This topic is adapted from the FLEXTALK YouTube channel.

The conversation library at FLEXTALK.org is set up specifically to help people have better conversations – at home, at school, at work… everywhere. We believe real life change happens when people get together and talk about ideas with people they trust: friends, family, small groups and mentors. Our resources are designed not just for you to browse, but to talk about with others. For best results, try our simple “FLEX” method:

#1: Find a Topic

Browse topics in our library. All topical posts will include the following:

  • A short video that frames the topic.
  • A short summary article that lays out the talking points from the video.
  • Discussion questions for use with your friends, family, or group.

#2: Learn About It on Your Own

Our library is built with an underlying assumption: learning information on your own before you talk about it will make the conversation better for everyone involved. That’s the beauty of our resource library. Preview the conversation before you have it, re-watching the video and following links as necessary. You don’t have to agree with everything we say, but using our content as a baseline will get you ready to talk about it with others.

#3: Explore It Together in Conversation

When you’re ready, get together to talk with your friends, family, or group. Watch the video together or invite someone to set up the conversation by briefly explaining the topic in their own words. Then use our discussion questions, processing the ideas we present to make your own well-informed decisions. Our tools get the conversation on track and then get out of the way so you can have a great and meaningful interaction.

The beauty of our library is the next conversation. Keep talking and exchanging ideas with people you trust. And invite others into more conversations, deepening relationships with your friends, family, or group.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
  2. What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
  3. How valuable is conversation when it comes to learning something new? Do you agree that talking about new ideas is better than just learning about them on your own? Why or why not?
  4. Do you ever prepare yourself for conversations (at home, at school, at work, etc.)? If so, how do you do it? Is it valuable?
  5. What are some topics you’re interested in learning and talking about, and which relationships in your life would benefit from these conversations? Make a list. 
  6. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.