communication

The public and private art of ‘deep listening’

Books

We tend to think of conversation as speech, but obviously listening is also a crucial part of every conversation — in theory, anyway. In practice, however, things tend to unfold quite differently, especially when conversations escalate. Joining Host Marco Werman, journalist Emily Kasriel delves into her new book about what might change if more politicians, pundits and everyday people at least tried to listen more.

Out of Eden Walk: Walking through western China

Out of Eden Walk
A woman sits on a bed using her phone with another woman in the hallway doing the same

The lost art of listening

Science & Technology
A humpback whale surfacing from the water surrounded by seagulls

If you could talk to the animals

The World in Words
Communication

Alan Alda’s secret to better communication? Have a little more empathy.

Science
Dog giving "puppy eyes"

Do dogs understand what we’re saying to them?

Science

A new study says yes, dogs can process speech in much the same way humans can.

Yangon street scene

Leapfrogging with smartphones, Myanmar joins the world

Global Politics

Burma used to be one of the most isolated countries on earth, thanks to military rulers who didn’t want outside interference. Now known as Myanmar, it’s opening up. A new pro-democracy government was elected in November. And a dramatic surge in mobile phone and smartphone users is accelerating change.

The World

We tried saying this tongue twister — and we dare you to do better

Health & Medicine

Why is saying something like “The Sheik’s Sixth Sheep’s Sick” so darn hard to say? A psycho-linguist wants to know, so she can help people with speaking disorders.