In this special bonus episode of On Assignment, guest host Dr. Kanji Nakamura, a civic engagement expert from San Francisco, unpacks one of the most urgent threats to American democracy: political polarization. As partisan divides deepen and media discourse grows more combative, what role should journalism play in restoring trust and fostering dialogue?

Dr. Nakamura explores how traditional journalism's reliance on conflict-driven narratives may be fueling the problem—and how a shift toward constructive journalism could offer a path forward. Drawing on real-world examples, research insights, and strategies from fields like mediation and public engagement, this episode examines how journalists can move from amplifying division to creating space for mutual understanding, empathy, and problem-solving.

From "Walk a Mile in My News" to Braver Angels workshops, discover how storytelling and newsrooms can help bridge ideological chasms—by listening better, listening louder, and encouraging conversations that heal rather than harm.