Do feelings come from thoughts? Who cares anyway? And how is all this connected to NVC? Listen in to Episode 267, where Dr. B and Ryan discuss all of this and more.

In Episode 266, Ryan and Dr. B discuss the similarities between practicing NVC and working out at a gym. In the end, they decide the analogy might be better framed as being an empathy dojo. Listen in and learn why.

In this episode, Dr. B and Ryan talk about stimulus and response. What is the difference and how does it pertain to NVC. Ultimately, our thinking is responsible for how one experiences any situation and, thus, in all kinds of scenarios (even the really hard ones) we have the ultimate power and responsibility. Is this true? Tune in as we mull this around.

Why is it that the people with whom we are closest are also the ones with whom we forget to use our NVC skills? What on earth can we do about this? Dr. B and Ryan go into this topic that seems to resonate with so many.

Though they have talked about Connecting Requests on previous episodes, here Dr. B and Ryan look at the usefulness of one particular Request when it comes to the issue of sharing intentions versus impact. As it turns out, the NVC Connecting Request, "How was that for you to hear?" can be a very simple way of ensuring that our communications address impact. Listen in to learn more.

What if we could enter into all difficult conversations with a sense of curiosity? Even if we don't have NVC skills or knowledge, by just setting the stage with this idea of curiosity - could that be enough to help create connection - even in hard interactions? Join Dr. B and Ryan as they discuss this idea.

Can you actually feel fat or feel old? Are these actual feelings or thoughts/judgments? Dr. B and Ryan take a deep dive into this question in Episode 261.

In this episode, Ryan shares about a situation where he had some mournings about how he responded and Dr. B models a bit of empathy. But, the larger discussion has to do with things that shape our views and how staying close and present to people and viewing from primarily and observational lens can create more connection for ourselves and others.

We don't mean to make this a competition between empathy and other ways of responding. In fact, there are times when relating, giving advice, commiserating, championing, etc. might be helpful and connecting. However, in this episode, Dr. B shares some recent experiences where empathy was much in need and "Other Conversational Responses" would have only brought about more harm and disconnection. The point here is not to do away with our responses but to use them with awareness and for the intention towards connection. Most of the time, empathy does bring us to that.

We find it helps to model and practice NVC empathy over and over again. So, that's what we are doing for Episode 258. Ryan was feeling a bit overwhelmed, so Dr. B steps into hearing him deeply and without using those "Other Conversational Responses." Listen in and see what Dr. B is and is not doing so that a sense of connection can occur within Ryan and between Ryan and Dr. B.

In the NVC world, there tends to be a lot of emphasis on giving empathy and hearing other deeply. However, there is a whole other part of the NVC process that is equally as important - and that is the expressing piece. Listen in to Episode 257, when Dr. B and Ryan discuss how to express in a way that can land a bit easier for the other person involved in the communication.

At The Bigbie Method, we advocate for starting with empathy first when in conflict. This usually allows for more openness when one goes to express their side of the equation. However, this seems to be a stumbling block for many. Why and how to get around it? Listen in for some ideas and examples to help with this.

In this week's episode, Dr. B interviews a longtime student on his application of NVC in the world of parenting. Parenting can bring about so many challenges and just the strategy of listening first (by the parents) can be a game changer.

One of Dr. B's students emailed her with an activity he created to bolster his NVC skills and it's all around giving appreciations. Dr. B enjoyed hearing about the idea so much, she decided to share it here. We hope it inspires you to try giving appreciations NVC style - out there in the wild wild world.

In Episode 253, Dr. B takes some time to share about a recent incident where she was both reactive and responsive. Then she draws some parallels to NVC processes and being responsive. Her hope is that in sharing about this, people will take away a deeper understanding of the inner workings of NVC process and how to use the process as a process - instead of merely an intellectual understanding.

In this episode, Dr. B and Ryan give some examples of how evaluations play out in politics and dream about another way - using NVC! Join us here to envision a different way of moving in our political world. Dreaming meets our needs for fun and hope!

A few weeks ago, Dr. B shared about a being heard from a friend, with different political views, about a heated political topic. That interaction was set up to be completely one-sided, in that only Dr. B was heard and not the friend. However, it was discussed and agreed upon that if her friend needed to be heard, Dr. B would be willing to hear her within the week. In this episode, Dr. B shares about the second part of the conversation when her friend got to speak and Dr. B listened and leaned in with empathy. Also, in this episode, Dr. B and Ryan discuss experience in its totality and the needs celebrated as a result of having this kind of an interaction. A template is laid out so that others may try the format if they are called to do so.

Is it possible to live in a world where we don't look at or label things as good/bad, right/wrong? How and why would this serve us in humanity in any way? Dr. B and Ryan discuss this and more in Episode 250.

If connection is the "energy that exists within and among people when they experience being seen, heard, and valued without judgment," that begs the question: What is judgment? Dr. B and Ryan take some time here to highlight some of those sneaky judgments that may come into our conversations - even without us knowing it.

Have you ever tried to use the NVC process - bringing to bear your observations, feelings, needs and request and, still, fall short of the connections for which you are striving? In Episode 248, Dr. B and Ryan discuss the difference between using all the mechanics of NVC towards some end goal (like being right or being heard) versus having a clear intention towards connection and letting the process be secondary. Intention is the key towards connection or not. Listen here to learn more.