listening SUPERPOWER podcast

It's easy to lose touch with our true selves in a world that constantly bombards us with external noise and expectations. We often find ourselves seeking validation and approval from others, forgetting that the most important voice to listen to is our own. Revealing our identities and embracing our unique qualities can be a transformative experience. It's about recognizing that we don't need to ad...

Are you ready to take your organization to the next level? When you decide to shift your time and resources towards systems, tools and processes for organizational listening to effectively listen to stakeholders, you will have impressive benefits that may surprise you. Be the pioneer.   Jim Macnamara, a pioneer in listening research and Distinguished Professor of Public Communication in the School...

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations are constantly seeking innovative ways to adapt and thrive. One key aspect that cannot be overlooked is the power and influence of peer-to-peer networks.  These networks, consisting of smaller tribes within an organization, have the potential to shape the course of change and drive transformative outcomes. Trust and communication are fo...

Undoubtedly, AI has made significant contributions to various aspects of human life by automating countless tasks and eliminating the need for extensive manual labor.  However, a notable challenge arises as AI replaces the human workforce in many companies, resulting in a decline in human interaction skills.  This raises the question of whether life is becoming too monotonous. In this AI-dominated...

Politics is often described as a tough world to be in, filled with heated debates and difficult conversations. Navigating through these challenging situations can be a daunting task. However, there is a key element that plays a vital role in this process - that is listening. Our guest on the listening SUPERPOWER podcast, Matt Krayton is the Founder of Publitics, a public affairs, political, PR and...

Listening is a powerful skill that can transform our interactions and relationships. It opens up doors to deeper understanding, connection, and empathy and ultimately cultivates something equally valuable, and that is humility. Michal Lehmann is a post-doctoral researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, focused on exploring the intricacies of humility from a dyadic perspective. Her research delves...

Let's go back the memory lane and look back at how this podcast started. The podcast started as "Listen In" but evolved into the Listening Superpower podcast to explore the impact and importance of listening. Over the course of the podcast's three-year run, Raquel has engaged in conversations with experts and individuals from various fields, all centered around the topic of listening.  In this epi...

How can listening help organizations have impact on critical global issues, while understanding and acting upon local needs? This tension is the space our next guest leans into in order to understand the real needs and potential. Jeff Hoffman is a Proven Public Affairs executive for The Walt Disney Company, the world's most storied and admired media and entertainment enterprise. He currently leads...

Storytelling has captivated humanity since the beginning of time. It has the unique ability to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions, and convey powerful messages. But storytelling is not just about entertaining and fascinating us; it is also about listening. By truly engaging with a story, we can gain deeper insights into ourselves and others, foster empathy, and broaden our perspectiv...

Discover the beauty of acceptance and the power of listening. Puneet Singh Singhal , founder of ssstart .org, joins Raquel Ark on the Listening Superpower podcast to discuss the power of listening and the importance of acceptance for people who stutter.  Puneet shares his personal journey with stuttering and how it led him to create ssstart.org – a safe space for others facing the same challenges....

As humans, we have an immense potential within us waiting to be unlocked. However, often we find ourselves stuck in a fixed way of being, limiting our growth and potential. It's time to break free from this mindset and embrace curiosity as a way of life. Mark Vandeneijnde's keen sense of insight and market understanding was the source of many breakthrough initiatives during his 10-year corporate c...

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking we know everything. What if we took a step back and listened more? Not only to other people, but also to ourselves and to the situation? By opening ourselves up to different perspectives and experiences, we start on a journey of exploration and discovery, even in challenging conversations at work.  In this episode of the listening SUPERPOWER podcast, aut...

How can you increase your mental and physical resilience so that you can choose your responses to the day-to-day pressures as well as navigate life's changes? While physical health is crucial, it's equally important to prioritize mental well-being. On this episode of the Listening Superpower Podcast, we welcome Leah Scott , a Wim Hof Method instructor, an accredited Snowy Mountains guide and a mot...

We often don't give space and energy to  listen to what is not being said and instead focus on what we hear, our expectations and what we have "practiced" without paying attention to others or the space in between. This can cause a lot of misunderstandings and performance is often lowered. What if you could pave a way for beautiful moments of collaboration to happen where you can perform your best...

What does it mean to truly listen in a way that has enormous impact, also in the business world?  When we commit to truly listening to someone, we open doors for quality connections that can lead to transformation and relationship satisfaction. It's through listening that we can build bridges of understanding, empathy, and trust that allow us to connect with people on a deeper level. This, in turn...

Have you ever thought about how listening develops in children and how this connects with listening in leadership development? You might be surprised by what you discover from our guest today.  Marva Shand-McIntosh  founded the I Love to Listen Day in 2005, and it's still going strong. This day is celebrated every year on May 16th. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist as wel...

When it comes to Diversity and Inclusion, one hidden bias continues to hold businesses back: linguistic bias. This hidden bias affects much more than just non-offensive language, influencing the way we judge people from the moment they open their mouths. Where do these biases come from? How do they hinder hiring and promotion decisions? How can businesses make sure their preference for eloquent sp...

What are the triggers that make you boiling mad? Do you notice what happens to you and the voices in your head when you feel like someone doesn't understand you or does something "against" you? Do you want people to see and appreciate you for who you really are?     And how do we authentically become fully aware of what we deeply want and need so that we can communicate this clearly?   Mette Johan...

As Raquel traveled back to Germany from visiting her family, she brought along stories that spoke volumes of her purpose in life – practicing and being surprised by our listening superpower. Reflecting on a routine she had while traveling as a younger person, she took time to look at the window from a cloud perspective and truly listen to what 2023 wanted to tell her.    With an open heart and min...

On the shortest day of the year, known as the Winter Solstice, Raquel takes a moment to reflect on 2022. What brought you light this year? As the days start to get longer and extend, what would you like to extend further from 2022 into 2023?  And as we take the opportunity to reflect on the year,  how can we continue to raise the opportunities for more listening, whether we are listening to oursel...

Have you noticed how your co-workers or team seem to have difficulty listening well to each other, having different understandings of what is important? Do you want to know how you can help a group listen to what is actually emerging in discussions?   Visualize it.   In today's episode, our guest talks about how listening is a way for you to recognize something bigger inside yourself and the group...

Have you ever thought you would not be an effective leader just because you are a naturally quiet person? Or are you only recruiting leaders who are outspoken and seem confident? We have long been stuck in a narrow and outdated view of what good leadership looks, sounds, and feels like. Often we assume there's a correlation between confidence and competence. We have disregarded quiet people's grea...

Achieving optimal results for ourselves and the organization requires engaging in authentic conversations. This involves listening that is not driven by fear, but by maximizing curiosity. And listening by curiosity motivates change, especially when it comes to receiving and processing feedback.   Best-selling author, executive coach, and keynote speaker Dr. Craig Dowden is bridging the gap between...

In a noisy world with so many distractions pulling us in different directions, it is easy to get lost and not make sense of what people are trying to communicate. This is true for both the person listening and the one being listened to. Listening with purposeful intention and saying the most important things first helps communication be clear and concise, having more impact. Joe McCormack is on a...

Listen in podcast has reached a milestone, and we're celebrating!    You're in for a treat, of course. You've heard Raquel mention her son, Luke, often in the interviews.  How about Luke interviewing his mother, Raquel, for a change?    The tables are turned, and Raquel becomes the interviewee.   Get an inside look at Raquel's journey into podcasting. She candidly answers her son's (Luke) question...