We want to encourage critical thinking, humility, nuanced communication, and forgiveness – and discourage inflexible thinking, reactivity, judgmentalism, and "canceling."
We are investing in three pillars to advance this work:
Media
Bringing our values to life through digital exercises, games, mini documentaries, and more.
Technology
Leveraging technology to help people form and maintain positive relational habits.
Community
Sparking change at the grassroots level by giving people the inspiration and tools to live these values.
Our Values
We believe what the research supports – that curiosity, compassion, and courage are skills we can all strengthen. Here’s how we define them.
Curiosity
This is about how we consume information and make decisions. It means seeking out multiple viewpoints, thinking with nuance, asking questions, and staying open to changing our minds.
Compassion
This is about forming a connection with someone based on an understanding of their emotional experience and suffering — and a recognition of their shared humanity.
Courage
This is about how we take action and solve problems. It means leaving our comfort zones and engaging with people whose thoughts and experiences differ from our own.
Behavior Change Framework
Our Journey
Science Partners
We are partnering with leading researchers to bring entertaining, evidence-backed exercises to our community. The exercises are designed to help all of us build habits that support more curiosity, compassion, and courage.
The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University advances science communication through research, education, and professional development programming. Starts With Us is partnering with the Alda Center to bring their expertise in empathic communication to our community.
The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. Starts With Us is partnering with the Center to bring their expertise in empathy and kindness to our community.
The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) builds interactive, psychology-based learning tools to equip learners with the mindset and skill set to bridge divides. Starts With Us is partnering with CDI to bring their expertise in critical thinking and courageous conversation to our community.