Do you ever feel overwhelmed with all of the challenges that show up at work and at home? And then you feel stuck. This episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast will give you a way to get clear and unstuck, and listening plays a key role.

Reuven Shelef is the Founder and CEO of OUT OF THE BOX Consulting and creator of the Untangling Complex Challenges® methodology. With over 30 years of experience in engineering, technology, business transformation, and human dynamics, he helps Fortune 500 companies, startups, and executives solve complex problems by combining sharp logic with deep understanding of human behavior. His method was developed from his own life experiences, blending business, engineering, management consulting, and personal growth.

As a Certified Salesforce Consulting Partner with 30+ years of Management Consulting experience, Reuven's precise approach and authentic leadership have made him a trusted advisor who drives meaningful change.

In this episode, Reuven clarifies what a complex challenge is and how to map out what seems overwhelming to a clear picture that can lead to clearly defining next steps. He shares his journey from engineering to personal development, highlighting the importance of listening to oneself and others. He explains how focusing on root causes instead of symptoms leads to better solutions and explores how relationships fuel personal and professional growth. This episode offers valuable insights on empathy, self-awareness, and navigating life's complexities.

On listening: "Part of my listening is to listen to their listening. Are they actually listening? And what are they listening to?" - Reuven Shelef

SUPERPOWER Notes:

01:03 - The Power of Listening: Reuven recalls learning to listen consciously during his Air Force tests.

05:35 - Complex vs. Simple Challenges: He explains complex challenges involve feeling stuck without clear solutions.

10:30 - Listening to Their Listening: Reuven highlights reading others' non-verbal cues to improve communication.

12:57 - Personal Growth Journey: He shares transitioning from a technical mindset to exploring identity and purpose.

19:07 - Applying Business Tools Personally: Reuven used professional methods like mapping to navigate personal crises.

20:32 - Untangling Complex Challenges: He outlines his approach to identifying root causes over symptoms.

25:10 - Cross-Pollinating Problem-Solving: Reuven combines engineering logic with emotional perspectives.

29:21- Unique Consulting Role: He blends technical and personal insights for a distinct coaching style.

34:40 - Discovering Self and Connection: Understanding oneself is key to meaningful relationships.

36:06 - Relationships and Growth: Reuven notes interpersonal dynamics drive many personal growth challenges.

40:08 - Free Short Calls: Listeners can book free calls with Reuven to discuss and untangle challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• on the power of listening: "Listening to silence... it's fascinating to be alone and listen to silence." - Reuven Shelef

• on listening and self-awareness: "Sometimes I'll stop and I say, 'I'm sorry, I wasn't listening.' It took me some time and training to get over the "looking bad" issue." - Reuven Shelef

• on relationships: "There is very little that can be accomplished alone. There are times to be alone. That's also part of being comfortable in your own skin." - Reuven Shelef

Connect with Reuven Shelef:

• Website: www.reuvenshelef.com

• Book a call: MeetReuven.com

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/reuvenshelef/

Connect with Raquel Ark:

• www.listeningalchemy.com

• Mobile: + 491732340722

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn

• Substack listening ALCHEMY newsletter

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Dr. Jade Singleton is a strategic consultant, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to culture transformation and the well-being of Black women professionals. She is the founder of Johnson Squared Consulting and IKONI Collective, creator of the Sarah Jane Academy™, and producer of the documentary Ninety-Two: The Rest Rebellion No One Saw Coming. With experience as a senior consultant at NASA and advisor to major organizations like Amazon and Uber, she brings deep expertise in strategic DEI work, workplace wellness, and the radical practice of rest as resistance.

On this episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast, Jade and host Raquel Ark explore the transformative power of listening. Jade emphasizes what it means to "listen to believe." She shares how vulnerability can dissolve barriers in the business context, how common ground can shift conflicts into collaboration, and how organizations carry a "corporate soul" that shapes behavior and culture. Jade also highlights listening to self care and the emerging rest rebellion among Black women and the healing power of community care and storytelling. This episode is a powerful reflection on empathy, resilience, and creating spaces where truth and connection can thrive.

Enjoy listening to this episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast and let us know your thoughts. Subscribe and share the listening SUPERPOWER podcast so that we can reach more people to be part of the listening movement.

On taking action: "Listening to believe means coming in with the understanding that the person talking to you is telling the truth about their experience." — Jade Singleton

SUPERPOWER Notes:

• 00:01:37 – Active vs Passive Listening: Jade explains that active listening requires full engagement, focusing on understanding and responding thoughtfully, unlike passive listening, which is more about merely hearing words without deeper connection.

• 00:04:06 – Listening to Believe: The key to authentic empathy is suspending judgment and truly believing others' experiences as their truth, creating a grounded foundation for communication.

• 00:09:37 – Building Community through Vulnerability: Jade shares how vulnerability exercises create shared experiences that dissolve barriers and foster genuine connection in factions with opposing views.

• 00:12:14 – Common Ground in Conflict Resolution: Conflict can be transformed when teams find tangible shared goals or narratives, helping to shift perspectives from opposition to collaboration.

• 00:16:06 – Corporate Soul and Shared Identity: Organizations hold narratives that influence individual behavior; understanding this soul or identity helps navigate conflicts and build stronger teams.

• 00:19:23 – Rest Rebellion Among Black Women: An emerging quiet movement where Black women consent to prioritize rest, healing, and self-care as resistance against systemic exhaustion.

• 00:22:38 – Community Healing and Self-Focus: Emphasizes the importance of co-regulation and community care as collective coping mechanisms during sociopolitical and personal stress.

• 00:27:21 – Leaving for Mental Well-Being: Stories of women choosing to leave toxic environments or geographic locations to preserve identity and mental health.

• 00:30:16 – Encouragement Through Community Voice: How sharing stories within communities fosters empowerment, encouragement, and collective strength.

Key Takeaways:

• On the power of listening: "Listening is not just about hearing words; it's about understanding the truth behind them." — Jade Singleton

• On community building: "When we listen deeply, we create spaces for healing and connection." — Jade Singleton

• On self-care: "It's okay to prioritize your well-being; it's essential for personal and collective growth." — Jade Singleton

Notes/Mentions:

• Documentary: "92: The Rest Rebellion No One Saw Coming" focusing on the experiences of Black women reclaiming their time and energy.

Connect with Jade Singleton:

• Website: www.ikoni.org

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jade-singleton-8b2830110

Connect with Raquel Ark:

• www.listeningalchemy.com

• Mobile: + 491732340722

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn

• Substack listening ALCHEMY newsletter

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Oscar Trimboli, renowned listening expert and author, returns with transformative insights from his unique journey of coding listening behaviors into software. Inspired by personal experiences with his father's stroke recovery and extensive research within organizational teams, Oscar reveals how technology and conscious facilitation can dramatically improve listening dynamics, reduce meeting time, and foster authentic participation.

In this episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast with host Raquel Ark and discover how simple shifts—like asking shorter, clarifying questions and enabling everyone's voice to be heard—can overhaul team communication and unlock untapped commercial and human potential. Learn why "the hardest listening role is the speaker," how pre-meeting listening can boost confidence, and how vivid metaphors can make your message unforgettable.

Whether you lead meetings, manage teams, or want to deepen your listening practice, Oscar provides practical tools and data-driven strategies to elevate your communication for lasting impact.

On taking action: "The difference between hearing and listening is action." -- Oscar Trimboli

02:00 — Stroke recovery communication breakthrough—Oscar's father's stroke taught him "you can communicate very effectively with somebody who can't speak" using hand squeezes and positioning techniques that forced medical staff to engage the patient directly

04:42 — Taking responsibility through direct engagement: Moving close to his father's face so medical professionals had to "look at him when they ask a question" helped his father "take responsibility for his recovery"

08:30 – From Microsoft vision to reality: Fifteen years after his boss said "if you could code how you listen, you could change the world," Oscar now uses AI to analyze meeting dynamics and participation patterns

12:15 –The 80% share of voice problem: Data revealed few participants dominated 80% of speaking time until a different facilitator in week six dramatically increased participation and meeting effectiveness

18:20 – Halving meeting time through inclusion: Better facilitation that included everyone reduced meetings from "90 minutes weekly" to "45 minutes fortnightly" because "people feel heard and get buy-in"

22:45 – Eight words or less rule: Questions of "eight words or less had higher impact" and create "collective understanding" rather than individual comprehension

25:30 –The three-question test: Before asking: "write it down, count words, then ask: is this for me, them, or the group?" Group questions have highest impact

28:15 – Clarifying questions transform meetings:Only "one or two participants" ask clarifying questions consistently, but their presence helps "questions get better and meetings get shorter"

35:45 – Listen before the meeting: Contact executive assistants beforehand to understand question patterns and presentation preferences for high-stakes meetings

42:20 – Metaphors beat numbers:Use compelling metaphors like "budget as jazz band" because "they remember the metaphor before the numbers"

50:30 – The quiet CFO's transformation: A shy CFO's single word "snake" (about shedding old systems) helped transform company growth from 32% to 170% when leadership finally listened

Key Takeaways:

On the universal listening gap: "We are not good listeners just because we need to be." -- Oscar Trimboli

On the speaker's challenge: "The hardest listening role is the person currently speaking." -- Oscar Trimboli

On meeting effectiveness: "If you want fewer meetings and shorter ones, when you do have them, focus on inclusive facilitation that ensures everyone is heard." -- Oscar Trimboli

On organizational potential: "My question to you listening is who are you ignoring in your organization that is holding you back from massive untapped potential commercially and human potential as well?" -- Oscar Trimboli

On taking action: "The difference between hearing and listening is action." -- Oscar Trimboli

• Listening Quiz: listeningquiz.com - Discover what gets in your way of listening effectively (35,000+ people have taken it)

• Tools mentioned:

• TalkTime and EqualTime (meeting analytics add-ons)

• Google Meets, Zoom, Microsoft Teams listening add-ons

• Equal Time (Munich-based company for gender and participation analytics)

• Books referenced:

• "What Doctors Say and What Patients Hear" by Dr. Danielle Offrey

• Oscar's third book on listening (influenced by his father's stroke experience)

• Listening measurement tools: Talk-to-listen ratios, question analysis, clarifying question tracking, curiosity index

Connect with Oscar Trimboli

• www.oscartrimboli.com

• LinkedIn

• Deep Listening: Impact Beyond Words

Connect with Raquel Ark:

• www.listeningalchemy.com

• Mobile: + 491732340722

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn

• Substack listening ALCHEMY newsletter

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Ingrid Nordli, Associate Professor in Linguistics at the UiT, the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. Ingrid has been putting a lot of time into understanding how we develop listening skills. She talks about how young children in kindergarten can be trained to become great listeners using the listening circle.

Besides dedicating time to focus on children's listening development, she teaches university students language development, and academic writing. She was on the board of the International Listening Association and continues to be an active member.

In this episode, we dive deep into the often-overlooked power of listening with Ingrid, a phonetics expert from Norway. Through her experiences in education and research, Ingrid reveals how listening is a fundamental yet underappreciated aspect of communication.

Ingrid shares insights from her work with children and the importance of teaching listening skills from a young age, emphasizing that effective listening can transform interactions and relationships.

Join us as we explore the nuances of listening, the impact of listening circles, and the journey of writing a book aimed at enhancing listening skills in early childhood education.

On the kindergarten transformation: "When you teach the children about this listening circle procedure, they get more relaxed, more attentive to each other. They straighten their back and they feel heard, they feel seen, and get much more friendly with each other."– Ingrid Nordli

02:00 – Nuanced listening knowledge: The phonetics revelation—how studying speech transcription exposed that listening has "so little room and no room of itself" in phonetics education, despite transcription accuracy depending entirely on listening abilities

04:42 – Definition of listening process: International Listening Association's framework—"Listening is the process of receiving, constructing meaning from and responding to spoken and or nonverbal messages"—discovered through deep research after realizing listening was the "necessary glue" in kindergarten language and music projects

07:57 – Listening circles for children: Simple but powerful tool that helps kids ages 3-6 become more relaxed, attentive, and respectful—they "straighten their back and feel heard, seen, and get much more friendly with each other" because everyone gets the chance to talk and are respected while speaking

14:33 – Listening in the Kindergarten: The book written with Christian Skog—a practical and theoretical guide combining listening with typical developmental activities, featuring eight different kindergarten activities

18:58 – Engaging in children's listening development: The importance of being humble and engaging with children's listening development because "we can learn so much about our own listening"—children naturally develop language rules but don't develop conscious listening awareness without guidance

19:50 – Importance of listening skills: The fundamental gap—"we are not good listeners just because we need to be.

25:11 – Children's book on listening: Collaboration with Ebele Chukwujama in Nigeria creating books for ages 4-6 about a child learning listening through conversations with mom, plus "Listening in Circles" for ages 6-9, all translated into Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo

27:14 – The importance of listening skills: Final thoughts on self-reflection

Key Takeaways:

On children as teachers: "We can learn so much about our own listening"– Ingrid Nordli

On the fundamental gap in child development: "When children are listening, but not taught how to listen, they miss out."– Ingrid Nordli

On the difference between natural and conscious learning: "Children naturally develop language rules but don't develop conscious listening awareness without guidance."– Ingrid Nordli

On the kindergarten transformation: "When you teach the children about this listening circle procedure, they get more relaxed, more attentive to each other. They straighten their back and they feel heard, they feel seen, and get much more friendly with each other."– Ingrid Nordli

• "Listening in the Kindergarten" by Ingrid and Christian Skog: A resource for educators focusing on listening skills.

• https://uit.no/ansatte/ingrid.c.nordli (Norwegian)

• https://en.uit.no/ansatte/person?p_document_id=153137&p_dimension_id=88155 (English)

• Listening in the Kindergarten (Norwegian title: Lytting i Barnehagen) - a book by Ingrid CNordli and Christian Skog

• A professional book written as a children's book for children between four and six, authored by Ingrid C. Nordli and Ebele Chukwujama

• Listening in Circles - a planned book for children between six and nine, authored by Ingrid C. Nordli and Ebele Chukwujama

Past Episode Referenced:

• Ebele Chukwujama interview - https://listeningalchemy.com/allgemein/the-listening-school-impacting-relationships-and-society-one-listening-ear-at-a-time-with-ebele-chukwujama/

1. Listening Circles Documentation: https://munin.uit.no/bitstream/handle/10037/33278/article.pdf?sequence=4

2. "Lytting i barnehagen" (Listening in the kindergarten) from the publishers website; Fagbokforlaget: https://fagbokforlaget.no/produkt/9788245050981-lytting-i-barnehagen

• Website: https://en.uit.no/ansatte/person?p_document_id=153137

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingrid-c-nordli-a1702523?originalSubdomain=no

Connect with Raquel Ark:

• www.listeningalchemy.com

• Mobile: + 491732340722

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn

• Substack listening ALCHEMY newsletter

• Podcast email: [email protected]

Too many leaders miss the opportunity to have impact when it truly matters: the transformation that takes place when someone feels genuinely heard. This is especially important during turbulent times. It's not just about reacting to a crisis, it's about pausing for a moment to listen deeply. Without it, leaders risk isolation, poor decisions, and missed opportunities.

Martin Farrell, crisis coach and bestselling author of "Good Leaders in Turbulent Times: How to Navigate Wild Waters at Work," reveals how listening becomes a lifejacket for leaders navigating chaos. Drawing on decades of global experience with organizations like the British Red Cross and UN Climate Change Secretariat, Martin shares the pivotal moments and practical strategies that help leaders spot early warning signs, create safe spaces for tough conversations, and transform crisis into connection and growth.

In this episode, discover the story behind the 'penny drop' moment, when someone knows they're truly understood. Martin gives insight on subtle warning signs before a crisis occurs and also shares excerpts from 138 pieces of his advice in his book. Learn how mastering listening in turbulent times can turn wild waters into opportunities for lasting impact.

"Do we want to react and retaliate, or do you reflect and respond?" – Martin Farrell

SUPERPOWER Notes:

02:45 – What he realized the time he first noticed the power of listening: Working with coach Nancy Klein for 14 years, where she would listen for an hour and a half with complete presence, even during his silent moments and times of distress

06:30 – The transformative experience of being truly heard: How Nancy Klein's listening created a space where he felt special and important in that moment, demonstrating the profound impact of dedicated attention

08:15 – Supporting leaders in crisis: His work with UK charity chief executives who were at risk of losing their jobs, providing support "until the end of the chapter" through primarily listening rather than advice-giving

11:20 – The power of being present in wild waters: Using the metaphor of someone in wild waters with crocodiles around, and how having someone experienced nearby who won't drown provides crucial support

14:30 – From crisis support to storytelling: How his current work involves interviewing people who've processed their experiences to create anonymous advice for others still in crisis

17:45 – The journey of writing "Good Leaders in Turbulent Times": How the book took eight years to complete with six different manuscripts, and the importance of authentic vulnerability in helping others

22:10 – Career background in civil society: Six decades of working in charitable organizations, from teenage years through international work with UN agencies and climate change initiatives

26:40 – The book's unique structure: Five chapters featuring nine characters over seven years, showing the progression from missing warning signs to integration and wisdom

29:15 – Chapter one – missing the signs: How all the warning signs were present but the characters weren't listening to or acting upon them, using the powerful question "What do you know now that you will discover in a year's time?"

32:50 – Listening to weak signals: The importance of becoming adept at noticing and paying attention to early warning signs before they become crises

35:20 – The 138 pieces of advice: Four categories throughout the book – watch out (red flags), remember this (truths to hold onto), consider this (suggestions for action), and secret sauce (personal stories)

38:45 – Theory U and letting go/letting come: How silence and stillness are essential for touching the source of inner knowledge and emerging possibilities

42:30 – Practical advice for listening to inner signals: Go sit by a river or in a quiet place, use scrap paper for uncensored writing, and allow the process to unfold over 8-9 pages until clarity emerges

46:15 – The "no mud, no lotus" principle: How working with distress and discomfort can produce beautiful outcomes when you know how to process them effectively

48:20 – Developing your support network: The importance of having trusted people around you before crisis hits, and Martin's participation in seven different support groups

51:30 – Live Well, Die Wise grief circles: Creating ceremonial safe spaces with candles, poems, and intentional grounding to allow deep sharing and discovery

53:45 – How to connect with Martin Farrell

Key Takeaways:

"My ultimate freedom is to respond to whatever you do to me." – Martin Farrell

"Here is someone who had no agenda other than being with them and listening. And that was powerful." – Martin Farrell

"Even if you're not naturally interested in other people, you can fake it till you make it. Start being interested, and then you get more interested." – Martin Farrell

"Particularly with those who are in distress, that is an enormous gift… I noticed the power of being there. I was going to say just being there, but it's not just, it's being there and being present." – Martin Farrell

Notes/Mentions:

• Nancy Klein (Martin's coach for 14 years)- https://www.timetothink.com/
• Theory U and Otto Scharmer's Presencing Institute https://www.presencing.org/theoryu
• Live Well, Die Wise grief circles
• Deep Adaptation Forum
• Steven Appleby (illustrator of 41 drawings in the book)

"Good Leaders in Turbulent Times: How to Navigate Wild Waters at Work" by Martin Farrell: https://mybook.to/GoodLeaders and https://practicalinspiration.com/book/good-leaders-in-turbulent-times

Connect with Martin Farrell:

• Website: https://www.martinfarrell.org/
• Substack: https://martin228.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martingfarrell

Connect with Raquel Ark:

• www.listeningalchemy.com
• Mobile: + 491732340722
• [email protected]
• LinkedIn
• Substack listening ALCHEMY newsletter
• Podcast email: [email protected]

We often believe that great leadership comes from being an exceptional speaker, someone who can command a room and deliver compelling presentations. But what if the real superpower lies in the opposite skill?

In this episode of the Listening Superpower podcast, join me in conversation with Jonno White, an Australian leadership coach, podcast host, and author with over four years of podcasting experience and 236 episodes under his belt. Jonno shares his fascinating journey from believing speaking was his greatest strength to discovering that listening is the ultimate leadership tool.

Jonno shares his perspective on today's leadership challenges, from retaining younger talent to adapting leadership styles for different generations, and why understanding individual strengths might be more powerful than traditional role-based management.

Whether you're a seasoned leader looking to enhance your people skills or someone just beginning to explore the power of listening, this episode will challenge your assumptions about what makes great communication.

"The number one skill that comes up again and again is the power of listening. I had to unlearn what I learned when I was eight, because speaking was nowhere near as powerful as great listening." -- Jonno White

SUPERPOWER Notes:

01:15 -- From Fear to Overconfidence: Jonno recounts his grade three experience giving a speech about ants, where faking confidence led to success and shaped his belief that speaking was his superpower.

05:30 -- The Coaching Revelation: Jonno shares how he discovered that clients weren't transformed by his advice, but by having space to think through their own thoughts and reach their own conclusions.

10:45 -- The Sherlock Holmes Approach: Jonno's technique of being a detective while listening, paying attention to body language, sighs of relief, and moments of weight in conversations.

12:30 -- Understanding vs. Being Understood: The crucial distinction between listening to understand someone and ensuring they know you understand them—and why paraphrasing is so powerful.

15:20 -- The 15-Second Rule: Jonno's disciplined approach to coaching, counting to 15 seconds before responding and how this technique transforms conversations.

18:45 -- The Valentine's Day Disaster: A humorous story about trying out scripted listening techniques on a romantic date and the importance of genuine connection over mechanical methods.

24:15 -- Modern Leadership Challenges: Jonno identifies three key issues leaders face today: adapting to new revenue generation needs, wellbeing challenges, and retaining staff across generations.

28:00 -- Generational Workplace Dynamics: A breakdown of how different generations respond to workplace demands and why leaders need to understand varying motivations.

31:45 -- Learning from Gen Z Boundaries: How younger generations' approach to boundaries might actually be healthier and what leaders can learn from this perspective.

34:30 -- From Arranger to Individualization: The shift from seeing what needs to be done and finding people to do it, versus seeing people and finding what they could do.

Key Takeaways

"People don't feel heard when the person across from them understands them. They feel heard the moment that they understand that the person across from them understands them." -- Jonno White

"I spend most of my time counting in my head because I try to pause for 15 seconds... letting the silence do the heavy lifting." -- Jonno White

"How can we get alongside them and say, I'm here. I'm present. What's going on? You're more important than the deadline." -- Jonno White

"After all these years, I just keep getting reminded more and more that there really is no more important skill for a leader than to listen well." -- Jonno White

Connect with Jonno White:

• Podcast: Leadership Conversations with Jonno White Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-conversations-with-jonno-white-podcast/id1593825558

• Book: "Step Up or Step Out" https://www.amazon.com/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD

• https://www.consultclarity.org/

• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Raquel Ark:

• https://listeningalchemy.com/

• Mobile: + 491732340722

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn: Raquel Ark

Imagine a cartoon opening a door to transform a challenging conversation into a productive and meaningful conversation in your team. In this episode, we explore how listening and observation can engage humor which can shift our mindset and enhance our ability to engage with others meaningfully.

Dave Coverly is the award-winning creator of the internationally syndicated cartoon Speed Bump, featured in hundreds of publications including The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Globe & Mail. A four-time winner of the National Cartoonists Society's "Best Newspaper Panel" award, he received their highest honor, the Reuben Award for "Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year," in 2009.

His work appears on greeting cards, in books, and across major media outlets, and he serves as the principal cartoonist for BarkBox.

Dave Coverly has authored several cartoon collections and children's books published by Macmillan namely Speed Bump: A Collection of Cartoon Skidmarks (Andrews McMeel), Cartoons for Idea People (ECW), Just One %$#@ Speed Bump After Another (ECW), Dogs Are People, Too, and its sequel, Cats Are People, Too.

And his children's picture books include Sue MacDonald Had a Book (with Jim Tobin, Macmillan), The Very Inappropriate Word (with Jim Tobin, Macmillan), and How To Care For Your T-Rex (with Ken Baker, Macmillan). His chapter book trilogy began with Night of the Living Worms, and continued with Night of the Living Shadows, and Night of the Living Zombie Bugs.

With a career spanning over 30 years, Dave has mastered the art of observational humor, using his cartoons to reflect on the human experience and the nuances of everyday life.

In this conversation, Dave shares personal stories and insights that have shaped his career as a cartoonist with listening playing a core role. Not just as a skill, but as a vital part understanding human patterns and through this tapping into human connection.

\We explore how humor can serve as a bridge to deeper conversations and how the act of listening can inform and inspire creativity. Listen to the end, where David also shares how humor can help navigate serious conversations and lighten the mood.

Enjoy listening in!

"Listening is about connecting with people and understanding their experiences." – Dave Coverly

SUPERPOWER Notes:

00:08 – The Power of Humor. Dave discusses how humor can provide a different perspective on serious topics and enhance communication.

02:50 – Early Influences. Reflecting on his childhood experiences with his uncle and teacher that sparked his interest in listening and humor.

10:15 – The Role of Observation. Dave explains how being an observant listener informs his cartooning process and helps him create relatable content.

15:30 – The Importance of Context. Understanding how context shapes humor and the need to stay relevant in a changing world.

22:00 – Listening as a Creative Tool. How deep listening can lead to new ideas and insights in both cartooning and everyday interactions.

30:00 – The Impact of Silence. Exploring how silence can enhance the listening experience and foster deeper connections.

35:00 – Humor in Serious Situations. Dave shares how humor can help navigate serious conversations and lighten the mood.

42:00 – The Evolution of Humor. A discussion on how humor adapts to cultural changes and the importance of authenticity in comedic expression.

Key Takeaways:

"Doing humor is kind of that right brain, left brain thing." – Dave Coverly

"Humor is a way to connect with people and share experiences." – Dave Coverly

"Listening is not just about hearing words; it's about understanding the context and emotions behind them." – Dave Coverly

"I love the idea of having a cartoon as a pause for, to take a breath or pause to reset or a pause to allow another perspective or pause to give permission to another perspective."– Dave Coverly

People Mentioned:

1. Mike Peters - A cartoonist who provided Dave with valuable advice about humor and authenticity in cartooning.

2. Christy Ottaviano - Dave's children's book editor, described as a legend in the industry.

Connect with Dave Coverly:

• https://www.speedbump.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/speedbumpcomic/

In this episode of the Listening Superpower Podcast, we're joined by Nanna Holst to delve into how the media landscape's evolution, driven by new platforms, shifting consumption, and AI advancements, is swamping audiences with more information, but not necessarily more insight. We discuss how traditional media must transform, using active listening and engagement to stay pertinent as a bridge between the public and those in authority, as outlined in her insightful report. (Link below)

Nanna Holst is an experienced journalist, editor and project manager with a demonstrated history of working in the media production industry. Skilled in Making People Reach Their Potential, Co-creation, Public Outreach, News Writing, Breaking News, Video Journalism, Journalism, Editing and Television. She is into teaching and coaching of young journalists, a strong program and project management professional based on constructive, solution based journalism and a strong sense of public service and democratic values. She is a graduate from the Danish National School of Journalism and Aarhus Business School. Also a Fellow from Constructive Institute at Aarhus University, developer of The Better Listening Method and helping news organizations listen better to their audiences. Also she is a keynote speaker.

In this episode, Nanna explores the power of collective intelligence listening. She shares stories and examples of a new initiative called Better Listening for Journalists which engages the community into their journalistic process. By actively listening to and asking for thought-provoking questions, this approach not only strengthens relationships but also promotes better collaboration and a more harmonious society.

"If we want to stay relevant in a world where everybody can be their own media, we have to know what is expected of us and what we can help them with to make everybody wiser and everybody happier and have this unity." - Nanna Holst

SUPERPOWER Notes:

01:33 - That moment she noticed the power of listening: I was forced to train my listening skills at a very early age because I'm the little sister in a very talkative family. I had to listen very carefully to know where I can dive into the conversation and get heard.

04:12 - How has her view of listening changed through the years

05:18 - A journalistic way of listening versus listening to understand

06:11 - Establishing a concept program called Better Listening: We want to listen more actively and systematically

08:04 - Finding out the 'why of listening' for 'Better listening'

09:02 - What the whole 'Ask Us' method encapsulates

12:04 - The idea of collective intelligence in listening: It starts with the questions, but when we publish an answer, people chip in with their knowledge.

13:07 - Questions that fosters better communication, cooperation, and understanding

17:26 - Transparency involved in the answers written: If we can't get a perfect answer, we say, this is as far as we get, but does anybody out there know anything?

18:40 - 4 points that helps Better Listening listen better: Listen first, showing everyday humility, trust in the population, listen up

22:25 - Why listen. Not just for the checklist, but to really understand: You have to find out why you are listening, what do you want to get out of it, and what are your resources.

25:07 - What leaders should know about sustained listening in their organizations

28:11 - The inspiration behind the articles written: We could see that our engagement grew when we found a way to put a question formula and a ballot in each and every article.

30:08 - What has changed in her now doing Better Listening: I have known a little about a lot.

32:35 - Distinguishing between hearing and listening

33:29 - The dream she has for her legacy media in the next five years

35:36 - How she makes listening sustainable for her: I like to have markers everywhere that reminds me of this huge 'Why'.

Key Takeaways:

"...You can listen in a thousand ways. It's like a car that has movable parts. You can just adjust them in many different ways." - Nanna Holst

"Listen first, show everyday humility, trust in the population, and listen up." - Nanna Holst

"...the missing link between wanting to listen and actually listening is some sort of method that keeps us on track, and make us work smart and not do the things that do not work."- Nanna Holst

"Listening is a skill. It's something that can be trained and we can learn it. "- Nanna Holst

"Listen first. Keep focus on the audience. Trust in the population. Constantly learn and improve. These are the keys to better listening." - Nanna Holst

Notes/Mentions:

• Better Listening Report: https://constructiveinstitute.org/app/uploads/2023/07/Nanna-Holst.pdf

• KQED Media: https://www.kqed.org

Connect with Nanna Holst:

• Website: Website: https://www.nannaholst.dk/english-version/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanna-holst

Connect with Raquel Ark:

• www.listeningalchemy.com

• Mobile: + 491732340722

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn

• Podcast email: [email protected]

What if our effort to listen well actually interfered with the power of listening itself? What happens when we let go and allow listening to be about presence, depth, and genuine human connection?

In this episode, we're joined by James Cook, a learning and development specialist in coaching and team development at a large global organization.

With 28 years of experience in fast-moving consumer goods—spanning process development, supply chain, business optimization, and leadership—James has spent his career fostering growth and transformation. An ICF- and EMCC-accredited coach, he's deeply committed to the power of listening, not just in leadership and team development, but also in life's most critical moments. As a volunteer listener for Samaritans UK, he brings a unique perspective on the profound impact of listening in times of crisis.

In this conversation, James shares personal stories and insights that have reshaped his understanding of what listening truly is—and how he applies these lessons in his daily work. We explore how deep listening builds stronger teams, fosters real connection, and even transforms lives.

Enjoy listening in!

"Listening is something that we shouldn't interrupt. It's there between the two of you." - James Cook

SUPERPOWER Notes:

02:01 – The Journey to Listening Awareness. James Cook reflects on his personal and professional experiences that led him to recognize the power of listening.

05:00 – The Birth of a New Understanding. How the arrival of his daughter with a rare skin condition opened his eyes to the need for deeper listening.

15:30 – The Impact of Crisis on Listening. Exploring how moments of personal loss drove James to volunteer as a listener for the Samaritans.

21:00 – The Power of Presence. James discusses the importance of being fully present in conversations and the impact it has on connection.

28:00 – The Role of Silence in Listening. Understanding how silence can enhance the listening experience and create deeper connections.

31:00 – Listening as a Leadership Skill. Why developing deep listening skills is essential for leaders to drive meaningful change.

38:00 – Practical Tips for Enhancing Listening Skills. James shares actionable strategies for improving listening in everyday interactions.

44:00 – The Future of Listening in Leadership. A discussion on the evolving role of listening in effective leadership and team dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

"Sometimes it's not about what you can do for the other person or how good you are at listening. It's actually the offer you make to people in crisis which is your presence and just being there." - James Cook

"...sometimes we see it in business meetings that we're almost going in there with an agenda... waiting to have our turn, to have our say." - James Cook

"...space will allow the listening to happen, the listening will happen without me doing anything."- James Cook

Recommended podcast episode:

• Oscar Trimboli Full Interview: Getting Personal and Down to Business with Listening: https://listeningalchemy.com/listen-in/oscar-trimboli-full-interview-getting-personal-and-down-to-business-with-listening/

• Oscar Trimboli on Listening in Organizations and to Customers: https://listeningalchemy.com/listen-in/oscar-trimboli-on-listening-in-organizations-and-to-customers/

Resources and People Mentioned:

• Samaritans - A charity organization in the UK that provides a listening service for people in crisis or feeling suicidal.

• Oscar Trimboli - Author and speaker known for his model of the five levels of listening.

• Nancy Klein - Creator of the "Time to Think" methodology, which focuses on creating thinking environments for effective listening and conversation.

Connect with James Cook

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-cook-a62633/

Connect with Raquel Ark

• www.listeningalchemy.com

• Mobile: + 491732340722

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn

Have you ever felt unheard in a conversation?

Or wondered why society seems more divided than ever? Historian and podcast host Ramona Houston joins us to reveal how radical listening can bridge cultural divides, resolve conflicts, and reshape history.

Ramona Houston is a U.S. historian specializing in African American and Mexican American history.

As we celebrate Black History Month, Ramona shares her insights on the power of listening and its impact on understanding history and resolving conflicts.

In this episode, she highlights the significance of radical listening—truly hearing what others say and what remains unspoken. Ramona discusses how listening can transform relationships, whether personal or professional, and how it plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges.

Through her experiences, Ramona emphasizes the importance of recognizing often-overlooked contributions to history, particularly from women and marginalized communities. By listening to diverse voices, we can reshape our understanding of history and foster a more inclusive narrative.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a leader seeking to improve communication, or someone passionate about social change, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the art of listening and its potential to create positive change.

"In the U.S., we have Black History Month, Women's History Month, AAPI Heritage Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month—times dedicated to recognizing how different groups have contributed to American history.

This is important because if you read American history books, you'll see how many groups have been marginalized.

As historians, we work toward a future where these histories are included in all books and in all ways—not just separated out. History changes when we start adding different groups of people."- Ramona Houston

SUPERPOWER Notes:

00:01 – The Importance of Inclusive History. Ramona Houston explains how recognizing diverse contributions in American history helps reshape historical narratives.

02:30 – How Listening Shapes Leadership and Communication. Host Raquel Ark introduces the episode, emphasizing how deep listening transforms conversations and leadership effectiveness.

05:00 – Radical Listening: Hearing What's Unspoken. Ramona shares how her husband, jazz musician Terreon Gully taught her the value of listening beyond words.

12:00 – The Impact of Social Media on Polarization. Analyzing how digital platforms reinforce ideological silos and disrupt constructive dialogue.

15:30 – Historical Silence: What's Left Out of the Story?. Why historical omissions contribute to social inequality and how embracing all perspectives can shift narratives.

21:00 – Representation in History: Who Gets Remembered? Ramona discusses the need for historical inclusion beyond white, male-centric narratives.

24:30 – Hidden Figures: The Legacy of Ralph Bunche & Kofi Annan Exploring the underrepresented global impact of Black leaders in diplomacy and human rights.

28:00 – The Ripple Effect of Untold Stories How uncovering marginalized histories can reshape our present and future.

31:00 – Books as Intellectual Property: Expanding Knowledge Horizons Ramona emphasizes the power of reading to challenge biases and broaden perspectives.

34:30 – The "Cuba" Book Example: Understanding Global Influence Raquel shares how reading historical accounts of Cuba changed her understanding of American and Puerto Rican history.

38:00 – How to Create a Culture of Listening Practical strategies for fostering an environment where different perspectives can be voiced safely.

44:00 – Radical Listening as a Leadership Tool.Why leaders must develop deep listening skills to drive meaningful, sustainable change.

Key Takeaways

"Listening is a powerful tool for resolving conflict and understanding one another." – Ramona Houston

"Radical listening is about hearing both what people say—and what they don't say." - Ramona Houston

"Conflict arises when we're too focused on speaking instead of truly listening."- Ramona Houston

"Social media has connected us, but it has also divided us—because we only listen to those who think like us."- Ramona Houston

"You can't resolve conflict if you're not willing to listen first."- Ramona Houston

"If you're truly listening, you're changing."- Ramona Houston

• Carter G. Woodson - Founder of Black History Month.

• Ralph Bunch - Influential in creating the United Nations and a significant figure in human rights.

• Kofi Annan - First person of African descent to lead the United Nations and initiated the Global Compact.

• Dr. Juan Andrade - Founder of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

• Empowering Voices for Social Impact and Connecting Communities with Ramona Houston

• Starting from Zero: The Impact of Listening to What is Not Being Said with Grammy Winning Musician Terreon Gully

• Definition of Listening Based on Science with Dr. Avi Kluger

Connect with Ramona Houston

• Website: https://ramonahouston.com/

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonahouston/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.RamonaHouston#