A story about human connection told through a voice-forward matchmaking experiment. The twist: no names, no direct contact, no pictures. Over 30 days, matched pairs exchange 1 voice memo a day with each other. This genre-bending series has the intimacy of a personal memoir, suspense from a reality TV dating show, and insights from an interview show. Through 6 episodes, I share 6 lessons I learned from this experience, told 1 pair at a time. Yes, some pairs do end up in a relationship afterwards. Eavesdrop into their private conversations and hear how these strangers fall into like, reciprocate vulnerability, and develop intimacy. We all want to be heard, but we forgot how to listen. This is what human connection sounds like. Check out itsnicetohearyou.com and follow on Instagram @itsnicetohearyou.
https://www.itsnicetohearyou.com/
episode 4: Ep 4. The V Word(s)
XENA & GRAHAM: A lesson on vulnerability. What is the difference between being open and being vulnerable? Xena is an Ivy-league educated consultant-turned-entrepreneur in NYC. Graham works for a non-profit and lives in Denver. No longer dating for sport and tired of swipe culture, they are both looking for a life partner. Someone to hold hands with, cook dinners with, and just be yourself with. Our voices betray us. We can sense when someone is not being truly vulnerable. Their conversations over 30 days show us what true vulnerability can unlock. Feeling inspired by the unfolding of Graham and Xena’s connection, I also get vulnerable and share a confession with you, dear listener.
3 things to explore after this:
1. Brene Brown’s Ted talk on Vulnerability - “The Power of Vulnerability” (20 min video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o&t=250s
2. Esther Perel’s Ted talk on Infidelity - “Rethinking Infidelity… a talk for anyone who has ever loved” (21 min video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2AUat93a8Q&t=2s
3. What does our vocal body language say about what we think and how we feel? Research paper from MIT Media Laboratory - “Voices of Attraction” https://dam-prod.media.mit.edu/x/files/tech-reports/TR-584.pdf