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.

Yes. For 2026, registration is completely free. You'll receive access to the IDWA Studio which is the home to all the monthly content and you'll have access as long as the project exists online. I may add a paid facilitated community later or a project purchase after the initial 12 months have been completed, but the content will be available for free if you register before April 2027.

Month one resources will be available starting April 1, 2026. Virtual cohorts led by Michelle may begin later. You're welcome to join us at any time and will receive access to all previous content upon joining.

If you're interested in using the materials personally or with others locally, you can begin any time with month one and proceed from there.

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.

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.

I'm going to offer you a revolutionary idea. You don't have to finish the reading every month. Really. We aren't tracking pages or book finishes. Completing the reading is not the goal. Engaging with the ideas is. So, if you don't finish any given month, you can choose to finish at your own pace, or move to the next topic. Your choice.

Talking about these ideas in a group is an ideal way to make sense of what you're reading. Having a discussion about a theme with someone who's read about it from a different perspective, a different text, will make for a rich conversation. You have a couple of options.

If you live near Nashville, Tennessee, Michelle will be facilitating a live group hosted by Nashville Public Library on the campus of Vanderbilt University beginning in May.

If you have a friend, or group of friends interested in reading, start a reading circle. You can encourage each other when your motivation dips and get together to talk about the ideas in the books. Beginning with the second month, there will be a leader's guide available to help you.