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Last summer, bestselling author and Atlantic magazine contributor Amanda Ripley published an essay, Complicating the Narratives, exploring what journalists could learn from mediators, lawyers, rabbis, and others “who know how to disrupt toxic narratives and get people to reveal deeper truths.” Ripley revealed how she discovered her own shortcomings as a journalist and called on reporters to change how they conduct interviews and cover conflict -- in order to do a better job listening and being heard in the current age of outrage. The essay went viral online and was translated into multiple languages.

Ripley will share what she learned with journalists in Portland, explaining how the news media unintentionally worsen political divides, and how reporters and editors can ask different questions and revive complexity “in a time of false simplicity.” The audience will have a chance to talk with Ripley and learn specific, practical listening and mediation techniques that can be adapted by journalists.

RSVP by 4 June.

This free event is presented by the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication in Portland, along with the Solutions Journalism Network, The Oregonian, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Online News Association-PDX, and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Ripley is the author of The Smartest Kids in the World--and How They Got That Way, a New York Times bestseller, and The Unthinkable. She writes feature stories for the Atlantic, Politico and other outlets.