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Greetings and Welcome to The 405 Coffee Break with O.K. Solberg
New episodes tend to air over the local KMMR radio station @ 5 minutes past 4PM each M-F. And have been doing so, nearly every week since Sept 2018.
I'm D.J. Rasmussen, O.K.s friend since junior high, possibly your neighbor & this websites maintainer, whom strives to get each episode's show notes written, the transcript proofed and the audio posted to the internet within a few hours of that days KMMR air time. NOTE: recently been publishing most new releases by 4:30PM.
Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy the time we can spend together.
I wanna again welcome you to The 405 Coffee Break, guys. Get you a cup of coffee, glass iced tea, or bottle of water. It's the month of June. Let's see what's happening. Summer is here.
OK Solberg:Spring wheat $5.61 a bushel. 550lb steer calf $3.10 all the way up to $3.50 a pound depending on their quality. And a 100lb fat lamb in Billings $3 to $3.10 a pound. But, guys, there's more, much more. So has the wind been blowing? Guys, it's nice to be indoors on those blustery days.
OK Solberg:I'm gonna give you a bible verse right up front. It fits the article that I found online. Yes, sir. It fits it to a T from the book of James 1:19 And it says, know this, my beloved brothers. Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ah, yes. Quick to hear or listen and slow to speak. James 1 19.
OK Solberg:Oh, yeah. Don't forget. Don't be angry. Listen, if you will, to an article I found online, which I think is great, and it's titled the lost art of conversation. In an age of texts, emails, podcasts, and endless streams of information, one of the most valuable social skills remains remarkably simple, having a good conversation.
OK Solberg:Now a true conversation is not a speech. It is not a lecture. It is not a competition to see who can hold the floor the longest. No. At its best, conversation is a shared experience, a give and take, a back and forth, much like the game of catch.
OK Solberg:One person speaks, the other listens, then the roles reverse. Ideas, stories, questions, and observations are exchanged, and both people have enriched by the interaction. Communication experts have long noted that people who are perceived as excellent conversationalists are often not those who speak the most, but those who listen well.
OK Solberg:Studies on interpersonal communication consistently show that active listening, thoughtful questions, and genuine interest create stronger connections than simply talking about yourself. One useful guideline is that in a healthy conversation, a single person seldom talks uninterrupted for more than about ninety seconds.
OK Solberg:Certainly, there are exceptions. A story may require more time. A detailed explanation may be necessary. But as a general pattern, conversations thrive when both parties regularly participate. Remarkably, two people following this simple rhythm can enjoy a conversation for an hour or even more without either person feeling ignored or exhausted.
OK Solberg:Good conversationalists also understand the importance of staying with another person's topic before introducing their own. Imagine a friend pulling out pictures of their grandchildren. The gracious response is not to immediately to reach for your phone and begin showing your grandchildren. No. Instead, spend time with their story.
OK Solberg:Ask questions. Learn names. Notice the details. Let them enjoy sharing what is important to them. Only later, if the opportunity naturally arises, you may share your own family pictures.
OK Solberg:In doing so, you honor an important conversational principle. Don't steal someone else's story. Every person deserves the chance to finish their thought, to tell their tale, and enjoy the spotlight for a moment before it moves elsewhere. The same principle applies to nearly every subject. If someone is discussing a recent trip, resist the urge to instantly top it with your own travel adventure.
OK Solberg:If they're explaining a hobby, don't immediately redirect the discussion to your interests. Stay with them for a while. Curiosity is one of the greatest forms of courtesy. Questions are often more valuable than statements. A thoughtful question communicates, I find you interesting.
OK Solberg:It invites people to share experiences, memories, and perceptions that might otherwise remain hidden. In many cases, people will remember how interested you were in them long after they have forgotten the details what you said about yourself. Perhaps that is why the finest conversations are rarely remembered as performances. No. They're remembered as moments of connection.
OK Solberg:The art of conversation is not complicated. Listen carefully. Speak thoughtfully. Take turns generously. Let people finish their stories.
OK Solberg:Ask good questions. Share the spotlight. When both people practice these habits, conversation becomes more than an exchange of words. It becomes an exchange of respect. The end. I like that article. I wanted to share it with you.
OK Solberg:So until next time, as you go out there, remember now, don't be bitter.