With only a quick glance at today’s overheated political climate—the balkanized geography between red and blue states, the bombastic former president, the strident social media culture, all culminating in the recent attack on the U.S. Capitol—you get an unmistakable message: We don’t know how to talk with each other anymore, let alone build common ground. An expert in linguistics explores our new argumentative culture to find ways that Americans of different beliefs can start believing in each other again.

"The Architecture of Trust", written by Michael Erard, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You can find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and resources on our site.

Written by MICHAEL ERARD

Introduction by CHRIS EGUSA

Narrated by MITCHELL GREENBERG

Produced by CHRIS EGUSA

Music by MIKE SNOWDEN OF “THE CIGAR BOX GUITAR MAKER”