I love listening to podcasts that give me takeaways to use in future scenarios and conversations in my life. Listening to learn is an acquired skill that I feel personally convicted by. I want to flex that listening and empathy muscle as I listen deeply to the people I care about. Podcasts are one of my favorite mediums because they give the audience a chance to hear the energy and emotions behind the speaker’s words. There is research that supports that “storytelling” can influence brain chemistry releasing oxytocin – a chemical produced by your hypothalamus that helps us relax and trust.