Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection

by Christian Van Nieuwerburgh, Robert Biswas-Diener

Unlock the transformative power of Radical Listening -a profound practice that moves beyond simply hearing words to actively co-creating meaning.

Leading experts in Positive Psychology coaching outline six unique competencies that go beyond “active listening skills” to create deep understanding and connection.

In our distracted, divisive world, the transformative power of true listening has never been more essential. Radical Listening is a revolutionary guide to mastering this vital skill from renowned experts Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Robert Biswas-Diener. Moving beyond simply hearing words, their groundbreaking framework teaches you to actively co-create meaning and connection. Though we spend nearly three hours a day on the receiving end of communication, listening is frequently neglected. We're bombarded by data, digital distractions, and a culture that celebrates talkers over listeners. Radical Listening provides the antidote, equipping you with six core
•Noticing
•Quieting
•Accepting
•Acknowledging
•Questioning
•Interjecting

Whether you're seeking to improve your leadership, foster more collaborative teamwork, or simply connect more meaningfully with others, Radical Listening offers a powerful remedy. Allow this book to reshape how you experience the world and those around you through the revelatory act of listening fully.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Audiobook

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Daria Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent book is going straight onto my "re-read regularly" list. It's easy to read and full of practical examples, tips, and techniques to enhance our listening.

I think it's best summed up by this sentence: "The purpose of Radical Listening is to have better conversations--allowing people to feel valued, be understood, and believe that they matter". We could definitely do with plenty more of that in the world!

[Mary Attridge-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radical Listening: The art of true connection: a review from a student of radical listening.

Within this book there is a framework for hope. In the disconnected environments that exist all around us, how we connect matters. Radical listening (RL) is more than active listening. Listening for and Listening to are presented as a decision in a cycle of acknowledgement. RL seeks to hold an intention to engage and to grow fertile ground for connection. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Robert Biswas-Diener ask for our help to implement Radical Listening for a better world.

I received my copy on Mother’s day. This is a book for everyone. The examples used are real time and mirror lived experience. The book is laid out in user friendly language, connecting with what is known about communication to what can be discovered by understanding the how ( art) of radically listening. Each section has reflective questions to prompt us to practice what we can do, to become radical listeners.

I am inspired to practice Interjection as a strategy using humour, asides, minimal encouragement and alerts, makes for more engagement, in my conversions.

These guys are rebels with a cause. One could say that The Acorn on a Motorcycle has set a course.
Mary. (Human being).

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is not perfect. There are other books that cover portions of the topics better. that being said, this book covers gaps in other imperfect books well.

I find that this book's use of examples, bulleted lists, and homework kind of questions are rare techniques that make it much easier to understand the topics. it also covers content that other books have not like Gottman's work.

From what I've seen, you have to read several books on listening to get a good handle of the topic and in my opinion this should be one of them

[Anne Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it's happened again. Robert Biswas-Diener and colleague Christian van Nieuwerburgh have taught me how much I have to learn about a topic I thought I knew a lot about - all through their book, Radical Listening. From more deeply reflecting on the ways listening is proactive and intentional, to reflecting on my own listening obstacles, to understanding listening skills as both internal and external, Radical Listening is helping me be a better coach... a better human.

[Peter P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read on the importance of - as the authors say - radical listening. Who knew there was such complexity and nuance? As it happens, Van Nieuwerburgh and Biswas-Diener did...and they've done an awfully good job creating a compelling read in Radical Listening.

[Calvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When they were talking about code switching I had to re-read sections because I kept thinking of Quentin Tarantino on the ‘Django Unchained’ press tour