In her new book, You’re Not Listening – What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, Kate Murphy, Times columnist, says we don’t know how to listen and it’s harming us. “When was the last time you listened to someone? Really listened, without thinking about what you wanted to say next, glancing down at your phone, or jumping in to offer your opinion? And when was the last time someone really listened to you, was so attentive to what you were saying and whose response was so perceptive that you felt truly understood”?

To write this book, the author spent hundreds of hours interviewing people whose job is listening intensively; including spies, priests, psychotherapists, bartenders, hostage negotiators, hairdressers, air traffic controllers, radio producers, and focus group moderators and delving into the academic research related to listening. But the author also presents many ways that we can improve our listening and offers assurance that it’s never too late to learn. Instructor Mike Murray has spent many years as a psychotherapist, a “professional listener”. Please read the Introduction and Chapter 1 in order to prepare for our first meeting.

The study group will meet on Wednesdays from September 23 through November 11. Preregistration is required via the OLLI website or phone. A link to access the study group will be e-mailed to you approximately one week prior to the first session.