John Quick: Charlie Kirk and the lost art of listening

What happened to Charlie Kirk was evil and wrong. I pray for his family, and I hope that swift and proper justice is delivered to everyone involved. I have been a huge fan of Charlie Kirk since he got started. But beyond the tragedy, his life and work remind us of something America is quickly losing: the art of listening.

Charlie was one of the most influential figures for younger audiences in America. At a time when most people only surround themselves with like-minded friends and echo chambers, he built his following by doing the opposite. He went straight into liberal colleges across the country — places where many thought he was crazy — and engaged openly with those who disagreed with him. In doing so, he earned respect not just for his arguments but for his willingness to show up. He was the best at it, and he is irreplaceable.

And it was in those moments on campus, with the odds stacked against him, that Charlie showed America what we are in danger of losing: the art of listening.

We now live in a culture where winning an argument matters more than being heard. Where appearances on social media matter more than living a fulfilling life. Where anonymous cancel-culture warriors, often nursing old grudges, seem more invested in silencing others than engaging with them. Against this tide, Charlie Kirk built his reputation by doing the opposite. He carried a chair and microphone onto liberal college campuses where he was outnumbered ten thousand to one, and he let anyone — anyone — come forward. Students who disagreed with him lined up to air their grievances, doubts, or frustrations. And instead of shouting them down, he gave them the mic.

That’s when something remarkable would happen: debate. Disagreement. Honest conversation. It was not always polite, but it was real. And it was healthy.

We are forgetting how to do this. Too many Americans now assume that to disagree with someone is to hate them, or that to debate is to destroy. Too many take their cues from a media culture that thrives on outrage, clicks, and profit, not on the nation’s well-being. What makes America exceptional is free speech — the freedom to say what you believe without fear of violence or government suppression. That freedom is being corroded not by laws alone but by a culture that punishes dissent and rewards hostility.

What set Charlie apart was not his debating skill, but his patience. Contrary to what many in the mainstream press portrayed, he was one of the best listeners conservatives have had in a generation. He absorbed hours of questions, heckling, and arguments. And by listening, he showed that disagreement does not have to breed hate. Sometimes, the most radical thing you can do in a polarized world is simply hear another person out.

If America wants to heal, it will not happen through louder shouting or harsher rhetoric. It will start with us at work, in our neighborhoods, and among our friends. We can model what Charlie Kirk practiced: let people talk, let them be heard, and respond with conviction but also with compassion. Free speech, mutual respect, and civil disagreement are not relics of the past. They are the only path forward.

I am not an expert, and if you do not like what I have to say, I am fine with that. Take it or leave it. But let us not forget, beyond the politics and debate, to pray for Charlie’s wife, his kids, and his extended family during this heartbreaking time.

“Stories Worth Hearing,” hosted by John Quick of Alaska, is the next generation of the award-winning podcast “United States of Small Business,” started in 2023. In Season One, John spoke with (and listened to!) business owners from across the country, highlighting the grit, innovation, and determination that define American entrepreneurship. Listen to his podcast from anywhere you download podcasts.