Words Matter – How to Make Every Conversation Lead to a Better Connection

Words Matter - How to Make Every Conversation Lead to a Better Connection

Details
Our words can open doors—or close them. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn two practical tools from nonviolent communication to help you navigate differences, express yourself clearly, and listen so others feel truly heard. This practice is not about being “nice” — it’s about the power of being real, bringing honesty and empathy together to create genuine connection. Whether you’re talking with friends, family, or colleagues, you’ll discover ways to turn even challenging conversations into opportunities for deeper understanding. Come ready to practice, reflect, and leave with skills you can use right away.

Bio
Patricia Ewanski has been studying and practicing Nonviolent Communication (NVC) for over a decade. With a background in Vipassana meditation, she emphasizes self-awareness and inner investigation before speaking, helping people bring mindfulness to their words. Coming from a non-theist perspective, Patricia also works with a systemic understanding of how cultural forces shape relationships and communication. Her mission is to break the cycle of harm—one conversation at a time—by fostering empathy, clarity, and authentic connection.

Links
Here are some links that you might find helpful. The first one leads to a page where Marshall Rosenberg walks through everything in his first book called Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.

Longer:
Series of 9 Videos by the founder of NVC, Marshall Rosenberg, YouTube Playlist

Shorter:
Newt Bailey (3 min): Intro to Connected Communication,
BigIdeasGrowingMinds (5 min): YouTube Link
Center for Nonviolent Communication, Resources: What is NVC?

This event takes place at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa. As with most HSGP events it is free and open to the public, and we love meeting first time visitors.