Skip to Main Content

I'm Just Saying

A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World

Published by Health Communications Inc
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

A straightforward look at the history and the art of maintaining courteous communication in an increasingly divided world.

2024 Winner, International Book Awards, Current Events Category and Social Change Category

2024 Finalist, International Book Awards, Business: General Category and Business: Motivational Category

Have you ever been in a conversation that, after volleying back and forth, ended with the words, “I’m just saying . . .”? Usually, this signals frustration, that the discussion has reached a dead end, that you haven’t made your point, and may even leave you feeling that your relationship with the other person has changed for the worse. Digital interactions, devoid of nuance and understanding, further complicate discussion. We may believe that we are superior because our opinions are the “right” ones, and in the future avoid conversations with those whose opinions differ from ours, sending us into a never-ending echo chamber.

In I’m Just Saying, author Milan Kordestani shows us that although challenging conversations can be unpleasant, they can also help us grow. Sometimes, people inspire us to change how we speak, making us better communicators in the process as we search to find common ground with those with whom we disagree. Kordestani uses contemporary case studies and personal experience to teach readers how to have constructive conversations by engaging in civil discourse—the idea that good-faith actors can reach consensus on any opinion-based disagreement. He discusses influential leaders and reflects on his successes and failures in creating The Doe, an online publication focused on civil discourse. He addresses the challenges that digital media consumption presents when seeking common ground—especially when people are only digitally connected.

Civil discourse, an essential part of democracy, is becoming rare in today's digital age. I’m Just Saying examines discourse's successes and the ways to rebuild it. Drawing from history, popular culture, and personal anecdotes, the book promotes effective civil discourse by providing practical advice and strategies for respect. Through story, I’m Just Saying offers insight and tools for politeness in a divided world.

About The Author

Milan Kordestani, an accomplished author and social entrepreneur, is a dedicated advocate for civic engagement and common-ground solutions to systemic socioeconomic problems. His first book, I'm Just Saying: A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World, reached #2 on the Wall Street Journal’s Bestseller List in 2023. Kordestani is also a longtime contributor to Entrepreneur, Rolling Stone, and Forbes, championing conscious capitalism and innovation across industries. As the CEO of Ankord Labs, a venture studio, Kordestani invests in deeply ethical founders to incubate startups that scale social impact. Kordestani uses his writing to mentor and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators, encouraging them to prioritize ethical entrepreneurship as they build their own ventures.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Health Communications Inc (June 22, 2023)
  • Length: 272 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780757324505

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"I enjoyed reading this book because it provided me with valuable knowledge on how to conduct myself in a discussion or debate. I highly recommend it to everyone because it will help us build a better world where we understand and respect each other and our differences." —Readers' Favorite

"A timely and much needed contribution to our national dialogue over the profound deterioration of civility in public and political discourse, "I'm Just Saying: A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World" deserves as wide a readership as possible. "I'm Just Saying" is a critically essential and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Anger Management, Communication/Social Skills Development, and Social Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists." —Able Greenspan's Bookshelf, Midwest Book Review

Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Nonfiction E-Books

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images