Book excerpt: Communication is the venue people use to invite others to their mental party. It's a Conversation is a head-to-head and heart-to-heart collaboration between two friends. During their casual talks, they decided to use Post-its and record comments that sounded special and worth remembering. These jotted Post-its grew and became this book. The authors agreed early on that what people say frequently includes onion-peel layers of meaning that extends further than the literal words being spoken. This book shares their perspectives with the reader by offering some clarity to selected, familiar phrases and buzz statements. It's a Conversation takes a second, sometimes third look, before responding to the situations presented in each idiom. The authors are looking at the big picture, not just what was said. For example, an old adage like "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" can unpack a deeper meaning once it is studied. It's a Conversation highlights the power your words have. Words can add to or subtract value from a person's quality of life. Unlike perishable groceries, words don't possess the luxury of a shelf life or an expiration date. Words outlive their microphoned participants, and yes, what is said, who says it, how and why it is said--always matters.