How a Conversation About Cake vs. Pie Made a Big Impact

What if a simple debate—like cake vs. pie—could help people have more meaningful, respectful conversations?

That’s exactly what happened when we wrote a comedic sketch about this lighthearted rivalry. Since 2012, over 8,500 people at 400 events throughout the region have seen it as part of the Respectful Conversations Project—an initiative designed to foster constructive dialogue in communities.

But this isn’t just about dessert preferences. It’s about the power of ground rules, structured conversations, and a bit of humor to help people navigate even the most challenging discussions.

The Power of Respectful Conversations

We originally collaborated with the Minnesota Council of Churches to create content for the Respectful Conversations Project. The goal? Not to change minds—but to soften hearts.

Too often, difficult conversations become shouting matches or echo chambers. Respectful Conversations are different. They provide a structured and facilitated approach that helps people listen to one another, even when they disagree.

This model has been embraced by churches, schools, and community organizations throughout Minnesota, helping people engage in civil discourse on topics that can be polarizing. And at the core of these conversations is one key element: setting the right ground rules.

Why Ground Rules Matter in Meaningful Dialogue

When emotions run high, it’s easy for conversations to spiral out of control. That’s why establishing clear expectations at the start of a discussion is essential.

Good ground rules help:

• Encourage listening over debating

• Create a safe space for different perspectives

• Reduce knee-jerk reactions and defensiveness

• Foster empathy and understanding

To reinforce these principles, we created a video that plays at the start of every Respectful Conversation event. Our script took a playful yet effective approach—using a lighthearted cake vs. pie debate to illustrate how the conversation’s guidelines work in practice.

And it worked.

The Unexpected Reach of a Funny Idea

Last year, one of the current organizers of the project reached out with an update: our video had been seen by over 8,500 people.

We had always suspected it was making an impact. Every so often, we’d get emails from teachers, facilitators, and community leaders across the country asking for the cake vs. pie video. They wanted to use it in their own discussions—from classrooms to civic engagement workshops.

It turns out that a humorous sketch we wrote 13 years ago is still making waves.

Why Danger Boat Productions is the Right Partner for Your Conversations

At Danger Boat Productions, we specialize in crafting engaging, effective communication tools that help people connect, whether it’s through corporate trainings, community dialogue, or educational content.

What makes us different?

✅ We use humor strategically – Laughter breaks down barriers and helps people feel at ease.
✅ We focus on engagement – Our content doesn’t just inform; it actively involves audiences.
✅ We make the complex feel approachable – Even difficult topics can be explored with the right framing.

If you’re looking for creative ways to improve communication in your organization, facilitate more effective conversations, or set the right tone for a tough discussion, let’s talk.

👉 Get in touch with us today. Let’s create something impactful together.