In the Courage Brief we share new scientific research and analysis along with news about our educational work and events.

Most Recent Courage Brief

October 2025

Dear Friends of Courage,

Every Courage Brief is an invitation: to see the world as it is, and to act so institutions can become what they ought to be. This issue arrives at a moment when many of us are tempted by two familiar myths—that a few “bad apples” are the problem and that we can be passive because “time will fix it.” Our first featured essay challenges those myths head-on, reminding us that structures, policies, and bystander silence enable harm—and that progress comes from persistent, values-driven effort. Drawing strength from ancestral legacies of “quiet rebellion,” it calls us to imagine boldly and then build practically.

Our second featured essay looks squarely at the relationship between rape culture, institutional betrayal, and democratic backsliding. When denial, retaliation, and impunity become normalized, institutions betray the people they’re meant to serve—and the health of a democracy erodes. Yet the piece does not leave us in despair. It translates institutional courage into concrete steps for leaders and for the public: acknowledge and repair harm; commit to transparency; protect whistleblowers; and reward moral courage—even when it carries real costs. These are not abstract ideals; they are choices available to us today.

Across both essays runs a throughline I’ve seen for decades in research and practice: courage is a choice. When we tell the truth about harm, remove incentives for denial, and design systems that safeguard the vulnerable and empower the principled, institutions change—sometimes slowly, often unevenly, but unmistakably.

As you read, I invite you to do three things:

Notice where myth is masquerading as wisdom in your setting.
Name one procedure you can make more transparent this month.
Identify someone who took a risk for the sake of integrity—and thank them.

Our work has always been about turning moral clarity into institutional muscle. Thank you for doing that work in your classrooms, clinics, agencies, companies, courts, councils, and communities. Your everyday courage, paired with thoughtful design and accountability, adds up.

With gratitude and resolve,

Read the full October 2025 issue here.

Prior Courage Briefs

Subscribe to the Newsletter Here!