Categories
Communication H.S. Eglund Podcast TTT Season 3

Season 3 Episode 23: Eglund on the Art of Communication

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. 

Thank you for listening in.

HS Eglund, Journalist, Writer & Publicist

I am travelling over 7900 kilometers to Berlin, Germany to meet up with my friend, Eglund, journalist and writer. 

Berlin is a center of politics, culture, media, and science, home of the world-famous Berlin Opera, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Berlin is on my must-see places to visit once travel comes back.  But for now, I am enjoying my virtual visit with Eglund.

Eglund is an engineer and publicist. He worked as a science journalist and reporter in Africa for several German newspapers. Since 2005, his focus has been on the environmental initiatives. As a specialist journalist for renewable energies, he works within media related to the ecological energy transition, first of all about solar energy.

Eglund first appeared as a writer in 1993 when he won the essay prize of the Mayor of Berlin-Kreuzberg for his short story “The nun and dying”. In 2009 his novel “Die Glöckner von Utopia” was published, in which he processed his experiences during the last years of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and especially during the turning point in autumn 1989 in Dresden, Leipzig and East Berlin. His second novel, Zen Solar, was published in 2016. This year, his third novel: Nomaden von Laetoli will be published.

In March 2011 Eglund founded the culture blog Berg.Link, which he designed together with Urs Heinz Aerni from Zurich.

Berg.Link

We live in a world that offers many ways in which to connect and share knowledge and experience. As a journalist and writer, Eglund values authentic communication that fosters life-affirming conversations.  What does it mean to communicate?  What messages do we send? And do we know how to listen? These are the questions that will be discussed today.

I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Thank you, Eglund, for sharing your insights on communication within a world that offers us technology for global connection.   And a special thank you to Klausbernd Vollmar for introducing Eglund to Tea Toast & Trivia.

Dear listeners, thank you for joining Eglund and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Stay tuned for Eglund’s return for another stimulating conversation.

Until next time, keep safe and be well.

Eglund on the Art of Communication – Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

By Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

45 replies on “Season 3 Episode 23: Eglund on the Art of Communication”

Interesting. Communication seems so fleeting at times. Remember the song “Oh Lord please don’t let me be misunderstood!” It should be “Oh Lord help me be completely understood!”

Liked by 5 people

Well said, Tim! You reminded me of St Francis of Assisi’s prayer that included “Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.”

What I especially appreciated about my conversation with Eglund was the idea of silence, of waiting for the conversation, recognizing that in time, understanding will come. In a world filled with voices, listening instead of responding is a work in progress for me.

Liked by 6 people

By Post Author

This is a fantastic podcast, Rebecca. Eglund’s comments on communication are well observed and excellent. Many of us know that we should listen a lot more than we do as listening [and reading which is a solitary and silent undertaking generally] are how we learn the most. I have also discovered than when one listens and then wants to add one’s own opinion, you become so distracted by what you are going to say, you stop listening and miss out on everything that follows the point when you decided sharing your own view was a must.

Liked by 7 people

I know exactly what you mean, Robbie! Distraction describes the feeling. I have found that many times I am formulating a response while the other person is still speaking, especially when I am involved in a great discussion. I want to add so much to the conversation that I simply miss out on the message that someone is sending me. I appreciated Eglund’s thought that we must have respect throughout the communication. While I may not entirely agree with another personal opinion, respect should still be present. Thank you so much or stopping by and adding depth to the conversation. Your support and encouragement of authentic dialogues is heartening.

Liked by 5 people

By Post Author

I am delighted that you listened in, Sally! I agree wholeheartedly that communication and learning are key to our health and longevity. It is a vital link to our sense of belonging. Sally – your books, writing and blogging articles invite conversations, welcome new ideas, and fosters a community spirit – because you listen and listen for understanding.

I have been looking into the statistics on loneliness and how this last year has pivoted us to on-line connection. Business models of communication have changed as well and are incorporating storytelling, employee-centric content, video, etc. I know that research into mechanisms that foster listening is ongoing. I just read an article that states that, listening to employees is in vogue – employment engagement is essential for success. Thank for adding to this discussion – very much appreciated.

Liked by 6 people

By Post Author

When I look at my mother and her generation, she was born in 1917, there was such a lack of outward connection, especially when they were widowed. My mother lived to 95 and she was fascinated by the Internet and how you could virtually chat to someone thousands of miles away. We are the first generation to have that ability as we get older and I do believe that it will foster significant changes in both physical and mental health in the years to come. xxhugs♥

Liked by 3 people

Telling stories with data is very big right now. (I attended a conference presentation on it that was fascinating.) The concept makes sense to me because in order for a story to be a story, it has to have a plot, and a plot is based on causality.

Liked by 4 people

I absolutely enjoyed this conversation about communication and the importance of listening with you and Eglund! Many thanks to you both! I love the sentence by Meister Eckhart ” Listen so we may become more peaceful” und die Redewendung “Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so kommt es heraus.” Last but not least, Rebecca, Berlin is just a great city. Big hug

Liked by 6 people

I am thrilled that you listened in, Martina. Klausbernd Vollmar introduced me to Eglund a few months ago. I was heartened by Eglund’s thoughts on communication, especially silence, respect and that messages will find their way at the optimum time. A few years ago we travelled to Frankfurt and to Lubeck but we never made it to Berlin. It is definitely on our places to see list when travel comes back. I have posted, “Listen so we may become more peaceful” on my computer as a daily reminder. Sending many hugs your way!!!

Liked by 5 people

By Post Author

Thank you, Eglund and Rebecca, for this extraordinary study about conversation and communication! I will be listening again because it is not possible to absorb all of the valuable insights that have been discussed in one setting! I listened with interest when the subject of solar energy was mentioned. I caught the mention of the “First Foot Step” and other references that were made in the discussion. I appreciated the references to “quiet”, “silence”, “listening”, “eye contact:. “without words”, “facial expressions”, “open ears”, “switching off noise”! ! and other important references. I appreciated the mention of mountains, as well. It was very good to learn of Eglund’s contributions during the years. Again, thank you to both of you, I will be waiting to hear from you again! !

Liked by 6 people

I knew that you would enjoy this podcast, Frances. I was reminded of my Father’s thoughts on the importance of listening. It seems we are uncomfortable with long pauses so rush in to fill the gap to avoid the ambiguity of an unstructured moment or lack of direction in the conversation. Silence is a form of meditation and an inner journey – a conversation with self. As Eglund noted – communication is always with us. I continue to learn. I am pleased that Eglund has agreed to come back for another discussion.

Liked by 5 people

By Post Author

Compelling conversation, Rebecca! I was very impressed with Eglund’s emphasis on listening as a crucial element of communication. Kind of counterintuitive that not communicating (as in not speaking) for a time is important for optimal/meaningful communication, but it is important indeed. Thanks for the appealing and thought-provoking podcast!

Liked by 5 people

I am delighted that you listened in, Dave. And thank you for your comments. I appreciated that Eglund included communication with nature as well as with all who share our world. It is easy to think that the gift of communication belongs solely to humanity. There is a rich and robust dialogue when I meet up with the crow families along the Seawall. There is a great deal of chatter and active debate, but they all come together in the early evening to fly home to their roost.

Liked by 5 people

By Post Author

I am delighted that you enjoyed this discussion, Marina. Remember when you said that with music and art there is conversations and communications. I am learning that communication, as Eglund said, is everywhere and that listening and silence are conduits for engagement. Thank you so much for adding depth to this conversation. Sending hugs!

Liked by 5 people

By Post Author

Listening to you and Eglund communicate was such a relaxing and peaceful time this evening before retiring from the day. Being somewhat weary, and not so anxious about the day ahead, put me in a more receptive mood. Resting the mind & listening is similar to silence & listening, don’t you think? I really appreciated the idea of respect and avoiding the propaganda approach to communication. Also, Eglund’s notion that we must learn this listening style in order to communicate successfully really resonates with me. When we’re children our minds are so busy preparing our next response to friends and siblings, we interrupt one another constantly and don’t truly listen. Lovely conversation.

Liked by 5 people

I knew that you would enjoy this conversation, Mary Jo. “The whisper of wisdom” was my greatest takeaway – the power of a quiet voice that speaks of joy and hope, a gentle message that nurtures the weary and frail, a compassionate silence to those in mourning. I am reminded of the beginning of the love chapter: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Thank you so much for your insights, Mary Jo. I agree “resting the mind and listening is similar to silence and listening.” Many hugs coming your way.

Liked by 5 people

By Post Author

What a great podcast about communication. The ideal combination of form and content, the importance of silence and Eglund’s soft voice. I really like the idea of reduction, actually not only in active communication, and slowing down what leads to listening. And last not least, I like this podcast for mentioning Meister Eckhart, a philosopher and mystic of the high middle ages when the time had a totally different quality from our age now that one could call the age of acceleration.
Thank you very much for sharing your ideas, dear Eglund.
And now I am silent … 😉
Klausbernd 🙂

Liked by 4 people

Dearest Klausbernd – Thank you for listening in and for your heartwarming comments. I am grateful that you introduced me to Eglund. You both have a generosity of spirit and willingness to share knowledge and wisdom. And now I am silent thinking of the words of Meister Eckhart: “One must learn an inner solitude, wherever one may be.”

Liked by 4 people

By Post Author

I was listening to this episode of Tea, Toast & Trivia as I usually do, jotting down the guest’s comments that particuarly resonated with me. Before long, I found that I was writing down everything Eglund said! In the end, what resonated most was the notion that the forest communicates with us at the DNA level.

Liked by 4 people

Thank you, Liz for listening in and for your comments. Eglund has a marvelous understanding of communication and how to engage within the wider narrative. I always feel at home in nature, surrounded by the sounds of the wind in the trees and the morning and evening chorus. Communicating on the DNA level was a new concept for me. I’m looking forward to Eglund’s thoughts on objectivity in a future podcast. Sending many hugs your way.

Liked by 4 people

By Post Author

How wonderful to receive your comments, Marianne. Thank you for listening in to Eglund’s conversation on communication. The idea that communication is ongoing, that we are always engaged whether with another person and within nature was new to me – that silence was communication.

Liked by 3 people

By Post Author

This has been a wonderful podcast Rebecca and Eglund. Listening is something I am constantly working on. I think being aware that you are not always listening to capacity is a good start. I agree with Eglund, listening is a matter of respect. Once you have someone´s respect, the communication goes much better. I believe becoming a good communicator is a lifelong ambition and requires practice just like everything else we wish to excel in.

Liked by 5 people

I am delighted your listened in, Darlene. “Becoming a good communicator is a lifelong ambition” – how very well said. It is a learned behaviour, something that must be practiced as we would a musical instrument. Remember this great quote from Pride & Prejudice? I think of it often in the context of communication. Proficiency = hard work and diligent effort.
“If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient. And so would Anne, if her health would have allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed delightfully.” Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Thank you for your support and encouragement of these conversation. I continue to learn. P.S. Amanda in Malta is on its way….!!!

Liked by 4 people

By Post Author

I love that quote. Here is another of my favourites from the amazing Ms Austen “My idea of good company…is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.’ ‘You are mistaken,’ said he gently, ‘that is not good company, that is the best.” ― Jane Austen, from Persuasion. May we always have a good deal of conversation and the best company!

Liked by 3 people

Talk about synchronicity. Before I listened to this I listened to something on You-Tube DNA is not just for Life anymore. It was speaking about how computer scientists are looking at using DNA to encode data and programs. The idea of bio photons in intriguing (off to learn more). I thought Eglund really hit the nail on the head when he said communication is about listening not talking.

Liked by 4 people

There is so much we don’t understand about DNA, but the research is coming out so I too am off to learn more. I recall a conversation with my father back in the 1970’s. He believed that humanity would find a way to create life. He just smiled when I said that it was highly unlikely. And yet….fast forward. A couple of days ago, I read an New York Times Article: Scientists Created Bacteria With a Synthetic Genome. Is This Artificial Life? In a milestone for synthetic biology, colonies of E. coli thrive with DNA constructed from scratch by humans, not nature.

We live in interesting time, my dear friend, which will require that we are adept at communication.

Liked by 3 people

By Post Author

Thanks for the Link Rebecca I am off to read the article. on a tengental path. I listened to a Physicist on you tube- She is brilliant at idiot speak (which I speak fluently)- saying there is no such thing as free will. Our whole description of the universe is simply down to what mathematical models work best at this time. New mathematical descriptions hint at going beyond Einstein and in those models there is no multiverse. One thing I am sure of is that scientists have not worked out extended life , health or immortality, because if they had Then…. (choose you least favourite dictator) would be ruling forever.

Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.