Building Trust, Belonging, and Community—One Conversation at a Time.

In 2018 the local community was at loggerheads about a public art project. Aqus Community director John Crowley and communications expert Lou Zweir convened a group of residents for an evening of small-group facilitated discussions on the divisive topic. The surprisingly civilized conversation sparked Lou and John to formalize the gatherings around a wide variety of topics.

Petaluma Conversations brings local people together for respectful, face-to-face discussion about subjects that matter. You do not need to be an expert or prepare anything. Just come ready to speak honestly, listen with curiosity, and meet people whose experiences or opinions may be different from your own. Always included are one or two “difficult topics”: open-minded dialogue is critically needed today – the need for civil discourse has never been greater. 

Participants gather around tables using a simple structure – reflective listening – that gives everyone an equal opportunity to speak and be heard. Being truly heard and understood is a fundamental human need.

The goal is not to debate, persuade, or decide who is right. The goal is to understand one another. Listening does not mean agreeing. It means making the effort to understand what someone believes, what they have experienced, and why it matters to them.

Our Principles

We participate with curiosity, openness, honesty, mutual respect, and care.

We are here to understand one another—not to argue, convince, correct, or interrogate.

Join the Conversation

Bring your perspective. Listen to someone else’s. Meet a few neighbors.

The Petaluma Conversations program occurs in 4-week series several times a year, generally on Tuesday evenings at the Petaluma Regional Library.

We may not leave agreeing, but we can leave understanding one another a little better.