I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

Mónica Guzmán’s personal and professional background drives her interest in addressing America’s political divides. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants who support conservative politics, while she herself holds liberal views, Guzmán’s family experience provides firsthand insight into the challenges of maintaining relationships across political differences. This personal dynamic deeply informs her work, particularly in I Never Thought of It That Way, in which she uses her family’s story to illustrate both the difficulties and possibilities of cross-political dialogue. Her experience of becoming a naturalized citizen at 17 alongside her family adds another layer to her understanding of American political dynamics and immigration discourse.

Her journalistic career has evolved from traditional reporting to focusing on bridging societal divisions. After co-founding The Evergrey, an innovative Seattle newsletter, Guzmán’s work increasingly centered on understanding community dynamics and fostering meaningful dialogue. The newsletter’s success in building community connections through local journalism provided practical insights into how media can facilitate understanding across social divides.

Her transition from local journalism to studying polarization was marked by significant fellowships, including time at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, where she examined how journalists can better serve participatory audiences. Her fellowship at the Henry M.