In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of Blind Spots, host Gail McDonald sits down with Colin Smith, known as The Listener, to explore what it truly means to listen — not just with our ears, but with our whole being.

Colin, a specialist in listening skills and psychological safety, shares his insights on why hearing and listening are not the same thing, how being fully present can transform relationships, and why learning to “be with” someone is the key to connection in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

Through personal stories, simple practices, and reflections from his work with leaders, teams, and individuals, Colin invites us to slow down, put aside distractions, and rediscover the power of attention. Together, they explore:

• The difference between hearing and listening — and why most of us mistake one for the other.
• How listening builds trust and emotional safety in families, partnerships, and teams.
• What children and adults alike teach us about being heard.
• How leaders can shift from transactional to relational cultures.
• The neuroscience and compassion behind “whole-hearted listening.”
• Practical steps to start becoming a better listener today.

If you’ve ever wished to feel more connected, understood, or seen — or to offer that gift to others — this conversation will change how you think about listening forever.

Colin Smith: Listening Skills Specialist and Founder of Listening Matters

dexteritysolutions.co.uk

colin.smith@dexteritysolutions.co.uk

LinkedIn – Colin D Smith

Referenced works & mentions:

• Time to Think by Nancy Kline
• The Promise That Changes Everything by Nancy Kline
• Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
• Humankind by Rutger Bregman
• Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman
• Friendship Bench initiative
• Joe Berry’s story of peace and reconciliation
• Simon Sinek’s insights on leadership

In this inspiring conversation, host Gail McDonald sits down with Paul Haury, leadership consultant and founder of Heart-Based Leading, to explore one of our greatest blind spots: belonging. Paul shares why loneliness is less a personal condition and more a symptom of disconnection—and how true belonging is a conscious choice, not just a feeling.

Drawing from personal stories, his years as a teacher, and his work with organizations, Paul unpacks how creating cultures of belonging transforms classrooms, workplaces, and even communities. Together, Gail and Paul discuss the neurobiology of connection, why belonging is relational (not transactional), and how leaders can move teams from “fear of” to “fear for.”

Along the way, they highlight examples like San Francisco’s Delancey Street community, Brené Brown’s insights on fitting in vs. belonging, and Rutger Bregman’s Humankind and Moral Ambition.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build stronger teams, healthier organizations, or simply feel more connected in your own life, this episode will leave you with both practical tools and a renewed sense of possibility.

⁠Heart Based Leading⁠ with Paul Haury

Mentions & References

• Rutger Bregman – Humankind & Moral Ambition
• ⁠Delancey Street Foundation⁠ (San Francisco)
• Brené Brown on belonging vs. fitting in

In this episode of Blind Spots, host Gail McDonald welcomes Andy Vargo—professional speaker, author, life-change coach, podcast host, comedian, and the creator of the “Own Your Awkward” movement. Once described as “Red Bull for your heart,” Andy shares his journey of embracing authenticity after navigating divorce, coming out, and starting over at 40.

Together, they explore why owning your quirks builds trust, how vulnerability strengthens relationships, and the power of reframing self-talk. Andy opens up about creating his book Own Your Awkward Thoughts: Master the Art of Reframing the Way You Think, and his concept of being a “lone-preneur.”

With humor and heart, Andy and Gail dive into blind spots around comparison, borrowed dreams, unrealistic expectations, and the relentless inner critic—and why embracing your awkward may be the key to resilience, connection, and growth.

Own Your Awkward

References mentioned:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Fire Your Narrator by Valerie Gordon
• Work by Paul Hari on belonging
• Susan Smith (The Change Zone podcast)