Attend a Workshop and Build Your Communication Skills
Our workshops are free, open to all, and grounded in research from cognitive science, neurobiology, and psychology. Check out ALL of our upcoming events.
CPL workshops explore what happens when conversations get hard. They teach practical tools for navigating tense conversations — without pressure to agree or persuade.
You Already Know How to Talk
Most of us can explain our views clearly. And yet, conversations still go sideways.
- Good intentions don’t prevent tension.
- Being “right” doesn’t guarantee being heard.
- Avoiding the conversation can feel easier than engaging.
CPL workshops focus on what actually happens in those moments and on small, practical shifts that make conversations feel calmer and more workable.
Is a workshop a good place to start? Workshops may be a good fit if you:
- Want practical tools
- Prefer learning before jumping into conversation
- Are curious about why conversations feel hard
- Want skills that apply beyond CPL events
Some people attend workshops first. Others start with conversations or the book club. There’s no right order.
What These Workshops Are (and Aren’t)
CPL workshops aren’t about fixing you or teaching you what to think.
They’re about:
- Understanding why conversations break down
- Learning ways to reduce defensiveness — in yourself and others
- Practicing approaches that help conversations stay grounded
- Gaining tools you can use (or not) in real life
There is no pressure to agree with anyone — including us. What we teach is:
- Informative, not persuasive
We share ideas and tools to help you understand what’s happening in difficult conversations — not to convince you what to think. - Non-ideological
The skills we teach can be used across viewpoints, beliefs, and contexts. - Offered as a gift
You’re free to use these tools often, occasionally, or not at all. They’re yours to take or leave.
What You’ll Get
People often leave workshops feeling:
- More confident in difficult conversations
- Less reactive when tensions rise
- Better able to listen and be heard
You may use these tools often, occasionally, or simply keep them in mind.
What People Are Saying About Our Courses
Our Most Popular Workshops
- Talking Politics – Learn how to share your views in ways that invite listening rather than defensiveness.
- Listening Across Differences – Practice listening techniques that help conversations stay respectful and productive.
- Moral Foundations in Political Conversation – Understand how values shape political views — and why disagreements feel so personal.
- How to Talk About Facts – Put aside the belief that there are no longer any shared facts and learn how to present facts in a way that gets others curious.
For a complete Calendar of Events, click HERE.
