“Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.” – Anne Morrow Lindberg
I got a message in my email inbox this week from a stranger:
“Hey there, I went ahead and made a whole month’s calendar of social media content.
Can I shoot them your way?”
What? We haven’t even had a conversation?
I’m all for technology – in fact, I’m a computer consultant so my business is technology. But too often we get spun around and start working to fit technology into our lives, personally, professionally and at the corporate level – when it’s supposed to be the other way around — technology working for us.
It feels like technology keeps trying to tell us to speed up. It started long before AI but I feel it more intensely with the pitches that are reaching my inbox like the one above. It makes me so grateful for all that hosting and producing 200 podcasts episodes (135 on Sharing the Heart of the Matter and the rest on the Life of Try channel) has taught me about having deep conversations, slowing down, and making real connections.
In this milestone episode of The Life of Try, Dr. Vicki Atkinson turns the tables and interviews host me about nearly four years of podcasting—and what it takes to keep going.
I share what I’ve learned from 200 podcast conversations. Lessons like:
- Why authentic conversations require both preparation and presence
- Why you can’t host and produce at the same time (and it applies to writing and editing as well)
- Why serving your audience matters more than simply publishing content
- Creating meaningful work in the age of AI,
- Finding the right collaborators
Not surprisingly, the best things I’ve learned in 200 episodes relate to conversation and connection, not technology. I appreciate each and every one of you that have listened to an episode. I know how valuable time is and if you’ve spent any time listening to me, and/or Vicki and me, I am so grateful.
If you feel stuck, uncertain, or impatient with your progress, this encouraging conversation is a reminder that growth does not have to happen quickly. One thoughtful conversation, one genuine connection, and one brave try can move you forward.
- Click this link to watch in a browser: The Art of Meaningful Conversations: Lessons from 200 podcast episodes
- Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
- Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry
Links for this episode:
The Art of the Conversation transcript
Victoria Ponders – Dr. Vicki Atkinson’s blog
Vicki’s incredible memoir: Surviving Sue: An inspirational survivor’s story about a daughter and her life with a mother who was riddled with alcoholism, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression, and Munchausen’s. – print and eBook
Vicki’s gripping novel: Slivers on Eckhartz Press
Other Episodes You Might Enjoy
How to Finally Write the Book You’ve Been Dreaming About with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
How to Get Unstuck in Life and Start Moving Forward Again with Michael Yang
How to Celebrate Small Wins | Tiny Habits, Resilience & Personal Growth
Success isn’t always about finishing first. Sometimes the greatest victories belong to those who stay prepared, keep growing, and never stop trying.
(featured photo from Pexels)
If my work has encouraged, inspired, or helped you try something new, consider supporting it with a small “cup of coffee” donation. Your support helps me keep creating conversations, stories, and resources that cheer people on as they do brave, meaningful work.
You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram wynneleon
