Constructive Dialogue: How Listening Leads to Better Decisions - Ryan Moody

Full transcript and show notes: https://www.sharnafabiano.com/2026/07/29/constructive-dialogue-how-listening-leads-to-better-decisions-ryan-moody/

Listening is often treated as a passive skill, but Ryan Moody argues that choosing to listen can be one of the most influential decisions we make. Drawing on her experience building and maintaining hydrogen fuel cell stations, she explores how collaboration depends on consent, trust, and the willingness to be changed by what other people contribute. Those same principles, she suggests, apply just as much to social justice conversations and personal relationships.

Ryan Moody is a chemical engineer who works on hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure throughout Southern California. Her work in complex technical systems has shaped a practical perspective on collaboration, communication, and shared responsibility—one that extends well beyond engineering into everyday interactions.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why active listening is an essential skill for effective collaboration.
• How consent influences healthy working relationships and shared decision-making.
• What engineering projects can teach us about effective communication.
• Why accountability requires conversation, not just public criticism.
• How choosing to step back and listen can strengthen both professional and personal relationships.