Church Mental Health Summit

173: Why Good Listening is Hard—and How to Get Better at It" with Dr. Jackie Perry

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Dr. Jackie Perry joins us to discuss the power of attuned listening and how it transforms care ministry. Dr. Perry, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and founder of The Soulwell Center, shares her insights on how truly listening—beyond just hearing words—creates connection, healing, and trust. We explore the difference between active listening and attuned listening, why listening is often harder than it seems, and how we can train ourselves to be more present in our conversations. If you’ve ever felt pressure to have the “right” answer when supporting others, this conversation will give you a new perspective on how simply being present can be the greatest gift.

 

Quotes

  • "Loving begins with listening." – Dr. Jackie Perry
  • "When we listen, we’re not just hearing facts—we’re listening for the deeper story being told." – Dr. Jackie Perry
  • "Our brain naturally wants to predict the future, but attuned listening requires us to stay fully in the present." – Dr. Jackie Perry
  • "It’s not about having the perfect response—it’s about being with someone in their moment." – Dr. Jackie Perry
  • "Say less, notice more. Don’t respond with a question—respond with presence." – Dr. Jackie Perry

 

Resources

 

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