Fireside Chat offers practical tools for managing conflict, mental health and hope

Members of the public gathered at Spies Public Library for the Menominee County Democratic Party’s Fireside Chat with Reverend Bill McBride.

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Posted Thursday, September 3, 2026 4:00 pm

FOR THE PESHTIGO TIMES

MENOMINEE, MICH. – On Monday, Aug. 10, the Menominee County Democratic Party hosted a Fireside Chat focused on managing mental health, relationships and hope during unsteady times.

The conversation featured retired pastor and author Reverend Bill McBride, who offered participants a practical framework for understanding conflict, recognizing its effects on personal well-being and responding with greater calm and purpose.

Reverend McBride drew on decades of pastoral experience and his work as an author to explain how people commonly react when conflict enters their lives. He described the emotional and physical toll that unresolved tension can take, noting that conflict often affects not only thoughts and relationships, but also health, energy and the sense of hope.

His message was clear — while conflict is part of life, responding to it can either deepen stress or help restore balance.

A central part of the presentation was Reverend McBride’s practical strategy known as The Anchor Method.

Through this approach, he encouraged participants to pause, ground themselves and choose responses that reflect their values rather than their fears. The method offered a way to stay steady in difficult conversations, protect emotional well-being and maintain hope even when circumstances feel uncertain.

The gathering was lively and engaging, with participants contributing comments, questions and personal reflections throughout the discussion. The respectful exchange reflected the purpose of the Fireside Chat series — to create a welcoming space where community members can listen, learn and talk together about issues that matter.

For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the Aug. 10 conversation is available through the Menominee Dems Communications YouTube channel MCDPComms.

The next Fireside Chat will be held on Monday, Sept. 14, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Spies Public Library. The topic will be “The Truth Behind the Stories — Accuracy, Bias and Accountability in the News.”
A panel of local journalists and news editors will discuss how they work to ensure that the news they provide to citizens is factual, accurate and free from bias.

Like all Fireside Chats, the September event is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend, bring their questions and take part in a respectful conversation about the role of reliable local journalism in a healthy democracy.