I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations

by Sarah Stewart Holland, Beth A. Silvers

Overview

More than ever, politics seem to be driven by discord. People sitting together in pews every Sunday feel like strangers and loved ones at the dinner table feel like enemies. Toxic political dialogue, hate-filled rants on social media, and agenda-driven news stories have become the new norm. But it doesn't have to be this way.

In I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening), two working moms from opposite ends of the political spectrum teach us that politics don't have to divide us. Instead, we can bring the same care and respect to policy discussions that we bring to the rest of our lives.

Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, co-hosts of Pantsuit Politics, recently named an Apple Podcasts Show of the Year, give you all of the tools you need to:

• Respect the dignity of every person
• Recognize that issues are nuanced and can't be reduced to political talking points
• Listen in order to understand
• Lead with grace and patience

Join Sarah from the left and Beth from the right as they teach you that people from opposing political perspectives truly can have calm, grace-­filled conversations with one another.

Praise for I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening):

"Sarah and Beth are an absolute gift to our culture right now. Not only do they offer balanced perspectives from each political ideology, but they teach us how to dialogue well, without sacri­ficing our humanity."

—Jen Hatmaker, New York Times bestselling author and speaker

"Sarah from the left and Beth from the right serve as our guides through conflict and complexity, delivering us into connection. I wish every person living in the United States would read this compelling book, from the youngest voter to those holding the highest office."

—Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Next Right Thing

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400208449
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	02/04/2020
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	325,301
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 5.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Sarah Stewart Holland is the cohost of Pantsuit Politics. Ten years ago, she left her life as a Capitol Hill staffer behind to move back to her hometown of Paducah, Kentucky, to raise a family. In 2016, she went back to politics in a big way when she knocked on 5,523 doors to win election to the Paducah City Commission, where she served a single term.

Beth Silvers (from the right) is a business coach, speaker, and yoga teacher. After law school, Beth joined a prestigious Cincinnati-based law firm, where she worked in business restructuring during the worst financial crisis of our generation and eventually became an HR executive. Beth now helps businesses and individuals realize their potential. She is a graduate of Leadership Northern Kentucky and has been named an HR GameChanger by Workforce Magazine and one of Cincinnati's Forty Under 40. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Union, Kentucky.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Part 1 Start with You

Chapter 1 We Should Talk Politics 1

Chapter 2 Take Off Your Jersey 20

Chapter 3 Find Your Why 49

Chapter 4 Put Politics in Its Place 71

Part 2 Turn Your Eyes Outward

Chapter 5 Give Grace 89

Chapter 8 Get Curious 103

Chapter 7 Embrace the Paradox 116

Chapter 8 Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable 132

Chapter 9 Exit the Echo Chamber 158

Chapter 10 Keep It Nuanced 174

Acknowledgments 189

About the Authors 193

Notes 195

Editorial Reviews

12/24/2018

Holland, a former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer, and Silvers, a life and business coach, provide ways for Christians to respectfully engage in political discussions in this instructive guide. The authors, sorority sisters who both attended Transylvania University in Kentucky, began engaging in public Facebook discussions about politics in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential campaign. Holland took a very liberal stance, whereas Silvers is a conservative. Expanding on those discussions, the authors ask readers “to hear each other’s thoughts, to test our own beliefs against each other’s philosophies, and to better appreciate our own core beliefs by having to articulate and challenge those beliefs.” Most of the book sticks to this point and doesn’t touch on the underlying disagreements that sparked the authors’ initial discussion. This feels like a missed opportunity, especially given their claim that people often spout opinions without researching the facts behind their stances. When the authors do delve into politics, such as in their examination of the history of welfare, they powerfully demonstrate what grace-filled political discussions can look like. Holland and Silvers remind readers that Christian identity doesn’t necessarily determine political affiliation. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly