In HEAR AND THERE, I try to "practice what I preach" - using language as a tool to be more creative, to connect with others, and to feel more brave. I hope my words encourage you to do the same!

Hear and There

An introduction and a start. The first episode and the beginning of an adventure. Hope you'll come along for the ride! 

1. Introduction to Hear and There

Writing is great for your speaking, but it's not necessary! What's great about writing is that it gives you a way to LOOK at YOUR words. To see how things really are. Speech-to-text applications or many AI programs allow you SEE the words you SAY. That is so helpful.

It also gives you a way to practice WITHOUT getting feedback - which has some real benefits. 
Listen to hear more! 

6. But what if we don't like to write? 

If you like to write, you're in luck. Writing is also great for your SPEAKING. 

Listen to learn more, and follow this podcast if you're interested, because I'll be talking about this a lot! 

5. Write to speak 

I'm still learning how to do this podcasting thing, but I'm trying to share my words anyway. I speak quite quickly in this episode... Sorry! I will try to speak slower next time. 

There's a question for you to answer at the end - in audio or written form - so if you have 10 minutes to listen, and then 5 minutes to answer the question that end -- why not GIVE IT A GO?! (which is another way of saying -  GO FOR IT! DO IT!) You have nothing to lose and lots to gain!

Using your words to speak about things that matter to you - that mean something to you - is a great way to create output and use your English. If you don't want to answer my question - you could try writing freely for 5 minutes. Or you could speak into your phone and talk about how you're doing/feeling today - or what's on your mind. It may feel strange, at first, and that's normal! But over time, speaking or writing - just for yourself - will start to feel good - and it's a WONDERFUL habit to start to build.

Thanks for listening, and see you next time! 

2. What did you (really) want to "be" (or do for work) - when you were a child/kid? 

This May, I want to plant a seed in your brain. I will water this seed during the month of May. This seed is - TO WRITE - in English.

The thought I want to water, nourish and feed - for you, this month - is the idea that this month, this MAY - you START TO THINK about writing in ENGLISH. 

May this May be the month that you begin to write! That is my wish for you. 

Until next time! 

7. May we write in English this May

When we feel we have had a "setback" in our language learning - we often tell ourselves stories that keep us stuck. In this podcast episode, I will offer some ideas for how we can prevent that from happening, and when it does, how we can start to move forward again.

In summary, what I say is that first we need to assess what has REALLY happened. And we need to look at the STORY we are telling ourselves - about what happened. (We can do this by writing or talking to a coach or a friend or to ourselves using the questions below). 

If we can question the stories we have told ourselves about this setback - it becomes easier to take action to get ourselves moving again. Byron Katie is an author who created 4 questions that are helpful in changing our beliefs. The questions are: 1. Is it true? 2. Can I absolutely know that it’s true? 3. How do I react when I believe that thought? 4. Who would I be without that thought? 

Turning the setback into an opportunity to take action - any action - can help us get moving again. Getting support is also very helpful. 

Writing or speaking exercise (talk into your phone!) -- take 7-10 minutes and see what you discover!:

1. Think of a time when you were trying something new (learning to play a musical instrument, starting a new routine, exercise or diet) - and you had a "perceived setback" - or when you felt you hit a wall/were blocked/"failed." What did you tell yourself at that time? Was that "story" really true? What happened after that? Did you continue doing the thing? 

2. Now think of a skill you have mastered. Maybe it's cooking something or riding a bike or being a professional or an entrepreneur. Did you ever have any "setbacks" along the way? (I am sure you did!) What steps did you take to keep going forward? Did you get support to move past these obstacles - or how did you help yourself to continue? What happened next? 

If you want - save your words and share them with me! I would love to hear what you think!  
