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 Or send us an email at [email protected]. You need to "actively" listen to this episode. Are audio books a valid way to "read"? We explore this and many more topics in this episode. 

Episode 9 focuses on the concept of active listening, marking the first time the podcast discusses a phrase rather than a single word. The hosts explore what active listening means, how it relates to different processing styles, and the challenges people face in truly listening.

1. Definition of Active Listening

• Active listening involves fully paying attention to the speaker without preparing a response while they are talking.
• It includes understanding, reflecting on, responding to, and retaining what is said.

2. Processing Styles and Listening

• The hosts link active listening to their previous discussion on internal (nonverbal) vs. external (verbal) processors.
• They note that quiet people are often assumed to be better listeners, but sometimes they might be thinking about what to say next rather than truly listening.
• One host explains that they can listen and simultaneously prepare a response, while the other finds these processes mutually exclusive—when listening, their mind is blank and focused solely on the speaker.

3. Challenges to Active Listening

• Preparing a response can cause one to stop truly listening, effectively turning off auditory senses.
• Distractions, such as background noise or multitasking, can hinder active listening.
• Sensory sensitivities (e.g., to white noise) can make it difficult to focus on conversations.

4. Multitasking and Attention

• The hosts discuss multitasking abilities, noting that auditory and visual inputs can sometimes be managed simultaneously, but multitasking with the same type of input (e.g., two auditory tasks) is difficult.

5. Impact of Technology and Notifications

• Modern distractions like phone notifications fragment attention and make active listening harder.
• One host shares how removing message notifications from their phone homepage has improved their focus and presence during conversations and daily tasks.

6. Reading vs. Listening to Audiobooks

• The episode touches on whether audiobooks count as "reading."
• The hosts agree audiobooks are a valid way to consume written content and that studies show listening can be as effective as reading if one pays full attention.
• However, audiobooks require active focus and cannot be treated as mere background noise for effective retention.

7. Personal Reflections

• The hosts reflect on their own listening habits and abilities, including how one reads ahead when reading aloud and how migraines can affect reading comprehension but not necessarily audiobook listening.

Overall, Episode 9 delves into the complexities of active listening, highlighting how individual cognitive styles, sensory sensitivities, and modern distractions impact our ability to truly listen and engage in conversations. The discussion encourages listeners to be mindful of their listening habits and the importance of presence in communication.

Shout out to John Delony and his podcast

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.