There's a person on the other end of this line.
The Listening Bench started with a simple belief: everyone deserves to be heard — not diagnosed, not advised, not fixed. Just heard.
How it started
Hi, I'm Marcie.
For the past 25 years, I've worked in healthcare, and for the last four years, I've worked in a role where I spend my days talking with people over the phone.
Over time, I began to notice something. Many people had finished the reason for their call, but they weren't quite ready to hang up. Sometimes they were lonely. Sometimes life had become overwhelming. Sometimes they simply hadn't had anyone to really talk to that day.
It reminded me that while we live in a world that's more connected than ever, many people still feel alone. That's what inspired me to create The Listening Bench.
What I believe
Listening is its own kind of care.
The Listening Bench is a place for genuine, one-on-one phone conversations. No pressure. No judgment. Just a real person taking the time to listen and connect. You don't need a special reason to call — maybe you want to celebrate good news, talk through a difficult day, or simply enjoy a friendly conversation with someone who is fully present.
No agenda
I don't have a framework to fit you into. You lead. I follow.
No judgment
Whatever you bring to the call — grief, confusion, joy, anger — it belongs here.
No advice (unless you ask)
Most people don't need to be told what to do. They need space to figure it out themselves.
Full presence
I'm not multitasking. I'm not watching the clock. I'm here.
Who I am
I'm a real person. Not a service.
My name is Marcie. I've spent 25 years working in healthcare, and for the last four years, my work has centered on phone-based conversations with people navigating all kinds of moments — big and small.
My hope is simple: that every person who calls leaves feeling a little less alone than when they picked up the phone. I'm glad you're here.