What does it feel like to live in America right now?
At Murmuration, we’ve been asking that question every day—literally. Through Civic Pulse, we survey 500 people across the country each day to understand what’s really happening in their lives. So far, more than 40,000 Americans have shared their stories, their stressors, their sources of strength, and more.
What we’ve heard is sobering and inspiring.
People are anxious about money, politics, and the future. But they’re also deeply committed to their families, communities, and dreams. They’re tired, but not disengaged. They’re paying attention, even if they’re overwhelmed. And they want to make things better, even when they’re not sure how.
All of this has led us to launch something new: Insights by Murmuration—a Substack newsletter featuring a range of content, including our flagship series State of Us, which explores what America is feeling, thinking, and moving toward together. It’s a space to make sense of what we’re hearing, share what we’re learning, and explore what it means for the future of civic life. Rooted in Murmuration’s decade of work alongside community organizers building power from the ground up, Insights is our way of carrying that mission forward.
You can read our first State of Us pieces here, including:
- How to Read the Emotional Map of America
- Are We Okay, America?
- The Weight We Are Carrying
- Our Hometowns Hold Us Together
- Signs of Light
If you’re curious, hopeful, worried, skeptical—or all of the above—we’d love to have you with us. We want to hear your opinions, experiences, and reflections in the comments. Subscribe for free today—our next post comes out tomorrow—and be part of this growing conversation about where we are as a country, and where we might be headed next.