Are you really listening… or just waiting for your turn to talk? 👀

In this episode of Talk is Giraffe, we dive into the difference between hearing and truly listening — and why it matters more than we think. From ego and distractions to body language, tone, and texting misunderstandings, we unpack how miscommunication sneaks into our relationships and everyday conversations.

We explore the power of empathy, the challenges of active listening, and why “you have to step out of your own way” to really understand someone. Because listening isn’t just about catching words — it’s about understanding the message behind them.

Along the way, we share practical tips for improving your conversation skills, reflect on moments we got it wrong, and even put our listening to the test. (Spoiler: you can’t fake being present.)

If you’ve ever felt unheard — or realized you weren’t fully listening — this one’s for you.

✨ Key Takeaways:• Listening is about understanding, not just responding
• Ego can block empathy
• Body language and tone matter more than we think
• Distractions quietly damage communication
• Everyone deserves better listening in their relationships

Because at the end of the day, we all crave to be understood — but that starts with learning how to listen.

Keywords:listening, communication, empathy, relationships, active listening, miscommunication, body language, understanding, conversation skills, self-reflection