What Is Civility—Really?

Civility is not about being polite. It’s about having the moral courage to protect human dignity, uphold respect, and build communities where democracy can thrive.

In this powerful keynote from the 2025 Compassionate Action Conference, your host Diane Kalen-Sukra—author of Save Your City and founder of Kalen Academy—explores what civility really means and why it’s the key to healing toxic public life. 

Addressing thousands of changemakers gathered for the Charter for Compassion’s global summit, Diane connects the ancient wisdom of Socrates and the Athenian Oath with modern civic challenges and examples.

She issues a rallying call for courageous civility: a compassionate practice that goes beyond surface niceness to embody principled action, respect for others, and the strength to lead without dehumanizing our opponents. 

Through stories of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Robert F. Kennedy, this episode shows how restraint and moral clarity can interrupt cycles of violence and restore public trust.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of civility as a cultural force, a leadership practice, and a survival skill for democratic societies.

🌱 Learn more or access free resources at KalenAcademy.com
📘 Get the book: Save Your City

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