Thoughtful conversations designed to help students navigate complex global issues with empathy, critical thinking, and a commitment to understanding all perspectives.
Common Ground Learning provides free, fact-based educational conversations for teenagers and young adults. Each conversation explores a complex real-world topic — from global conflicts to social issues to personal growth — presenting multiple perspectives without bias or agenda. Designed for students ages 13 and up, our conversations are used by teachers, parents, and self-directed learners who believe that understanding comes before judgment.
"Welcome. This space was created as an invitation — not to agree, but to explore. The conversations you will find here are meant to slow things down in a world that often pushes us to react quickly, choose sides, and repeat ideas we may not have had the chance to examine for ourselves.
Each section of this site opens a different conversation about history, identity, and human experience. My hope is that you will move through them with curiosity, patience, and an open mind.
You are not expected to leave with the 'right' answers. Instead, you are simply invited to listen, think, question, and consider perspectives that may be unfamiliar."
— Mark Tannen, Founder, Common Ground Learning
Each conversation is freely available and designed for students ages 13+. From global conflicts and social policy to social-emotional learning and personal resilience — every conversation is fact-based, unbiased, and built to make teenagers think.
A balanced, comprehensive exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — multiple perspectives, historical context, and critical thinking.
Inspiring case studies of youth-led movements throughout history — and the strategies that made them successful.
A balanced exploration of immigration — covering history, policy, human stories, and multiple political perspectives.
A balanced, fact-based exploration of homelessness — covering causes, human stories, policy solutions, and multiple perspectives. You don't need to pick a side. You need to learn how to think.
Nobody told us this when we were your age — so we're telling you now. This conversation tackles the real emotional challenges teenagers face: grief, self-doubt, finding your people, and figuring out who you want to be. Funny, honest, and genuinely moving.
A balanced, thought-provoking exploration of Artificial Intelligence — how it works, who controls it, what it means for jobs and creativity, and the ethical questions we all need to be asking. Available in three editions tailored to your stage of life.
A balanced, fact-checked conversation about one of the world's most complex and active conflicts. Covering 70+ years of history, the nuclear question, proxy wars, and the February 2026 war — presenting every perspective without taking sides. Verified by Perplexity AI & Google Gemini AI · April 2026.
Questions about our conversations, partnership opportunities, or how to bring Common Ground Learning to your school?