SPOS #973 – Alison Wood Brooks On The Science Of Great Conversations
Release Date: 03/02/2025
SPOS #1000 – Patrick Tanguay On Paths To Better Thinking
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1000 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a self-described generalist, synthesist and curator whose lifelong curiosity and love of reading have led him across multiple careers, and now shape one of the most thoughtful newsletters in the futures-thinking space. As the creator of , a weekly “futures thinking observatory” (and one of my most favorite reads), Patrick spotlights signals of change across technology, society, and culture. He helps readers trace emergent paths instead of prescribing them. Alongside his writing, he designed and launched...
info_outline
SPOS #999 – Noah Giansiracusa On The Algorithms That Run Your Life
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #999 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is an associate professor of mathematics at and a visiting scholar at who has built a reputation for translating the hidden power of algorithms into plain language that empowers individuals. With a PhD in algebraic geometry from Brown, he’s always bringing a mathematician’s eye to the cultural and social impact of technology. His earlier book, , was praised by Nobel Prize–winning economist as “the best guide to the strategies and stakes of this battle for the future.” In his latest book, , Noah shows...
info_outline
SPOS #998 – Annie Wilson On The Growth Dilemma
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #998 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a marketing professor at the and co-author, with , of . Her work examines the deep interplay between consumer behavior, culture and brand identity, helping leaders understand why growth often creates as many risks as it does opportunities. In The Growth Dilemma, Annie unpacks how efforts to reach new customer segments can clash with the values of loyal buyers, sometimes threatening the very meaning of a brand. Drawing from real-world examples (from ’s software missteps to ’s unintended association with...
info_outline
SPOS #997 – Adam Brotman On Being AI First
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #997 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. What happens when nearly everything a marketer or strategist does today becomes instant, automatic… and nearly free? That’s the premise of , the new book from (my guest this week) and his co-author , which confronts the existential shift that AI is bringing to brand strategy, customer experience and creative work. Adam, the former Chief Digital Officer at and co-founder of the strategic consultancy , brings firsthand experience building digital platforms that changed how global businesses operate. In this...
info_outline
SPOS #996 – Christie Smith On Distributed Teams, Generative AI And Global Shifts
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #996 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a former senior executive at , and with over three decades of leadership experience across industries including life sciences, consumer goods and finance. She holds a doctorate in Social Work and Organizational Psychology and now leads , a leadership advisory firm focused on redefining the future of work. In her new book, (along with her co-author ), Christie outlines a bold new framework for leaders navigating a post-pandemic, AI-driven, decentralized world. This episode explores the urgent need for...
info_outline
SPOS #995 – Nelson Repenning On Delivering Real Results At Work
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #995 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. has built his career at and by asking a simple but haunting question: why do so many smart, capable organizations fail to get the right work done? In his new book, , Nelson (along with his co-author, ) introduces dynamic work design: a practical framework that helps leaders move beyond broken systems and toward better execution. In this conversation, we explore the five principles behind this approach: solving the right problem, structuring for discovery, connecting the human chain, regulating for flow and...
info_outline
SPOS #994 – Vicki Tan On Life's Big And Little Decisions
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #994 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. has designed experiences for some of the most influential companies in the world (, , , , ) and her work has always focused on helping people make better choices in complex environments. Her new book, , continues that mission in a radically creative form. This isn’t your typical self-help guide. It’s an interactive journey through the beautiful mess of human decision-making, shaped by the science of cognitive bias, the power of storytelling and the playfulness of visual design. Vicki explores how our mental...
info_outline
SPOS #993 – Angela Chee On The Power Of Only
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #993 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is a keynote speaker, media and communication coach, and author of , a book that challenges us to rethink the spaces we occupy and the voices we often silence… especially our own. In this conversation, Angela explores what it means to truly “own your voice” in an era defined by visibility and vulnerability, noise and nuance. Angela speaks candidly about how being the “only” in the room (whether because of race, gender, background, or perspective) is not a disadvantage but a profound source of power and...
info_outline
SPOS #992 – Dave Whorton On Building Companies That Last
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #992 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. has spent his career building, backing and reimagining companies, but not in the way Silicon Valley usually does it. As founder of and author of (which he co-authored with ), Dave champions a different breed of business: evergreen companies. These are organizations designed to last generations, rooted in purpose, resilience and profitability… not just hypergrowth and exit strategies. Before this pivot, Dave had a front-row seat to the “get-big-fast” movement as an associate partner at , and he co-founded...
info_outline
SPOS #991 – Bob Goodson On The "Like" Button (And How It Changed The World)
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #991 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is President and Founder of , an AI-driven company whose models are used by a third of the Fortune 50. Before launching Quid, he was the first employee at , where he witnessed (and helped shape) the birth of the like button. Bob’s academic roots in language theory () and his deep curiosity about patterns of innovation led him to co-author , an illuminating book about how a simple social media feature rewired global communication and commerce. In this episode, we dig into the origin story of the like button and...
info_outlineWelcome to episode #973 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Alison Wood Brooks is one of the leading voices in understanding the science of human conversation, and her latest book, Talk - The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, explores just how complex, delicate, and transformative our daily interactions can be. As a professor at Harvard Business School, Alison has spent years studying the psychology behind dialogue - why some conversations feel effortless while others fall flat, how we navigate social dynamics, and why even the simplest exchanges can shape our relationships and success. In our conversation, we explore the difference between Q&A and true dialogue, the often-overlooked art of reading the room, and the skills that can make or break an interaction. Alison shares insights on the role of AI in companionship, the way egocentrism naturally seeps into our conversations, and why teaching conversational skills is more critical than ever in a digital-first world. We also discuss the post-Covid social shift, the importance of face-to-face interactions, and how conversational missteps - something we all experience - can actually strengthen relationships if handled the right way. Her TALK Maxims (Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness) offer a simple yet powerful framework for improving everyday communication, whether in personal relationships, business, or even in navigating difficult discussions. If you’ve ever struggled with what to say, when to say it, or how to be a better conversationalist, this episode will help you rethink the way you talk... and listen. Enjoy the conversation...
- Running time: 1:06:51.
- Hello from beautiful Montreal.
- Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
- Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.
- Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
- Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
- Check out ThinkersOne.
- or you can connect on LinkedIn.
- ...or on Twitter.
- Here is my conversation with Alison Wood Brooks.
- Talk - The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves.
- Check out her band: The Lights
- Follow Alison on Instagram.
- Follow Alison on LinkedIn.
- This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction to Conversation Science.
(02:49) - The Dynamics of Q&A vs. Conversation.
(05:58) - The Art of Eavesdropping and Voyeurism in Conversations.
(08:53) - Emerging Science of Conversation.
(11:59) - AI and Human Conversations.
(15:06) - The Role of AI in Companionship.
(18:01) - Egocentrism in Conversations.
(20:46) - Alpha and Beta Dynamics in Conversations.
(23:51) - Teaching Conversation Skills.
(27:07) - Conversational Toggling in a Digital Age.
(32:00) - The Fleeting Nature of In-Person Connections.
(35:06) - The Impact of AI on Human Interaction.
(38:58) - Navigating Post-Covid Social Dynamics.
(43:03) - The Importance of Reading the Room.
(48:03) - Breaking the Pace in Conversations.
(52:01) - The Value of Topic Preparation.
(57:02) - Foot-in-Mouth Moments and Repair Strategies.