Jerad Morey on Building Peace, Practicing Curiosity, and Turning Conflict into Connection
About the Episode
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jerad Morey, a peacemaker and leader at the Minnesota Council of Churches. Jerad shares their journey from early life experiences with mental illness in the family to their leadership in conflict resolution and community dialogue. Together, we explore how chess, empathy, and deep listening can help us build bridges in a polarized world - and why curiosity may be our most underused superpower.
Key Takeways
Empathy Rooted in Experience: Jerad’s early efforts to understand a parent with mental illness led to a lifelong dedication to perspective-taking. This commitment became the foundation for their studies in global politics and a career in peacebuilding.
An 11-Year-Old's Message That Changed Everything: After 9/11, Jerad worked with the Red Cross and was moved by a child’s note reading, “Please keep trying. I don’t want a war.” That moment inspired them to pursue graduate work in theology and international conflict resolution.
Respectful Conversations as a Model for Dialogue: The Minnesota Council of Churches launched this project in response to a contentious marriage amendment, aiming to foster better public discourse than had occurred during California’s Prop 8. The structured dialogue model focuses on storytelling, values, and empathy across divides.
Empathy That Endures: The project achieved a 66% success rate in increasing empathy for those with opposing views. Surprisingly, the model worked best when disagreement was highest - helping people develop long-term skills for dialogue and depolarization.
Self-Awareness Is Step One: Effective facilitators and participants must be aware of their own physiological responses in tough conversations. Jerad emphasizes identifying your true goal - whether it’s to win, understand, or preserve a relationship.
Framing Matters: Successful large group dialogue requires careful framing. That includes naming the elephants in the room, spotting moments where curiosity can thrive, and knowing when a fight - not a discussion—is necessary.
Chess as a Life Coach: Jerad draws a powerful connection between chess and life. The game teaches critical thinking, patience, foresight, and strategic planning - especially valuable for young people navigating poverty or instability.
Unleashing Your Inner Queen: For Jerad, it means being humble, adaptable, and unafraid to pursue curiosity - even when it leads to unexpected places. It’s about working with your limitations, embracing your growth edges, and staying open to transformation.
