Celebrating 15 Years of Transformative Dialogue: Living Room Conversations' Anniversary and the Enduring Principles of Deliberative Democracy

As ​NCDD friends, Living Room Conversations (LRC) approaches their 15th anniversary in 2025, it’s a perfect time to celebrate their journey from a small pilot project to a leader in deliberative dialogue. Since its founding, LRC has remained dedicated to bridging divides through structured conversations, fostering trust and understanding across differences. Rooted in the parlor tradition, the organization has grown into a nationwide movement, offering over 150 conversation guides and inspiring meaningful discussions on critical societal issues. As LRC looks to the future, they invite community input to shape the next chapter — read more in the blog post below.

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​As Living Room Conversations (LRC) approaches its 15th anniversary in 2025, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the organization's journey from a pilot project to a cornerstone in the field of deliberative dialogue. Founded in 2010 and formally established in 2011, the organization continues to champion its core mission: connecting people within communities and across differences through dialogue to build trust and understanding.

​The Evolution of Structured Dialogue

​The origins of Living Room Conversations can be traced to a collaborative effort in late 2010, when Joan Blades partnered with dialogue experts Walt Roberts, Debilyn Molineaux, Amanda Kathryn Roman, and Heather Tischbein. Their theory was innovative yet simple: if two friends with different points of view each invited two friends to join a conversation, with full disclosure about the intent and structure, they could create a safe space for respectful exchange of ideas.
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This pilot project quickly proved successful. By early 2011, participants who were initially anxious found themselves comfortable using the format, developing relationships that continue to this day. Inspired by this success, Amanda Kathryn Roman and Joan Blades formed a transpartisan political partnership, recruited an advisory board, and launched a website to make the Living Room Conversations open-source format available nationwide.

​The Power of the Parlor Tradition

Steeped in the tradition of gathering in parlors to talk (the word "parlor" derives from the French term meaning "a place for speaking"), Living Room Conversations brings people together to generate understanding and connection. The modern parlor can be any place – physical or online – where people connect with others. LRC's unique conversational model makes it easy for anyone to create a safe and welcoming environment where people can respectfully discuss important issues.
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Early participants engaged in conversations about the role of government, money in politics, immigration, gay marriage, and more – demonstrating the format's versatility across potentially contentious topics.

​Organizational Pillars and Vision

Living Room Conversations is guided by four organizational pillars that inform all of their work. Their vision is clear and compelling: a world in which people who have fundamental differences of opinion and backgrounds learn to work together with respect – and even joy – to realize the vibrant future all desire for themselves and their families.
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The organization believes that belonging starts with conversation and remains committed to designing resources and opportunities that allow everyone to feel seen and heard while celebrating the differences that make individuals unique.

Breakthrough Moments and Common Ground

A landmark moment came in 2013 with LRC's first high-profile conversation, cohosted by Joan Blades and Mark Meckler of the Tea Party Patriots. Their discussion on crony capitalism led to unexpected consensus on criminal justice reform—demonstrating how structured dialogue can reveal 100% agreement on issues among those typically positioned as adversaries. This breakthrough led to further discussions and impactful collaborative action.
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In another significant collaboration, Joan Blades joined with John Gable, founder of AllSides, to encourage people to make friends with those who vote differently. This political odd couple demonstrates the value of engaging in honest conversations with people of differing viewpoints, explaining how to bridge gaps in understanding between people on opposite sides of the political spectrum—potentially creating opportunities for mutual listening and lasting friendships.

​Looking Forward: The Next Chapter

As Living Room Conversations enters its fifteenth year under the fiscal sponsorship of Mediators Foundation, the organization is seeking community input to shape its future direction. Experiences with Living Room Conversations are invaluable in informing their ongoing development and expanding their impact.
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Those interested in contributing to the organization's future development are encouraged to complete their anniversary survey at: Living Rooms Conversations Survey

This feedback will help them refine their methodology, develop new resources, and continue fostering dialogue that strengthens democratic participation in an increasingly polarized landscape.