Jacob Hess served on the board of the National Coalition of Dialogue and Deliberation and is Executive Director of the Council for Sustainable Healing. He has a Ph.D. in clinical-community psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on the implications of competing health and sociopolitical narratives.
If you have questions or concerns about the Black Lives Matter movement, does that make you racist—or suggest that you don’t believe “black lives matter?” Of course not. But if Americans were needing a reminder of why not, Jonathan Isaac just provided it.
Read More
However nice it would be to feel unified in our response to COVID-19, there are many ongoing differences in perspective between thoughtful, good-hearted people. Could it help to map out fairly what those disagreements are?
Read More
What those who scorn believers in Christ’s return don’t understand is how much hope these beliefs bring—far more than any fear for what is surely coming.
Read More
We’re right to mourn slavery as a country. It’s not what “birthed” America though.
Read More
Anger and grief can inspire social progress. But they can also turn into rage and despair depending on the way we talk and think about what’s happening.
Read More
Serious differences generate serious discomfort for us all. Could that be why they’re so good for us?
Read More
Depression is real and often excruciating. Let’s not make it worse by persuading people it is invariably life-long and based on permanent, intrinsic deficiency.
Read More
The dwindling sense of a common pursuit of truth is contributing to a deteriorating public discourse. Maybe it’s time to stand up for the truth about truth.
Read More
These are serious times – with serious challenges. Does that make it less (or more) important that we stay open to diverse perspectives on what’s happening?
Read More
Those who accuse Christians of focusing too much on devotional worship, rather than the sick and poor – seem to forget that Jesus Himself did both.
Read More
What if deeper conversation threatens my very sense of self? In most cases it is infinitely worthwhile to engage in such “rival contestation.”
Read More
Is this a time to mostly get through and distract ourselves until we can get back to normal? Or are there precious adjustments this challenge could prompt us all to make?
Read More
Bernie Sanders’ campaign has raised many questions about socialism, communism and even Marx. What does an unabashed, thoughtful Marxist think of it all?
Read More
The anger of Bernie Sanders has often been discussed as a political liability. Could it actually be the very reason he’s doing so well?
Read More
Endless sales, politicking, and bickering have convinced many to see persuasion as a bad thing (“as long as you don’t try and persuade me”). We’re going to try and persuade you otherwise.
Read More
We’ve tried so hard to decrease depression, anxiety and suicide. And the numbers keep going up. Is it time to consider even more fundamental shifts in our approach?
Read More
As suicide numbers increase, we continue to hear suggestions that “undertreatment” is the main problem. After two decades of rising treatment rates, could it be time to reassess?
Read More
Is it only Jesus’ birth we celebrate at Christmas? Not if we’re paying attention to the songs we sing.
Read More
What is it about the idea that religious communities are motivated by love that is so surprising as to constitute front page news?
Read More
One of the most beautiful aspects of a University is intentional space for exploring differences in perspective. That space is worth fighting to preserve.
Read More