Join host Paul Johnson in this enlightening episode of The Optimistic American as he welcomes special guests Ashley Phillips, Kevin Shrum, and Brandi Kellett. Ashley, one of the driving forces behind the Citizen Solution program created by Builders in partnership with Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, discusses the innovative approach to overcoming toxic polarization by fostering civil discourse and finding common ground on divisive issues. The episode delves into the panel's experiences in Tennessee, where they tackled topics ranging from gun rights and safety to broader societal issues. Topics Discussed in this Video: Citizen Solutions: Ashley Phillips introduces Citizen Solutions, a program under the Builders umbrella aimed at overcoming toxic polarization in America. She explains how the program was formed to address divisive issues by bringing together ideologically diverse citizens. The goals of Citizen Solutions include finding common ground, fostering intellectual humility, and creating collaborative solutions to contentious topics such as gun rights and safety. Breaking Away from a Binary View: The discussion highlights the limitations of a binary political perspective, emphasizing the importance of seeing beyond partisan divides. Brandi Kellett and Kevin Shrum share their experiences in navigating complex issues like gun rights and safety, showing that individuals can hold diverse views that don’t fit neatly into a binary framework. This segment underscores the value of precise language, personal stories, and civil discourse in bridging ideological gaps. School Gun Violence: The panel addresses the tragedy that occurred at the Covenant School in Nashville. Brandi, an educator, shares her personal and professional concerns about the impact of such events on students and the community. The conversation delves into studies and data regarding gun violence in schools, discussing the prevalence and patterns of such incidents. Potential solutions are explored, emphasizing the importance of both policy changes and community-based approaches to enhance school safety while respecting diverse viewpoints on gun rights and safety. Government Limitations and the Role of Community: Paul Johnson discusses the limitations of government in solving societal problems, emphasizing the critical role of community engagement. Paul explains how individuals and local communities can take initiative to address issues like gun violence, lack of safety measures, and polarization, highlighting successful examples from the Citizen Solutions program. This segment underscores the power of local action and the importance of fostering a culture of civic responsibility.