Podcast Summary: Nonprofits Are Messy

Episode 240: NEIGHBORS FIRST: HOW TO FIND COMMON GROUND with Garrett Cathcart
Host: Joan Garry
Guest: Garrett Cathcart, Co-founder and Executive Director, More Perfect Union (MPU)
Date: November 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores the challenge of building genuine connections and finding common ground between people of differing backgrounds, beliefs, and lived experiences. Joan Garry interviews Garrett Cathcart, military veteran and co-founder of More Perfect Union, a nonprofit fostering civic engagement and community connection through in-person gatherings (“Brickyards”) focused on service, conversation, and local action. Together, they discuss the need for new platforms of community belonging and unity in an increasingly polarized America—and how nonprofits can be powerful agents for reconnection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenge of Connecting with Neighbors (00:00–02:47)

• Joan Garry shares her personal story about diversity and superficial neighborly relationships:
  “We joke that we bring diversity to our town… But you know what? We really don't know how to talk to our neighbors about current events…” (00:22)
• Cathcart emphasizes the growing disconnect:
  “Neighbors don't know how to talk to one another.” (00:59)

2. Garrett Cathcart's Origin Story & Journey to MPU (04:36–11:28)

• Cathcart describes his path from military service to the nonprofit sector, seeking purpose and community after returning home.
  • Initial resistance: “I don't care about veterans. I know I am one and I'm not going to work a nonprofit. I'm not going to be poor. But thanks for the thinking of me.” (05:09)
  • Discovery: “I miss purpose, community, camaraderie… I didn’t know what those words were at the time. I just knew I was unhappy…” (05:37)
• The founding of More Perfect Union:
  • Inspired by co-founder Jake Harriman's observation on US polarization after returning from years abroad.
  • Veterans as unique bridge-builders—institutionally trusted and experienced in working with diverse teams.
  • “How do we leverage this untapped resource in our country of military veterans to help unite the country from both political sides? Because veterans are ... the only remaining institution that polls about 70% of trust between both political demographics.” (07:49)
• From a whiteboard idea to reality:
  “He had been interviewing me the entire time without me even knowing it… you have two months of runway, we have to raise the rest.” (09:16–09:53)

3. MPU’s Community-Building Model: Service, Social Connection, Civic Engagement (11:28–16:09)

• Three core pillars:
  • Social Connection: Fun, non-political gatherings (pub nights, concerts, games) to organically foster relationships.
    “We never ask you how you voted, but we don't talk about politics. That's really scary and that doesn't sound fun… I'm going to start to build a relationship with you.” (12:53–13:18)
  • Service: Working together on community-defined projects to build trust.
    “While we're serving together…we're talking about our kids… and we're also building trust with the community.” (13:57)
  • Civic Engagement: Encouraging local ownership and action.
    “I'm not talking capitol in the White House… but, like, how do you fix parking on your street? Potholes? Stop signs?” (14:15)
• Focus on humanization over division:
  “We’re dehumanizing each other with our social media feeds and our news stations, and the other side is the worst… we're humanizing each other.” (15:23–15:26)

4. How Brickyards Work (16:11–18:56)

• “Brickyards” are MPU’s adaptation of traditional structures like Rotary or VFW clubs—updated for a new generation.
  • “A brickyard is a place where you build stuff… It's gritty, it's dirty… It's hard work, but it's fun sometimes too.” (16:22)
  • Locally led, tailored to each community’s character and needs:
    “What would you go to on a Saturday night or Sunday morning?” (17:10)
• Inclusive—both urban and rural, left and right:
  “We legitimately have conservatives… small towns… rural areas… not just the big cities.” (17:22)

5. Aspirations & Potential Impact (18:56–21:54)

• Cathcart envisions Brickyards as “the town square”—an accessible, nonpartisan space for problem-solving and relationship-building in every American community.
• “It becomes this idea, it's hope personified…” (20:20)
• Addresses the “loneliness epidemic” and provides pathways for new friendships and community engagement.
  “That's where it starts, right?” (14:38); “Where am I going to make new friends, right? Go to a bar by myself? That seems weird, right?” (22:54)

6. Community Empowerment — Local Ownership & Choice (23:19–24:11)

• Projects are user-driven and empower local leadership:
  “You get to what flavor service are we doing this month … it's kind of a one stop shop for awesomeness.” (24:11)
• The mechanism is not just service, but bonding and self-directed action:
  “Those are the mechanism and platform of how we bond people together and build community.” (23:19)

7. Memorable Story: Glen Rose, Texas Brickyard (27:15–30:39)

• A rural event combining a clothing drive, food, and a pow-wow, with diverse groups (including local militia members and recent immigrants) connecting over shared humanity:
  • “She donated one of her own pigs, had someone barbecue for 18 hours and a huge smoker… a steady stream of Hispanic immigrants coming, toys and food…” (27:38–28:14)
  • Humanizing moment: “It was just people being human. I watched it from kind of afar… a beautiful interaction.” (29:52–30:06)
• Demonstrates the power of local design, inclusiveness, and breaking down assumptions.

8. Evaluating Impact & Theory of Change (31:12–32:53)

• MPU uses academic tools (Social Cohesion Index Measure) to track outcomes like “intergroup empathy, intellectual humility, and values based listening.”
  “We're not changing people's political opinions… We are measuring for intergroup empathy, intellectual humility, and values-based listening.” (31:25)
• Currently developing new impact tools with Stanford University to quantify depolarization and civic engagement.

9. Relevance for Advocacy Organizations & Nonprofits (32:53–37:18)

• Applicability for others: nonprofits often focus on one side of the aisle—MPU’s methods can inspire broader engagement.
• Cathcart’s political philosophy:
  “I've been a member of and voted for both parties. I'm politically androgynous myself. Right. I don't know what I am anymore. I'm independent.” (34:45)
• Importance of diverse, representative teams and reaching beyond one’s comfort zone:
  • “You can’t all be liberals in a room hugging each other and saying, we're fixing it. Right. If we're being honest, you know, you need everybody.” (35:18)
• “Humanizing each other and building personal relationships to me is one of the most powerful ways to get anything done.” (36:14)

10. The Power and Responsibility of Neighborliness (37:18–41:29)

• “What would you do for your neighbor regardless of who they voted for?” (37:35)
• Reflecting on post-9/11 unity as a model for reclaiming shared American identity:
  • “Remember the feeling after 9/11… I don’t care who you voted for… We were Americans before we were anything else.” (38:34)
• Small acts of outreach matter—rebuilding the civic fabric begins with hospitality and genuine invitation.

11. How to Get Involved & Final Inspiration (41:29–44:25)

• Get involved:
  • Sign up at mpu.us
  • Open to all; not just veterans.
  • Remote engagement options for those outside current Brickyards.
  • “Your time is the most important resource you can give.” (41:57)
• Joan’s final reflection:
  • “Meaning and purpose is right there waiting for you ... what you have done by sharing this story today is illustrate that... there is, in fact, something you can tangibly do to actually take this polarized world of ours and try to make it feel human and American, truly American in the fullest sense of the word.” (42:51)
• Garrett’s closing thought:
  • “But the work I’m doing now is more meaningful for this country… It is going to repair and rebuild the social and civic fabric of the country.” (44:02–44:16)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Neighbors don't know how to talk to one another.”
  — Garrett Cathcart (00:59)

• “Veterans are… the only remaining institution that polls about 70% of trust between both political demographics.”
  — Garrett Cathcart (07:49)

• “We never ask you how you voted and we don't talk about politics. That's really scary and that doesn't sound fun...”
  — Garrett Cathcart (12:53)

• “We’re humanizing each other… the problem is, on the other side of that spectrum… we're dehumanizing each other with our social media feeds and our news stations...”
  — Garrett Cathcart (15:23)

• “A brickyard is a place where you build stuff. It's gritty. It's dirty. It's hard work, but it's fun sometimes too… and no one else had the name.”
  — Garrett Cathcart (16:22)

• “If we can do this 30 million times across the country, then we got a shot, right?”
  — Garrett Cathcart (29:34)

• “What would you do for your neighbor regardless of who they voted for?”
  — Joan Garry (37:35)

• “But the work I’m doing now is more meaningful for this country… It is going to repair and rebuild the social and civic fabric of the country.”
  — Garrett Cathcart (44:02–44:16)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:00–02:47: Joan's opening story; Cathcart on neighborly disconnect.
• 04:36–11:28: Cathcart’s personal and organizational origin stories.
• 11:28–16:09: MPU’s three pillars of connection.
• 16:11–18:56: How Brickyards work in practice.
• 27:15–30:39: Glen Rose, TX story—diverse groups sharing service.
• 31:12–32:53: Evaluating impact.
• 34:30–37:18: Nonprofit, advocacy and political lessons.
• 37:18–41:29: Reflections on neighborliness, responsibility.
• 41:29–44:25: Joining MPU; meaning and closing words.

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is direct, warm, and pragmatic, balancing concern about polarization with genuine hope rooted in human connection and practical action. Both speakers highlight the need for humility, curiosity, and courage in reaching across divides—not just in nonprofits, but in everyday community life.

Call to action:
The episode closes by inviting listeners—regardless of background—to take tangible steps toward community engagement, emphasizing that relationships, open-mindedness, and shared effort are the true antidote to polarization.

More info & join a Brickyard:
mpu.us

This summary is designed for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and community organizers seeking actionable ideas and inspiration for bridging divides and driving local impact.