"Being Understood Takes Effort from Both Sides" Episode 57

"Hey there, my fur-tastic friends! 🐾 Welcome back to The Monkey the Cat Podcast! I’m Monkey, your favorite talking cat, and today’s episode is about something super important in every friendship, family, or team. It’s not just about talking—it’s about making sure everyone feels understood.

Our lesson today? Being understood takes effort from both sides.

That means if you want someone to get what you’re saying, you have to try to explain it well. And if you’re listening, you have to try to understand it from their side too. I learned this while trying to teach Max the parrot how to play checkers... using cat logic."

If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Episode Transcript

Tyler (00:10):
"Hey there, my fur-tastic friends! Welcome back to The
Monkey the Cat Podcast! I’mMonkey, your favorite talking
cat, and today’s episode isabout something super important
in every friendship, family, orteam.
It’s not just about talking—it’sabout making sure everyone feels
understood.
Our lesson today?
Being understood takes effortfrom both sides.

(00:32):
That means if you want someoneto get what you’re saying, you
have to try to explain it well.
And if you’re listening, youhave to try to understand it
from their side too.
I learned this while trying toteach Max the parrot how to play
checkers...
using cat logic.""It all startedwhen I challenged Max to a
friendly game of backyardcheckers.

(00:54):
✅Brooklyn brought the board.
✅Teddy made lemonade.
✅Olivff took score with a fancyfeather pen.
But Max?
He was confused right from thestart.
‘Wait,’ he squawked,‘why are thered pieces called“sardines”?’ I
said,‘Because cats likesardines! Makes it more fun!’
‘And what’s with the purringbefore every move?’‘Adds

(01:16):
suspense,’ I purreddramatically.
Max tilted his head.
‘Monkey, I don’t understand yourrules.’ I huffed.
‘But I explained it perfectly!’Olivff paused her pen and said,
‘Monkey, maybe what makes senseto you doesn’t make sense to
Max.
Try it his way.’""So I triedagain.
✅I used the regular names forthe pieces.

(01:38):
✅I showed him each move clearly.
✅I let him ask questions, and Ireally listened.
And Max?
He tried too.
✅He asked for help withoutsquawking in frustration.
✅He repeated the rules back tomake sure he got them.
✅He even said,‘Monkey, this isfun.
Thanks for helping me learn.’That’s when I realized: Being

(02:00):
understood isn’t just abouttalking louder or slower.
It’s about meeting in themiddle.
I made the effort to explainclearly.
Max made the effort to listencarefully.
And that’s how checkers turnedinto a checkmate of friendship!"
What We Learned Today🔹Communication is a two-way
street—it takes sharing andlistening.

(02:23):
🔹If someone doesn’t understand,try explaining in a new way.
🔹If you don’t understand, askkindly and listen with care.
🔹Understanding each other makesevery friendship stronger and
every game more fun.
"So here’s my challenge for YOUtoday: The next time you’re
talking or listening—make alittle extra effort.

(02:44):
✅Think about what the otherperson needs to hear.
✅Ask questions to make sure youunderstand.
✅And remember—it’s not aboutwinning the talk, it’s about
connecting.
Thanks for tuning in to TheMonkey the Cat Podcast! Don’t
forget to subscribe, share, andremember—every great
conversation takes two heartsworking together.

(03:06):
Until next time, my pawsomepals—speak clearly, listen
deeply, and always meet othershalfway.
Bye for now!"