Meet Terri Lonowski | Founder, Soulful Listening®; TEDx Speaker; Bestselling Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Terri Lonowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terri, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
For me, it’s relationships—both in my personal life and beyond. Deep listening is at the heart of creating and sustaining fulfilling connections, and through these meaningful relationships, we become our best selves, amplifying our unique gifts and talents. We simply thrive when we feel seen, heard, and supported by others. Period.

Let me share a story that shaped this belief. At the tender age of three, I would hide under my covers, trembling as the late-night bar crowds roared beneath my bedroom. Our home was on the second floor of a small-town mansion. Second floor because my family converted the first floor into bustling restaurant. My parents, consumed by the business, were often emotionally unavailable and turned to alcohol for solace. I felt profoundly alone.

Enter Grandma Helga, my refuge. In her presence, it felt like we were wrapped in a warm, safe bubble, savory aromas wafting from her kitchen adding extra comfort. Wise in matters of the heart, twice widowed, successful in business… Her words carried precious weight. Her attentive listening soothed my loneliness, saved my future and unlocked budding potential, leading me from chaos to speaking on a TEDx stage and even leading Human-Centered Design Teams to showcase Workforce Innovations at The White House—twice, and even becoming a bestselling author!

My life has taught me that when voices go unheard, loneliness multiplies, relationships crumble, and potential withers. Further, CIGNA equates health implications of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, more harmful than obesity. Having felt lonely in my early years, learning this was heartbreaking. It spurred me to embark on a journey of deep listening and research, culminating in Soulful Listening®—a holistic approach to meaningful communication in all relationships, be they business, family, romantic, and more. The transformative power of deep listening is embodied in these five elements:

1. Self-Care

2. Becoming Present

3. Quantum Listening

4. Inspired Action

5. Feedback Loop

Soulful Listening is more than a methodology; it’s a call to action. One Soulful Listening conversation can change a life—and the world—forever, just as Grandma Helga did for me. In this realm, relationships flourish, loneliness fades, and human potential reaches unprecedented heights.

So, before your next crucial conversation, I invite you to take a deep breath and truly listen.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A few years ago, I made a gigantic career pivot. While reviewing research on loneliness, I discovered its devastating impact. Cigna equates the health implications of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, surpassing even the risks of obesity. This revelation broke my heart and shook me to the core. I couldn’t turn a blind eye and felt inspired to create a better way forward. Reflecting on my education, career, relationships, and what helped me thrive despite the odds, I realized there were major missing pieces in how we communicate.

This soul-searching led me to develop the five easily repeatable elements of Soulful Listening®, valuable in the workplace and beyond. Modern workplaces are facing a crisis. Leaders struggle to retain talent and inspire performance, but the solution is simpler than most imagine, it lies in building trust and fostering innovation through genuine connections. These are core principles of my proprietary Soulful Listening® methodology—a five-element, holistic approach that has enabled thousands across the nation to cultivate workplace environments where innovation flourishes and talent thrives. Beyond the professional sphere, the principles of Soulful Listening also enhance personal relationships, empowering leaders and others to enrich all aspects of their lives.

A recent business client shared their experience:

“We engaged Terri Lonowski when our leadership team was changing, and miscommunication was causing problems. Our rapidly growing organization was struggling to adapt to new perspectives and communication styles, leading to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Terri’s Soulful Listening® workshop for our leaders and her keynote for over 250 staff members were game changers. She taught us how to ask the right questions, avoid biases, and prioritize self-care, putting us in the right mindset to truly hear one another. Terri embodies Soulful Listening principles and is kind, patient, and highly engaging. Everyone wants to be heard and valued, both in our professional and personal lives. Terri’s innovative program has given us the tools to do that, and I highly recommend Soulful Listening to organizations looking to improve communication.”
Jim Lee, CEO, Grad Solutions

The impact of Soulful Listening extends to personal relationships as well:

“Terri and Soulful Listening® have profoundly impacted my life. As an award-winning National Geographic photographer who speaks around the world, I understand the nuances of communication—whether it’s verbal or through images. Terri’s holistic approach of listening to understand and not just to respond deepened my professional and personal interactions. I met my soulmate, Susan, late in life after we both came out of unhealthy, long-term relationships. By following Terri’s Soulful Listening principles, we listened with every fiber of our being. We were fully aware of facial expressions, body language, and pauses—giving each other the opportunity to rephrase what we said to ensure clarity—making our eyes a question mark. Tragically, when Susan was diagnosed with a series of cancers that eventually took her life, I was her caregiver. I know we would not have experienced as intimate a connection and the best conversations without Terri’s guidance.”
Steve Uzzell – National Geographic Photographer

Transitioning into the entrepreneurial world wasn’t easy, and I stumbled many times. Before I had all the foundational business pieces in place, I was asked to keynote a conference, which was scheduled only two weeks away. This invitation was a big deal for me. With my heart pounding and feeling somewhat lightheaded, I accepted, even though I had no clue how to handle the legal aspects of a business. On my way to the event, I was frantic and on the phone with my attorney, finalizing the last detail necessary so that my infant company could receive payment. It was the first, but certainly not the last, ‘under the wire’ moment in my entrepreneurial journey.

An important takeaway from this experience is beautifully reflected in a quote from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” This journey has taught me that perseverance, coupled with the right support and guidance, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

I want the world to know that Soulful Listening® is more than just a methodology—it’s a movement towards deeper, more meaningful connections in all areas of life. My brand and story are rooted in the belief that through genuine listening, we can transform lives, foster innovation, and create environments where everyone thrives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a fun question…

Atlanta has so much to offer, and I love the rich variety Atlanta offers and it’s always a delight to share a glimpse of favorite spots with visitors. The arts, green spaces, culture, and “must see” historical sites highlight the long weekend:

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

• Morning: We’d start our adventure with a leisurely stroll through Piedmont Park. It’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy the lush greenery, and maybe have a picnic by the lake.

• Evening: For dinner, we’d head to The Optimist, a seafood lover’s paradise.

Day 2: Arts and Culture

• Morning: We’d kick off the day with a visit to the High Museum of Art, where we can explore its inspiring collection of visual arts.

• Afternoon: Next, we’d head to the Fox Theatre for a Broadway performance. The theater itself is a marvel and adds so much to the experience. Or… enjoy the Atlanta Ballet (Coco Chanel is my latest favorite!).

• Evening: For dinner, we’d dine at Canoe, a beautiful restaurant nestled along the Chattahoochee River. The serene setting and delicious food make it a memorable dining experience.

Day 3: History and Nature

• Morning: We’d start our final day by exploring the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. It’s a powerful and inspiring experience.

• Afternoon: After that, we’d spend some time at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, enjoying the stunning plant collections and the mesmerizing Canopy Walk and lunch at the Longleaf Restaurant.
• Evening: Dinner at Ponce City Market and then take in the views from the Roof at Ponce City Market.

Atlanta is a “foodie” town with excellent options at every corner. Throughout the weekend, I’d make sure to check in with my guest to fine-tune the itinerary and ensure we hit all the spots they’d love. This mix of arts, culture, history, and great food (and listening to my guest’s wishes) guarantees an unforgettable visit!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I think about the people who have shaped my journey, one person stands out above all others: my Grandma Helga. Her unwavering, all-in listening soothed my loneliness and saved my future from being derailed. It was her deep presence and love that set my potential free, guiding me from chaos to a TEDx stage, the White House—twice—and even becoming a bestselling author.

Grandma Helga was truly the wind beneath my wings. Her wise counsel nudged me forward, especially during times of uncertainty. In my early twenties, as I contemplated pursuing a master’s degree—the first in my family to do so and fully self-funded—she simply said, “Terri, look at all I’ve done without education. Think of what you can do with it. All you have to do is decide what you want to do, and then take steps to do it.” Those powerful words have been my guiding light ever since.

Though she passed away in my late twenties, Grandma Helga’s wisdom and love have continued to inspire and guide me throughout my life and career. Her legacy is a constant reminder of the power of support, mentorship, and unconditional love. She truly deserves the credit and recognition for the woman I have become.

Website: https://soulfullistening.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfullistening/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrilonowski/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terri.lonowski/

Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHvsxN0dHiY TEDx Talk

https://amzn.to/3OO5a1v The Gifts of Pain – Featured Author