These days, I notice how quickly conversations can tilt—at home, at work, online. One sentence lands wrong, and we start to spiral. Yet I've seen how a single breath or a few words of understanding can shift the trajectory.
Whether you’re caregiving, working on a team, teaching a class, or organizing in your community, you probably know this terrain: conversations unravel fast, and steadiness matters. Wider political, economic, and environmental stresses only heighten the pressure.
How many of us receive training in how to build real understanding? We learn math and history, but not how to navigate disagreements or ask for what we need without blame. That gap shows up everywhere: the argument that goes in circles, workplace tension that festers, the tiff with a loved one that leaves us shut down.
Communication is hard—and it’s essential.
It shapes how we show up in love, in conflict, in community. In today’s world, the way we communicate matters more than ever. Our words can add to the chaos, or build bridges of dignity, clarity, and care.
The good news is, the tools are within our reach. With training, we can change the course of our conversations—and sometimes our lives. As we listen more deeply and speak more clearly, connection grows. We find our ground, even when the stakes are high.
Sometimes, that means being able to say:
“We see this differently, and I still care about you.”
“I’m struggling to understand, and I want to keep trying.”
"I'm opposed to what you're saying, and I still want what's best for you."
A Special Invitation: $50 off + win a free book
Join me this fall for the Say What You Mean online course series.
People consistently share that my Say What You Mean online courses have been life-changing. If you’re seeking meaningful change, learning to communicate more effectively is one of the most potent things you can do. (Already taken the course? Brush up on your skills with a group coaching session.)
Through video teachings, guided practices, and live group Q&A sessions, I’ll guide you step by step to bring these tools into your life. You’ll learn how to:
Stay focused on what matters in any interaction
Listen beneath the surface for deeper concerns
Reduce anxiety in difficult conversations
Express yourself more clearly and effectively
Enroll by October 31 to receive $50 off any course—and get a free signed copy of one of my books or Marshall Rosenberg’s classic Nonviolent Communication. We're giving away over 100 books—while supplies last.
I’ve seen again and again how small changes in our communication ripple out. Words matter. With practice, they can build bridges of understanding in a world where so much is pushing us apart.
I hope you’ll join me.