Pearce Godwin is founder of Listen First Project and the #ListenFirst Coalition of 500 organizations bringing Americans together across differences to listen, understand each other, and discover common interests. He catalyzes the movement to save America from toxic polarization by shifting social norms from division, distrust, contempt and violence toward connection, understanding, and belonging. Pearce manages large-scale, co-created endeavors such as Meeting of America and the annual National Week of Conversation to engage as many Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs as possible to turn down the heat and find a way forward together. His work has been recognized across national media, including interviews on Fox News, MSNBC and in the Wall Street Journal as he writes for USA TODAY and TIME Magazine.