Practicing Connection

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Have you ever felt let down by someone who didn’t follow through - or realized you misunderstood what was asked of you? 

This episode reveals why reliability starts with clear requests, and how a few mindful tweaks to your communication can build trust and prevent frustration.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Coral and Jessica explore the crucial link between trust and reliability, inspired by Charles Feltman’s The Thin Book of Trust. Jessica introduces the practice “Clear Requests are Kind Requests,” highlighting how our assumptions and unclear communication can undermine reliability - even with the best intentions.

You’ll learn the difference between direct, indirect, and really indirect requests, and why being clear is an act of kindness for everyone involved. Jessica shares practical steps for both noticing and making clearer requests, including key questions to ask and simple phrases to use. 

Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or just tired of miscommunication, this episode will help you strengthen trust by making reliability a shared, achievable goal.

Links and resources from this episode:

The Thin Book of Trust (Third edition), by Charles Feltman

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Ever left a conversation wishing you’d said what you really meant? 

This week, we’ll show you a simple practice to help you notice - and close - the gap between your true thoughts and your spoken words, so you can build trust through greater sincerity.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Jessica and Coral dive into one of the four key distinctions of trust: sincerity. Inspired by their recent conversation with trust experts Charles Feltman and Ila Edgar, Coral introduces a reflective practice called “What I Thought vs. What I Said.” 

This simple, powerful exercise helps you become more aware of the differences between your internal experience and your external communication.

You’ll learn step-by-step how to use this practice after any conversation to uncover where you might be holding back, why that happens, and how you can bring more of your authentic self to your next interaction. 

Whether you tend to avoid conflict, people-please, or just want to strengthen your relationships, this episode offers practical guidance for building trust - one sincere conversation at a time.

Links and resources from this episode:

The Thin Book of Trust (Third edition), by Charles Feltman

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What if trust wasn’t just a feeling, but a set of skills you could build, repair, and strengthen - on purpose? 

In this special episode of Practicing Connection, hosts Jessica Beckendorf and Coral Owen sit down with Charles Feltman, author of The Thin Book of Trust, and Ila Edgar, founder of Big Change Inc. and co-hosts of the Trust on Purpose podcast. Together, they explore what it really means to build, maintain, and repair trust - at work, at home, and in our communities.

Charles and Ila share the four domains of trust - Competence, Sincerity, Reliability, and Care - and explain how these domains transform trust from a fuzzy concept into something you can intentionally practice every day. 

Through real-world stories and practical advice, they reveal why trust is never binary, why conversations about trust matter, and how high-trust environments unlock resilience, collaboration, and innovation.

Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or simply someone who wants stronger relationships, this episode will give you actionable tools and mindsets to help you become a masterful trust-builder. 

Plus, discover personal practices for resilience and connection, and learn how to start flexing your trust “muscle” today.

Links and resources from this episode:

Trust on Purpose podcast

Ila Edgar, Big Change Inc.

Charles Feltman, Insight Coaching

The Thin Book of Trust (Third edition), by Charles Feltman

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What if every meeting you planned had a clear purpose, a focused outcome, and left everyone energized instead of drained? Today, we’ll show you a simple framework to make every gathering count.

Tired of meetings that go nowhere? 

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Coral and Jessica reveal how the POP (Purpose, Outcome, Process-plus People and Preparation) framework can transform your meetings from time-wasters into powerful, purposeful gatherings. 

Jessica walks you through each step of the POPPP approach, shares real-world examples, and explains why starting with purpose changes everything. 

Whether you’re planning a team meeting, a project kickoff, or just your next agenda item, this episode will help you design meetings that matter. 

Plus, get a downloadable resource to put the POPPP framework into action right away!

Resources to help you have great meetings:

Wharton Psychologist Adam Grant: Use the 4 Reasons Rule to Decide If a Meeting Is Worthwhile

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What if you could quiet the ‘what-ifs’ and help your team face tough decisions with clarity and confidence? 

Today, we’re sharing a simple scenario planning practice that brings perspective to uncertainty-so you can plan for whatever comes next.

Coral and Jessica introduce a practical scenario planning tool: Best, Worst, Most Likely Case. Learn how this perspective-shifting practice, rooted in positive psychology, can help you and your group break out of catastrophizing, validate hopes and fears, and make grounded plans for the future. 

Jessica walks you through the steps, shares tips for brainstorming, and explains how focusing on what’s most likely can unify your team and boost decision-making. 

Whether you’re facing a big decision or just want to build resilience, this episode will help you put uncertainty in perspective.

Resources to help you run a group brainstorm:

"1-2-4-All"

"Brainwriting"

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Are you feeling stuck in an either/or mindset during challenging transitions?

Discover how both/and thinking can help you lead with flexibility and compassion. 

In today's practice, Coral guides us through a transformative action that can bring more connection and possibility into your daily life. 

Co-hosts Jessica and Coral explore the concept of both/and thinking—a mindset that allows for multiple truths to coexist. 

This practical exercise will help listeners move beyond binary thinking, especially during times of tension or uncertainty. Learn how to embrace complexity, foster connection, and find a better path forward with both/and thinking. 

Plus, we invite you to share what's inspiring you right now!

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What if a single phrase could transform your team’s understanding and support for each other on tough days? 

Discover how “Hippopotamus Days” can build connection, understanding, and trust - one inside joke at a time.

Building team cohesion isn’t just about big events or trust falls - it’s about the small moments of understanding that bring people together. 

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Coral and Jessica introduce the concept of “Hippopotamus Days,” a playful, team-created code word that signals when someone’s having an off day but still wants to be present. 

Learn how developing a shared language and group norms can foster empathy, reduce misunderstandings, and make your team stronger - even on the toughest days. Tune in for practical steps to create your own team phrase and see how humor and honesty can become powerful tools for connection.

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When change is the only constant, how do you keep yourself - and your team - grounded and connected? In this episode, we explore simple, powerful check-in practices that help leaders and teams navigate uncertainty with empathy, awareness, and trust.

Transitions and uncertainty are part of every leader’s journey. 

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Coral introduces "Temperature Checks for Change," a practical two-part check-in routine designed to help you stay present and responsive - both as a leader and as a team. 

Discover how quick self-reflection and intentional team check-ins can build trust, foster alignment, and create space for authentic connection, even when answers are unclear. 

Whether you’re leading through a big transition or just facing everyday challenges, these tools will help you and your team feel seen, supported, and ready for what’s next.

Practicing Connection worksheets

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Are you leading your team the way you truly want to? Or just reacting to the pressures of the moment? 

Discover how a simple reflection can help you align your intentions with your actions and become the emotionally intelligent leader your team needs.

How we show up as leaders shapes our team’s experience, trust, and success. 

In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, Coral and Jessica explore the power of alignment and presence in leadership. Jessica introduces the “Leadership Alignment Reflection,” a practical, step-by-step exercise that helps you examine how you’re currently leading versus how you aspire to lead. 

Learn how regular reflection can boost your self-awareness, close the gap between intention and action, and help you lead with greater impact. 

Tune in for actionable insights and a practice you can start using right now!

Practical links from this episode:

• The Art of Coaching Teams, by Elena Aguilar
• Practicing Connection worksheets
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Looking for a way to empower military families while fostering resilience and connection? 

Join us as we explore the transformative Military Teen Adventure Camps, where service member parents and teens bond through adrenaline-pumping activities like ziplining, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing. 

Discover how these camps are creating lifelong memories and strengthening family ties.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, host Jessica Beckendorf and special co-host Kristen Jowers welcome Dr. Kerri Ashurst and Tyrone Atkinson from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to discuss Military Teen Adventure Camps. 

These camps provide military families with unique opportunities to strengthen parent-teen relationships through thrilling outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and ziplining. 

Learn how these adventure-based programs build resilience, improve communication, and foster teamwork among military families.

Info on 2025 Summer Camps:

2025 Camp 1: Ocoee Whitewater Rafting and Outdoor Quest

Dates: July 11-14, 2025

Number of Participants: 80 per session (40 parent/teen teams)

Primary Activities (i.e. camping, hiking, kayaking, etc.): whitewater rafting, tubing, rock climbing, lake activities

2025 Camp 2: ACE Whitewater Rafting, Climbing, Rappelling and Outdoor Adventure

Dates: July 25-28, 2025

Number of Participants: 54 (27 parent/teen teams)

Primary Activities (i.e. camping, hiking, kayaking, etc.): Whitewater Paddling, mountain biking, zipline and canopy tour

Note - families from any state and branch are welcome to register, including active duty, reserve, guard, retiree families.

Practical links from this episode:

• Kentucky Military Teen Adventure Camps (MTAC)
• Kentucky MTAC Facebook group
• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
• Further MTA Camps nationwide
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