The Enemies Project Facilitated Political Conversations
A father and daughter launched a YouTube series aimed at bridging deep political divides through empathy.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Documentary
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Launched in May 2025, The Enemies Project features 8-hour-long filmed conversations between strangers holding opposing political views. The series seeks to replace online echo chambers with direct, personal interaction.
Why it matters
The project aims to combat unproductive political conflict by uncovering the personal experiences and tragedies that drive ideological differences. By leveraging mediation techniques, the creators attempt to foster empathy across the national political spectrum.
The channel has accumulated 90,000 YouTube subscribers and 190,000 Instagram followers across 16 uploaded episodes. One individual Instagram clip has reached three million views.
The players
Larry Rosen
He is a former mediation lawyer who uses his 20 years of professional conflict-resolution experience to moderate the project.
Sadie Rosen
She is a student at Washington University in St. Louis who handles the technical editing, marketing, and participant scouting for the series.
The details
Larry Rosen, a professional with 20 years of experience in mediation law, facilitates the lengthy sessions. His daughter, Sadie Rosen, manages the digital production, candidate scouting, and social media advertising.
Timeline
1988: Larry Rosen earned his B.A.
May 2025: The Enemies Project YouTube channel launched.
2025: Larry Rosen pitched the project to his family.
Spring 2027: Sadie Rosen is scheduled to graduate from WashU.
Industry Dynamics
The Enemies Project mirrors the growth of long-form conversational media, which challenges the dominance of short-form, polarized content. By prioritizing depth over viral brevity, the series attempts to shift viewer engagement toward sustained intellectual discourse.
Viewers can watch the full-length conversations on the project's YouTube channel or view 15-second summary clips on Instagram. These resources are available for free to anyone seeking to see how mediation techniques are applied to modern political debates.
The takeaway
Empathy-driven dialogue requires significant time and professional mediation to move beyond surface-level conflict. Viewers can apply these active listening techniques to their own personal conversations to better understand opposing viewpoints.
Further reading
Explore more projects in the Documentary section regarding how independent creators are utilizing digital platforms for social change.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Student Life.
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