According to Merriam-Webster, the word “conversation” has 36 synonyms, ranging from the alliterative (”confabulation”) to the arcane (”persiflage”). Why the linguistic profusion? Because conversing is a fundamental part — maybe the fundamental part — of being human.
We chat with our families, friends, strangers, and co-workers, and we communicate in phone calls, text messages, emails, and, occasionally, postcards. When these tête-à-têtes go well, it is oddly thrilling; we become better versions of ourselves — warmer and wiser, funnier, and consistently insightful. Best of all, a good dialogue is a direct route to connection. “The bond of all companionship,” wrote Oscar Wilde, “whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.”
But when a conversation goes poorly, when it stays on the surface (”what do you do for a living?”) or devolves into a sputtering mess of misunderstanding (”you’re overreacting!”), we don’t feel the invigorating pulse of connection. What we feel, instead, is the emotional equivalent of a busy signal.
So, this hour, we’re asking: how can we have better conversations? And to help answer that question, we’re joined by Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and the bestselling author of “The Power of Habit” and now “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.” Charles, as you’ll hear, is something of supercommunicator himself, a lithe storyteller who’s as well-versed in evolutionary biology as he is in the latest psychology, and after studying the art and science of communication for the last few years, he’s concluded that anyone can become a great conversationalist. You just have to master a few simple skills. Tune in to find out what they are.
Host: Rufus Griscom
Guest: Charles Duhigg
Book: “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection”
*THE NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB*
We all know that reading is the best investment we can make in ourselves, but figuring out what to read … well, that’s another matter. Which is why we started the Next Big Idea Club. We get the best new books — as chosen by our curators (Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink) — into the hands of curious people. Like you! Join us today at nextbigideaclub.com
HUMOR: The Case for Navigating Life on the Precipice of a Smile
GOOD ARGUMENTS: Adam Grant and Champion Debater Bo Seo on the Craft of Persuasion
NEURODIVERSITY: Why No Two Brains Are Alike
STATUS: Does Our Need for It Explain ... Everything?
Bittersweet: An Audio E-Course by Susan Cain
Bonus: Eric Barker Gives Daniel Pink Relationship Advice
LONGTERMISM: Why You Should Care About Future People
QUIT: Why You Have to Give Up if You Want to Get Ahead
PUZZLES: What Crosswords, Riddles, and Wordle Can Teach You About the Meaning of Life
BUILD: Tony Fadell’s Guide to Making Cool Stuff
SURVIVAL OF THE RICHEST: How Tech Billionaires Are Preparing for Doomsday
HAPPINESS: Arthur C. Brooks Shares His Roadmap for Finding Purpose, Meaning, and Success
DeepMind's Demis Hassabis on the future of AI (from The TED Interview)
Summer Getaway #4: The Making of ‘Bull Durham’ (with Ron Shelton)
Summer Getaway #3: The 12-Hour Walk (with Colin O’Brady)
Summer Getaway #2: An American Odyssey (with Ben McGrath)
Summer Getaway #1: The Beach (with Sarah Stodola)
Finding Stillness With Ryan Holiday
Amanda Little on the Fate of Food
John Colapinto on the Power and Beauty of the Human Voice
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