Poetry Hacks to Connect With Anyone on a Deeper Level - Ann Arbor

In this online session created for the Ann Arbor community, you will explore Poetry Hacks to Connect With Anyone on a Deeper Level. Discover how the core principles of poetry can fundamentally transform your everyday conversations—whether you are chatting on State Street or connecting over a video call—and help you build stronger, more authentic relationships, even if you have never written a single poem. This is a unique opportunity for Ann Arbor residents to understand communication in an entirely new light. We will focus on using simple, accessible techniques to foster genuine connections from the comfort of your own home.

We will look far beyond the complex literary analysis you might expect from a university town. Instead, this talk provides direct insights on the practical power of metaphor, imagery, and rhythm in simple, everyday communication. These are not abstract academic concepts but tangible tools you can use immediately in your Ann Arbor life to make your interactions more memorable and meaningful. Learn how paying attention to the sound and shape of words can profoundly change how others receive your message and respond to you. The focus is always on making your expression more vivid and your listening more intentional.

The primary goal of this session is to move past the surface-level small talk that often feels unfulfilling or generic. You will come to understand how to listen more attentively and with greater empathy, much like a poet listens for subtext and hidden emotion in language. You will also learn practical methods for expressing your own thoughts and feelings with greater clarity and emotional impact. This thoughtful approach helps create genuine moments of real understanding with friends, family, and colleagues throughout Ann Arbor and beyond.

In this informative talk, you will learn about specific, actionable techniques, including:

• How simple comparisons can make your ideas more relatable.
• The importance of specific details in creating a shared experience.
• Using the pace of your speech to add emotional weight.
• How to listen for what is not being said directly.

You will leave this online talk with a new, refreshed perspective on language and human connection. While this session is designed with our wonderful Ann Arbor community in mind, the valuable insights are universally applicable and accessible to anyone joining us online from anywhere in the world. The ideas presented will equip you to foster deeper, more meaningful connections in both your personal and professional life, starting as soon as the talk is over.