The Art of the Conversation

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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.

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

56 thoughts on “The Art of the Conversation”

  1. Congrats Wynne on your milestone 200th episode! I remember when you just launched both podcasts – time just flew by! And I love that you celebrated this milestone by being on the interviewee seat with Vicki.

    Very interesting to hear your perspectives on the balance between producer and host – and how it should ideally be two distinct roles. I can see how much you put into each episode and how well your guests are treated – and it continues to be a marvel to me how you consistently produce quality episodes on such a frequent schedule.

    Content that resonates and helps you grow an audience takes time, trust and authenticity – something that can’t be accelerated with tech like AI. So kudos to you for what you’ve built in such a short time. Here’s to the next 200, 300, 500 episodes! 💕🙏😊

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    1. Time did just fly by, didn’t it? Kinda like another kid!!

      I’m so grateful for all the incredible deep attention and feedback you’ve given me over the years. You have no idea how much you have encouraged me and been a part of keeping going. I appreciate you so much, Ab!

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  2. What a pleasure, Wynne! Thanks for inviting me in to share in the celebration. A milestone, for sure. And just as Ab said in his comment, here’s to many more impactful, encouraging episodes to come! Congratulations, my talented friend! 💝😊💝

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  3. Aww, love this reunion! ❤️ It’s just so great to listen to you both, and congrats on 200 episodes! What an enormous amount of work went into that, and the learning curve. Why is it that when I listen to you, I feel like you are talking directly to me?? Seriously…like when you said “slow is fine” or “find the people you can trust.” Hello! I’m there with you. And I love pushing ourselves takes us to higher ground. That’s some mighty inspiration right there. I say give a plant so it can keep growing as the gift for 200 episodes. Love you both. 💝

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    2. Ah, Melanie — thanks for being one of the dear ones we trust so much!! And for being part of the 200 episodes. That time when I didn’t know you and had to schedule to re-record was so hard to say but you couldn’t have been more lovely. We have valued your feedback all along this journey and I’m so grateful for all of your deep listening and great comments! Appreciate you, dear Melanie!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  4. Thanks for another great podcast Wynne. It’s clear that you care, prepare, go deep, and serve your audience. Two of my pet peeves are how people treat their blogs like an online diary and continual posting like social social media. I prefer quality content.

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  8. Congratulations on 200 episodes! Wynn, you and Vicki are a great example of people working together for the good of both people and your community. You guys are so encouraging. 💞💞 I agreed with Vicki when she said this about you Wynne, “you do a really beautiful job of doing the show notes for the listener, for the viewer before they’re even in the thick of it. You set the stage really well about what to expect.” I find this so helpful.

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  9. Congrats on #200 and the part you and Vicki have played, Wynne. It is no small thing, especially in a time when guidance, joy, knowledge and encouragement are much needed. You have my esteem and affection. Here’s to the next 200!

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  12. “Not surprisingly, the best things I’ve learned in 200 episodes relate to conversation and connection, not technology.” This is so powerful Wynne. We write and talk about technology and life’s complexities all the time. What really gets the juices running though — simple connection. Thanks for the message Wynne.

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  13. A brilliant turning of the tables. Both of you are great, easy to talk to empathetic understanding and non-judgmental. This leads to trust conversation in ideas that may sometimes be tricky or worrisome. I’ve enjoyed all of your guests in the conversations, I’m always learning something or offers affirmation and I feel like I’m sitting at the table with you. Can’t ask for better than that.

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    1. One of my favorite moments is the time we were talking with you about making soup and you confessed to the time you made soup so thick you could cut it with a knife! Oh, priceless!! I appreciate you for being willingness to trust us as a guest and as an audience member!! Thank you, Beth!

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  15. Congratulations on this big milestone! I am honored to have been involved in a small percentage of those podcasts. It was so much fun talking with you both. My favorite was our unscripted episode.

    They say writers shouldn’t edit their own work, and yet, stubborn me won’t trust anyone else to go over my writing.

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    1. I loved our unscripted episode too! And small percentage?? I think you might be in a tie for our most frequent guest and we loved all those conversations! Thanks for coming on.

      Interesting advice about editing – yes, me too! Thank you so much, Mark! I appreciate you!

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  16. This was such an enjoyable read and listen! Congratulations on 200 episodes! That’s amazing! I remember when you were getting started with the podcast and you and I had briefly talked about my joining, but I had declined since I felt I couldn’t devote that much of my week to preparing for each episode and then taping it. Thoughtful preparation is key as you said. I don’t even post every week on my blog unless I feel I have something worthwhile to share with people, and not just fill people’s inboxes with drivel!

    I feel I could now learn so much from you with regard to production. My grandkids informed me that my name is quoted by a few people on TicToc, and when I told them what was going on with those quotes atteibuted to me, they said that I need to set up my own creator account on TicToc and create my own videos. I told them I’ll need their help since that’s an area I don’t yet have expertise in. My grandson said I could expand my talks to my artwork and pottery, which would make it a more personal channel. TicToc videos aren’t the full length production of a podcast, but the learning curve will be there.

    Kudos to both you and Vicki, for all your hard work and dedication to bringing quality content to the world! May your next 200 episodes continue to inspire you and your listeners!

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  17. Wow, Congratulations on 200 episodes, Wynne.. I love this episode with both of you together sharing that you do so well! Being a guest on your site was such a joy to be with both of you and everything you say here is exactly why it was so much fun and I felt like I’d known you forever. Thanks again for that opportunity. You conveyed exactly all of what you are saying here in your talk when you hosted me and in each episode I listen to which is a gift and why you have such a following. Both of you are genuinely gifted in presence, enthusiasm, heart, thinking ahead, research etc, it’s no wonder you are crushing it. I think I’ve missed a few. S l O W.. I’m not to good at that as I fly by the seat of my pants often …. but presence is so important. I’m a bit confused.. are you done making new episodes for the heart of the matter and now just doing the life of Try?
    Can’t wait to hear Vicky’s episode coming soon! xx

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