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Compassionate listening in a hyper-connected world

Also, calls to amend Pennsylvania fireworks law

Fireworks are a holiday tradition and captivate crowds, but there are some environmental downsides. (Stock photo)

 iStock

Fireworks are a holiday tradition and captivate crowds, but there are some environmental downsides. (Stock photo)

Hearing and listening are not the same thing.

Hearing is the literal perception of sound, but consciously understanding and analyzing that sound is listening.

In the modern age of technology, there are many things that get in the way of active listening. Smart phones are the most pervasive example of this, but they are not the only impediment.

Conscious listening takes effort and intent and without those, is it all just noise?

The Someone to Tell It To organization believes that compassionate listening is so powerful as to improve relationships. In fact, they say that all healthy relationships begin with conscious listening that is authentic and non-judgmental.

Appearing on Smart Talk Wednesday to share their perspective and how a well-known PBS personality inspired their vision are Michael Gingerich and Tom Kaden, Co-founders and Chief Encouragement officers at Someone to Tell It To. Also joining the conversation is Junlei Li, PhD., former Executive Director of the Fred Rogers Center and senior lecturer in early childhood education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Li is the keynote speaker at the Someone to Tell it To annual gathering on Sunday, September 29th at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs PA.

Someone to Tell It To

Smart Talk

Tom Kaden, M.Div and Michael Gingerich, M.Div., Co-Founders of Someone To Tell It To, appears on Smart Talk, September 18, 2019.

Junlei Li

Harvard University / Harvard University

Junlei Li, PhD., former Executive Director of the Fred Rogers Center and senior lecturer in early childhood education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, appears on Smart Talk, September 18, 2019.

Also, in 2017 Pennsylvania law was changed to make consumer-grade fireworks legal. In the two years since, there have many complaints across the state, especially around the Fourth of July and other holidays, about the large number of fireworks that are being set off at night or scaring pets. There’s a movement to amend the law.

Joining us on Smart Talk to discuss calls for the current law to be amended are Richard Schuettler, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, and Brian Enterline, Chief of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire and member of the PA Career Fire Chiefs Association.

Chief Brian Enterline

Justin Kocis

Brian Enterline, Chief of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, appears on Smart Talk, September 18, 2019.

Rick Schuettler

The Pennsylvania Municipal League / The Pennsylvania Municipal League

Rick Schuettler, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, appears on Smart Talk, September 18, 2019.

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