Listening Circle Allows a Safe Space to Discuss Issues

continued from page 2 humanity on multiple levels of economics, education, race, culture, and international relations. Members pursue management strategies and efforts promoting effective listening in government and business. Bodin-Lerner served on the ILA Board for five years and has been a member for seven.

The Kean Listening Circle fosters various communication studies, including becoming a better speaker, interviewer, parent, or lover. Bodin-Lerner said one example of a poor listener was when a prominent author interviewed her for about an hour and spent more time discussing his book than asking her questions. The author later backtracked and reframed the interview.

The college hour Listening Circle began taking shape in Bodin-Lerner’s listening class in the Fall of 2022 when enthusiastic students bonded into a growing circle of listeners that went beyond the classroom.

The group discussed the objectives of the circle, such as creating a space to practice listening and being heard, developing skills to enable the facilitation of Listening Circles, and ultimately, creating a space for upcoming challenging conversations. They agreed that the Kean Listening

Circle felt like a place of safety—a haven that satisfies a craving to be heard and practice listening.

Gbeve was adamant about not allowing anyone into the circle who would play devil’s advocate. He didn’t want "someone just being difficult and not considering opposing viewpoints." He felt that the circle’s goal is for everyone to listen to each other and not take offense for no apparent reason.

Bodin-Lerner was excited to see her vision come to fruition.

"I felt the energy in the space, safety, connection, and enthusiasm and relished the enlightening comments," Bodin-Lerner said.

The Kean Listening Circle is open to the entire Kean Community with some simple rules to follow. The circle requires confidentiality as a safe space to discuss controversial topics, and asks all to speak from the heart, listen from the heart and not rehearse their words.

"The Listening Circle was created as an inspirational space to practice and develop listening skills,” Bodin-Lerner said. n