Poetry Hacks to Connect With Anyone on a Deeper Level - Memphis

In this online session designed for the Memphis community, you will explore Poetry Hacks to Connect With Anyone on a Deeper Level. Discover how the basic principles of poetry can transform your everyday conversations and help you build stronger relationships, from the Bluff City to anywhere in the world. Even if you've never written a poem, this is an opportunity to understand communication in a new light, using simple techniques to foster the genuine connections that make Memphis unique.

We will look beyond complex literary analysis. Instead, you will get insights on the power of metaphor, imagery, and rhythm in simple, direct communication—skills as vital in a Memphis boardroom as they are in a Cooper-Young coffee shop. These are not academic concepts but practical tools you can use immediately. Learn how paying attention to the sound and shape of words can change how others receive your message and respond to you. The focus is on making your expression more vivid and your listening more intentional.

The goal is to move past surface-level small talk and build the kind of authentic community Memphis is known for. Understand how to listen more attentively, much like a poet listens for subtext and emotion in a story or a blues lyric. You will also learn about expressing your own thoughts and feelings with greater clarity and impact. This approach helps create moments of real understanding with friends, family, and colleagues across our city.

In this talk, you will learn about:

• 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 with a new perspective on language and connection. While this talk is presented for our Memphis audience, the ideas are universal and accessible to anyone joining online. The insights shared will help you apply these Poetry Hacks to Connect With Anyone on a Deeper Level in both your personal and professional life.