At tables in the Presidential room of the Phoenix Country Club on Dec. 9, people from left- and right-leaning organizations came together to break bread — literally.

Hosted by Don Henninger, co-chair of the Arizona Democracy Resilience project, the “Bridging the Aisle” event brought together people of all ages and backgrounds to discuss bridging the gap of polarization in party politics over lunch.

Guests with all political backgrounds shared their hopes and frustrations with the current political climate in the country.

“Fear, distrust, animosity for those on the other side of the political divide are shackling us,” said Pearce Godwin, founder of the Listen First Project, which he created after years of working in politics and in Washington, D.C. Following that, he felt inspired to con

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