Introducing Reading and Discussion Guide to The Soul of Civility

New resource to inspire civility in practice

Sep 01, 2025

Gracious reader,

Happy Labor Day! On a day meant to honor labor, it’s worth remembering that rest is part of the dignity of work. We live in a culture that prizes productivity above all else, yet true flourishing requires rhythms of labor and rest. Rest is not wasted time; it is what makes renewal, creativity, and joy possible. Sometimes the most countercultural and meaningful act we can choose is to pause.

With the two-year anniversary of The Soul of Civility approaching, there are many exciting things on the horizon—one of which is this new reading guide.

This guide is an invitation—a companion designed to slow us down and create space for reflection, conversation, and transformation. Too often we rush past the very ideas that could change us. This guide offers the chance to pause, to linger with the questions that may shape the way we live.

File:Charles James Richardson - Interior View of a Library in Gothic Style - Google Art Project.jpg

Civility, as I write in my book, is not a matter of empty pleasantries or rigid rules. It is the art of living well together: recognizing the inherent dignity in others while honoring the integrity of our own souls. The questions in this guide are designed to help you wrestle with this truth. They encourage you to recall pivotal moments from your own life, to reflect on the wisdom passed down through generations, and to imagine how we might live more graciously, more freely, and more humanely today.

Whether you work through these questions on your own, in a classroom, or in a book group gathered around a table, I hope they spark honest conversation and renewed hope. Civility is not a relic of the past—it is a gift we must cultivate for our future. To practice civility takes courage, patience, and generosity—but the reward is nothing less than healing: for ourselves, our communities, and our common life.

This is your invitation to join the Great Conversation—a dialogue that spans centuries and cultures, binding us to those who came before us and those who will follow. My hope is that, through reflection and discussion, you will find yourself renewed in spirit and inspired to live with greater integrity, compassion, and joy.

How to access the Reading & Discussion Guide

There are a few ways to receive your copy:

Purchase a book and email your receipt to ahudsonassist@gmail.com.
Already own the book? You can still access the guide by gifting a copy to someone you’d love to spark a meaningful conversation with! (Now available at a great sale price!)
Organizing a group? Purchase 20+ books and you’ll not only receive the guide, but also a guided Zoom discussion with me for your group.

Warmly,

Lexi

My Latest Speaking Engagement:

It was a joy to speak at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Women’s Collaborative, where I had the privilege of addressing a room of 300 incredible women leaders from across Indiana. Sharing that space with so many dear friends in the audience was a gift. I’m grateful to support the remarkable women in my life and to be continually inspired by their strength and encouragement.

I also shared about the beauty and chaos of being on book tour with three children—100 cities and five countries—possible only through the steadfast support of my mother and husband. One story stands out: while recording a prominent podcast, two of my children burst in mid-conversation. I was angry at them and, unfairly, even at my mom—though I had written my book for my children, and though my mother had made the tour possible by caring for them.

The host met the moment with surprising grace. He recalled Hannah Arendt’s line: “Every generation is invaded by barbarians—we call them children.” And he said, “If anyone is bothered by kids interrupting this episode, I don’t want them as my listeners.” His words gave me permission to offer grace to my children, to my mother, and to myself.

It was a reminder that civility begins in our most intimate circles, and that grace—received and extended—is what allows us to flourish together. Thank you to Vanessa Green Sinders, Jennifer George, and David Ober for the gracious invitation!

And thanks to Una Osili, Angela Brawley, Teresa Lubbers, Nina Koehler, Keeley Stingel, MPA, Ericka Andersen Sylvester and so many others for your generous friendship!