Talking to Change: MI Practice Companions
September 10, 2026 2026-09-12 0:46Talking to Change: MI Practice Companions
From podcast conversation to Motivational Interviewing practice
The MI Practice Companions are designed for people who want to do more than simply listen to Talking to Change: A Motivational Interviewing Podcast. Each Companion takes a selected conversation with an experienced practitioner, trainer or researcher and turns it into a structured learning resource that you can return to before, during or after MI training.
Alongside selected audio extracts, you will find explanations of key ideas, links to established Motivational Interviewing principles, practice examples and questions to help you reflect on your own conversations. The aim is not to replace the original episode, but to help you listen more closely, connect theory with practice and identify something specific you can try, notice or practise next.
MI Practice Companions
Each Companion complements the original podcast episode rather than replacing it. Audio extracts, practice reflections and links into the Motivational Interviewing Knowledge Centre help you move between listening, understanding and deliberate practice.
Effective Psychotherapists and Motivational Interviewing: Practice Lessons from William R. Miller and Terri Moyers
What distinguishes more effective helping? Explore William R. Miller and Terri Moyers on accurate empathy, genuineness, therapist effects, feedback and developing your own way of practising MI.
Motivational Interviewing from an Evolutionary Perspective: Practice Lessons from Bill Neto
What might an evolutionary perspective add to our understanding of pressure, discord and partnership in Motivational Interviewing? Explore practice lessons from Dr Abilio ‘Bill’ de Almeida Neto.
Self-Determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing: Practice Lessons from Richard M. Ryan
Explore Richard M. Ryan’s insights into Self-Determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing, including autonomy, competence, relatedness and the risks of becoming too focused on outcomes.
Motivational Interviewing and ACT: Practice Lessons from Robyn D. Walser
Explore Robyn D. Walser’s insights into ACT and Motivational Interviewing, including psychological flexibility, values, acceptance and where the two approaches connect and differ.
Stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing: Practice Lessons from Mary Marden Velasquez
Explore Mary Marden Velasquez’s insights into the Stages of Change, the wider Transtheoretical Model and their relationship with Motivational Interviewing.
Motivational Interviewing in Crisis Response: Practice Lessons from Casey Jackson
Practice lessons from Casey Jackson on using Motivational Interviewing in crisis response, including accurate empathy, guiding, autonomy, practitioner mindset and responding under pressure.
Evoking Change Talk in Motivational Interviewing: Practice Lessons from April Carcone
Practice lessons from April Carcone on evoking change talk in Motivational Interviewing, including strategic questions, reflections, autonomy support and what research can and cannot tell us.
Working with Ambivalence in Motivational Interviewing: Practice Lessons from Dr Allan Zuckoff
Practice lessons from Dr Allan Zuckoff on working with ambivalence in Motivational Interviewing, including sustain talk, values, importance, confidence, discord and practitioner responses.
Motivational Interviewing with Families, Adolescents and Substance Use: Practice Lessons from Professor Doug Smith
Practical learning from Professor Doug Smith on Motivational Interviewing with families, adolescents and substance use. Explore reflective listening, autonomy, change talk, engagement and family interaction.
Move from listening to practice
Practice Companions are designed to support continued learning rather than one-off consumption. Use them alongside the original podcast and the wider Knowledge Centre.
Connect the conversations with the MI Knowledge Centre
The Motivational Interviewing Knowledge Centre provides the wider learning framework for the Practice Companions. Explore MI principles, communication skills, professional applications, deliberate practice and implementation in greater depth.
You can also browse the full Talking to Change listening archive for conversations with MI practitioners, researchers, trainers and authors from around the world.
Turn learning into conversational skill
Reading and listening can deepen understanding. Developing MI skill also requires practice, reflection, useful feedback and opportunities to try again.
