Listeners

Listeners is a show about the craft and power of listening. We talk with media and communication experts, thought leaders, doers, and innovators whose ideas can amplify the quality of our dialogue and interactions. Listeners is produced by the Agora Journalism Center, the gathering place for innovation in communication and civic engagement at University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication.

#22: Relationships During a Pandemic 07/27/2020

#22: Relationships During a Pandemic Quarantine has meant that we’re having to listen to ourselves and each other as we navigate through new ways of being together for long stretches at a time. It’s near impossible to know how this global pandemic is affecting the quality of our relationships. The stories are endless and varied. Listeners producer Cecilia Brown takes us on a journey into one of these stories asking this question: how do we address changes in relationships when we’re in small clusters of family or friends for months on end? /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/15369890

#21: Reflective Listening with Sad Songs 07/11/2020

#21: Reflective Listening with Sad Songs Are you eager to diversify what you’re listening to these days? This episode is for you especially if you’ve been reflecting on and processing what we’re all going through these days. Listeners producer Cecilia Brown talks with her friend Andrea Baron about her process of not only making a playlist of sad songs for her dad but also went the extra length to analyze and categorize them. You too can contribute your favorite sad songs to Andrea’s on-going . /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/15168170

#20: Cleo and Kayin Talton Davis - Education Reimagined 07/02/2020

#20: Cleo and Kayin Talton Davis - Education Reimagined Listeners producer Cecilia Brown talks with Cleo Davis and Kayin Talton-Davis about homeschooling during COVID-19 and reimagining education by challenging the Eurocentric ideals most educational institutions are built upon. The Portland-based artists and designers have long been using art to tell stories about the Black experience and their current project aims to “create a cultural space of memory, advancement, and artistry for Portland's Black Community” at . Show notes & links: - Please consider donating to Cleo and Kayin’s efforts to finish building out the Mayo House, and making it a place for the Black community. - a documentary short about generational loss, racial disparity, and the steps taken by one family to force a city to reckon with its history. This doc was also produced by Cecilia Brown. - More about Cleo and Kayin’s class at the University of Oregon's College of Design: Design for Spatial Justice. New to the Listeners Podcast? Did the episode pique your interest? Check out the following previous episodes that are peripherally related: #16: #14: /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/15067592

#19: Strings - Bussing Around (Episode #1) 07/19/2019

#19: Strings - Bussing Around (Episode #1) With this episode we introduce a new series called Strings. It’s all about how issues and individuals string our communities together in surprising ways. Podcast producers Kevin Beasely and Ann Powers take the show on the road starting out in U.S. District Court and sitting down with Judge John V. Acosta’s, which leads them to a ridealong with a Trimet bus operator and ultimately lands them in a psychologist’s office speaking with Dr. Elisa Rudd. So, how are these three unique professionals strung together? From the importance of being heard, to unlikely safe spaces for those in need, and introducing mental health issues into everyday narratives - listen and find out how these connect to each other. We’d love to hear your thoughts as well. Please submit your comments and suggestions on other strings you know of or how we can make this series the best it can be. /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/10587500

#18: Amanda Ripley: Adding Complexity to the Stories We Tell 07/06/2019

#18: Amanda Ripley: Adding Complexity to the Stories We Tell Last summer, bestselling author and Atlantic magazine contributor Amanda Ripley published an essay, , exploring what journalists could learn from mediators, lawyers, rabbis, and others “who know how to disrupt toxic narratives and get people to reveal deeper truths.” her own shortcomings as a journalist and called on reporters to change how they conduct interviews and cover conflict -- in order to do a better job listening and being heard in the current age of outrage. The essay went viral online and was translated into multiple languages. This episode captures a presentation Amanda did at the University of Oregon’s Agora Journalism Center as well as a conversation with Agora’s director Regina Lawrence. Show notes & links: /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/10425947

#17: Kaitlin Prest: Discovering the Magic in Modern Audio Fiction 05/18/2019

#17: Kaitlin Prest: Discovering the Magic in Modern Audio Fiction Kaitlin Prest is an award-winning podcast artist whose keen ability to blend intricate sound design and distinct narrative storytelling into one-of-a-kind sensory experiences has earned her high acclaim at audio festivals and conferences worldwide. She got her start as a puppeteer, moved onto launch a Canadian radio show called Audio Smut, directed The Shadows for CBC Podcasts and is the co-founder, creative director and host of Radiotopia’s The Heart. Our conversation with Kaitlin touches on her own personal journey in striving to make it in the radio and podcast worlds, as well as the inspirations and ethics driving her unique creative process that transforms audio into artwork expressing the complexities of intimacy and the human condition. (Photo of Kailtlin Prest by Eleanor Petry) Show notes & links: /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/9832631

#16: August Wilson Red Door Project - Hands Up, Cop Out - Look Within & Evolve 04/27/2019

#16: August Wilson Red Door Project - Hands Up, Cop Out - Look Within & Evolve The strives to change Portland’s racial ecology through the arts. It started with a play called Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments that showcases a powerful set of monologues commissioned by The New Black Fest in response to police shootings and institutional profiling. Then came Cop Out: Beyond Black, White & Blue. This series of monologues portray police of various rank and experience relating to the community, each other, their families and the institutions they represent. Up next for the Red Door Project is The Evolve Experience, a blend of Hands Up and Cop Out. Kevin Jones and Lesli Mones co-founded the Red Door Project. They sat down with us for a compelling conversation about closing the gap between racial divides by taking center stage. During our talk, you’ll hear us reference findings from the Portland Police Bureau Strategic Insights Report, which is a summary of data collection and outreach efforts on behalf of the Bureau. A link to the report is included in the show notes below. Show notes & links: /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/9552371

#15: Claire Cain Miller - Admitting and Overcoming Bias 04/06/2019

#15: Claire Cain Miller - Admitting and Overcoming Bias Research shows that developing empathy, connection and compassion is crucial to a sustainable and humane society. But, in order to do that we must first admit our own biases, overcome them and step outside of our bubbles - or comfort zones. So, how do we do that? Claire Cain Miller is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist who covers gender, work, family and the way technology changes our lives. She writes for The Upshot - a New York Times site about politics, economics and everyday life. In one of her recent articles, , she offers a guide on doing just that - bursting our bubbles to become better members of society with evidenced-based exercises anyone can do to increase empathy. Show notes & links: Reading literary fiction is one of those evidenced-based exercisers. We’ve listed three books Claire recommends during the episode: In addition, this The Ezra Klein Show episode also came up during our conversation with Claire: Original music by /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/9292265

#14: Bob McKinnon - Headwinds & Tailwinds 03/23/2019

#14: Bob McKinnon - Headwinds & Tailwinds What happens when we change the narrative of the classic American Dream mantra - that our position in life depends on more than just pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps? How does this impact reaching our personal and professional goals, helping others reach theirs and how public policy and resources are developed? Bob McKinnon is an author and founder of GALEWiLL, an organization that designs social change programs, executive director of the online platform Moving Up and creator of Your American Dream Score - a quiz to help you reflect on the headwinds and tailwinds guiding your life and an opportunity to better empathize with the journeys of others. Show notes & links: Original music by & Kevin Beasley /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/9111887

#13: Kara Moore - Being Present 03/09/2019

#13: Kara Moore - Being Present Kara Moore is the lead facilitator at Kickstand Comedy Space in Portland, OR. Having studied, performed, and coached improv and sketch comedy since 2001. She says improv is more about being a hardcore listener than it is about trying to be funny. We had a fun conversation with Kara about being present, genuinely portraying subjects, and how the best improvisers listen for cues to further the narrative. Show notes & links: Original music by /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/8940512

#12: Eli Saslow - Building Trust 03/02/2019

#12: Eli Saslow - Building Trust Eli Saslow is an award-winning journalist and a staff writer for The Washington Post. In 2014, he received a Pulitzer Prize Award for his work on food stamps in post-recession America. His most recent book, Rising Out of Hatred tells the story of Derek Black’s transition from an emerging white supremacist leader, to an outspoken opposer of the white nationalist movement. Show notes & links: His on The Washington Post; those mentioned in this episode: /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/8847503

#11: Gabe Howe - Finding the Literal Common Ground 12/08/2018

#11: Gabe Howe - Finding the Literal Common Ground Gabe Howe is the Executive Director of the Siskiyou Mountain Club. The group works to maintain and promote remote trail systems in southwest Oregon. Gabe finds that when volunteers from different walks of life and diverse backgrounds come together in the wilderness, they’re able connect in special ways over a literal common ground. Show notes & links: , Oregon Live /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/7843784

#10: Jennifer Brandel - Public Powered Journalism 11/30/2018

#10: Jennifer Brandel - Public Powered Journalism What happens to journalism when the public gets to choose the topics they’re curious about? “Public powered journalism” is the ongoing experiment the co-founder and CEO of Jennifer Brandel is working on to make journalism more responsive and useful to the public’s needs. Also check out /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/7737608

#9: Chris Nye - A Pastor's Problem 11/09/2018

#9: Chris Nye - A Pastor's Problem When writer and pastor Chris Nye moved from an affluent Oregon suburb to San Francisco's Tenderloin district, his work as a pastor was turned upside down. Chris Nye is the author of , and his new book Less of More is due in spring of 2019. /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/7505621

#8: Gary Noesner - FBI Hostage Negotiator 11/01/2018

#8: Gary Noesner - FBI Hostage Negotiator Gary Noesner was the FBI negotiator at Waco in 1993, where David Koresh and the Branch Davidians waged a 51-day siege against authorities. This is just one of the many high-profile cases Gary has worked on, and we wondered what a career in negotiating life-or-death situations teaches you about listening. His new memoir is called /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/7403123

#7: Celeste Headlee - How To Have Better Conversations 08/10/2018

#7: Celeste Headlee - How To Have Better Conversations Being in the hosting chair of public radio for almost 20 years made Celeste Headlee discover how bad most of our conversations are. What are we doing wrong? And how can we make it right? Show notes & links: Celeste’s TED Talk Celeste’s book /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6908810

#6: Julian Treasure - Conscious Listening for a Healthy Democracy 08/02/2018

#6: Julian Treasure - Conscious Listening for a Healthy Democracy In an era of angry pundits, attack journalism, and click-bait, how can we re-train ourselves to listen consciously and embrace healthy disagreement? Julian’s book /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6881900

#5: Megan Finnerty - The Storyteller’s Project 07/26/2018

#5: Megan Finnerty - The Storyteller’s Project Seven years after starting the Arizona Storyteller’s project, Megan Finnerty has watched her project expand to 22 cities across the United States. We talk about why people are drawn to live storytelling events, what goes into putting them on, and how Megan uses her expertise to help participants get the most out of the experience of telling their stories on stage. /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6854603

#4: DJ & Warren Waldow - Political Listening 07/19/2018

#4: DJ & Warren Waldow - Political Listening DJ hates Trump. His dad Warren loves Trump. How can a father and son maintain a loving relationship when their political differences have reached a breaking point? /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6827534

#3: Jesikah Maria Ross - Problem Solving Through Storytelling 07/12/2018

#3: Jesikah Maria Ross - Problem Solving Through Storytelling How does journalism change if the comment section happens before the article is written? Jesikah Ross is the founder of the Story Circle, a curated storytelling event with citizens who share stories about the issues affecting their communities. /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6804270

#2: Matthew Olson: The Cost of Listening 07/06/2018

#2: Matthew Olson: The Cost of Listening Growing up in a devout Jehovah’s Witnesses community, Matthew Olson struggled to come to terms with being gay. When he finally started listening to himself instead of those around him, a new life began - but at a high cost. /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6781457

#1: Joy Mayer - Building Trust for Civil Dialogue 06/28/2018

#1: Joy Mayer - Building Trust for Civil Dialogue How do journalists earn the trust of their communities? As the director of the , Joy Mayer breaks down practices of engaged journalism and explains why credibility is key for effective communication. She and Andrew talk about fostering environments for civility and dialogue within newsrooms and discuss how being a journalist is a lot like hosting a party. /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6752077

Welcome 06/21/2018

Welcome We’re excited to announce a brand new podcast series called Listeners, a show about the craft and power of listening. /episode/index/show/listenerspodcast/id/6730934

Listeners

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