Creating opportunities for civil conversation between people with political differences

Creating opportunities for civil conversation between people with political differences
Sep 19, 2025
Suzanne Jouvenat
Creating opportunities for civil conversation between people with political differences
BIO

Suzanne was born in Omaha, attended schools in Columbus and then left the state for the next 25 years as she pursued her studies and​ eventual career in music performance. She graduated as a Voice major from Kansas University, did Master classes in Washington DC​​ before embarking on teaching Voice at University of Ghana outside Accra. This American next lived and studied in Zurich Switzerland, preparing for engagements in European opera houses.  Suzanne visited Cape Town and a major aspect of her professional career began through playing lead roles in opera, operetta, musical comedy, oratorio, television and theater. After returning to the States with her two children, she felt the “call” to enroll in an El Ed program and upon graduation taught K-8 music, gave private voice lessons and presented concerts through the NE Arts Council. While in Grad School for Ed. Psych and school counseling, she embarked on training in family and additionally drug and alcohol counseling as specializations.  Suzanne has worked at CEDARS during grad school, then as a dual disorders therapist at CenterPoint, St Monica’s and currently serving all populations and issues with the Lincoln Family Medical Group for 14 years.  She has 4 grandchildren and is active in her church and various groups, loves the people and opportunities provided in Lincoln. The activity of the Rotary clubs has many similarities to Braver Angels; she had the joy of visiting and performing for some while in South Africa.

Suzanne observed differences in the tone of her homeland after returning, especially sensing a stark change beginning in the 2000’s, and felt the need to apply the skills of her work in marital counseling to our Nation!  And then Braver Angels presented itself! Having become a moderator for live presentations, she is now hoping to translate the skills for human-to-human respectful communication and promote more understanding of one another through this program. Thank you!