Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Meet the change leaders: Carolyn Lukensmeyer

Carolyn Lukensmeyer
National Institute for Civil Discourse

Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.

Carolyn Lukensmeyer was the first executive director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, an organization that works to reduce political dysfunction and incivility in our political system. As a leader in the field of deliberative democracy, she works to restore our democracy to reflect the intended vision of our Founding Fathers.


Lukensmeyer previously served as founder and President of AmericaSpeaks, an award-winning nonprofit organization that promoted nonpartisan initiatives to engage citizens and leaders through the development of innovative public policy tools and strategies. During her tenure, AmericaSpeaks engaged more than 200,000 people and hosted events across all 50 states and throughout the world.

Lukensmeyer served as consultant to the White House chief of staff from 1993 to 1994 and on the National Performance Review, where she steered internal management and oversaw government-wide reforms. She was the chief of staff to Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste from 1986 to 1991, becoming the first woman to serve in that capacity.

She earned her Ph.D. in organizational behavior from Case Western Reserve University and has completed postgraduate training at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Lukensmeyer in May for the CityBiz “Meet the Change Leaders” series. Watch to learn the full extent of her democracy reform work:

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

The Fulcrum Democracy Forum Meets Carolyn Lukensmeyer, Executive Director of NICD Arizonawww.youtube.com

Read More

Close up of U.S. Army and American flag patches on a uniform
Serhej Calka/Getty Image

Army veteran shows how conversation will unite America

A few weeks ago, I wrote about why veterans are some of the most well-prepared Americans to lead our country’s fight for unity. At a time when America is more divided than we’ve been since the Civil War — with political violence on the rise and families torn apart by political debate — we desperately need the skills of veterans. These selfless individuals are trained to build trust, foster dialogue and negotiate peace.

Thankfully, some veterans have already taken up that torch. Ben Bain is one such example.

Keep ReadingShow less
War is Over billboard from John Lennon and Yoko Ono

A "War is Over" billboard created by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Flickr

A John Lennon reminder: So this is Christmas

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” a song by John Lennon released in 1971 that has become a Christmas classic, is more relevant today than ever.

Last year during the holiday season, I penned a similar version of this writing in which I said that 2024 would be a year that will test our resolve as a nation and test our democracy. I also noted that the opening verse of the song is a question all of us as Americans should ask:

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Keep ReadingShow less
Red and blue hands coming together
JakeOlimb/Getty Images

Unity doesn’t mean thinking alike in a free society

“In the political life of a free society, unity doesn’t mean thinking alike,” according to noted political theorist Yuval Levin. “Unity means acting together.”

A couple weeks ago, Levin sat down with Brian Boyle of American Promise to unpack this idea and others from Levin’s latest book, “American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation — And Could Again.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Older woman speaking with another woman

Listen for values and emotions, not just points you can rebut with facts.

kupicoo/Getty Images

Vaccines and values: When you’re having a tough conversation about medicine, don’t just pile on evidence − listen to someone’s ‘moral foundations’

It’s that special time of year when family and friends come together to celebrate the holidays, share meals, spread cheer – and, too often, pass along their germs.

Because vaccines can save lives and prevent serious illness, health professionals have long recommended vaccinations for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Yet despite these apparent benefits, many people decline.

Keep ReadingShow less