146: The Power of Your Words

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In this episode of the Game Changer podcast, Michelle Dutro explores the profound impact of the spoken word on relationships and society. She emphasizes the importance of being impeccable with our words, drawing from various philosophical and religious teachings. The conversation delves into the challenges of truthfulness in communication, the necessity of kindness, and the intentions behind our words. Michelle shares personal anecdotes and encourages listeners to reflect on their communication styles, urging them to prioritize love and connection over the need to be right.

Chapters
00:00 The Power of the Spoken Word
09:13 Truthfulness in Communication
14:43 Intentions Behind Our Words
17:11 Outro

The Art of Right Speech

The Bhagavad Gita (17:15) gives simple yet profound guidance on how to speak with integrity. It teaches that speech should be truthful, kind, beneficial, and uplifting. These four qualities can be remembered as a quick check before speaking:

• Is it True? Speak honestly without exaggeration or distortion. Avoid half-truths, gossip, or saying what people only want to hear.
• Is it Kind? Deliver words with gentleness and respect. Even when truth is hard, it should never be harsh or needlessly offensive.
• Is it Helpful? Words should serve a purpose—guiding, encouraging, or uplifting others rather than filling space or venting aimlessly.
• Is it Uplifting? Good speech raises the energy of a conversation. It can be done by sharing affirmations, inspiring stories, or wisdom that heals instead of drags down.

Put simply: True, Kind, Helpful, Uplifting. If words don’t meet at least three of these, pause and reconsider.

Across the world’s traditions, the same wisdom appears. In Hinduism, the Gita urges truth spoken pleasantly and for good. In Christianity, Ephesians 4:25 calls for truthfulness, while Proverbs 15:1 praises gentle answers. Judaism forbids false witness and lifts up pleasant words as healing. Islam teaches in Qur’an 2:263 that kind speech is better than charity followed by injury. Buddhism places “Right Speech” as part of the Noble Eightfold Path—avoiding lies, harshness, gossip, and idle chatter. Indigenous traditions too hold that “words are medicine” and once spoken, cannot be taken back.

From these we see five universal principles of speech:

1. Speak the Truth – honesty without distortion.
2. Speak with Kindness – words that heal, not wound.
3. Speak for Justice – give voice to what is right.
4. Speak with Purpose – avoid idle or harmful chatter.
5. Speak as a Sacred Act – words are holy and accountable.

Across cultures and faiths, the message is consistent: our words hold power. They can wound or heal, weaken or strengthen, divide or unite. Choosing to speak with truth, kindness, purpose, and reverence is not only spiritual discipline—it is the foundation of trust, harmony, and human connection.

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