The Generative Listening Podcast

Katie R. Place, Ph.D., APR is a professor of public relations at Quinnipiac University where she teaches courses in public relations and ethics. She has published more than 90 conference papers on the topics of organizational listening, public relations ethics, and gender and public relations. Prior to returning to academia, Dr. Place was a public affairs and not-for-profit communications professional in the Washington, D.C. area. She also resides as president of the Greater Connecticut Chapter of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Anna Michele Bulszewicz is a mission-driven business communication expert, founder & CEO of Anna Michele Communications, and full-time professor at St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School of Communication, where she also directs a global studies program in Italy. A former award-winning morning show journalist, Anna brings her on-air experience into the classroom and boardroom alike. She is the creator of the AMC 3 C's Mindful Communication Model™—Consciousness, Communication, Community—a research-based framework redefining professional development in an AI-driven world. Her work is dedicated to revitalizing genuine human exchange and reframing communication as a vital, enduring skill.

Rodney Franks was born and raised in California. From a young age, he experienced a powerful encounter with God and was brought up in the Baptist tradition, deeply rooted in the Word. As a young adult, he was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Over time, through intentional discipleship and spiritual formation, Rodney underwent years of deliverance, emotional healing, and the renewing of his mind in alignment with the mind of Christ Yeshua. For decades, he has persevered through physical, emotional, and financial challenges while leading tens of thousands into the Kingdom of God—through preaching repentance, offering salvation and healing, teaching the fruits of the Spirit, and making disciples. Today, he is focused on helping others step into their callings, activating spiritual gifts, and releasing people into their God-given assignments. He now ministers internationally in the fullness of the fivefold ministry. Rodney remains connected to Bethel Church in Redding, California, and The River Church in Tampa, Florida. He currently divides his time between NYC and West Hartford, Connecticut.

Barry Svigals, FAIA, is an architect, artist, educator, and national speaker. As Founder and Partner Emeritus of Svigals+Partners, he has led award-winning projects for clients including Yale University, Boston College, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His firm is especially known for designing learning environments and the nationally recognized Sandy Hook Elementary School. A Yale College and Yale School of Architecture graduate, Barry also studied sculpture in Paris and taught at Yale for over 30 years. In 2019, he was a Fellow at Stanford's d.school, reimagining school safety through design.  His work blends architecture, art, and deep social purpose.

Rache Brand is a visionary founder, operator, and growth expert dedicated to systemic change and innovation. She has led mission-driven ventures tackling global health and sustainability challenges, from launching a multinational ESOP-backed service business to spearheading a research initiative that reached 1 million children, influencing national policy.  Her experience spans scaling consumer brands to $1B, working in VC, and transitioning to economic development and private credit to address misaligned capital systems. Now CEO of Superstruct, a growth advisory firm for future-focused businesses, Rache champions a Whole Human approach—stabilizing companies, accelerating impact, and cultivating resilience for a thriving planet.

Jay Morris is the retired VP and Chief Learning Officer of Yale New Haven Health, with over 35 years of leadership experience at organizations including Merck, Allstate, Trinity Health, and Ernst & Young. He specializes in executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational culture. He helps leaders build trust and alignment through a concept he calls Intuitive Agility. Jay is the author of Masterpiece – Our Journey to Spiritual Transformation (2023), and mentors professionals on spiritual growth. His work bridges corporate strategy and soulful leadership to inspire meaningful, lasting transformation.  ​The episode dives into some heavy topics, like Jay's exposure to death at a young age -- and how it deepened his appreciation for life. Are you ready to be inspired?

Rebecca Desjardins is a community organizer, wedding coordinator, and facilitator of meaningful conversations. Listening plays a vital role in her work from helping couples plan their dream weddings to supporting her mother through health care challenges. Rebecca pays special attention to the small, yet habitual acts of listening – rather than one-off grandiose ones. An offer to listen is also an invitation to your conversational partner to take a moment to process life. She points to data that shows the top attribute of a meaningful and fulfilling life is depth of connection with another human being, if even only one. Following that is the quantity and diversity of social interaction – this could be the little exchanges we have each day at the cash register, with a stranger on the street, in classes or offices, etc. Listen to all her and Brent have to discuss and head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.

Noah Ullman is a founding partner of Ant Creative and a dynamic force who has changed from identifying as futurist to technologist to humanist. Noah explores the ancient Greek concept of the six types of love and how he has applied these distinctions to his own life and relationships. Noah and Brent discuss the critical role of asking the right questions in the era of AI, emphasizing that while machines can provide data-driven answers, only humans can engage in the kind of novel inquiry that leads to deeper understanding and innovation.  This episode invites listeners to consider their own listening habits; to think about what it means to truly connect with others through this practice, and offers the tools to do so. Head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.

Virtual reality can be far more than recreational. After years working as a therapist, Dr. Kryn McClain has now sought out to answer the question: how can therapists provide a safer space to expose people to triggers that we couldn't actually do in an office? The answer? Virtual reality. She's worked to develop a platform of virtual reality modules to allow people who have PTSD, panic attacks, or phobias to be in a safe space and practice skills in a way that in one-to-one therapy, we couldn't really accomplish before. Being built by a therapist, the technology is clinically sound and designed to directly cater to a patient's needs. Listen to all her and Brent have to discuss and head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.

Rod Miller is a renowned coach, spiritual guide and a pastor, helping leaders unlock their full potential by cultivating heart, mind, body, and soul connections. In this episode, Rod shares a powerful story about navigating a challenging, potentially threatening conversation most would run from.  Rod bridges the gap between the multiple spheres he has traveled and worked in, from religious institutions to corporate ones. He doesn't just build the bridge, he crosses it too. Brent and Rod explore the gift and service of listening, and the impact of sticking through difficult conversations to build trusting relationships. Head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.

Stefani Calvano Schwartz is an implementer at EOS Worldwide. A mother of five, she reflects on how her journey through listening helped her break free from limiting beliefs and step into a more fulfilling life. Brent and Stefani explore the transformative power of listening—especially listening to oneself. She encourages her children to listen deeply to themselves and their bodies – teaching them that their whole being is an antenna receiving valuable information. She shares how the practice of asking the right questions and listening from a place of love and acceptance has changed not only her personal life but also her professional role as a leader. In her work with EOS Worldwide, Stefanie now guides others to think bigger and tap into their untapped potential by fostering meaningful conversations. Head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.  

Paul Hitchcock, founder of Giant Jaxx Media, has cherished the "gift of gab" his entire life. Paul describes his family as "world champion talkers", and he attributes his communication skills to the value his family placed on listening and storytelling. Paul and Brent differentiate between listening with an agenda and listening to understand and support. Throughout the episode, Brent and Paul explore the theme of treating listening as a precious resource that requires careful attention and cultivation. True generative listening leads to conversations that energize and leave participants with a deeper understanding or newfound clarity, ultimately building deep trust and fostering meaningful connections.  Head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.

Ellen is a holistic health coach and speaker, working with people to pair the data of her client's test results with intentional conversations on the direction of their lives – a duo she calls the art and science of being human. Ellen talks about practicing the identities we want to claim, rather than blindly believing the stories we've been telling ourselves about the types of people we are. She believes strongly in the power of listening to open up more authentic and curious relationships, and doing so with a calm nervous system that allows for full presence to preside.  Listen to all she and Brent have to discuss and head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.

In this episode, the art of listening is explored with Jason Simms, principal at PR agency Theirsay. Jason's career began in journalism, in which his job was to translate technical details into relatable stories for a media audience. Jason reveals how he often listens not just to gather information but to create a narrative that resonates with different audiences. Brent and Jason delve into the concept of listening beyond problem-solving, emphasizing the value of silence and the space it creates for deeper insights and understanding. The two share an appreciation for the transformative power of listening as a practice that goes beyond words, but also on the magic of simply being present with another person. Head to the Be Generative website to explore Generative Listening workshops, coaching, and other opportunities to deepen the way you listen and live.

What if the key to unlocking everything you desire lies not in what you say, but in how you listen? This provocative question lies at the heart of Generative Listening, a new podcast hosted by renowned coach, speaker, and entrepreneur Brent Robertson. The podcast aims to reimagine how we think about and practice listening — and how listening can redefine lives, relationships, and leadership. The Generative Listening podcast will introduce its audience to the practice of generative listening, a transformative approach built on the idea that listening allows us to create unique spaces where ideas, connections, and even futures can emerge. Each episode will explore listening through deep and meaningful conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and everyday individuals. Robertson and his guests will reflect on their experiences with listening in both professional and personal contexts, unpacking what it means to listen generatively and how it can be applied in real-world situations.