We often scramble to fill up “awkward silence” in conversations. But the best listeners know when others just need to be heard. Renowned mediator Ken Feinberg listens to thousands of heartbreaking stories after tragic events — and embracing silence is something he relies on to do his job. So find time for some solitude today and become a more empathic listener.

Being a good listener isn’t just about your ears. Body language can tell you a lot about a person’s intentions, and it’s one of the keys to Hamilton actor Okieriete Onaodowan’s success on stage. And with the help of movement instructor Fay Simpson, we’ll guide you through a “mirroring” partner exercise that gets you moving in sync with each other.

We're so used to communicating with each other through email, text, tweets — everything but face-to-face. But when we are left with tech, we might be missing a lot of crucial information. With the help of MTV's Franchesca Ramsey and cognitive psychologist Beatrice de Gelder, we'll guide you through our first Listen Up! challenge: getting out of your comfort zone and having conversations in person.

As a kid, Marvin Miller dreamed of starting an all sign language town. A place where deaf would be the norm and everyone from the garbage man to the mayor would sign. Ten years ago he found the land to build it.

Jay Alan Zimmerman is a musician who has been losing his hearing over the past several decades. As his hearing worsened, Jay considered other professions, but couldn't imagine a life without music. Now he's trying to decide if he'll risk the unknown and participate in experimental research to try to gain back all he's lost.

At 24, Max Ritvo has a lot going for him. He's a gifted poet with a teaching job at Columbia University and a manuscript that he's shopping to publishers. He's a new husband. He's a comic in a darkly funny experimental improv group. But he's also a cancer patient whose prognosis isn't good.

When we asked you to share your health confessions with us we didn’t know what to expect. Turns out you guys have all kinds of vices: you eat the wrong things, you use drugs, sometimes you lie to your doctors. And doctors are no better. In this episode, hear stories from patients — and doctors — about mistakes, mishaps, and near fatal errors.

Jaime Lowe started taking lithium when she was 17, after a manic episode landed her in a psychiatric ward. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and for more than 20 years, the drug has been her near-constant companion. 

“It’s hard to know if lithium is actually -- like, if it dampens my personality, or if it normalizes my personality, or if it allows me to just sort of be who I am,” she says.

But now the drug that keeps Jaime sane is also making her sick. She faces a choice that’s not much of choice at all: an eventual kidney transplant, or giving up the drug.

A young mom learns she has breast cancer. Then, while she's scheduling surgery and planning for chemo, she finds out something else: she's pregnant. That's what happened to Only Human's host, Mary Harris, two years ago. She tells her story – and asks you to share yours.

A deaf composer gets a shot at hearing again. A woman with bipolar disorder tries going off her usual medication. Our host finds out she has breast cancer—and is pregnant—at the same time. 

This is Only Human, a new podcast from WNYC Studios. Health is something we often choose to ignore—until it hits us in the face. Only Human is a show that isn’t afraid to have those uncomfortable conversations, or experiment with possible solutions. Hosted by Mary Harris, Only Human tells stories we all can relate to. Because every body has a story.

Join us every week, starting October 6. And subscribe to us on iTunes by clicking here.