The internet isn't great at capturing nuance, or at helping us see the humanity in people we disagree with. Somewhere in the scroll, the actual human beings on the other side of an opinion get lost.
We're here to offer less arguing, and more understanding.
The week of August 10, we're inviting you to join the National Roundtable on the American Dream — a live, online conversation that brings together small groups of people from different backgrounds to talk about what the Dream means to them and what they're doing to achieve it.
Escape your feed for an hour and join us live as we discuss the American Dream — how we’re thinking about it, how we’re achieving it, and how we’re navigating the challenges.
What You'll Actually Talk About
In small groups of 4 to 6, you'll explore how Americans are thinking about opportunity, security, success, personal finances, and the future they hope to build in this country. You'll hear how others are pursuing their own goals, navigating their own challenges, and making the same kinds of decisions you are.
An integrated conversation guide keeps things candid and enlightening, so the discussion stays respectful even when perspectives diverge. This isn't a debate. It's a structured conversation where everyone gets heard equally. (Something you won't find in a group chat or comment section.)
Why It Matters
Most of us have a vision for the future we want. But the choices we make every day don't always move us toward that vision in the ways we expect. Sometimes they lead us somewhere even better. Other times, they help us discover what truly matters.
What Happens to What You Share
Your insights will be anonymized and included in a national report that helps leaders and your fellow Americans better understand how people across the country are really thinking about the Dream.
If you want a sense of what that looks like in practice, take a look at the report from a past AllSides Roundtable on housing affordability. That conversation surfaced perspectives that rarely make it into public meetings or city council debates — and helped reveal both where people disagreed and where they found common ground they didn't expect.
How It Works
What are AllSides Roundtables?
Small group, live video conversations. You join a group of 4–6 people and follow a conversation guide to discuss an important issue. Better than a Zoom call, but without any special software. Afterwards, you will get a report detailing not only what your group discussed, but also what other groups discussed and discovered together.
How long does it take?
Plan for 60–90 minutes total:
- 5–10 minutes: Welcome and introductions
- 45–75 minutes: Small group discussion
- 5 minutes: Quick closing survey
What’s in the report?
Your insights and comments! See a report from a past event on housing affordability, which surfaced perspectives that rarely make it into public meetings or city council debates, revealing the different perspectives and capturing common ground.
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