This is NPR's life kit. I'm Michelle Martin.

By now, saying that America is divided is almost a cliche, but it's true.

And it's something that seems to touch almost everybody in some way.

According to the Pew Research Center, for example,

these divisions even affect who people say they're willing to date or a friend.

And the research says such divisions have only widened during the Trump administration,

especially on deeply personal issues like race, immigration, and aid to those in need.

And even now, with the presidential election over, some people are still trying to deny

that Joe Biden is the legitimate winner.

So how does the country move forward?

To get some perspective, I talk with people who've done the hard work of healing.

These conversations you'll hear in this episode are part of a larger series from all things considered,

which I host on Saturday and Sunday.

Now healing doesn't happen quickly, and we're not going to give you any easy answers.

But these conversations shed light on the importance of addressing trauma

and working together as a community in order to move forward.

First, let's focus on truth and reconciliation commissions.

You might be familiar with the idea from other countries,

like in post-apartheid South Africa and Northern Ireland.

But similar commissions have been set up in the United States,

and we thought people who participated might have some insights to share.

And a few minutes, we're going to hear from Reverend Nelson Johnson and Mark Sills,

...