Beyond The Class: From Knowledge To Action

For those of us that have already been through communication skills training, it doesn't take data to convince us of its worth. But as the CFCC approaches businesses, municipalities, and schools to encourage partnerships, backing up the 'feel good stories' with empirical evidence can only strengthen a case to implement the course.In this episode, Adam J. Salgat and Mike Desparrois discuss with Gina Wilson from Central Michigan University about the work being done to add this element to the quiver for the CFCC team.https://www.chapmancommunities.org/

As Our Community Listens, transitions into the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, this podcast will continue to be a tool to refresh the teachings of the communication skills course. It will also allow us to learn more about the people inside the organization and the businesses we partner with.In this discussion, Adam talks with facilitators Jonathan Trotter and Jules Maloney about the new training titled Foundations of Leadership.https://www.chapmancommunities.org/

Our Community Listens in Partnerships - In the following conversation with Our Community Listens national team members, Leader of Education Initiatives-Mike Desparrois, and Senior Leader of Strategic Engagements, Misty Janks will discuss how OCL skills have impacted her life and how she has used them to support her family and raise her two daughters.Listen as she gives real-life examples of how the skills have improved her relationship with her older daughter and how they've moved her younger daughter to excel in sports.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

NEW PODCAST ALERT!Join Adam J. Salgat, Mike Desparrois and Shara Brice - Strategic Engagement Leader - as they discuss the four partnership divisions of Our Community Listens. Shara also recounts her 10 years with the organization.As you listen, think about how you could impact your company, community group, or circler of friends by instilling the communication skills training.Visit https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/ for more information.https://soundcloud.com/ourcommunitylistens/epi-066

In this podcast, we will hear from Joe White and how he has built a successful teaching and coaching career in high school based on building and maintaining relationships with other educators and kids. Joe will discuss how he has taken the OCL course and how he uses the skills with the projects he is currently working on.https://www.whitey97consulting.com/https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Skill Snippet - Empathy & Leadership by Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities

Have you ever had a problem and were unsure of exactly what to do? You've created a series of scenarios in your mind only to remain unsure of the best approach. In this skill snippet I will unfold the three options you have when facing a problem.

Change a word that Educators are learning to embrace more and more each day. Listen as Michelle Marshall, a Counselor walks us through the box. "How we process change" through the lens of an Educator!!!!"

All of us struggle with acceptance. Often our need to agree gets in the way of connecting. This can be especially true as our child or teen grows and we realize that they are not simply a smaller version of ourselves. It can be difficult to see that our child or teen has different values and beliefs than us. Take a few moments to listen to this short snippet How can we show our children acceptance when we disagree with their behavior or ideas? Listen in for specific strategies that you can use with children or teens and why acceptance is so important! After listening, think about these three questions. •What is a specific situation where I deeply disagree with my child or teen?•Are there mutual goals that we can both use as a starting point?•How can I show my child or teen that I can accept them even when I disagree or do not accept their behavior?

Skill Snippet - How to handle a young child's temper tantrums or blow ups by Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities

What Drives Our Behavior?

Two Tools To Better Understand Our Partner's Behavior

Join Adam J. Salgat as he discusses delivering a confrontation message with Julie Chapman.We tend to avoid confrontation, yet if we don't choose to confront, will anything change? Examine the value of starting a conversation, exploring both perspectives, and asking the other person for change. Practice listening to understand, rather than listening to reply. Considering the other person's perspective, you may discover something new, which could change the outcome of the conflict.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Join hosts Adam J. Salgat and Katie Trotter as they discuss communication with military couple, Jen Rudolph and Jose Tovar.

Do you know your own values? What happens when the core things important to us are different than those of our partner? Values are at play in everything we do, the decisions we make, the way we interact with others, the relationships we grow. We likely have different values than those around us, which is usually not a problem, yet when we are doing life in close relationships with others, having shared values and a shared understanding of each other's values is key.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

We are constantly sending messages with nonverbal communication of facial expressions, body posture, gestures, and tone of voice. We might not realize the impact nonverbal has on the integrity of our message. The words we use will have greater influence and connect with our listener if we take the time to consider our nonverbal communication in our messaging.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Adam J. Salgat, Sarah Weisbarth, Mike Desparrois, and Executive Director Rebecca Buell sit down with some hot cocoa and reminisce about Christmases past.You'll learn who can't wait for Christmas music to start, what saffron bread is, how giving the perfect wing-tipped boot created a magical memory, and what it is like to celebrate the Christmas holiday in Australia!https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

We all have a lens through which we see things, the world, and others. My perspective is different than yours and yours is different than others. How do we still value people and relationships when we see the differences, people behave in ways we cannot agree with, and we just do not know what to do when people react in ways we do not understand? Listen to Adam J. Salgat, Sarah Weisbarth, and Dr. Gina Wilson Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Central Michigan University and facilitator for Our Community Listens.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Our behavior has an impact on ourselves and others, whether it is intended or not. Often, we are unaware of the impact of our behavior. We grow and change when we pause, address OUR OWN behavior and ensuing impact, AND share with others the impact of THEIR behavior. Impact matters. As we wrap up a series on effective confrontation, Impact is a key ingredient of our FBI statement used in recognition and when asking for change.Sarah Weisbarth tells us about the four categories of impact – time, money, fulfillment, energy. She and Adam J. Salgat talk about identifying the impact category that best fits the person you are going to confront. The power of recognition statements is discussed and the sweetness level of sweet potato casserole. :-) HAPPY THANKSGIVING!https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Vulnerability, makes you shudder or shut down just thinking about the courage it takes to be vulnerable with yourself and others. Yet, if we want to grow closer in our relationships, be understood, and create the opportunity to understand others, we have to make the commitment to create a space where vulnerability is strengthening not terrifying. Do you have the courage?https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

"Why does it matter?" Ever get this response from someone when you point out their behavior? Impact matters. Our impact on others AND our ability state the impact of their actions. Jill Wright helps us understand how to motivate others to change by providing meaningful impact statements. Part of a series related to Effective Confrontation, yet insightful information when we consider what motivates others.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Kids want to hear what they are doing well. Giving them praise and recognition in a clear, meaningful format will improve their self-esteem and reinforce positive behaviors. Learn the formula for telling young people what they did well and why it mattered.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

In this episode Mike Desparrois, Teresa Vineyard, and Dr. Gary Morris from St. Edward University in Austin, TX discuss the relationship between the two institutes, how the university has helped students through these tough times, and the development of the Podcast Listening Group...think book club.Dr. Morris teaches physics, astronomy, meteorology & earth science. He held a Dept. of Energy Global Change Graduate Fellowship and a National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellowship at NASA studying the ozone layer before becoming a research faculty member at UMBC. He began studying ozone pollution while a Weiss Instructor of Physics at Rice (2000 - 2004), where he started his weather balloon project, then taught at Valparaiso U. from 2004 - 2010 before becoming Associate Dean there. During 2008 and 2009 he was a Fulbright Scholar in Japan studying the influence of Chinese pollution before, during, and after the Olympics. Dr. Morris became Dean of Natural Sciences at SEU in July 2014.Plus, Adam thinks he sounds a little bit like Mr. Rogers. :-)https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/https://www.stedwards.edu/

Our emotional reaction to the behaviors of others can either bring us closer or drive us further apart. Listen to learn more about where our personal perspective or viewpoint comes from and how it influences our behavior and effectively asking others to change their behavior.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

What is behavior telling us about ourselves and others? Behaviors are observable actions tied to needs and values. When we place labels of judgment on someone's behaviors, we create disconnection. Learn how to focus on the behavior of others to improve relationships and ask for change.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Judgment can cause a lot of hurt and distance with our partner. In this snippet, we explore why it's so easy to judge our partner, the impact it has on our relationship, and what we can do instead.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

In this episode, Mike Desparrois and Teresa Vineyard, welcome in fellow educator, Dr. Emilie Johnson.Dr. Johnson is a Professor of Education at Lindenwood University in Missouri. She also has 13 years of experience in public school teaching, administration, and teacher training. Dr. Johnson was awarded the St. Charles County 40 Under 40 Award, St. Charles County Ring of Excellence in Teaching Award, and The Missouri Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.In the Fall of 2017, Dr. Johnson became a School Consultant and Coach for CharacterPlus of St. Louis. Dr. Johnson is most proud of her title of "mom" to two incredible young women ages 21 and 18. She is also a dog mom to Piper, Prada, and Murphy who keep her on her toes when they are not warming her feet.Listen close to this robust and powerful conversation as the trio discusses character education, social and emotional learning, and the critical importance of the adult culture at a school.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Support the emotional intelligence of your children through processing the emotions that occur every day. Thinking through emotions with the process shared here with be helpful for you both.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Feelings. The grease for the world. Instead of avoiding them what would happen if we acknowledge the information they give us? Connect with something more as Jules Maloney - Our Community Listens facilitator from Milwaukee, WI - Sarah, and Adam explore the feelings within.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/JULES MALONEY BIOHow do you want to show up in life today? That is a question Jules Maloney tries to ask herself every day. The answer often includes being playful, mindful of words and just being nice. Jules is excited to be a new Facilitator in the OCL community, joining the fabulously skilled folks in the Wisconsin Chapter. Additionally, Jules is a Professional Development Trainer, Facilitator, and Strengths-Based Development coach. She is guided by the principles and practice of Nonviolent Communication from which she helps organize compassion-based family camps, runs Empathy Booths, teaches individuals and organizations tools for richer communication and adults how to slow down and enjoy the wonders of the moment with younger folks. She has an BA in International Studies, Economics and Peace Studies, a MA in Communication from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and helps guide the Wisconsin Empathy Guild. She lives in the Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee Wisconsin and cherishes time with her family.

In those moments when you wish you had handled things differently, learn how to repair with your partner in a way that can build trust and connection.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Facilitators often hear alumni say, "I wish I had these skills earlier in life." To do that, the focus on getting the skills into the hands of educators has become important.At the college level, not only are more professors being equipped, but so are the students.In this episode, Adam J. Salgat and Mike Desparrois check in with Rob Martin, Dean of the Isaacson School of Communication, Arts & Media at Colorado Mountain College.They discuss how the students have become more self-aware after going through the class, how the skills have helped them communicate and meet the needs of the staff and students during the pandemic, and then Rob explains how the skills have made a major difference in the way he leads a classroom and how he connects with his family.ROB MARTINRob oversees diverse and vibrant programs that deal with communication at the intersection of Technology and the Arts. He's been in education since 1995 formally but has always been somewhat involved in training. Rob believes communication and the interactions between people are the foundation for all society and hopes to teach students to tell lasting stories that help to move the needle on social issues.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

We want people to change. Yet examining our motive first is imperative. Should I confront? Listen in to hear perspectives, tips, stories, and experiences with confrontation. We have the ability to impact the outcome of the conversation. If we choose.Tune in as Adam J. Salgat and Leader of Curriculum Improvement & Development for Our Community Listens - Sarah Weisbarth discuss all the factors that go into confronting someone.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Confrontation, it is just a conversation. Spend a moment thinking about how you perceive confrontation and how your perspective shapes your kid's approach to the value and need to confront effectively.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Practicing reflective responses with your partner can feel a bit unnatural at first. In this skill snippet, we'll spend some time looking at how to give reflective responses and the impact they have on our relationship.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

The upcoming school year is going to be different. And that sentence my friends might be the understatement of the year!Join host Adam J. Salgat, Mike Desparrois of Our Community Listens and Kristy Houle from Educate.Today as they discuss how the skills can have a major impact on teachers and students.Kristy is a former public-school teacher, assistant principal, principal and is currently homeschooling her three children while she does educational consulting, speaking and works for Educate.Today as the Educational Outreach Coordinator and Podcast Host. Kristy is an alumni of CST and we are excited to hear how she has used the skills she has learned from a class for educators and in her homelife.Visit their website - https://educate.today/FULL BIOKristy Houle is a former teacher, assistant principal and principal who shares her experience and expertise as an educational consultant, speaker, and podcast host. She is highly passionate when it comes to advocating for learners, across all educational settings.Kristy now serves as the Educational Opportunities Director for the Educate. Today organization and the host of the Classroom Matters podcast. In her role with this non-for-profit organization, Kristy spends her time assisting in website development, planning quality programming for K-12 students, developing professional development and building partnerships with local school districts and community organizations. As the host of the Classroom Matters podcast, Kristydelves into current topics in education and interviews the nation's most sought-after experts.Kristy has been in the education field for over 20 years and has done extensive work with superintendents and local universities in the field of quality classroom instruction and building relationships within the educational setting. Kristy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.Kristy is a wife and mother of 3 wonderful boys and enjoys spending her time with friends and family traveling and experiencing life to its fullest.

Just when you think you have no control over what is happening in your life…….you realize that you do. You can choose. Choose your attitude, your behavior, and how they align with your values and meet your needs. AND when your choices are different from another's…..you have a choice then too. Life is full of choices.Tune in as Adam J. Salgat and Leader of Curriculum Improvement & Development for Our Community Listens - Sarah Weisbarth discuss utilizing the power of choice in their lives.Adam reflects on how this power has helped shape him as an adult living with a degenerative muscle disease. He discusses the good and the bad as Sarah gives the framework to understand some of the situations he's been through.www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

How can you help your child when they have a problem with the behavior of another person? Your child is experiencing some tough emotions. You as a parent can coach them through their choices of how to handle this difficult problem. https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Disagree with another's opinion or behavior? Do you want to be in a relationship or be right? The difference between acceptance and agreement plays an important role in close relationships. Listen in for steps toward understanding the next time you find yourself disagreeing with your partner.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

What if we had the chance to model empathetic listening in our schools and teach youth how to handle complicated emotions better?Tune in as Adam J. Salgat, Leader of Curriculum Improvement & Development for Our Community Listens - Sarah Weisbarth, and Leader of Education Initiatives - Mike Desparrois discuss how getting these listening skills in the hands of teachers and administration will have a positive impact in shaping our youth to be empathetic listeners.Mike also shares stories of his early teaching career and how listening helped him reach students with difficult backgrounds.Episode recorded March 11, 2020.

Are you struggling with an action or behavior that your child or teen is exhibiting? Do you need to confront them about their actions? Take a moment to learn more about effective confrontation. These tips can help us approach our child about the behavior, improve connection with our child or teen, and promote healthy brain development in our child.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

How can we show our children acceptance when we disagree with their behavior or ideas? Listen in for specific strategies that you can use with children or teens and why acceptance is so important!https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Often as parents and guardians, we have great intentions when listening to our children or teens. Sometimes our best intentions drive us to act in a way that can be harmful to the listening process. We think we are doing good, when in fact we are not. Let's explore those common errors and how we can do things differently to increase connection and inspire our youth.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Is your child drowning in emotion? You can help. Help your youth successfully swim through the pool of emotion through the Five Reflective Listening Skills. Through these skills and empathy, you can model tools to process emotions while promoting strong connections with your child.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Do I want to be right or be in a relationship? Acceptance versus agreement. If we can accept others and see their perspective we have the potential to solve problems together. What does it take?…listening and understanding. Tune in as Adam J. Salgat, Leader of Curriculum Improvement & Development for Our Community Listens, Sarah Weisbarth, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, Angel Moore discuss how these concepts come into play in our lives.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

In the world today, having the ability to listen to someone empathically is in high demand. Giving someone the floor to share their story and letting them share their truth while we listen with our whole hearts can be powerful and bring us together.However, certain actions consistently get in the way of allowing our ears to fully open and mouths calmly settled.In this podcast, Adam J. Salgat and Leader of Curriculum Improvement & Development for Our Community Listens, Sarah Weisbarth, discuss what gets in the way in their relationships, how they try to overcome it, and what improving ourselves first could mean for the community we live in and beyond.Four things to do in order to truly listen when others are seeking to be heard:• Stop saying "It'll be ok."• Stop asking questions to serve our own needs.• Stop giving advice.• Stop telling our own stories when they are just seeking to be heard.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

How have the communication skills made an impact with youth? Why is it important to listen with empathy, especially to our children? Join Adam J. Salgat and Sarah Weisbarth as they talk with two life long educators, Teresa Vineyard of St. Louis, Missouri, and Julie Zumach of Port Washington, Wisconsin about how these skills have made an impact in their careers and personal lives. Their stories and statistics reiterate the importance of listening and trying to understand the behavior of our kids.To read a little more about both of our guests, check out their bios below - Teresa Vineyard is a veteran public school educator. She worked within a large school district outside of St. Louis for 31 years. Teresa served many different roles during those 31 years. She was a 4th grade teacher, a middle school counselor, District Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education, District Coordinator for Career and Technical Education, and a school psychologist. Following her retirement, she joined the team at the state level and worked for the Missouri Department of Education, specifically in the College and Career Readiness Department. Finally, she worked with teacher candidates at Lindenwood University and taught Educational Psychology, Psychology of the Exceptional Child, and Introduction to Teacher Education. Teresa took the three-day Communication Skills Training in 2016 and quickly realized how meaningful the concepts were to both education and at home. She most enjoys practicing empathy, reflective listening, and crafting effective confrontative messages.Julie Zumach is a teacher, facilitator, mentor, and leader. The majority of her career in education was spent teaching 5th graders in northern Wisconsin for 33 years. During this time, she earned her Master's degree in education and national board certification, mentored aspiring National Board candidates, created staff development learning opportunities, participated in history consortiums, and was a leader in her small-town church. For the past three years, she has been the Chapter Leader of Our Community Listens - Wisconsin. Julie now enjoys the privilege of working with adults by facilitating communication skills training and inspiring them to become more reflective listeners. A life-long learner, Julie brings her passion for knowledge, as well as her love of working with people, to inspire growth and change to improve the fabric of society through better communication skills. Julie married her high school sweetheart, Todd, and they have been happily married 37 years. Together they raised two beautiful daughters who gave them wonderful sons-in-law. The newest addition to the family is the first grandchild, Anderson Jack, who just turned six-months-old. He is an absolute joy and the light of the family's life!https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Join Executive Director Rebecca Emerson as she checks in with Jacqueline and Greg Bunlanow of South Carolina. The group discusses what it is like to lead at home and in the community during this time of change.----Blog exert:I woke up last weekend with one of our OCL facilitators on my mind in the midst of this global healthcare crisis. Jacqueline Bulanow is a nurse, Cardiac Rehab Specialist, OCL facilitator, and community member near Charleston, South Carolina.Her husband, Gregory, serves as Fire Chief for the North Charleston Fire Department, and together they raise three daughters, ages 10-18. During National Nurse Appreciation Week, I had the honor of visiting with the couple. I expected to hear horror stories of the front lines and bring humanity to share with you as a reader. What I heard instead was stories of empathy and care....----To read the full blog visit: https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/blog/post/ocl/2020/05/18/in-work-community-and-home-the-practice-of-empathetic-communicationhttps://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

What is it like inside your house right now during these times of change? Have there been blowups over dirty clothes left on the bathroom floor? Absolute panic and outrage when a dirty spoon is left in the sink instead of being put in the dishwasher? Or maybe tears shed understanding how Chicken Little felt claiming the "sky is falling"?Logic and emotion go hand in hand. At times, when our emotion is elevated, it's like being on the teeter-totter with an older, bigger sibling who just sits on the ground making you panic that you'll fall off and break an arm. Eventually, that sibling - with some threats from your parents most likely - lets you back down and you start to feel safe again. There is now an equal balance between your logic and emotion. Join this conversation between Adam J. Salgat, Sarah Weisbarth, and Mike Desparrois as they share stories of logic and emotional struggles and successes inside their home. They also talk about self-awareness techniques to work through states of heightened emotions.https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

What is happening in our households during the crisis? Let's talk about the balance of logic and emotion in the brains or our children and how we can use listening to help them have balance.Presented by Mick Gibbshttps://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/

Finding your self bugged? Listen in for a reminder about the 3 Moves we have when we have a problem and recommit to being DONE with the Way of the Bat!CHALLENGE: This week test out using this method when it comes to situations that might irritate you. Focus with a teammate, partner, friend, and/or child.PODCAST: https://soundcloud.com/ourcommunitylistens/epi010https://www.ourcommunitylistens.org/