BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Celeste Headlee addressed the Bridgewater community during the Endowed Lecture Series, urging empathy and meaningful conversations after the divisive 2024 election.
In May 2015, Celeste Headlee gave a TED Talk titled “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation.” That talk has since gained over 31 million views on YouTube. Nearly a decade later, Headlee brought her ideas to Bridgewater, where she tailored her talk to the 2024 presidential election and the importance of having better conversations after Election Day.
The event drew an audience of many ages and backgrounds, including many fans of Headlee’s work on National Public Radio (NPR). Over her 20-year career with NPR, Headlee has hosted popular programs like Tell Me More, Talk of the Nation, Here & Now, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. Her experience in radio has made her an expert in crafting meaningful communication, a skill she shared with the Bridgewater community.
“An increased understanding of her perspective and where she is coming from and hopefully just some ideas of how to communicate better in these very divided political times,” is what Bridgewater community member and NPR listener Mikah Overman was looking forward to hearing at the lecture. “I’m hoping I can gain some knowledge and some ideas on how I can get better at that, ‘cause that is something that I struggle with, communicating across political divides. It is something I would like to improve and I hope to gain some knowledge from what she has to say tonight.” Overman’s hope reflects a broader challenge many Americans face after this year’s contentious election.
Political views in the United States are deeply divided. This year’s election, which resulted in Donald Trump winning the presidency as the Republican candidate, brought both joy to his supporters and disappointment to Democrats.
According to an article from YouGov US by Taylor Orth and Carl Bialik, “Many feel hopeful for the future direction of the country. As one voter put it, ‘Hearing that Donald Trump was the winner of this election gave me the feeling of the weight of the world being lifted from my shoulders. I was ecstatic.’”
Orth and Bialik also mentioned that “Harris voters expressed profound disappointment and fear following her loss in the 2024 election. Many said they cried — one said, ‘I cried, tears of frustration, anger, extreme sadness and hopelessness’ — while others described feeling physically ill (another said they were ‘sick to my stomach and fearful for our future’).”
These strong differences have led to tensions that make meaningful conversations more difficult, but also more necessary.
Throughout the year, Americans have researched and debated the platforms of each candidate, deciding what they want the country to look like for the next four years. The election’s outcome highlighted the nation’s divide, but Headlee’s message aimed to help people connect despite their differences.
“A key quote I heard tonight was the very last thing she said, it was ‘wave to other people because you should be the first one,’” said sophomore Bridgewater College student Ian England. “It was inspiring honestly ’cause sometimes you feel like you don’t wanna wave to other people but they need the wave and so if I can give that small gesture it makes everyone feel a little better.”
The Bridgewater community heard Headlee’s talk, giving people simple tools and hope for better connections. Her advice to listen carefully, show kindness and even do small things like wave to others, felt especially meaningful during these divided times. After a tough election, her message to communicate with care and understanding reminded everyone of the importance of coming together. For those who attended, the evening was not just about politics, it was about using conversations to bring people closer.
