Heather Holleman - The Six Conversations: Pathways to Connecting in an Age of Isolation and Incivility

The extent of our isolation and loneliness is tragically evident everywhereand this beautifully written and carefully crafted book is a powerful antidote. Its simple practices offer the experience promised to us in the Bible that where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matt. 18:20). Here is a path forward to the connectedness that can bring us out of terrifying isolation and into the experience of the sacred. I am very grateful that this book exists!

M ARGARET W HEATLEY

Author of ten books, including Leadership and the New Science and Who Do We Choose to Be?

In a world desperately in need of connection, this book is the tool we have been waiting for. As a counselor, I see people longing for heart connection but lacking the tools for conversation. This book is a life-changing treasure chest full of practical tips to help us find a community that has depth and connection. Heathers writing feels like having coffee with a friend who is training us how to have meaningful relationships through the beautiful art of conversations.

J ENNIFER H AND

Author of My Yes Is on the Table and podcast host of Coming Alive Conversations

I smiled many times reading this book; I could feel Heathers loving, curious, and enthusiastic energy shine throughshe walks the talk! The best of life is indeed conversation, and Heather shares powerful mindsets and frameworks to add vitality, meaning, and connection to any and all of our conversations.

G EORGIE N IGHTINGALL

Founder of Trigger Conversations (a London-based human connection organization)

As a communication professor, I am constantly looking for resources and guides to help my students better engage in the process of relationship building. I am so excited about The Six Conversations by Heather Holleman. At a time when people are increasingly divisive, we need more trained communicators who are willing to build bridges.

H EATHER T HOMPSON D AY

Author of Its Not Your Turn

When you read Heather Hollemans new book, The Six Conversations, you will see how she not only knows how to connect with students, she also helps them grow in their ability to connect with others. And now Heather is doing the same for you and me! Before you finish reading The Six Conversations, you will be buying additional books to give to your friends and family to help them grow in their ability to connect with others too!

B OB T IEDE

Blogger at LeadingWithQuestions.com; author of five popular books, including Great Leaders ASK Questions and Now Thats a Great Question

If there was ever a time this book was needed, it is now! We live in a social media world filled with distractions, isolation, and incivility. In this book, Dr. Heather Holleman intervenes to revive the art of conversation that leads to deeper connections, something all of us desire. Our world desperately needs faith-filled communicators who can connect and engage with others, no matter their background, lifestyle, or beliefs. This book is life-changing!

J EN B ENNETT

Assistant Professor of Communication; host of the She Impacts Culture podcast; author of #BeWorthFollowing: How to Be Different and Influence People in a Crowded Social World

As codirector of the Winsome Conviction Project, Ive seen many conversations blow up with voices raised and relationships strained, or even severed. Ive also seen some amazingly civil and compassionate conversations between people who deeply disagree. Whats made the difference? How much we think about not just what we want to say, but how to say it. Dr. Hollemans book is a perfect tool for helping us understand how to develop a loving mindset heading into a conversation and how to maintain it when things get heated.

T IM M UEHLHOFF

Professor of Communication, Biola University; author of Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing without Dividing the Church

We are living in times of strife and deep division. Our inability to hear and connect with others keeps us isolated and lonely. This is true on a national scale as well as within communities and in homes. Dr. Heather Holleman offers an accessible way for all of us to learn the skill of deeper connection through meaningful conversation. This is a worthwhile and practical book that I will return to over and over.

V IVIAN M ABUNI

Author of Open Hands, Willing Heart; podcast host of Someday Is Here

2022 by H EATHER H OLLEMAN

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Published in association with Tawny Johnson of Illuminate Literary Agency, www.illuminateliterary.com.

Emphasis to Scripture has been added by the author.

Edited by Pamela Joy Pugh
Interior design: Puckett Smartt
Cover design: Erik M. Peterson
Author photo: Rebecca Desmarais / My R.A.D. Pics

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Holleman, Heather, author.

Title: The six conversations : pathways to connecting again in an age of isolation and incivility / Heather Holleman.

Description: Chicago : Moody Publishers, 2022. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: The heart of this book is to connect people in loving community. Heather shows us how to embrace the Four Mindsets of a Loving Conversation and the Three Fresh Goals for Conversation. Readers are equipped with effective questions and action steps to implement in any situation-both personally and professionally-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022014736 (print) | LCCN 2022014737 (ebook) | ISBN 9780802429391 (paperback) | ISBN 9780802473639 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Conversation--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Interpersonal relations--Religious aspects--Christianity. | BISAC: RELIGION / Christian Living / Personal Growth | RELIGION / Christian Living / Leadership & Mentoring

Classification: LCC BV4597.53.C64 H65 2022 (print) | LCC BV4597.53.C64 (ebook) | DDC 241/.672--dc23/eng/20220627

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022014736

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022014737

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