Episode 254

full
Published on:

3rd Jul 2025

The Listening Path: Unlocking the Hidden Power of Listening with Christine Miles (Part

Do you really know how to listen—or are you just waiting for your turn to speak?

In this compelling episode of Life = Choices, Choices = Life, Kim Olver sits down with Christine Miles, award-winning author of What Is It Costing You Not to Listen? and founder of The Listening Path, to explore why most of us were never actually taught how to listen—and how that’s impacting our relationships, our leadership, and our lives.

Christine shares how growing up with a mentally ill parent shaped her superpower: listening beneath the surface. From Fortune 100 boardrooms to fifth-grade classrooms, Christine is building a global movement to teach people how to listen to understand—not just hear words.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, you'll learn:

  • Why only 2% of people have formal listening education
  • How listening builds empathy—even if you're not naturally empathetic
  • Why “active listening” often falls short
  • How our subconscious biases distort what we hear
  • And what you can do right now to start listening differently

If you're a coach, parent, leader, therapist, or simply someone who wants to connect better with others, this episode is for you.

 Connect with Christine Miles:

 TheListeningPath.com

 ChristineMilesListens.com

 Email: cmile@theliteningparth.com

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode! Tag @OlverInternational and tell us what insight resonated with you the most.

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About the Podcast

Life = Choices; Choices = Life
Making better choices for a better life
Life = Choices; Choices = Life is about learning to replace external control psychology with radical responsibility and appreciation so you can make better choices to create the life you want to have. Kim Olver is a leading expert in Choice Theory™ psychology and will share what she has gleaned from the legendary work of Dr. William Glasser, as well as sharing her unique perspective based on over 30 years of study and research.

About your host

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Kim Olver

Kim Olver's mission is to help people make better choices for a better life. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor and a board certified coach. She is a world renowned expert in Choice Theory™ , a highly sought after international speaker and an award-winning author. Her books include: Leveraging Diversity at Work with Sylvester Baugh (2006), Secrets of Happy Couples (2010), Choosing Me Now (2019) and A Choice Theory Guide to Relationships (2019). Kim is currently working on the forthcoming books, The Definitive Guide to Coaching and Radical Responsibility and Appreciation. Kim is the author of The Relationship Center blog; creator of Empowerment Parenting, a 25-hour parenting curriculum for court-mandated parents; and owner of Academy of Choice, a BCC (Board Certified Coach) Coaching Program. Kim worked five years as a counselor for schizophrenics in a community-based residential program, 17 years holding various positions with a specialized foster care agency, was Executive Director of Glasser Institute for Choice Theory for nine years and the Executive Director for William Glasser International for eight; and began her own company, Coaching for Excellence, in 2005. She is a model of what she teaches about taking responsibility for the things she can influence and control and finding appreciation for those things she can't. Kim believes radical responsibility and appreciation are the keys to a happy, peaceful, satisfying life.