The 3 Degrees of Why - Moving Beyond Positions to the Stories That Shape Us - A Schemel Forum Collaborative Event

In today’s polarized climate, conversations often stall at the level of positions—what people believe—without exploring the deeper layers that shape those beliefs. This interactive workshop introduces The 3 Degrees of Why, a framework that helps participants move beyond surface disagreement to understand the reasoning, values, and stories that influence how people see the world. Through guided reflection and exercises, participants will explore how beliefs are formed, including the role of both lived experiences and the stories we encounter through the wider cultural and media landscape. By learning to recognize these deeper layers, participants will gain practical tools for engaging in difficult conversations with greater curiosity, discernment, and understanding.Peace Ike is a culture strategist, dialogue facilitator, and speaker who works across both secular and faith-based spaces to build bridges and foster cultural transformation. After earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh, she spent 15 years repairing broken bodies—only to discover her deeper calling: repairing broken bonds. In 2018, she launched her nonprofit organization, The Gathering Place Philly, a community engagement initiative promoting healthy city-wide flourishing through shared meals and courageous conversations across differences. Today, she leads Set The Table Strategies and Unoffendable Life, providing relational skills support in both the workplace and the community.Presentation and Discussion– Complimentary and Open to the Community, Courtesy of the Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities