Have you ever left a conversation thinking, “That’s not what I meant…” while the other person was probably thinking exactly the same?

Every day we navigate invisible gaps—between cultures, generations, personalities, expectations, and communication styles. Most conflicts don’t begin with bad intentions. They begin with assumptions.

In this engaging and thought-provoking talk, Mikaela Gallon combines personal stories, surprising examples, audience interaction, and practical insights to explore why intelligent people so often misunderstand each other—and what we can do about it. With equal parts humor and reflection, she demonstrates how curiosity can replace judgment, how small shifts in perspective can transform relationships, and why our greatest communication challenge may not be speaking more clearly, but listening differently.

Whether you’re leading teams, raising children, working across cultures, or simply trying to understand the people around you, you’ll leave with practical ideas to bridge the gaps that separate us—and perhaps discover that those very gaps can become our greatest opportunities for connection