Now, more than ever, we need this book. I’m an avid follower of Sarah and Beth and their wisdom has helped me process so much of this crazy world.

What I Think You’re Wrong But I’m Listening does, is help you have hard conversations with grace. It has helped me to “seek to understand” over just getting angry.

The anecdotes and stories from Beth and Sarah make this a book I come to again and again.

I also want to ship it off to every politician 🤣

The authors centered this book around the idea that politics does not have to be a sport and that coming together to problem solve is the answer to the issues that we face today. While I enjoyed the book, I felt like most of it was common sense and that most people would already be aware of these things (like not voting blindly for a party etc.). I think this book is better suited for people who do not already possess an open mindset, and yet that is probably the audience least likely to pick up this book.

Such a great book on dealing with hard conversations with people who disagree! This has suggestions that can work with many political standings, not specific politicians. The authors have a great podcast as well!

An excellent book on having discussion or dealing with conflict over ideas you don’t agree on. Perhaps better in a pre-Trump era, but still wonderful and I’ll continue to follow and read anything by Sarah and Beth!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE SARAH AND BETH. Whenever the topic of politics comes up, I find myself recommending their podcast to people. I also love catching up on the news through Sarah's videos on Instagram on the regular. The book was no different. In an age when we've lost all sight of civility, and nuance - this book acts as a gracious handout on how to disagree with one another without sacrificing respect. It's possible! And Sarah and Beth show how to do it, beautifully.

I received a reviewer copy of I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening) from Nelson Books from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Sarah, from the left, and Beth, from the right, have a podcast where they discuss politics with grace. But rather then treating it as a debate, these are really conversations and they're going to help you give advice. TO BE clear, these women are both Christians and women of faith, it informs their conversations and plays a role (this is not a problem for me, but it should be clear that faith plays a significant role in their liveS)

What I Loved: Some of the advice I will definitely take with me in my own understanding of the issues. One of the examples is to try to piece together or understanding of an issue by research and trying to understand some documents and background of the actual policy and try to learn more background facts and help further my knowledge of issues. I also really liked some of the stories they told and felt that it would help me be a better person and more patient and approach my own life. I also liked seeing Christian and conservative beliefs being used to defend my own perspectives (pro-choice for example) when usually it is used against my beliefs by the media.

What I didn’t like so much: Look, at times I felt like when they faced push back, they were dismissive of those who hold them accountable. For instance, Sarah mentions voting for Rand Paul, despite being a democrat and it causing a vitriol reaction with democrats and she argues is what causes her to not be elected. She says this only happens because people blindly support their teams. She fails to consider the damage that Rand Paul and his votes have done to marginalized people or his lack of support for passing legislation to help hurricane victims or 9/11 victims. This is just one example that sticks out to me, but there are other instances where I felt they were pushing their own decisions as the only right ones at time. I also don't feel like this book is going to help you reach your Trump family members.

Who Should Read It: People who are moderate and want to learn how to better bridge the gap. People who like their podcast.

General Summary: Women with different beliefs discuss how to have difficult conversations.

I so appreciate the wisdom and nuance in Sarah and Beth's grace-filled approach. In today's divisive political climate, we need all the tools we can for having these conversations.

I almost feel like this book is necessary but unnecessary. We are all adults - why can't we have adult conversations? Yet here we are and we cannot have adult conversations, we are arguing and yelling at each other and fighting every day regarding what is going on with politics and world occurrences. I praise the podcast that these ladies put together where they argue both sides, and have a civil, down to earth conversation. I almost find it funny that people do not enjoy it because they do not argue. That is so American. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sarah Holland and Beth Silvers, of the Pantsuit Podcast, once again bring foresight and cooperation to conversations that are often viewed as an invitation to rumble. As an American expat, I have observed American politics rapidly become more and more divisive under the most recent administrations, and now the rest of the world seems to be taking its cues. Wars, both those fought with words and those fought with weapons are nothing new, but the weaponization of political views and opinions guided by misinformation and disinformation are surely suffocating us all. This book helps us to lean in and listen, really listen, to what our families and communities genuinely want for each other and hear each ofther instead of media noise.

"Politicians shouldn’t determine our positions and values. Our values should determine the policies and politicians we support." Nor should should social media re-posts, or opinion propaganda outlets disguised as information determine our positions. Empathetic discussions should determine our values and here is our primer on how to do just that.

I appreciated the encouragement this volume offers to those of us who want to learn how to engage in political conversations with friends and acquaintances of differing views. They offer a persuasive argument for why to take off our team jerseys (political party identities) and engage in open, honest conversation. They provide steps that can move us to being more comfortable in times of ideological discomfort and learn to seek to understand the values and emotional reasoning behind the different viewpoints. I am glad to have read this.
I requested and voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

"So let's do the hard but enjoyable work begun by our founding fathers and mothers. Let's talk politics".

A truly interesting and thought provoking book, written by a Democrat and a Republican, which reinforces the authors' point that people can have close friendships even with people with different political ideas. The main premise of the book is that we shouldn't avoid political discussions because they make us feel uncomfortable but that it is the discussion and our understanding of the other point of view that will eventually lead us to the solution. Please note that, if you are an international reader, this book is only about American politics.
What I found very interesting were the thoughts and the questions, at the end of each chapter, that we may ask ourselves if we want to contemplate more on a chapter's theme.

We have increasingly become more divided than ever based on political parties and are adamant about designating everyone with a label. Thoughts, ideas, and policies should be based on more than an "us vs. them" mentality.

"Our driving force shouldn’t be ensuring that a particular party controls a particular wing of government. Our driving force should be the values that are most important to us in living in community with other people."

"Politicians shouldn’t determine our positions and values. Our values should determine the policies and politicians we support."

This is a well-written and thought-provoking book. Everyone could benefit from reading it. The whole dialogue about taking off our political jerseys in order to eliminate division and actually make an impact on today's problems is dead-on. Discussing real issues in a way that can make a real difference. The power behind kind and thoughtful conversations.

I appreciate being given a free copy by Nelson Books in exchange for an honest review.

There is no shortage of works regarding politics in this day and age. “I Think You’re Wrong (But I'm Listening)” is a welcome departure from the typical rhetoric and rhythms of politically-themed books. Admittedly, I had not listened to their podcast prior to picking up their book, as I don’t consider myself to be super “political” (in part because of my intimidation to interact with passionate politicals, which was the reason I picked up the book in the first place!).

Instead of focusing on who is wrong and who is right, this book gives great insight on how to have engaging political discourse with someone with whom you wouldn’t normally engage (or agree, for that matter). They use a variety of ideas, and in multiple parts throughout the book, discuss both sides of hot-button issues (for example, welfare) which I found to be both informative and illuminating.

Holland and Silvers approach a lot of their tactics from a faith perspective. The book is supported strongly by their conviction and faith. They believe that a faith-based value system is needed in order to form well-informed opinions regarding political issues.

All in all, I thought it was interesting and I liked it..

I appreciate the balanced perspectives from both women. I love the questions presented at the end of each chapter. They allow the reader to consider a more understanding, empathetic approach to each side of the discussion. I have already recommended this book to several friends and will continue to do so. This was the perfect read going into the upcoming election season. I think every voter would benefit from reading it - seek to understand, listen rather than insult and immediately jump on the defensive. Well done, ladies.

In the current politically charged climate, discussing any issue is difficult and can sometimes feel dangerous. The lack of civil discourse in society is concerning. In the book I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Conversations, Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth A. Silvers tackle this issue and provide readers with skills and resources to discuss issues in a productive manner. The authors not only write about how to discuss issues productively but also live out these concepts in their podcast Pantsuit Politics.

The two co-authors both identify as people of faith but are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. However, they do not let that stop them from fruitfully discussing a variety of issues. Throughout their book, Holland and Silvers emphasize researching and discussing actual issues and to engage in nuanced conversation. They encourage individuals to focus on what we can agree on and to look at the larger picture instead of just taking sides. Readers will enjoy the introduction to civil discourse but also the civics refresher.

I particularly enjoyed how Holland and Silvers remind readers that you can't make knee-jerk assumptions about anyone's beliefs or viewpoints simply because of their political persuasion or their view on one issue. We have bought into a strict two-party political system where individuals are strait-jacketed into one slate of opinions and not allowed to express opinions that may fall "in-between." While reading I Think You're Wrong, I found myself cheering and agreeing with the authors frequently and yearning for the opportunity to engage in civil discourse with others. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is civic-minded and cares about our country no matter your political persuasion. Book clubs would enjoy reading and discussing this book and then engaging in practical application of the content.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening) via NetGalley from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The perfect book for our current political climate. If politics with family, politics on social media, and talking about your own values and opinions has become exhausting, you will enjoy this book. Written by a Republican and a Democrat, these women remind us that human connection is so much more important than converting everyone to our political beliefs.

“I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening)” should be required reading. Sarah and Beth of the podcast, Pantsuit Politics, give us tips for having conversations about politics with grace and kindness. They explain that talking with people we disagree with is how progress happens and that we can understand a lot more about our beliefs when we do so. Most of us have a hard time empathizing with the other side and I love the questions they ask at the end of each chapter to get the reader to think about how they can be more understanding and empathetic.

I Think You're Wrong (But I Am Listening)

This book was provided on my Kindle for the purpose of review by Net Galley.
A guide to a grace-filled political conversation is the subtitle and that states the book well.
These ladies are educated and great friends but they disagree politically.
The overriding lesson of the book is to how to have a different view than others but still be able to be friends.

It is important to know first what is our personal belief; then be able to communicate that
belief in an open and honest way. The critical issue being to communicate from a position of my heart and not to attack the different belief.

We must all learn to listen and understand the other belief and discuss beliefs; not a party or argue the friend, family member, employer or neighbor's choice.

As individuals we can make a difference in our community by listening and coming alongside as a friend rather than waiting for our turn to talk. We should be able to live in relationship with people who think differently than we do politically. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

I would highly recommend this book. Much needed for all who are interested in becoming a better listener and friend.

The hosts of one of my all time favorite podcasts, Pantsuit Politics, have written their first book! I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) is just as wonderful as the podcast. Beth and Sarah are known for their ability to have tough discussions about difficult topics and do so without any shouting or insults. In fact, they say that at the beginning of each and every podcast. Their ability to bring nuance to each and every discussion has led to a devoted following and one of the most informative and enjoyable podcasts available today.
I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) is their guide to having these nuanced conversations in our everyday lives. They provide real life tips and advice on how to talk politics with friends and family of differing political views and opinions. At the end of each chapter, Beth and Sarah provide questions for the reader to help further the conversations that need to happen in real life and provide scriptures that have helped guide them in their own interactions.
You can hear Beth and Sarah in this book. It is true to their personalities and provides that seem level of grace, intelligence, and thoughtfulness that they give us each week in their podcast. If you are looking for a nuanced take on politics and life, I highly recommend picking up this book and checking out their podcast, Pantsuit Politics.
Full Disclosure: I received an advanced copy of this book from the authors and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book really should be required reading for anyone interested in politics or has an opinion about any political issue, whether it's based on fact or not. Sarah and Beth do such a great job of encouraging people to research facts, speak the truth, look at candidates and issues with a critical eye, and most importantly, realize that political debate is only one facet of our relationships. After reading this, I feel better prepared to have calm conversations with friends and family members who have differing views than my own. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.