Discussing politics in today’s environment can seem like sticking your face in a fan. But there is a way to do it—and in fact, there’s an organized movement to get Americans talking across partisan lines.

It started in 2016, when a small group calling itself the Better Angels (a term Abraham Lincoln used in his first inaugural address) got together in a barn to foster discussion between conservatives and progressives. The idea: Apply techniques used in marriage and group counseling to see if they could help break the ice.

It worked, and four years later the exercise in the barn has grown into a nationwide network that encourages volunteers to use the group’s techniques to start their own discussions.

Now known as Braver Angels, the organization offers online experiences, workshops, weekly online debates, a podcast and more, all aimed at de-escalating tensions and prompting a flow of discussion.

For example, one exercise asks each group to list ways the other group stereotypes them, and why those views are incorrect. Republicans might say that although some racists identify with their party, not all Republicans are bigoted. Democrats might be stereotyped as being anti-capitalist, but admit some extremists identify with them.

Once stereotypes are broken down, the process involves framing discussions in a way that avoids defensiveness and makes the conversation not seem like an argument to be won or lost.

For more information, visit braverangels.org.