What if the stories we’re told about each other aren’t true? Therapist Traci Ruble doesn’t buy what the media tells her about people—so she took to the streets to find out for herself. She and a group of volunteers set up Sidewalk Talk, an experiment in radical listening: sitting in public spaces with a sign that says Free Listening and inviting strangers to share whatever’s on their minds. It’s raw, awkward, sometimes heartbreaking—but also unexpectedly hilarious and deeply human.

In this episode, Traci shares what she’s learned from thousands of sidewalk conversations—how deep listening challenges assumptions, reveals the goodness in people, and even rewires the way we see the world.

Related Links
Sidewalk Talk website - https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/
Sidewalk Talk bus tour - https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/2025-listening-bus-tour
Sidewalk Talk the Podcast - https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/podcast

Episode transcript: https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/05/challenging-stories-were-told-about.html

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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Uncomfy
00:45 Meet Traci Ruble and Sidewalk Talk
01:17 The Birth of Sidewalk Talk
02:27 First Experiences and Challenges
03:32 The Power of Listening
05:07 Memorable Stories from the Sidewalk
08:09 The Importance of Human Connection
10:25 Becoming a Sidewalk Talk Listener
15:05 Expanding Sidewalk Talk
17:57 How to Get Involved
18:30 Conclusion and Additional Resources