The International Listening Association advances

Listening Practice, Training, and Research worldwide.

In all we do, we strive to Learn, Teach, Inspire, Collaborate.

Thanks to those who submitted news items: Receiving news items from members lets the ILA Listening Times newsletter work toward strengthening our community through sharing information about their listening experiences. So, thank you to all who sent news item. Anyone with listening-related news items, please send them to beatrice.welch.6890@gmail.com

Kiku is our new platform: The ILA board is excited to unveil Kiku—the new, members only, community platform, formerly known as Orgo. When people go to www.listen.org and log in as members they are automatically transferred to kiku.listen.org, the ILA website that is for members only.

Welcome new members: David and Scott from across the U.S.

Rest in Peace, Dr. Michelle Pence: The ILA is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Michelle Pence, a brilliant communication scholar whose contributions to listening research have left a lasting impact on the field. Dr. Pence’s work, which was honored with the ILA's Distinguished Research Award in 2016, advanced our understanding of listening in interpersonal and health communication, and her dedication to scholarship and education inspired many. For those who wish to share pictures, memories, or messages, an email has been created: DrPenceLegacy@gmail.com

Listening Superpower podcast: ILA member Raquel Ark (immediate past president) interviewed ILA member Michael Purdy who discussed his extensive journey in the world of listening, revealing the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of listening’s power. Michael discussed his listening history, ranging from training at a phone health care call center, his doctoral work on philosopher Merleau-Ponty, and his teaching experiences.

Listening in difficult conversations: ILA member Alexandra Perl (Special Projects Board member) held a workshop on “how to listen in difficult conversations” for the ZUHÖREN Draussen Community in Düsseldorf on January 15, 2025. The workshop addressed values, shared stories and questions that foster connectedness.

Elementary classroom program launched: ILA member Christine Miles has launched a classroom listening program for elementary schools. Here is a demo video and a promo for Listening Path. In addition, an article about the program was in USA Today.

Wiesbaden listening festival: Interim Executive Director, Dr. Margarete Imhof will be a presenter at the event organized by the state public radio station. The festival includes musicians, storytellers, and presentations. Click here for more information.

New issue: The second edition of Listening in Education and Training is now available. This journal focuses on practical ideas for teaching and training using listening. Visit our website to get more information about the journal and to access previous issues.

New issue: ILA member Elizabeth Parks who serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Listening (IJL) in collaboration with Associate Editor Michael Humphrey, Ph.D. and Manuscript Coordinator Brandon Shanks, announces the publication of the IJL Spring 2025 Volume 39, Issue 1 focusing on listening and comprehension. This journal is published on behalf of the International Listening Association. ILA members will find a link to this publication when they log into their ILA profile and look for “IJL” on the left side menu.

Empathy Circle Summit: Do you use the Empathy Circle practice? If
so, share your experiences, insights, learnings, etc. about the practice at an upcoming Empathy Circle Summit. The mission of the summit is to build the Empathy Movement and Culture through education and community initiatives. Click here for the speaker application.

Empathy Circle Research and Development Team: ILA members are invited to join the weekly online Empathy Circle Research and Development Team that is now forming. Click here for more information and to add your name to the list of members.

Interested in helping with the convention (July 31-Aug 2, 2025) (a mere 196 days away)? Here are some specific ways that you can help: 1) Make a donation to support student participation in convention listening activities. Your contribution will make this event even more impactful and inclusive. 2) Secure sponsorships to support student participation and convention listening activities. Your contributions and connections can help make this event even more impactful and inclusive. To help with any of these, contact Convention Coordinators: Marva Shand McIntosh (1 st VP) marva.shand-mcintosh@listen.org or Annie Rappeport (1 st VP elect) arappepo@terpmail.umd.edu for more information.

A point to ponder: ILA member Michael Z. Murphy found this quote that shows the importance of listening: “Well, listening is probably the most valuable skill you can have as a cop.” Captain Olivia Benson, Season 24 Episode 02 of Law & Order: SVU aka Mariska Hargitay

Mark Your Calendars

February 25, 2025, will be another Listening Circle event co-hosted by ILA member Colin Smith and former ILA President, Raquel Ark. This gives attendees a chance to share ideas and experiences with listening through guided questions. There are 2 different sessions (8am and 4pm UK time). ILA members will find a link to these events when they log into their ILA profile and look for “Events” on the left side menu.

February 25 & 27, 2025, Another free introduction to Playback Theatre.
Tues, Feb 25, noon to 1:30 pm ET and Thurs Feb 27, noon to 1:30pm ET. Details and registration here

March 31, 2025, will be another Listening Circle event co-hosted by ILA member Colin Smith and former ILA President, Raquel Ark. This gives attendees a chance to share ideas and experiences with listening through guided questions. There are two different sessions (8am and 4pm UK time)(Note: The U.S. will be back on daylight savings time beginning March 9). ILA members will find a link to these events when they log into their ILA profile and look for “Events” on the left side menu.

April 5, 2025, will be an Empathy Summit (see item 11 above) from 9 am PT to 12:30 pm PT World time (note: the U.S. will be back on daylight savings time beginning March 9). Click here for details and registration.

Stay tuned …..new events are added in each newsletter!

Please send any news item (there are no deadlines) to the ILA Listening Times Editor:
Beatrice.welch.6890@gmail.com OR post an item in the discussion post about the Listening Times in Kiku.