Listening Labs: Experiments in Connection

We're facing an unprecedented loneliness epidemic. A recent Meta-Gallup survey across 140+ countries reveals that around 25% of the world's population feels notably lonely. Among young people, this issue intensifies, as a recent study reports that a staggering two-thirds of 33,000 college students describe themselves as grappling with loneliness and isolation.

Our Solution

Listening Labs are judgment-free, advice-free, welcoming spaces where you can be heard and connect deeply with your peers. Participants share and listen to each other in structured, time-limited sessions. Trained Listening Lab Leaders provide prompts to give you parameters around what to share and step-by-step guidance for how to be a deep listener.

The Listening Labs program was pioneered at NYU by our founder to address the pressing need for authentic connection among students in academia by providing a structured yet open space for students to be heard, connect deeply, and enhance their listening skills.

What Initial Data Reveals

Pre- and post-Lab surveys reveal an overwhelming drop in the participants’ feelings of loneliness, stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. After their Lab, participants experienced a significant increase in feelings of being heard, relieved, unburdened, connected, and understood. As well, of the 1,000+ unique participants, 93% indicated they would want to do another lab and 96% would recommend an experience like this to a friend.

What Participants Have to Say:

  • "I felt like everyone was super honest which gave me permission to be vulnerable. I came in feeling stressed and the connection allowed me to calm and become more present. I learned how similar we all are and how negative thought/bias struggle exists within us all."

  • "I loved it. It was awkward at first but really nice once we got into sharing. In the end I felt so seen and connected, especially finding out just how similar we all really are."

  • "It was really beautiful to hear about everyone's life experience because the sharing felt extremely honest…I was excited to get to know my peers on a deeper level. I am excited to go back and do it again."

  • "I feel I've been listened to because the people around me are really encouraging. And even though we just met each other for 30 minutes, I feel so much more connected to them.”

  • "I felt completely different when I left the room versus when I arrived. I even left with a new friend. It was unexpected and beautiful.

  • “My experience was cool because we were all different ages so their perspectives were extremely refreshing, and exactly what I needed to hear as a final-semester senior.”

  • “The best part was how I opened up to complete strangers that I had just met! I also learned how to be an active listener by hearing what other people had to say to the prompts. It was all just so wonderful.”

Listening Labs is a pioneering model for increasing connection and listening skills and lowering loneliness levels. Early data shows promising and exciting results for replication on other campuses and in corporation and other institutions.

FAQs

What are Listening Labs?

Listening Labs are judgement-free, advice-free, welcoming spaces where students can be heard and connect deeply with their peers. Participants share and listen to each other in structured, time-limited labs. Trained Listening Lab Leaders provide prompts to give students parameters around what to share and step-by-step guidance for how to be a deep listener.

Listening Labs Are:

  • A caring container to learn the skills of authentic listening and sharing

  • A chance to be heard

  • A chance to connect

Are Listening Labs like group therapy?

Listening Labs are not group therapy but they are also not a space for informal small talk. Listening Labs are a caring container to learn the skills of authentic listening and sharing, a chance to be heard, and a chance to connect.

What are the goals of Listening Labs?

Listening Labs have three main goals.

  1. Allow Students to Unburden Themselves and Feel Heard

  2. Strengthen Students’ Listening Skills

  3. Connect Students to One Another

How can I bring Listening Labs to my campus or organization?

We are so excited that you are interested in bringing Listening Labs to your campus or organization. Please get in touch with us via this form or send us an email at info@mindfulnessconsulting.net to get started!