Growing up in San Luis Obispo, Kate Christensen noticed a large political divide within the county and a lack of discussion across the spectrum. After joining Braver Angels in 2019, Christensen became determined to unite people in hopes of finding a middle ground on difficult and controversial topics.
“It’s about people engaging in a way where they can express themselves and be heard, listen, where we could find solutions to problems,” she said.
Braver Angels, a national, nonprofit, grassroots organization committed to “depolarizing” communities through workshops and conversations, was founded in 2017. The organization puts on events and conventions in all 50 states, according to Christensen.
The idea for Braver Angels came from two individuals on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Modeled after “couple’s therapy,” they created the “Red/Blue workshop,” a space where people who politically identify as red or blue can engage in exercises to find common values and decrease stereotypical thinking about each other.
“They saw how polarization was hurting everything, everyone, families, individuals,” said Christensen. “This is a grassroots approach to civic renewal and a way for regular people to engage and help solve our problems and have conversations.”
Christensen has held a leadership position at the San Luis Obispo alliance since 2022. She believes the county is divided, an ideal “test bed” for Braver Angels’ work—a concept introduced by the new CEO of the organization, Maurey Giles, who stepped into the role in August 2025.
On Feb. 18, the SLO Alliance of Braver Angels will host Giles at Chandler Hall in the United Church of Christ SLO from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“I love the opportunity to bring people together in our county,” Christensen said. “It would be the moment to come and bring somebody who might think a little differently than you.”
According to SLO County voter registration data from Feb. 9, 2026, the county has 69,792 registered Democrats and 63,777 registered Republicans. Most of the county’s cities are fairly evenly split with North County towns like Paso Robles and Atascadero leaning slightly more Republican and the city of SLO weighted heavily toward Democrats.
According to Christsen, about 70,000 people across the country have attended a Braver Angels event, and the organization has more than 15,000 members. Alliances frequently debate topics from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to homelessness. Last year in San Luis Obispo, alliance members debated Proposition 50, which Christensen said was successful.
“It involved the alliances all over California, so we all came together to get the speakers on board and make the debate happen,” she said.
Although people of all ages participate in Braver Angels, the younger generation’s involvement is a little more rare, according to Christensen.
“I want to connect with young people wherever I can,” she said. “I think learning with some of these basic skills and learning how to have conversations in your young life could benefit you in every way, all your life.”
Christensen said she hopes to continue Braver Angels’ mission of uniting people on both sides of political and social divides within and beyond SLO County.
“It kind of opens up your heart and mind in a way,” Christensen said.
To learn more about the upcoming event, Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles on Courageous Citizenship in San Luis Obispo, visit braverangels.org/event.
Fast fact
• From Feb. 19 to 22, experience Blendfest on the Coast, which will provide a taste of Paso Robles Wine Country in San Simeon and Cambria. Presented by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, the weekend-long event celebrates the city’s winemakers’ love for blending and mixing wine to craft something more unique. For more information on the different events happening during Blendfest, visit pasowine.com. Tickets can be purchased at pasowine.ticketsauce.com. ∆
Reach Intern Fiona Hastings at ntintern@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Health & Wellness 2026.
Mr. Red: “I believe in Jewish space lasers and that vaccines kill.”
Mr. Blue: “I reject space laser conspiracy theories and accept 100 years of evidence for the safety and efficacy of vaccines.”
Braver Angels: “Now Mr. Blue, we’re trying to bridge divides here. Can you at least acknowledge that there are some space lasers which might be Jewish, and that vaccines maybe do half killing?”