Videos About Mindful Communication
published 3/20/20; updated 6/4/26
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Continuing the popular series of Video Playlists for Teachers and Teacher Trainers, here are a variety of perspectives on listening thoughtfully and choosing our words, both in person and online.
Teachers, please note: With such a multicultural audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that all of the videos will be appropriate for your particular context. I’ve put brief descriptions to help you choose, but please preview anything you plan to share with your students.
How Intelligent is AI-Assisted Communication?
A group of people explain the mistakes they made while over-relying on AI.
(Fun fact: The lawyer is portrayed by my niece, Alina Sunoo.)
(1-1/2 minutes)
A couple’s date keeps getting interrupted by ‘helpful’ suggestions from their ‘smart’ devices.
(3 minutes)
Tips on Mindful Speaking and Listening
Mindful Speaking
Joelle (a licensed therapist) gives some
quick tips for mindful speech.
(3 minutes)
Active Listening
Student Katie Owens explains
why it's important to Be. Here. Now.
(3 minutes)
Elmo Knows How to Listen
Elmo (who's dressed like a chicken for some reason)
sings about whole body listening.
(1 minute)
Better Communication with Mindful Speech
Phi Thuy Nguyen explains how people react
to skillful or unskillful phrasing of the same message.
(7 minutes)
Interrupting at the Wrong Time
A TV morning show host keeps on jumping into the conversation with inappropriate reactions. (from the sketch comedy series Studio C)
(3 minutes)
Julian Treasure explains how we're losing our ability to listen, and how we can practice listening to each other and the world around us
(8 minutes)
How to Speak So That People Want to Listen
Julian Treasure explains the 'seven deadly sins' of speaking,
then shares the warmup exercises he uses before giving a lecture.
(10 minutes)
Mindful Speech
(20 minutes)
lecture by Tara Brach
posted by Palouse Mindfulness,
a free self-guided online MBSR program;
this is an excerpt from an hour-long talk
Words Can Hurt
"I am a Person"
for "spread the word to end the word"
(1 1/2 minutes)
Native Americans explain their response to this offensive term.
(A couple of the participants compare this word to other offensive terms, including the N word.)
(3 minutes)
A drill sergeant attempts to insult his recruits, with surprising results. (from the sketch comedy series Studio C)
(3 minutes)
Communication Problems
Introvert vs. Extravert Translator
A couple keep expecting each other to be mind readers rather than saying what they want. (2 minutes of conversation—with a voiceover of what they’re really thinking, then 2 minutes of advice on effective communication)
The Sesame Street Martians Talk to a Telephone
They're certainly trying hard to communicate!
(3 minutes)
Off Book
A man brings a script to a first date.
(8 minutes)
Duolingo for Talking to Children
A young woman discovers an app that helps her communicate with her friends’ kids. (2 minutes)
Two young men try talking to their fathers about how they’re feeling.
(4 minutes)
How Smart is Your Smart Phone?
In 2007, Steve Jobs introduces all the exciting features of the new iPhone, explaining what it’s designed to do vs. how people will actually use it in the future. (This is a satiric video from 2026.)
(5 minutes)
How to Be More Addicted to Your Phone
In this satiric video, JP Sears earnestly explains why it's important to be in a constant state of distraction.
(4 minutes)
A groom with cold feet posts a survey on social media about whether he should go through with his wedding. (Teachers, be forewarned
this one has a lot of swearing, mostly from the bride.)
(14 minutes)
Related Posts
There are many more video playlists and resources on mindful communication here at MindfulTeachers.org, including the following posts: