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

by Sarah Stewart Holland, Beth A. Silvers

Overview

“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, speaker, and founder of Legacy Collective

“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 Simply Tuesday and The Next Right Thing

More than ever, politics seems driven by conflict and anger. People sitting together in pews every Sunday have started to feel like strangers, loved ones at the dinner table like enemies. Toxic political dialogue, hate-filled rants on social media, and agenda-driven news stories have become the new norm. It’s exhausting, and it’s too much.

In I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening), two working moms from opposite ends of the political spectrum contend that there is a better way. They believe that we can

• choose to respect the dignity of every person,
• choose to recognize that issues are nuanced and can’t be reduced to political talking points,
• choose to listen in order to understand,
• choose gentleness and patience.

Sarah from the left and Beth from the right invite those looking for something better than the status quo to pull up a chair and listen to the principles, insights, and practical tools they have learned hosting their fast-growing podcast Pantsuit Politics. As impossible as it might seem, people from opposing political perspectives truly can have calm, grace-­filled conversations with one another—by putting relationship before policy and understanding before argument.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400208418
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	02/05/2019
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	275,137
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(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

★ 11/15/2018

This much-needed book from business coach Holland and city commissioner Silvers (Paducah, KY) arrives at a time when many families and friends find themselves on opposite sides of the aisle when discussing political issues. The authors share how to give grace and be vulnerable when addressing topics that affect families and communities. They offer exercises and reflections for keeping conversations productive and flowing as well as unpack the reasons why we feel the way we do—our deeper values and concerns—to assist in honing future conversations around hot-button subjects. VERDICT A must-read and relevant text for anyone talking about today's politics.

Library Journal

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