I'm Listening

Hosted by Drew Richmond & Brandt Christopherson

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

From conversations, to the natural world, to complete silence, so many of us focus on what's next rather than what is happening now. I'm Listening is a podcast that dissects the importance of listening.

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54 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 353 min

Autism

Send us Fan MailAs a parent, if your child is diagnosed with something big, you know you're in for a steep learning curve. Listening plays a crucial role in learning how to navigate the world successfully for your kid. How do you ask the right questions to doctors? How do you talk with educators about your child's education? How do you navigate all of the information that's out there and make sense of it? Our guest today, Dr. Theresa Lyons, founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, has had such an experience. Not only has she been an advocate for her own daughter, but has been a resource, coach, and mentor for thousands of other families around the world. More at: awetism.netFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NavigatingAWEtism/Music Sources:"Magistar" Kevin MacLeod, Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 LicenseFIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

June 4, 2026Episode 230 min

Running Water

Send us Fan MailWhat things come to mind when you think of running water? Bob Ross, sump pumps, Erwin Schrodinger, the Mall, Adam Sandler, the womb… yeah, us too. Welcome to Episode 2… Running Water. This episode is a fun little episode filled (get it) with lots of different thoughts on the importance of listening to running water… both good and bad. Sources:Why Your Body Loves Being Near Water: The Health Benefits of Waterfalls, Rivers, and Lakes – The Wellness WayWhy the Water Calms Us. Easing stasis and finding flow | by Meg MacMahon | The New Outdoors | MediumVictor Gruen - WikipediaThe Longest Pee - Adam Sandler Schrödinger's cat - WikipediaHistory of fountains in the United States - WikipediaSound Effects:Brandt's Recordings:Hail storm, 2026Peepers and thunder, 2026Rain on barn, 2019Trickling falls, Bridal veil falls, 2026DeadSounds.com:HeartbeatWombPixabay.comBasement water pump, Freesound Community, 2022Cricket sounds, Ruesters, 2024Laugh9, Freesound Community, 2022Light spring rain, 2025Pool pump, Freesound Community, 2022Pool pump noise, Alex Jauk, 2024Soothing ocean waves, Dragon Studio, 2025Toilet flush fx, Vibehorn, 2025Water splash, Freesound Community, 2022ZapSplat.comHousehold dripping tapLiquid water pour dripRiver Ouseburn birdsThe thunderstorm, Master of DreamsUnderwater flow pumpingFIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

May 28, 2026Episode 153 min

Changing Your Mind

Send us Fan MailWell, we changed our mind. We were going to hold off and drop Season 5 this fall, but we changed our mind. And to add a dash of irony to us dropping S.5 early, this episode attempts to answer the question - How does listening play a factor when we change our mind?We discuss everything from purchasing a car, to getting a tattoo, running a marathon, and strapping in for a zip line. What are the internal drivers and external factors when it comes to listening? Also, what role does our good friend Will play in all of this? Season 5… here we go! Sources: https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/1248886686/changing-our-minds?showDate=2024-05-03https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-neuroscience-of-changing-your-mind/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20March%202018%20article%20in,decision%2C%20you%20can%20successfully%20revise%20your%20plans FIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

December 18, 2025Episode 1233 min

Gratitude 2025

Send us Fan MailGratitude - the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Welcome to our final episode of Season 4 and of 2025. Brandt and I have started a little tradition here at I’m Listening headquarters. We are bringing Gratitude back to the forefront. But isn’t your podcast about listening? Yes. And gratitude is listening’s not too distant cousin. So here we go!Surprises, acts of kindness, generosity, and yes, listening, are all ways that create opportunities for moments of gratitude. Yet, the holidays can be so stressful, and even sometimes sad. Is this the great paradox of this time of the season? We believe that you have the power to fill the holiday season with gratitude… and right now!Thank you to all who answered our call and sent us recordings of what they are grateful and thankful for this holiday season: Jon, Anna, Matt, Elizabeth, Kris, and Erin!Until next time and with gratitude, Brandt and DrewSources: https://www.earthsattractions.com/your-brain-is-wired-to-remember-the-worst-moments-and-the-reason-is-wilder/https://harbormentalhealth.com/2022/11/26/how-to-overcome-negativity-bias/https://medium.com/@rlmartin078/the-problem-with-being-grateful-for-your-hardship-e70392b9d96c"Gameshow correct answer bell" by Zapsplat Media "Kool Kats", "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys", "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support the show

December 11, 2025Episode 1143 min

Teachers

Send us Fan MailWe welcome our guests Travis and Kate to this episode. They are both elementary teachers and we get to explore all things listening in the classroom! They bring excellent insight into things like “whole body listening”, building relationships, and what trust and respect looks like in today’s public education system. Things have changed a bit since Brandt and I were in elementary school. Back then, listening was just an expectation… and some us of weren’t very good at that. Today, it’s still an expectation, but they actually teach you how to do it. A huge thank you to Travis and Kate for spending time with us. And thank you to all of our hard working teachers across the world!FIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

December 4, 2025Episode 1039 min

Listening vs. Reading

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the classic court case of Listening v. Reading ca.2025. When it comes to the best way to take in a book, which method is the best? In this case, Brandt defends listening to books while Drew defends reading them. Clearly the author of this set of podcast notes is correct, but not without a great debate. Can you experience a book the same way by listening to it vs reading it. Is it just as effective?We dig deep into this topic and come out with 1 very clear indisputable outcome. Enjoy listening to this podcast and if you want to read this episode, please as AI to help… Resources:https://www.google.com/search?q=what+percetange+of+amercialns+read+daily&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS923US923&oq=what+percetange+of+amercialns+read+daily&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCAgCEAAYFhgeMggIAxAAGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMg0IBhAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMgoIBxAAGIAEGKIEMgcICBAAGO8FMgoICRAAGIAEGKIE0gEIOTgzMWowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&zx=1761144795005&no_sw_cr=1https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyched/202506/can-we-just-read-audiobooks-insteadhttps://theconversation.com/do-you-really-need-to-read-to-learn-what-neuroscience-says-about-reading-versus-listening-250743https://www.wcpo.com/brand-spotlight/how-reading-20-minutes-a-day-impacts-your-child-amazon-kindlehttps://nesca-newton.com/why-does-my-child-have-to-read-20-minutes-per-night-after-being-in-school-all-day/ FIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

November 27, 2025Episode 91 hr 4 min

Re-Listen - S.3 Ep.8 The Past

Send us Fan MailThere is no better time to capture the past than during a holiday. Today is Thanksgiving here in the U.S., a time most often spent with family. This episode is your re-reminder to listen and capture those stories! And while you are at it, check out this link and upload your story to The Great Thanksgiving Listen and have it preserved forever in the Library of Congress.https://storycorps.org/discover/the-great-thanksgiving-listen/Enjoy!---How often do we wish we would have captured the past? The stories from grandparents, parents, maybe even great grandparents. Or what about that neighbor you had for 20 years... what was their story? This episode of I'm Listening is your reminder to go capture those stories right now. Brandt recently received a set of tapes from his brother who recorded stories 20 years ago and they are amazing. We visit some of those recordings live, listen to what life was like 100 years ago, and challenge ourselves (and you) to go capture any and all other stories right now. Go!FIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

November 20, 2025Episode 850 min

The Virtual Meeting

Send us Fan MailPlease no more top 10 "Best ways to run a virtual meeting" lists. Please. However, we do need to have a little chat about how they are run. Brandt and I take a different angle on how to run effective virtual meetings... utilizing "listening" as our guide.Take a few notes with this episode, it will make you instantly better. And if you don't, Brandt may just ridicule you live... and nobody wants that. Sources: https://connect.societycorpgov.org/blogs/randi-morrison/2024/10/23/annual-meeting-statistics-trends#:~:text=Meeting%20format%E2%80%9427%25%20of%20US,non%2DS&P%20100%20company%20meetingsFIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

November 13, 2025Episode 735 min

Repetition

Send us Fan MailTime for a riddle: This thing can be annoying, effective, and fun. I'll repeat it, this thing can be annoying, effective, and fun.In this episode we explore the strange paradox of repetition. Repetition is widely utilized in a variety of ways, every single day of our lives. We utilize it to bring comfort and to be annoying. It helps us remember that name, that number, and to please hold, because someone will be right with us. It is also symbolic in times of celebration, defeat, and all of our efforts in between. He hope you enjoy this silly little episode. We really do hope you enjoy it!Sources:https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2016/11/earwormshttps://www.psypost.org/listening-to-the-music-you-love-will-make-your-brain-release-more-dopamine-study-finds/https://neurolaunch.com/listening-to-the-same-song-over-and-over/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_TodayFIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show

November 6, 2025Episode 629 min

Mindfulness

Send us Fan MailOk everyone, let's take a deep breath innnnnn and ouuuuuut. Innnnnn and ouuuuuut. Great job. Welcome to the next Sprint Episode where Brandt takes Drew on a mindfulness journey and explains the relationship between mindfulness and listening. So much of our lives can be go , go ,go with kids, and dogs, and cars, and pancakes, sometime we just need to take a moment to be in the moment. That is not an easy task, but don't worry, Brandt helps us all with a few ways that we can become more mindful.... starting right now. Car video: https://youtu.be/iN6g2mr0p3QHeadspace Site: https://www.headspace.com/Chime and Vehicle sounds by freesound_community from PixabayDog Barking Slight Distance 70611 from ZapsplatFIND US ON THE YOUTUBES! That's right, come check us out. Extra special just for you. https://www.youtube.com/@Im_Listening_PodcastSupport the show