So what if I told you the simple act of having your phone in your pocket even turned off

is preventing you from connecting with the people you love most? And that's just the beginning of

what's getting in the way of real human connection. We're living in a moment where everyone

seems to be shouting to be heard, yet genuine listening has become almost extinct, and the cost, fractured relationships,

deepening divides, and a profound sense of disconnection, isolation, loneliness, even when we're

surrounded by people. My guest today is Emily Casrail, an award-winning journalist and former

BBC executive who spent over two decades exploring the art

and science of deep listening. As a senior visiting research fellow at King's College Policy

Institute in London, and previous visiting fellow at Oxford, Emily has developed a fascinating

approach to listening that's being used everywhere from corporate boardrooms to conflict zones

to just personal communications.

Her new book, Deep Listening, offers a powerful framework for creating genuine connection even across

our deepest divides. And what we explore in this conversation will change how you think about

pretty much every interaction in your life. Emily shares the surprising research about why having a phone

nearby, even when it's turned off, fundamentally alters the quality of your attention. We talk

about things like why walking side by side often leads to better conversations than sitting

face to face or how strategic silence can transform negotiations. And she reveals touching stories about using deep listening to create just profound connections

with everyone from family members to perfect strangers.

So excited to share this conversation with you.

I'm Jonathan Fields, and this is Good Life Project.

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