When your job depends on how you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have good conversations – and most of us don't converse very well. Good conversation requires a balance between speaking and listening. This balance is important because poor communication leads to bad relationships, at home, at work, everywhere.

Celeste Headlee has worked in public radio since 1999, as a reporter, host and correspondent. She was a Midwest correspondent for NPR before becoming co-host of the PRI show The Takeaway. She has also hosted a number of NPR shows, including Tell Me More, Talk of the Nation, Weekend All Things Considered and Weekend Edition.

Celeste holds several degrees in music and still performs as a professional opera singer. She is the granddaughter of composer William Grant Still, dean of African-American composers. Celeste is an avid hiker, biker, paddler and dog walker.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

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