Merrily Converse: A Holiday Conversation Campaign

Dear Friends, Although Thanksgiving was full of gratitude and fun, December’s panic arrived early this week. I became cranky about my “to do” list. Worst of all, conversations stopped at our house as I holed up in my basement determined to master the schedule. Apprehension about the upcoming holidays is about more than timelines. Many of … Read more

Capture the Quiet Early in Conversation

Race, race, race! End-of-year schedules demand so much of us. We can’t jump off the treadmill for one moment.  The frenzy happens because we’re so responsible. We’re good people, doing our best. We want to “do it right”. We engage so much with the world, not wanting to “let anyone down.”[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left … Read more

Uncomplicated Thanksgiving Conversation

Joyous and difficult, two opposing adjectives concurrently describe Thanksgiving emotions. The recent negative, political discourse leads us further astray from feeling acquainted with what’s “good”. Despite our bi-polarized feelings, it’s still possible to “bring thanks into the light”[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” … Read more

Conversations When Meeting for the First Time

This past week Obama and Trump met for the first time. What? How could that be? They had never met before? No wonder their meeting lasted ninety minutes. Until this first rendezvous, information about each other was based on generalities, negative stereotypes and “knowledge” sourced from other people’s opinions. Although the recent campaign rhetoric pains … Read more

Compassionate Reciprocation? Here’s How!

Sometimes I wonder about “geeking out” over enabling conversation. My passion has to do with compassion, our ability, regardless of circumstances, to deeply connect with others. Compassion is beautiful to witness and at the recent TEDxMileHigh Conversation Café` great empathy was present! It wasn’t that The Conversation Café was a “cry fest”.  The empathy I … Read more

Making the Most of a Big Happy Conference

This week is the TEDxMileHighWomen, “It’s About Time” conference and I can’t wait. Although my excitement stems partly from offering A Table In Time’s “Conversation Café’” at the conference, I’m super psyched to feel inspired and learn from the many dynamic speakers on stage, bringing us their “ju-ju” and smarts! Admittedly I have nervous energy, … Read more

Conversation In a Room Full of Strangers

This past week Steve Case, Founder of AOL, was in Denver for the “Rise of The Rest” tour, a “nationwide effort to work closely with entrepreneurs in emerging startup ecosystems.” Seven “Start-Ups” pitched and competed for $100,000 in new capital. In choosing to attend, I needed to be clear about how to make the most … Read more

Ouch! When a Conversation Backfires

Not too long ago a dear friend and I enjoyed conversational banter for almost ninety minutes on the phone. It had been a while since we’d connected. We shared fun stories about random stuff, touching also on a work challenge and my kids’ lives Yet for a few days afterwards, I had a nagging thought … Read more

Nuns on a Bus Wonder About Conversation

Sometimes we just don’t understand another person’s viewpoint. We’re befuddled, even distressed. This is particularly evident during an election year. Many of us, myself included, shy away from making too many political references. Or, for others, posts on Facebook seem like the only safe place to be fervent. This past summer the “Nuns on the … Read more