If you’ve ever felt like nothing you post, share, or say about politics is breaking through anymore, you’re not alone.

The way people get their news has changed. Most Americans now absorb politics through social media, group chats, and everyday online interactions, often incidentally, not intentionally. Research from Pew and Navigator shows that a growing number of people are “passive news consumers,” picking up political information from friends, family, and people they already trust, rather than from traditional news outlets. That means something important as we head into the 2026 election cycle:

Everyday people, not politicians or campaigns, are now the messengers.

In today’s closed, algorithm-driven media environment, messages don’t travel far unless they’re repeated by people within existing networks. That means grassroots messengers, ordinary Democrats, volunteers, and community members are now one of the most powerful forces in shaping what people hear, believe, and take seriously. But most of us were never trained for that role. We’re sharing articles, reacting to outrage, and arguing online, and it still feels like we’re yelling into the void. Not because we don’t care. Not because people don’t care. But because the old rules of political communication don’t work anymore.

To help us navigate this new reality, we’re excited to invite you to a new messaging training:

• Unmuting Our Message: How to Talk About Politics in a Way People Actually Hear

• Tuesday, February 17th, 2026

• 7:00 pm Central

• Presented by Unmute Alabama

This training isn’t about going viral, memorizing talking points, or winning online arguments. It’s about learning how to communicate in a way that builds trust, cuts through noise, and helps everyday people become steadier, more effective messengers, especially in the lead-up to 2026. During this session, we’ll explore:

• Why most political messaging isn’t landing anymore and what’s changed.

• The different goals of messaging (activating the base, re-engaging disengaged Democrats, persuading persuadable voters, and correcting misinformation) and why each one requires a different approach.

• Why values must always lead, no matter what your goal is.

• A simple, repeatable framework for values-based messaging.

• Real examples of how to turn a news article into something calm, clear, and still emotionally resonant.

• How grassroots messengers can amplify messages inside their own networks in a way campaigns and organizations simply can’t.

This training is designed for everyday Democrats, volunteers, and activists, not communications professionals. If you care about what’s happening in Alabama and want to be a steadier, more effective voice in your community and online, this is for you. You don’t need to be louder. You don’t need to be angrier. You don’t need to sound like a press release. You just need a better toolkit for the world we’re actually living in and a clearer sense of the role grassroots messengers will play in 2026.

We hope you’ll join us.