In this powerful episode of The Circle of Hope, I’m thrilled to welcome Linda Balola, a lecturer and peacebuilder whose journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda has been marked by transformation, learning, and the courage to shift entire communities toward healing. Our story together began serendipitously in Nairobi, Kenya, when Linda recognized me from my TEDx talk—a beautiful reminder of how messages ripple globally, touching lives we may never even imagine reaching.

Linda opens up about her personal evolution, moving from deep-seated judgments and cultural stereotypes to embracing the transformative principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). We dig into how she not only teaches these practices at the Protestant University of Rwanda but lives them—helping young people from conflict-impacted backgrounds explore empathy, process trauma, and rewrite how they relate to themselves and others. Our candid conversation explores the role of needs, feelings, and strategies for authentic connection and dives into our own real-life struggles and triumphs using NVC (including my very human experience navigating emotions at Costco!). If you’re curious about building peace in divided communities, shifting personal relationships, or simply want to understand yourself and others more deeply, this heartfelt exchange is for you.

Watch This If:

• You’re curious about how Nonviolent Communication (NVC) works in real life
• You want practical strategies for transforming conflict—personally or within your community
• You're interested in peacebuilding, empathy, and authentic relationships
• You’ve ever struggled with communicating your needs, expressing emotions, or breaking through stereotypes
• You’re looking for inspiration from someone living and teaching hope amid challenging circumstances

Quotes to Remember:

• “Everything we do, we do to meet the needs... Even if you commit something that is not good, know that you still have something good inside.” – Linda Balola
• “Sometimes our needs are not meant to be met by other people. The need that we have are needs that we need to fulfill—we then select strategies that would address that need for us.” – Valerie Hope
• “Nonviolent Communication is not a therapy session, but it can heal.” – Linda Balola
• “Beyond right or wrong, we can still connect.” – Linda Balola

What You’ll Learn:

• The fundamental components of Nonviolent Communication and their practical application
• How to shift from habitual judgment (“jackal”) to empathic (“giraffe”) listening and expression
• The importance of identifying and owning your own needs in moments of conflict
• How transparency and self-connection foster resilience and understanding, even in trauma-impacted settings
• Ways to compassionately hold space for strong emotions—both your own and others’
• Why cultural and personal stereotypes can be overcome through intentional connection
• How even compliments and praise can be forms of judgment, and the value of specificity in affirmation

Contact Information:

Guest: Linda Balola

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindaducc?igsh=am44NDBpOTFxNDNl
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/linda-balola-sylvine-2a2b36183
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HwgWCZrm1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Host: Valerie Hope

• Website:https://www.valeriehope.com
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehope/
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHope
• Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecttoJoy

Production Support: Lucy Hope - Podcast Editing, Copy, and Publishing.

#CircleOfHope #NonviolentCommunication #PeaceBuilding #Empathy #TransformConflict