Gregg Levoy is devoted to helping people find and sustain their passions in life. His books, Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion and Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life, reflect his mission of helping people feel alive through their passion. He is currently a regular contributing author to Psychology Today and holds workshops and keynote presentations at organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Microsoft. A former reporter and adjunct professor of journalism at the University of New Mexico, Gregg has mastered the art of generous conversations and understands how to hold space that lets people feel understood and validated.

In today's episode, Gregg and I discuss what it means to have a generous conversation. We discuss how curiosity interplays with listening to create great communication skills. We share tips and exercises to improve listening skills and explain how to set boundaries with talkative people. We also explain how generous conversations impact other people as well as share our own experiences with using listening skills and promoting a generous conversation.

"Communication is shared understanding and "co-mmunication." - Gregg Levoy

This week on Relationships! Let's Talk About It:

• What makes a great conversation
• Why curiosity is a key aspect of excellent listening skills
• How to deal with people who talk too much
• Why many people in relationships don't enjoy the conversations they have with their partner
• Ways to practice conversational skills
• Why people are scared of telling a talkative person to slow down
• How to use supportive language in response to someone who had a bad experience
• How to leverage silence in business negotiations
• How couples can cultivate connection through silence and presence
• How culture influences a person's tendency to be talkative
• The impact of a generous conversation

Resources Mentioned:

• 008 The Importance of Self-Inquiry in Building Healthy Relationships
• 024 Following Personal Passions and Taking Risks Can Nurture Your Relationships
• 031Releasing Tension: The Courage to Feel
• 037 Heartbreak Part 1: Getting Wacked By Love
• 064 A Conversation Between Two Young Elders

Connect with Gregg Levoy:

• Gregg Levoy
• Gregg Levoy on Facebook

Let's Talk About It!

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Theme music "These Streets" provided by Adi the Monk

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