My journey to become part of the Listening Courageously movement all started with a simple Google search. As a volunteer Program Director for a weekly women’s group, I am always planning new topics for our weekly discussions. As 2020 has been a year of hurt and division, I knew that as a group, we needed to talk about Courageous Conversations; what they are, how to have them and why they are so important. I typed “Speaking and Listening Courageously” into the search bar and let Google work its magic. The “Listening Courageously” website popped up in the search results and I clicked the link to see what it was all about. What I found was an award-winning film, a transformative workshop and a new way of connecting with others. I watched the film’s trailer with great intrigue and was moved to tears by the end.

I saw how the act of empathic listening between the film’s participants helped them to understand each other and began the heal the divides that existed between them. I knew that the women in my weekly group would love the movement’s message and want to get involved. I had to watch the full film and learn more about what it meant to “listen courageously”. Through my discussions with filmmaker and workshop creatorJuliana Tafur, I learned that the key to listening courageously is human connection and empathy. The goal of the movement is not to make sure people agree with each other on an issue, but to invite them to connect with each other on a human level and understand the passion behind their beliefs.

As a student of Addictions and Mental Health, this reminded me of a key teaching in therapeutic treatment: rather than simply addressing the easily identified symptoms of mental illness (depressive episodes, lack of emotional regulation, etc.) we need to delve deeper to address some of the root causes (fear, trauma, lack of connection). Rather than focusing on the issue itself we need to find connection with others on a deeper level to foster empathic conversations. Before we can discuss issues, we need to heal the anger we feel towards other groups in order to find a path forward. This is the true goal of Listen Courageously.

It is my hope that by sharing this message with different communities and spreading the word about this necessary work that people will start listening to understand each other. They will realize that having a contrasting view to someone else doesn’t make them enemies, but two sides of the same coin. By listening courageously, we can begin to heal the hurt and disconnect we’re experiencing to find hope and unity.

I can’t wait to see where Listening Courageously will go and how it will impact the world. It is a movement brimming with opportunities. All it requires is active and willing participants who wish to learn the transformative power of empathic listening.

Article written by Emilie Mossman

After Emilie’s first interest in the Listen Courageously movement, she has begun collaborating with our outreach and social media efforts.