National Day of Listening

National Day of Listening is observed in the United States on the day after Thanksgiving each year. Its purpose is to encourage people to become better listeners. It was founded by the American non-profit organization StoryCorps in 2008, with the mission of preserving and sharing the stories of diverse communities.

History

The holiday was founded by radio producer David Isay, inspired by the stories his grandparents shared. He created StoryCorps to capture these conversations and archive them digitally so families could listen to them in the future.

Interesting Facts

• When someone is truly listened to, they feel valued and heard.
• StoryCorps has recorded over 600,000 interviews since its inception.
• Most of what we learn comes from conversations rather than books, the Internet, or news media.
• The average person speaks about 125 words per minute, but can listen to up to 450 words per minute.
• Listening to others’ stories can reduce stress and foster empathy.

How to Take Part

• Give your full attention—turn off distractions and focus on the speaker.
• Interview a friend or family member and record their story to share online or keep privately.
• Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper conversation.
• Share your listening experiences on social media with #DayOfListening.

When is National Day of Listening in 2025?

National Day of Listening is observed on the day after Thanksgiving each year.

Observations