How Cortico Helps NPR Bridge Community Divides

Cortico is a tech company that helps people have better conversations across political divides. They created a platform that records community conversations focused on sharing experiences rather than opinions. During the 2016 election, they noticed how online hostility was dividing people and wanted to help bring communities together through dialogue.

In 2024, they partnered with NPR on a project called 'Listening Across Divides' to help journalists better understand their communities before the presidential election. Ten NPR stations from across the country participated, from a small three-person station in Texas to a large 300-person team in San Francisco. The goal was to bring together people who don't usually talk to each other and help them share their stories and experiences.

This approach helps journalists move beyond quick soundbites to really understand what people are thinking and feeling. The conversations were later featured on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered as part of their 'Seeking Common Ground' series. The project shows how technology can enhance journalism by focusing on community voices and building trust between different groups of people.