Connecting through dialogue: deep listening in divided times

How do we really listen — to each other, and to the world around us?

In this final episode of season two, host Christine Wilson explores the practice of deep listening — a powerful communication method rooted in empathy, openness, and the desire to understand across divides.

Christine is joined by journalist, media executive and author Emily Kasriel, who developed the Deep Listening methodology. Drawing on her work from across news, conflict resolution and academia, Emily’s new book Deep Listening: Transform Your Relationships with Family, Friends, and Foes offers a practical guide to navigating disagreement and building connection in a noisy, polarised world.

We also hear from Hawraa Ghandour, an English teacher, educational trainer and founder of Media Literacy Lebanon. Hawraa took part in the BBC and British Council’s Crossing Divides deep listening project in Lebanon, an experience that continues to shape her work with students and communities, using media and dialogue to foster understanding.

Together, Emily and Hawraa reflect on the challenges of truly hearing another’s perspectives, and how slowing down, staying curious, and practising empathy, can create the space we need to leave aside our assumptions and bring about positive change.

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Additional Resources & Links:

Deep Listening: A Transformative Experience - By Tiba Khalifa, 90 Youth Voices Participant, British Council

https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/deep-listening-transformative-experience

Deep listening as an approach to tackle polarisation

https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/deep-listening-approach-tackle-polarisation

Crossing Divides with Deep Listening for BBC100

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-61984236

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