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No One Was Listening
No One Was Listening is a memoir of discovery, connection, and facing one's fears; about grappling with love and politics. It is the true story of the journey that led Lisa Swallow to co-found Crossing Party Lines, the national nonprofit that effectively teaches Americans from all walks of life to take part in civil, productive political conversations.
In the months leading up to the election of Donald Trump, Lisa encountered divides she hadn't expected--in love, family, and society at large. Terrified by the pervasive disconnect she saw wherever she turned, Lisa embarked on a quest to find the Rosetta Stone for talking to the political"Other," tapping her expertise as a teacher, professional communicator, and researcher.
Share Lisa's enthusiasm as you meet some of the thousands of Americans she has helped find community and friendships that cross party lines through open, raw, occasionally heartbreaking conversations regarding the political issues we wrestle with today.
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"Lisa's memoir traverses the personal and the societal with lyrical, looping insights about how we humans often struggle to bridge differences, whether in our intimate relationships or across vast political divides. With humility, humor, and grace, Lisa describes her origin story as a political bridge-builder and connects her personal journey to the wider, emerging social movement to bridge divides and strengthen social cohesion across the complex, beautiful tapestry of America. A must-read for any individual who wishes to strengthen connection at the personal or societal level, Lisa's book elegantly explains how we can all become "bridge-builders" and set the relationships all around us onto healthier paths." -- Kristin Hansen, Executive Director, Civic Health Project
In the months leading up to the election of Donald Trump, Lisa encountered divides she hadn't expected--in love, family, and society at large. Terrified by the pervasive disconnect she saw wherever she turned, Lisa embarked on a quest to find the Rosetta Stone for talking to the political"Other," tapping her expertise as a teacher, professional communicator, and researcher.
Share Lisa's enthusiasm as you meet some of the thousands of Americans she has helped find community and friendships that cross party lines through open, raw, occasionally heartbreaking conversations regarding the political issues we wrestle with today.
---
"Lisa's memoir traverses the personal and the societal with lyrical, looping insights about how we humans often struggle to bridge differences, whether in our intimate relationships or across vast political divides. With humility, humor, and grace, Lisa describes her origin story as a political bridge-builder and connects her personal journey to the wider, emerging social movement to bridge divides and strengthen social cohesion across the complex, beautiful tapestry of America. A must-read for any individual who wishes to strengthen connection at the personal or societal level, Lisa's book elegantly explains how we can all become "bridge-builders" and set the relationships all around us onto healthier paths." -- Kristin Hansen, Executive Director, Civic Health Project
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2022
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 12, 2025
A Valuable & Compelling Read
This is the story of how and why Lisa Swallow came to create her organization, Crossing Party Lines told with honesty, vulnerability, and in a really well crafted narrative. Swallow intertwines her journey, struggles, and realizations in developing her own ability to both talk and listen to conservative perspectives with the issues in her relationship with the man she’s lived with for 15 years. Along the way, I learned techniques, helpful perspectives, and felt my own biases rear up and then settle down. I highly recommend reading this part memoir, part primer, and 100% enlightening story.
This is the story of how and why Lisa Swallow came to create her organization, Crossing Party Lines told with honesty, vulnerability, and in a really well crafted narrative. Swallow intertwines her journey, struggles, and realizations in developing her own ability to both talk and listen to conservative perspectives with the issues in her relationship with the man she’s lived with for 15 years. Along the way, I learned techniques, helpful perspectives, and felt my own biases rear up and then settle down. I highly recommend reading this part memoir, part primer, and 100% enlightening story.
July 31, 2023
Great message and it has changed how I interact with those who have different opinions. Unfortunately you have to overlook the typos and grammatical errors. But it's worth it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews