Permanent link for Michigan Listens on October 27, 2025

We’re doing things a bit differently this year. In lieu of the Center’s annual Civil Discourse Symposium, this Fall we are piloting a statewide storytelling program called Michigan Listens.

Michigan’s stories are vast, varied, and dynamic. Michigan Listens spotlights stories of Michiganders who represent a range of geographies; ideologies; identities; life experiences; and vocations and brings them together for an evening of storytelling.

As speakers share their stories, the audience listens deeply, remaining silent throughout the event. Without the distraction of talking or clapping, the listening of this event seeks to remind people of each other’s humanity.

After the storytelling, listeners and speakers share a family-style dinner together. As people share this meal and pass dishes between them, conversations about the impact of listening to each other as Michiganders round out the evening.

The limited audience for this initiative is being carefully curated to reflect the geographical regions of our state, the communities of our speakers, and the core intention of cultivating a space that centers listening over debate. For those who are interested in watching or hearing what is shared, we will be posting a recording of Michigan Listens shortly after the gathering.

* Michigan Listens is sponsored by the Talking Together: Strengthening Our Communities Through Conversation team (Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse; Kaufman Interfaith Institute; Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies; and WGVU Public Media) and is supported by GVSU’s Office of the President.

Posted by Elamin Gasim on Permanent link for Michigan Listens on October 27, 2025.