Communicating Through Volatility with Hearken’s Jennifer Brandel and Mission Partners’ Brian Fox

It's election season. The air crackles – a strange cocktail of anticipation and apprehension. We’re drowning in pronouncements, predictions, and the ever-present din of commentary. But what if the key to navigating this volatile landscape isn’t about shouting louder but listening deeper?

On this episode of Mission Forward, we explore that very question with Jennifer Brandel, a process innovator and co-founder of Hearken. Hearken helps institutions truly hear their audiences. Brandel's background, spanning from NPR to the New York Times, gives her a unique vantage point. She’s not just a theorist; she’s wrestled with these challenges in both her professional and deeply personal life. Our host this week is our own Brian Fox, chief strategy officer at Mission Partners, a native at navigating volatile landscapes himself.

Together, they unpack the surprising power of curiosity and deep listening, especially when the stakes are high. Think of a surgeon in the operating room: skilled hands guided by intense focus and precise observation. Or a negotiator: not bulldozing, but listening, seeking the subtle cues that can de-escalate a challenging conversation. In the chaotic aftermath of a natural disaster, it's the quiet acts of empathy and connection that rebuild shattered communities.

So why, when it comes to the equally turbulent terrain of politics, do we so often resort to the verbal equivalent of a sledgehammer?

Brandel and Fox share how we can move beyond the echo chambers and engage in meaningful dialogue, even – perhaps especially – with those with whom we vehemently disagree. They explore the difference between listening to respond and listening to understand. They shine a light on the subtle art of “looping,” a technique that can transform heated debates into opportunities for genuine connection, and reveal how organizational values, when they’re more than just empty slogans, can serve as a compass in moments of uncertainty.

This isn’t just about surviving the election; it’s about building a more resilient, empathetic, and ultimately, more democratic society. Join us as we uncover the hidden power of listening in a world that desperately needs to hear.

Links & Notes

• Hearken
• Amanda Ripley's High Conflict
• Slate's How To Podcast (Two-Part Series with Jennifer Brandel)
• Monica Guzman's I Never Thought of It That Way
• Braver Angels
• John Paul Lederach's Pocket Guide to Facing Down a Civil War

• (00:00) - Welcome to Mission Forward
• (01:14) - What to Say
• (04:38) - Curiosity and Depp Listening

What is Mission Forward with Carrie Fox?

Mission Forward: An award-winning podcast for communicators on a mission.

Hosted by social impact expert and B Corp leader Carrie Fox, each episode of Mission Forward explores the power of communications. With just the right mix of practical and thought-provoking content, we take on the issues that matter to you, and that support your work as a communicator for change.

Together, we talk through topics that you’re likely experiencing right now: from how to tackle tough conversations; to how to best challenge stereotypes; to how we can build bridges across the issues that divide us. If you’re working to become a more inclusive and thoughtful communicator, there’s nothing holding you back—except you.

About Season 10

What does it mean to lead with purpose in a world that feels increasingly divided? How do we stay true to our values while navigating uncertainty? And what if the most pressing questions of our time have answers hidden in the wisdom of those already pushing for change?

Welcome to Mission Forward, where each week Carrie Fox brings you into conversation with the thinkers, builders, and changemakers reshaping the way we lead.

This season, we explore the deeper questions of leadership—the kind that don’t come with easy answers. We’ll challenge the idea that leadership is about what we achieve, rather than what we give. We’ll ask what tomorrow’s historians might say about the choices we make today. We’ll break down the dangers of working in silos and why collaboration is the key to progress. And we’ll examine why listening—truly listening—is one of the most powerful tools a leader can wield.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of responsibility as a leader, if you’ve ever wondered how to turn intention into impact—this is your show. Because leadership isn’t meant to be a solo act.

New episodes drop starting March 13. Subscribe now, and let’s move forward—together.

* About the Host (https://www.missionforward.us/about-carrie)
* Listen to Past Episodes (https://www.missionforward.us/episodes)