Why Listen for REAL?

The origin story of Listen for REAL and the change we seek to create: I am described as a white, cisgendered, straight-identifying, American-born woman with a history of Christian and conservative influences. My lived experience is one of solid economic security and educational privilege. This is the lens through which I viewed life for the majority of my adult years - and it created a comfortable echo chamber where “my existing views were neatly reinforced and alternative ideas were rarely considered…” I decided to pursue meaningful work, passion projects, and relationships that would serve as an antidote to the echo chamber. This podcast is part of that work. Rather than put people in stereotypical “boxes” - I want to grow more curious and openminded and this means listening deeply to another person’s story, especially those who differ from me. It means challenging my old paradigms and assumptions. I pursue this on a public platform because I want to see this mindset catch fire in our culture. We want to spur listeners toward healthy, candid conversations, and deep LISTENING with and for the people in their lives and especially those whom they don’t know. I am hopeful that the “antidote to the echo chamber” becomes a mantra for others - creating profound change. Thanks for being a part of this vision! -Jen About Jen Oliver: Jen Oliver is a speaker, podcaster, and communications coach - equipping people to speak with greater impact and presence. Whether you are speaking on stage, promoting your brand, or voicing your needs in a relationship - communicating with your truest voice and cultivating human connection with your audience is the key to influence. Jen coaches individuals privately and within her Signature group programs - in addition to delivering workshops as a guest expert in a variety of settings. Jen serves as a 4-season Executive Producer, Director of Curation, and Speaker Coach for TEDxFolsom. She is a committed force behind WomanSpeak™ - an internationally recognized body of work teaching the art and soul of public speaking. Jen is on a mission to support 1 million women as they speak with uncommon levels of freedom and confidence. Tap into more at REALjenoliver.com email: [email protected] podcast website: ListenForREAL.com 90-day TEDx Talk ACCELERATOR WomanSpeak™ website: REALJenOliver.com LinkedIn:@thejenoliver Instagram: @realjenoliver Facebook: @jen.oliver.806001 If you believe conversations like these belong in the world, please subscribe, rate & review this podcast - and even better, share it with someone else as a REAL conversation starter. Subscribe to all things Jen at REALJenOliver.