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Do you remember the last conversation you had that challenged your way of thinking or inspired you to act? A conversation that changed your mind, your heart, or maybe even your life?\xa0 To help us have more meaningful conversations more often, Father Dave welcomes Dr. Christopher Reed to the show.\xa0 Dr. Reed has a Ph.D.. in human communication and believes that dialogues that transform hearts and strengthen relationships are sacred and he shares a blueprint for having more meaningful interactions in his new book, \u201cSacred Conversations: How God Wants Us To Communicate.\u201d

Dr. Reed begins by explaining his \u201cSacred Conversations Model to Father Dave:\u201d The model itself is laid out like an Ikea set of instructions, do step 1 before you do step 2 and the components are invitation, we can open ourselves to those invitations, we can open ourselves to the spirit, invite people into them. Intention, what is the aim of the conversation.\xa0 Inquiry, very powerful, Jesus was a master of inquiry.\xa0 Illumination and integration. And at the center, the sixth component is love. It all starts with love and compassion for the other person, the face of Christ that we see in them right in front of us. If we start with love, we can't go wrong.\u201d

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Dr. Reed explains that part of the reason he wrote the book is because there are many secular books on having tough conversations, but there haven\u2019t been any simple, accessible, well-researched books on Catholic dialogue and how Christians should engage in dialogue with one another.\xa0 He says, \u201cSacred Conversations\u201d is a \u201cblending of science and Scripture\u201d that can be used for all of life\u2019s moments.\xa0

Father Dave points out that the book is also drawing on the Word of God, sacred traditions and Jesus\u2019 model of living.

Father Dave and Dr. Reed go on to discuss the chapter called \u201cRules of the Road\u201d which highlights some of the rules of sacred conversations, like having compassion and not forcing a conversation. Father Dave asks about the rule, \u201cfollow through on your good intentions.\u201d

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\u201cCommit to the process,\u201d Dr. Reed responds. \u201cSee it through. A sacred conversation is a \u2018helping\u2019 conversation; it\u2019s a build-your-brother or- sister-up conversation\u2026and so all other intentions beyond that should be questioned and reflected upon, and then once we commit to that \u2018helping\u2019 or \u2018seeking\u2019 conversation, follow the process through, see what emerges, ask for guidance (which is another rule).\xa0 Then, when we get to that moment of grace, follow it through - what do you want to do with that? What small steps could you take toward a better outcome, a better version of yourself, a better relationship?

Father Dave wraps up by wondering what happens if the other person in the conversation doesn't want to give anything, \u201cDoesn\u2019t it take two to tango?\u201d he asks.

\u201cThis is a conversational dance. It's like improvisational jazz,\u201d Dr. Reed explains.\xa0 \u201cBut we have to learn how to play our scales before we can truly gracefully improvise together. You know, we have to learn the basic steps of a dance before we can, chacha and Samba and move fluently together.\u201d