A book-club-style journey through the American story
for readers who know there's more to it than what they were taught.
MAKING SENSE OF THE AMERICAN STORY
What This Is & How It Works
In Dialogue with America is a year-long reading project launching in March 2026 for America's 250th anniversary. Each month focuses on one theme explored through three perspectives:
A novel to feel the story from the inside
A history book to understand the context
The work of an artist to see how culture shapes and reflects these ideas
You choose to read either the novel OR the history.
Then you have space to reflect, respond, and if you want, discuss with others who are reading from a different perspective.
The Monthly Rhythm
Each month follows a simple structure:
READ: Start with a short introduction to the theme, then engage with the month's novel or history book
REFLECT: Use guided prompts to process what you're learning
RESPOND: Articulate your thinking through conversation, writing, or creative practice (optional but available)
You can participate on your own, with a group of friends in person, join live virtual discussions, or explore through creative response. The structure is consistent, but you choose your depth.
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JANE AWESOME, ACME CO.
Who is this for?
Thoughtful readers who...
Realize the American story they learned in school was incomplete and want to understand what was left out
Feel exhausted by the noise of hot takes and headline-driven outrage
Want to stay engaged without drowning in cynicism or conflict
Want conversations that go deeper than social media sound bites
Are curious by nature and have questions about what they’ve been taught
If even one of these resonates, you'll feel at home here!
You don't need to be an activist, a historian, or particularly political.
You just need to be willing to read, reflect, and explore
perspectives you might not have encountered before.
What We'll Explore
12 Months. 12 Themes. A Fuller Story.
origins
manifest destiny
american exceptionalism
individualism
nationalism & patriotism
capitalism & clulture
becoming an american
slavery's legacy
moral authority
land relations
patriarchy & power
what we choose to be
Each month, we explore one aspect of American identity
through three lenses: a novel, a history book, and an artist's work.
3 Ways I Can Help You Goes Right Here
1
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you're considering participating in a paid tier, you may have some questions.
Is this political or tied to a party or ideology?
In Dialogue with America is not affiliated with any political party or ideological agenda. The project explores American identity through literature, history, art, and cultural context rather than debate or persuasion. The goal is fuller understanding through questioning, reflection, and conversation, not argument, division, or promotion of a particular viewpoint.
That said, reflecting critically on the stories we’ve often taken as cultural truth can sometimes feel challenging or uncomfortable. Discomfort isn’t the point of the project, but thoughtful inquiry often invites us to sit with complexity rather than certainty.
Who is this project for?
This project is for thoughtful adults who sense that the American story they were taught is incomplete and want to engage it with curiosity, care, and depth. Many participants are readers, educators, librarians, creatives, and community-minded individuals who value humane conversation and reflection over hot takes or ideological performance.
Is this a debate or discussion forum?
No. This is not a debate space. Conversations are guided and facilitated with an emphasis on curiosity, listening, and meaning-making rather than winning arguments or persuading others.
The purpose of our conversations is to practice discussing ideas thoughtfully, even when we hold differing perspectives. Many participants experience this as a safe place to build capacity for complex, humane conversations they want to have in other areas of their lives.
Do I need prior knowledge of history or the arts?
Not at all. The project is designed for curious beginners as well as experienced readers. Context is provided, and reflection prompts help guide engagement regardless of background.
What if I miss sessions or fall behind?
That’s completely fine. All sessions are recorded, and there’s no expectation to keep up perfectly. This project is designed to support thoughtful engagement, not create pressure.
In addition, paid members will have access to the materials and recordings beyond the life of the project. You can return to any session you missed.
Do I have to be an artist or creative to participate (because I'm not)?
No. All creative practices are designed to work with the creativity we all share. Having any special artistic gifts or training is not necessary and creative responses are always optional. You can engage entirely through reading, reflection, and conversation if that’s what suits you.
Even in a creative cohort, our work will be about engaging with the creative process itself, not about a product that may be the result of that process.
Three Ways to Participate
When registration opens, you’ll be able to choose the level of involvement
that fits your season and capacity.
explore
Personal or Local Groups
FREE - $0
Monthly reading list
Personal reflection prompts
Group starter kit and leader support
Weekly thought-provoking emails
Perfect if you want structure and guidance to explore on your own or with a local group.
engage
Community Conversations
$216
or 3 installment payments of $79
equivalent to $18/mo.
Everything in Explore, Plus...
Live guided Zoom discussions
Add'l content and bonus materials
Replay archive of every discussion
Shared community space
Provides spaces to engage in a community while exploring these ideas
create
A Creative Cohort
$348
or 3 installment payments of $130
equivalent to $29/mo.
Everything in Engage, Plus...
Deeper art content and context
Guided aesthetic response prompts
Live Zoom creative sessions
Potential year-end creative showcase
For the creatively curious and/or serious. You do not need to consider yourself an artist to be welcome.
founder access open now
In Dialogue with America general registration officially opens in mid-February.
For those who already know they want to participate,
founders access is available now
at a reduced rate,
in recognition of early commitment to the project.
Founders access closes when general registration opens.
Founders price $144
Equivalent to $12/mo.
Founders price $240
Equivalent to $20/mo.
Why I Created This Project
Over the past year, I've been going through what I can only describe as a civic deconstruction.
I grew up with the "heroes and holidays" version of American history, the kind most of us got in school. As an adult, I knew there was more to the story. But in the last year, I started realizing how much more. Not just details I'd missed, but entire perspectives I was never taught to consider. I began to see that what I learned wasn't just incomplete, it was shaped by ideology, taught as if it were settled fact, and presented in ways that are completely different from how history is understood and taught today.
And then I looked around at the chaos of our current moment (the political polarization, the media noise, the constant outrage) and I realized how fragile our democracy actually is. It's not a spectator sport. You can't just show up every four years and vote.
I wanted a way to make sense of it all. And I thought: if I'm feeling this, other people probably are too.
Join us for 2026!
You're drowning in opinions but starving for understanding. The headlines keep you reactive, but they don't help you make sense of anything.
If you're ready to trade the noise for something deeper, this is your path.
Join the interest list. Be among the first to register when it opens in 2026.
Want to work with us?
FOR PRESS, MEDIA, OR COLLABORATION INQUIRIES
QUICK LINKS
Copyright 2026. Michelle Rene Hill. All Rights Reserved.
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