pluralism, the “social body,” and belonging and much more. Read the full update → cohesionstrategy.com/post/quarterly…

Institutions are breaking down. But collapse isn’t the end of the story. It’s a chance to build. I wrote about how we move forward: blocking harm, bridging where we can, and building what’s next. Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #Pluralism #Democracy #ExpandWhatsPossible

What happens when deliberative government becomes too slow to solve real problems? In our latest post, we explore the erosion of trust in pluralistic democracy and what it would take to build pluralistic governance that doesn’t just listen, but moves. 🔗shorturl.at/dwAgC

We talk a lot about “their” fear. But what if we’re just as afraid, and just less willing to name it? This week’s blog explores how fear moves across political lines, and why courage might start with owning our own. open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #Pluralism #Democracy

📣 Just reposted a February 2025 piece from the Cohesion Strategy archive: Shared Rights as the Foundation of Pluralism. Still timely. Still needed. 🔗open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #Pluralism #Bridgebuilding #CohesionStrategy

What if our biggest conflicts aren’t about ideology, but fear that there’s not enough? Inspired by our recent convo on Healing Our Politics, this new blog explores how scarcity mindsets drive exclusion and how abundance offers a path forward. 🔗open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #Pluralism

Scapegoating is a common human stress response, but we don't have to lean in. Today we wrote about how trans folk are scapegoated, and why that's bad for everyone. Read more: open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #Scapegoating #TransRights #Pluralism #Democracy #ExpandWhatsPossible

Can democracy go viral? My latest blog breaks down what social contagion theory tells us about scaling behavior change across individuals, institutions, and states. Read here: open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… Repost to make this go viral! #Democracy #SocialContagion

Who's breaking democracy—elites or the people who empower them? Our latest blog looks at the feedback loop driving democratic decline—and what reversing it might look like. 📖 Read: open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #Democracy #CivicEngagement #Pluralism

Just out in @fulcrum_us: Michelle Garred & I condensed our 3-part bridgebuilding series into 1 clear, practical article. TL;DR: behavior > attitudes, contact theory has limits, & scale matters. Bridgers, funders, civic nerds—this one’s for you. 🔗thefulcrum.us/bridging-commo…

“If you want to be included, be inclusive.” But what happens when inclusion means letting in voices that threaten inclusion itself? I wrestled with Popper’s paradox—and what pluralism asks of us—in this new blog: 📝 Read: open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #pluralism #tolerance

Our blog is moving to Substack! For reflections, tools, and lessons on building trust across divides, read the welcome post + subscribe to stay connected: open.substack.com/pub/cohesionst… #CohesionStrategy #ExpandWhatsPossible

“Has there ever been a truly free society?” In our latest blog, I reflect on that question (raised on the Healing Our Politics podcast) through the lens of the ancient “social body”—and what we sacrifice to belong. Read: cohesionstrategy.com/post/has-there… #Freedom #CohesionStrategy

Going live TODAY at 12pm ET! I'll be joining Stories Change Power for a convo on values, goals & building belonging in divided times. Still time to register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

🔔 Just a few days left! This Friday I'll be joining Stories Change Power to talk about how values, goals & belonging help us bridge division. 🗓️ April 11 | 12pm ET There's still time to register here: 🔗 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

New read! Discover how democracy thrives even in the toughest times. Our latest blog explores the enduring strength beneath the surface. 🔗cohesionstrategy.com/post/beyond-th… #Democracy #Resilience #CohesionStrategy

Hey DC! Stop by any @PoliticsProse location today, show this flier when you buy a book, and earn 20% for Amidon Bowen Elementary School!

🔔 Reminder: 1 week to go! Join me on April 11 for a live convo on values & how we create belonging in divided times—hosted by Stories Change Power. 🕛 12pm ET / 9am PT 🔗 Register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #Bridgebuilding #CivicEngagement #CohesionStrategy

Local action is driving real democratic change. From ranked choice voting to community-driven projects—get involved today! Read more in our latest: cohesionstrategy.com/post/worried-a… #CohesionStrategy #GoLocal #ExpandWhatsPossible

📣 Upcoming webinar! Join me on April 11th at 12 pm ET for a convo with @StoriesChgPower on values, goals & language of belonging in divided times. 🔗Register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…