In Episode 9 of Surroundscapes Season 7, Graeme Harrison is joined by sound expert and author Julian Treasure to explore the importance of listening in today’s world.
Framed around Julian’s upcoming TED 2026 session on listening, the conversation highlights a growing global challenge: while hearing is passive, effective listening is a skill that is rarely taught or consciously developed. This gap has wide-reaching implications, from workplace communication and leadership to health, wellbeing, and environmental impact.
The discussion explores how poorly designed acoustic environments—from open-plan offices to classrooms—can affect focus, stress levels, and long-term health. At the same time, a lack of active listening in business contributes to miscommunication and disengagement, with measurable impacts on productivity and organizational performance.
Julian also shares insights into his curated TED session, which brings together perspectives from science, nature, conflict resolution, and human connection to examine listening from multiple angles. From the origins of sound in the universe to its role in relationships and society, the session underscores the need to rethink how we engage with sound and each other.
This episode offers a broader perspective on why listening matters, and how greater awareness can lead to better outcomes across environments, organizations, and everyday interactions.
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