Arno Michaelis

During this time when our society seems more polarized than ever before, how can people with vehemently opposing beliefs possibly connect with each other? Compassion: simply bearing witness to suffering, without judgment, and without a political agenda. Arno Michaelis spent over a decade working in the international counter-violent extremism space after a successful career as an information technology consultant. He draws upon his experience as a former white nationalist for efficacy in disarming all forms of violent extremism. Arno owes his success to brave people he once claimed to hate who demonstrated compassion for him when he least deserved it, but when he needed it most. When we understand that hurt people hurt people, we understand that suffering is the root of hostility. When trauma isn't processed in a healthy way, it can lead to a narrowing of perception that casts people who disagree as enemies.