How To Listen Tools For Opening Up Conversations Katie Colombus Book

How to Listen: Tools for opening up conversations when it matters most by Katie Colombus is an accessible, compassionate guide for anyone who wants to be better at supporting others. Written with practical clarity and informed by the expertise of the Samaritans, this paperback edition is ideal for parents, teachers, managers, volunteers, and friends who want simple, effective ways to open up important conversations and listen without judgement.

This book demonstrates how listening can strengthen relationships and prevent everyday worries from becoming crises. With a preface by Michael Palin and clear, experience-led advice from trained Samaritans, How to Listen combines real-world tips with empathetic techniques you can use right away. The friendly tone and step-by-step tools make it perfect for those new to active listening and for people looking to refine their conversational skills.

About this paperback edition

Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 9780857839404

What you’ll find inside

• Practical methods for opening up sensitive conversations — how to start and how to stay present.
• Guidance on using gentle encouragement and open questions to help others share their stories.
• Advice from trained Samaritans on talking about feelings and spotting when everyday concern might escalate.
• Real examples and scenarios to practice with, making the techniques easy to apply at home, school, or work.

Why this book stands out

Unlike abstract self-help titles, this guide is grounded in the Samaritans' long experience of supporting people in emotional distress. Katie Colombus writes in a clear, conversational style that puts readers at ease while delivering authoritative, actionable advice. The inclusion of a preface by Michael Palin adds a reassuring voice and helps underline the book’s broad appeal.

Benefits at a glance

• Learn how to listen in ways that build trust and make people feel heard.
• Reduce the risk that everyday worries will escalate into more complex emotional problems.
• Gain confidence to support loved ones, colleagues, and students through difficult conversations.
• Turn everyday interactions into opportunities for deeper connection and understanding.

Use cases: ideal for bedtime or kitchen-table conversations with family, training sessions for volunteers, classroom activities in social-emotional learning, workplace wellbeing programs, or as a calming companion for anyone wanting to deepen their listening skills.

Whether you’re buying it for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, How to Listen is a practical, empathetic resource that helps people communicate with care. Trusted techniques from the Samaritans and a warm, trustworthy voice make this paperback edition a timeless keepsake for homes, classrooms, and workplaces — a small book with big potential to change how we connect.