Held February 27, 2026 in Lakeway, Texas, Stephanie Threinen, founder of Cool, Comms, Collected was invited as an attendee and presenter of “Active Listening is a Superpower” at the third annual Mental Health Symposium hosted by the Engage and Heal Foundation, a local mental health advocacy non-profit. Both energizing and deeply meaningful from the moment participants arrived for a light breakfast and conversation, there was a sense that this was more than just a conference—it was a space intentionally created for openness, learning, and community connection around mental wellness.

A Day Focused on Coping, Thriving, Healing, and Nourishment

This year’s theme, “Sharpen Your Mind: Cope, Thrive, Heal, and Nourish,” set the tone for a full day of thoughtful programming. The agenda was carefully designed to help participants explore mental health from multiple perspectives—offering practical tools, personal stories, and opportunities for reflection.

The day began with welcoming remarks from foundation leaders, who introduced the concept behind the symposium and its connection to the Engage & Heal Foundation’s MindMap approach to mental wellness. Their message was clear: mental health is a community conversation, and everyone has a role to play in supporting one another.

The morning keynote by Kate Lower of UT SHIFT highlighted the importance of addressing youth mental health and substance use challenges with empathy and proactive education. Her insights set the stage for the breakout sessions that followed, where attendees could choose topics most relevant to their interests and experiences.

Sharing the Power of Active Listening

As one of the presenters, I had the privilege of leading the workshop “Active Listening is a Superpower.” My session ran alongside programming focused on youth mental health and resilience, creating a powerful complement to the broader themes of coping and healing.

What made the session especially rewarding was the level of engagement from participants. Many came in expecting a traditional communication talk, but quickly realized that active listening is something much deeper. We explored how listening is not simply waiting for our turn to speak—it is the practice of being fully present with another person.

During the workshop, we discussed:

• How communication is a two-way interaction, where listening is just as important as speaking
• The importance of mindfulness and presence when someone shares something meaningful
• Different listening styles—analytical, tactical, relational, and critical—and how each influences conversations
• The value of paying attention to nonverbal communication, including tone, body language, and pauses

Participants practiced reframing conversations and recognizing how small shifts in attention can dramatically improve understanding and trust. One of the most powerful moments came when attendees reflected on how simply feeling heard can change the course of a difficult conversation.

In a symposium focused on healing and resilience, the idea resonated strongly: listening is one of the sincerest forms of respect we can offer another person.

Learning from Diverse Voices

Throughout the day, attendees moved between various breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics. Workshops addressed youth mental health in high-stress environments, the intersection of faith and mental health, mindfulness practices, creative visioning exercises, and personal stories of wellness journeys.

The afternoon keynote by Kim Hess of the Cassidy Joined for Hope Foundation was particularly impactful, reminding participants of the power of advocacy, compassion, and community support in addressing mental health challenges.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the symposium was the diversity of perspectives represented—mental health professionals, educators, nonprofit leaders, students, and community members all sharing their experiences and expertise.

A Community Conversation

By the time closing remarks were delivered by Tom Kilgore, Mayor of Lakeway, the room carried the energy of a community that had spent the day learning together. Conversations that began during the morning coffee continued through lunch, workshops, and the final sessions of the afternoon.

For me as a presenter, the most rewarding part was seeing how the concept of active listening fit naturally into the broader mission of the event. When people feel heard, respected, and understood, it creates the foundation for coping, thriving, healing, and nourishment—the very goals of the symposium.

Looking Ahead

Events like the Mental Health Symposium remind us that improving mental wellness is not the responsibility of a single profession or organization. It is something that grows through community dialogue, shared learning, and simple but powerful human skills—like listening.

Being part of a day dedicated to those ideas was an honor. If the conversations sparked during the symposium continue in homes, workplaces, schools, and friendships, then the event accomplished exactly what it set out to do: open doors to healing and inspire meaningful change.