What if the stories we’re told about each other aren’t true? Therapist Traci Ruble doesn’t buy what the media tells her about people—so she took to the streets to find out for herself. She and a group of volunteers set up Sidewalk Talk, an experiment in radical listening: sitting in public spaces with a sign that says Free Listening and inviting strangers to share whatever’s on their minds. It’s raw, awkward, sometimes heartbreaking—but also unexpectedly hilarious and deeply human.

In this episode, Traci shares what she’s learned from thousands of sidewalk conversations—how deep listening challenges assumptions, reveals the goodness in people, and even rewires the way we see the world.

Related Links

Sidewalk Talk website - https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/

Sidewalk Talk bus tour - https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/2025-listening-bus-tour

Sidewalk Talk the Podcast - https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/podcast

Episode transcript: https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/05/challenging-stories-were-told-about.html

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Uncomfy

00:45 Meet Traci Ruble and Sidewalk Talk

01:17 The Birth of Sidewalk Talk

02:27 First Experiences and Challenges

03:32 The Power of Listening

05:07 Memorable Stories from the Sidewalk

08:09 The Importance of Human Connection

10:25 Becoming a Sidewalk Talk Listener

15:05 Expanding Sidewalk Talk

17:57 How to Get Involved

18:30 Conclusion and Additional Resources