It's Nice to Hear You

Yves D. Ropper, Heather Li•www.itsnicetohearyou.com

A story about human connection told through a voice-forward matchmaking experiment. The twist: no names, no direct contact, no pictures. Over 30 days, matched pairs exchange 1 voice memo a day with each other. This genre-bending series has the intimacy of a personal memoir, suspense from a reality TV dating show, and insights from an interview show. Through 6 episodes, I share 6 lessons I learned from this experience, told 1 pair at a time. Yes, some pairs do end up in a relationship afterwards. Eavesdrop into their private conversations and hear how these strangers fall into like, reciprocate vulnerability, and develop intimacy. We all want to be heard, but we forgot how to listen. This is what human connection sounds like. Check out itsnicetohearyou.com and follow on Instagram @itsnicetohearyou.

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Episodes

Ep 6. And Then They Lived, ____ Ever After

HEATHER & ARTHUR: A lesson on growth. What happened in the end? I debrief with all 3 pairs you met in the previous episodes. Find out if anyone ends up together and meet one more pair. In eavesdropping into the participants of my experiment and in creating this podcast, I gained a new perspective for living. I start dating again, and I meet Arthur. No longer dating to win, I am now dating to grow. I practice these lessons I learned - taking time to experience compatibility, communicating how...

May 21, 2021•37 min•Ep. 6

Ep 5. The Origin Story

HEATHER & CHESTER: A lesson on communication. If we understand all the words, how can we still speak past each other? Meet Chester, the guy who sent me voice memos and inspired my fascination with voice. We all want to be heard, but we forgot how to listen. Yet, listening can misguide us if we just hear what we want to hear. I finally learn about my love language. Listening to my participants be so forthcoming with each other and share words of affection inspire me to communicate better. And...

Apr 22, 2021•34 min•Ep. 5

Ep 4. The V Word(s)

XENA & GRAHAM: A lesson on vulnerability. What is the difference between being open and being vulnerable? Xena is an Ivy-league educated consultant-turned-entrepreneur in NYC. Graham works for a non-profit and lives in Denver. No longer dating for sport and tired of swipe culture, they are both looking for a life partner. Someone to hold hands with, cook dinners with, and just be yourself with. Our voices betray us. We can sense when someone is not being truly vulnerable. Their conversations...

Apr 10, 2021•41 min•Ep. 4

Ep 3. And Then I Understand

KATIE & ROBERT: A lesson on acceptance. Would you want to change the worst parts of you if it required sacrificing the best parts of you? Katie is a dreamer and entrepreneur. Robert has a phd in computer science and works in tech. They both happen to be 28 and live in San Francisco. Over the 30 days, they unravel the layers and flavors of each other. Through their exchanges, you get to hear Katie’s emotionality surface. Robert shares things that are uncomfortable to say out loud and even mor...

Apr 01, 2021•42 min•Ep. 3

Ep 2. Everyday I'm Listening

ISABELLE & BRIAN: A lesson on compatibility. To be compatible with someone, how important is it to have things in common? Brian is from Montana and graduated from the Naval Academy. Isabelle lives in Atlanta and loves her dog more than anything in the world. Her favorite food is potatoes. He hates potatoes in every form. They “fall into like” within a couple days of exchanging voice memos. Over 30 days, Isabelle and Brian develop a deep connection, confess secrets, and are excited to finally...

Mar 25, 2021•45 min•Ep. 2

Ep 1. Once Upon a Time, a Girl Needs a Distraction in Quarantine

YVES & HEATHER: A lesson on reflection. The king asked, what is the hardest thing to look at? Meet me, the matchmaker and host, Yves D. Ropper. In March 2020, I was laid off and quarantining alone in a 1 bedroom apartment in Manhattan. In search of connection, I create an anonymous matchmaking experiment on a whim. The twist - no pictures, no names, no direct contact. They can only get to know each other by exchanging 1 voice memo a day, for 30 days. I solicit 100 strangers to participate an...

Mar 18, 2021•41 min•Ep. 1

Ep 0. Hear My Voice for the First Time

Can the power of just hearing someone’s voice lead to a deeper connection? This is the question I obsessed over for most of 2020. I was laid off, single, and quarantining alone in New York City. In search of human connection, I decided to create an anonymous matchmaking experiment that unexpectedly became a year-long journey, which changed my life. This is not a love story that ends in a happily ever after, but a hopeful story around resilience that celebrates every ever after. To learn more: @i...

Feb 10, 2021•3 min

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