The Generous Listening Newsletter: Volume 9 - On Belonging

Dear listener,?

Welcome to the second part of our exploration of belonging. Here, we delve into how genuine listening and storytelling can transform both personal relationships and entire communities. We invite you to deepen your understanding of belonging through our Book Club selections—titles that shed new light on how connection, empathy, and a commitment to listening can help us build a more inclusive world. Enjoy, reflect, and keep fostering the sense of belonging we all crave.

Voices on Listening

“I dreamed about a culture of belonging. I still dream that dream... if we learned habits of being that would bring us closer together, that would help us build beloved community.” The late author and social critic bell hooks saw belonging as an extension of love in action—a collective practice of building bridges across difference, mending brokenness in ourselves and in society.

— bell hooks

Generous Listening in Action: Foreigners Everywhere Biennale 2024

Another powerful example of belonging in action is the 2024 Biennale titled Stranieri Ovunque (Foreigners Everywhere), which explored the theme of migration and displacement—particularly between the Global North and South. Curated with a focus on artists who have lived these experiences themselves, the Biennale invited audiences to question notions of home, identity, and what it means to be labeled an “outsider.”

• Reframing the Foreigner: By showcasing artists’ works that document their own journeys across borders, the Biennale challenged visitors to see the “foreigner” or “stranger” as a universal archetype. In a deeply interconnected world, being a foreigner is a shared experience for countless people—whether by choice or necessity.
• Listening to Different Stories: The event underscored how listening to firsthand accounts of displacement can expand our understanding of belonging. Art becomes a medium for empathy, bridging divides that might otherwise seem insurmountable.

For more insights:

• Interview with Adriano Pedrosa
• Biennale 2024

Voices on Listening

That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Generous Listening Book Club

Deepen your exploration of belonging with these thought-provoking reads:

1. Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides

by Geoffrey L. Cohen

Why read it? Offers insights into the psychological and social frameworks that either foster or hinder belonging.

2. The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

by Priya Parker

Why read it? Explores how we can transform the way we come together in workplaces, communities, and personal celebrations.

3. Belonging: A Culture of Place

by bell hooks

Why read it? Merges personal memoir with social commentary to examine how place and history shape our sense of identity.

4. The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where We All Belong

by john a. powell

Why read it? Explores the concept of bridging differences as a way to break down societal barriers and achieve genuine inclusion.

5. A Sense of Belonging: How to Find Your Place in a Fractured World

by Dr. Holan Liang

Why read it? Provides practical tools and insights to cultivate belonging in a world often divided by cultural and ideological lines.

These titles each offer a unique perspective on the many dimensions of belonging, reinforcing the newsletter’s theme that true belonging must be actively created and sustained.

Follow the Generous Listening Book Club on Goodreads

Pause and Ponder

1. Who do you feel truly seen by? Reflect on the relationships in your life that offer genuine recognition and acceptance. How can you build upon these bonds to foster deeper belonging?

We want to hear your observations and thoughts. Drop us a line at: [email protected]