Watch

Urban Confessional Provides Free Listening on the Street

Creator:
Published:
March 27, 2024
January 18, 2019
Watch how this organization was created with one objective: helping a stranger by listening.

This week Grotto catches up with Benjamin Mathes, who runs a movement called Urban Confessional. People who are part of the movement (in 80 countries around the world) stand on street corners with signs that say "Free listening."

"It's a humbling experience to sit there with somebody," he shares. "Being heard is so close to being loved."

Video Transcript

Benjamin Mathes, founder of Urban Confessional and acting coach, Los Angeles, CA.

I'm Benjamin Mathes. I run a movement called Urban Confessional, where we stand on street corners in about 80 different countries around the world and we hold signs that say, "Free Listening" — and we just let people say whatever it is they need to say.

In 2011, I found myself in a really low place. I was looking to heal myself and ground myself through serving other people. One day, a homeless guy asked me for some money, and I didn't have any, but I said that I could pray with him. And so in the middle of the street, we sat there — and we're together, and I thought, This was really healing. I thought, What would be the closest thing to free prayer that I could do? And I thought, maybe free listening.

I've learned a lot more, I've connected more deeply with people. Some people will sit down with you for hours and share what's really deep inside with them, and it's a humbling experience to sit there with somebody while they do that. Being heard is so close to being loved, and most people cannot tell the difference, and I think that that's what we're doing.

If you're looking for more ways to give back, subscribe to Grotto Network.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 27, 2024
January 18, 2019
On a related note...
A Road Trip with the Heart of St. John Vianney

A Road Trip with the Heart of St. John Vianney

Evan Holguin

This Café is Preserving and Celebrating Native Culture

This Café is Preserving and Celebrating Native Culture

Grotto

The Importance of a Support System When You’re Far from Home

The Importance of a Support System When You’re Far from Home

Liz Palmer

Avengers, GoT, Star Wars, and the Art of Storytelling

Avengers, GoT, Star Wars, and the Art of Storytelling

Rob Goodale

Learning to Say ‘God is Love’ When You’re Gay

Learning to Say ‘God is Love’ When You’re Gay

Eve Tushnet

Are We Correctly Remembering Our Immigrant Past?

Are We Correctly Remembering Our Immigrant Past?

Javi Zubizarreta

Sidewalk Talk Project Offers Free Listening

Sidewalk Talk Project Offers Free Listening

Grotto

Your 2022 Chicago Gift Guide

Your 2022 Chicago Gift Guide

Jennon Bell Hoffmann

Building Furniture & Community for the Neighborhood

Building Furniture & Community for the Neighborhood

Grotto

17 Ideas for Giving Back This Holiday Season

17 Ideas for Giving Back This Holiday Season

Emily Mae Mentock

Finding Myself in a New Country

Finding Myself in a New Country

Andrea Nuñez

Horseback Riding For Children with Special Needs

Horseback Riding For Children with Special Needs

Grotto

Free Download: Grotto's Guide to Old Town

Free Download: Grotto's Guide to Old Town

Grotto, Jennon Bell Hoffman

Detroit SOUP Builds Community

Detroit SOUP Builds Community

Grotto

42 Ideas for the Clutter You Planned to Throw Away

42 Ideas for the Clutter You Planned to Throw Away

Mary Claire Lagroue

3 Keys to Engaging With Those We Disagree With

3 Keys to Engaging With Those We Disagree With

Neil Fulton

Blind Blogger Transforms Perceptions of Beauty

Blind Blogger Transforms Perceptions of Beauty

Grotto

Voices of Synod 2018 | Gonzalo Martinez

Voices of Synod 2018 | Gonzalo Martinez

Grotto

Assistant Principal Finds Passion in Woodworking

Assistant Principal Finds Passion in Woodworking

Grotto

The Power of a Simple Haircut

The Power of a Simple Haircut

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.