For a long time now I've been interested in listening to children. And it seems to me that between the ages of eight, nine and ten there's a kind of special time. Children of this age are conscious of the world, but not too badly spoilt by it. They have something to say, they're prepared to speculate but they'r equally happy to listen to other opinions. The necessity to be right doesn't quite seem to have taken hold yet. I'm looking at this territory in an ongoing way but for now I wanted to share with you a mini edit that I put together as a proposal to BBC Radio 4 - I thought they might be interested in me making a programme that gave just a few young people a voice and offered those of us who are a little older perhaps the opportunity to hear them. The BBC weren't interested. But one day I'm going to make a series of podcasts on it anyway, without having to worry about the squeezing it into anyone else's guidelines. So - here, for now, is an idea of the kind of conversations I'm interested in having with young children.

A conversation conducted In New York between Karl James and Sandra who runs the Village Postal Center in Greenwich Village. Sandra is a positive, energetic woman with a rich, warm gorgeous New York accent that has to be heard to be believed. Over the counter she talks with Karl about life, love and loss and how the way she used to navigate her way through her home town has changed since the Twin Towers were destroyed. For more conversations listen to the podcasts on iTunes or go to Karl's blog http://understandingdifference.blogspot.com/ 

Understanding difference and the art of listening. On March 12th this year, Karl was asked to talk with the writer Roman Krznaric at the Stone Club in London on Listening and Empathy. This is a specially recorded podcast version of that talk, in which Karl talks about terror, possibility and difference. He shares what he calls the four lenses of listening and talks about why listening is the subtlest and sharpest of dialogue skills. For a transcript of this talk see Karl's blog on http://bitly.com/understanding_difference

An uplifting and fascinating conversation with Anjelo, a gentle joyful man whose life was changed through an extraordinary experience. One minute, he was watching the World Cup on TV. The next moment someone threw a firebomb through his front window and it had landed in his lap. His understanding of pain and his capacity to describe it to Karl intimately and honestly make this a truly compelling listen. His questions are as intruguing as his answers: are emotional pain and physical pain the same thing? How much can we change our perspective of pain with our mind? And what does it mean to be lucky? For more information contact us at info@thedialogueproject.com and to download a transcription of this conversation go to https://bitly.com/when_i_saw_myself_on_fire_transcription

A rare opportunity to hear an astronaut talk poetically and eloquently about what it's like to look down on our planet from space. Jean-Francois Clervoy talks with Karl about the unique perspective that only thousands of miles of distance can give you, the extraordinary power and effects of gravity and the sheer emotion you feel when you turn to look back on where we live and what we are familiar with. Do borders still matter when you look back at the earth from outer space? Is it possible to behave like a child when you're in charge of a spaceship? And what is it that you can only see from space? Download the transcription here: http://yousend.it/tears_gravity_and_distance_transcription  and get in touch with us at info@thedialogueproject.com if you've heard this and what to hear more.

What do you associate with the idea of the stroke of a cane? Pain or pleasure? A compelling short edit of two dialogues with a common thread. Both conversations contain graphic descriptions of the same action but what you hear are two totally different experiences: Nikki's is one of unrelenting pleasure; Stephen's is a much less pleasant and distressing episode. Perception it seems really can be everything. Let us know what your thoughts are on pain by contacting us at info@thedialogueproject.com and download the transcription from http://yousend.it/pain_or_pleasure

An honest, open and frank conversation on sexuality and confidence. Olivia was a great woman to meet. She and I were maybe a little nervous in each other's company at first. And we tackled some fairly juicy subjects that I had decided to ask about that never made it to the edit: female ejaculation, the techniques of clitoral stimulation, radical ideas around sex education. But the edit here is centred on a theme that emerged more naturally between us: the confidence it takes to say what you want and what you need. So this is a frank, tender and personal conversation. When we took this edit to Latitude we had queues of young men keen to listen to this and a lot of young women too. They told me everyone should listen to it, so I decided to share it here. I'm really glad to have met Olivia. She's a great woman. And a beautiful one. As a man, I'm extremely glad to have had the conversation we did. I just wish I'd had it 25 years ago.

An inspiring, tender and open conversation between Karl James and Chris. Taegen was Chris's first daughter. At the age of five she was diagnosed with Lukemia. For 12 months, Chris gave up his work and spent his time day in, day out with Taegen, in and out of hospital, sharing the toughest of times. In this frank and tender conversation Chris talks openly about what he learnt in during that period of time - about his daughter, himself and what's possible betweeen a parent and child. For more conversations go to http://understandingdifference.blogspot.com/

A tender, gentle and explicit dialogue between Karl James and Adrian. At the age of 42, Adrian decided it was about time he had penetrative sex. So he saved up some money and hired a male escort for just one night. What he got was an experience he'll never forget. Adrian is one of the most beautiful men I know. Beautiful in that he has a heart so full of love that sometimes you doubt he's actually a real person. Adrian has a camp, filthy and funny side to him but when that mask drops... it reveals one of the most authentic partners in conversation I've ever experienced. So when I asked him to be on my list of people to talk to, I secretly knew or hoped at least that I would get candour, openness and honesty. And I did. But I got so much more. Adrian 'gave' himself to this conversation. Gently, quietly, tenderly. But fully and without prejudice. Sadly, in February 2014, Adrian took his own life. He is and will continue to be missed by those of us lucky enough to have known him. His presence will not be forgotten by anyone who spent time with him. Twitter: @2plus2makes5