This document, “Storytelling Principles for Creating New American Stories of Us,” by Bridge Entertainment Labs, introduces “The 4 C’s” for storytellers to help bridge societal divides and foster a more resilient democracy. The authors argue that despite perceived ideological polarization, Americans are less divided than often portrayed, and storytelling can help counter the “division industrial complex” that fuels misunderstanding.The four principles, or “4 C’s,” are: Curiosity, Contact, Complexity, and Good Conflict.