# What's the News?

Participants pair up and invite each other by name to share an update about their lives. Partners take turns speaking for one minute while the other listens without interruption or questioning.

**Time:** 6 minutes. Source suggests one minute per speaker plus setup and debrief; UWT allocates 6 minutes total.
**People:** 4 to 24. Pairs (or one triad if the group size is odd)

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Give every participant an opportunity to speak their name and share a brief personal update in an uninterrupted paired structure.
**Use it when:** Use at the start of a meeting, training, or workshop when you need a fast, low-friction check-in that activates every person's voice.
**Skip it when:** Skip when the meeting requires immediate task focus or when participants lack the psychological safety to share personal news without forced disclosure.

## Materials and tools

- Timer or chime

## Before participants arrive

1. Decide how pairs will form (e.g., nearest neighbor or pre-assigned).
2. Ensure room acoustics allow pairs to talk simultaneously without excessive noise interference.

## Say this to open

We will do a quick opening check-in called What's the News? You will work in pairs. Each person will have one uninterrupted minute to share any news from your life, personal or professional, at whatever comfort level you choose. Before speaking, your partner will ask you directly, using your name: '[Name], what's the news?' The listener gives full attention without questions, comments, or advice.

## How to run it

### 1. Pair up and set order (1 minutes)

Ask participants to find a partner. If there is an odd number, form one triad. Give partners 30 seconds to decide who will speak first (Partner A) and who will speak second (Partner B). Ask all Partner As to raise their hands to confirm readiness.

### 2. First round of sharing (1 minutes)

Direct Partner B to invite Partner A by saying: '[Name], what's the news?' Partner A speaks for 60 seconds about any personal or work-related event. For example, 'I finally planted my garden tomatoes this weekend,' or 'I completed a report yesterday.' Partner B listens attentively without interrupting, commenting, or asking questions. Ring a chime at 60 seconds.

### 3. Second round of sharing (1 minutes)

Signal the role switch. Partner A now invites Partner B by saying: '[Name], what's the news?' Partner B speaks for 60 seconds under the same silent listening rule. (If in a triad, run an additional minute for Partner C while adjusting prior steps to fit). Ring a chime at the end of the minute.

### 4. Reflect on the process (3 minutes)

Bring the whole group together. Remind participants not to repeat the specific stories their partners shared. Invite 2 to 3 volunteers to comment briefly on the listening and speaking experience using the debrief prompts.


## Debrief questions

- How did it feel to listen without responding, questioning, or offering feedback?
- What was it like to have a full minute of uninterrupted focus to share your news?

**Finished output:** Every participant has spoken their name and shared an uninterrupted update with a colleague.

## Remote

Create breakout rooms with 2 participants each (or 3 if odd). Broadcast the broadcast message into rooms at the 1-minute mark to signal the role swap. Allow 3 minutes in breakout rooms total before closing them to debrief in the main room.

## Hybrid

Pair in-person participants with each other and pair remote participants in dedicated virtual breakout rooms. If an odd split occurs, place one in-person person with a laptop in a private spot to pair with a remote participant. Conduct the final debrief in the unified hybrid audio space.

## Access and participation choices

- Participants choose their own topic and level of personal disclosure.
- Participants may pass on personal details by sharing a neutral update, such as describing a recent meal, book, or work task.
- Participants who prefer written communication may type their update in a shared chat window with their partner.

## If the session gets stuck

**Listeners interrupt with comments, reactions, or questions during their partner's minute.**

Remind the room before starting that silent attention is the core exercise rule. If people start talking over each other, ring the chime and restate: 'Only listening right now, no commentary.'

**A speaker finishes their news in 15 seconds and experiences awkward silence.**

Let participants know in advance that if they finish early, the pair should sit in quiet attention together until the timer rings. Silence is an acceptable part of the minute.


## Sources and adaptation

Observed in CASEL's SEL 3 Signature Practices Playbook as an 'Inclusive Welcome' activity.

Retained CASEL's core prompt ('[Name], what's the news?'), the one-minute uninterrupted timer, and the rule restricting debrief to the listening process rather than personal content. Structured the pacing into a tight 6-minute protocol with exact scripts, triad instructions, and hybrid steps.

[CASEL](https://signaturepractices.casel.org/whats-the-news/#content)

[CASEL](https://signaturepractices.casel.org/whats-the-news/)

[CASEL](https://signaturepractices.casel.org/whats-the-news/#top)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/what-s-the-news-sel-3-signature-practices-playbook/