The ability to listen with empathy and understanding is more crucial than ever. Many of us find ourselves frustrated and disheartened by conversations that feel more like battlegrounds than opportunities for understanding. 66% of Americans say that when discussing issues with those with whom they disagree, people are “quick to attack them.” Only 24% say people are “quick to listen.” What if you could change that, one conversation at a time? Whether you’re a community leader, a concerned citizen, or simply looking to bridge gaps in your own circles, this session will equip you with skills to transform challenging interactions into opportunities for empathy, understanding, and connection, supporting a shift from division to dialogue.

What We’ll Cover:
● Cultivating Empathy in Conversations: Gain insights into the emotional and psychological aspects connected to political beliefs, and learn how to connect on a deeply human level, even amidst disagreement.

● JUST Listening Skills: Learn how to genuinely hear perspectives that differ from our own and avoid getting hooked into unconscious responses by cultivating presence and awareness in conversations

● Tools for turning down the temperature: Equip ourselves with practical tools to manage and diffuse heated discussions, ensuring our conversations remain constructive and honor our common humanity

● Responding, not Reacting: Learn how to express our own views mindfully and effectively, transforming potentially divisive encounters into meaningful exchanges.

This session will provide an overview of relevant research on human behavior and neurobiology as well as opportunities to practice listening and communication skills in a caring environment. Participants leave with practical tools for activating empathy in daily interactions and responding peacefully in the context of conflict.

For more information about JUST Listening, visit https://justlistening.net/.