SPOS #973 – Alison Wood Brooks On The Science Of Great Conversations
Release Date: 03/02/2025
How Change Really Works With Julia Dhar - TWMJ #1057
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1057 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is a leading voice in behavioral science and organizational transformation, and the founder of the at . A three-time Champion and known for her work on productive disagreement, Julia has spent much of her career exploring a deceptively simple question: Why do organizations invest so much time, money, and human potential in change... only to fail so often? In her new book, , co-authored with and , she challenges the conventional wisdom that people are naturally resistant to change. Instead, she argues...
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The Human Side Of Business With Mike Michalowicz - TWMJ #1056
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1056 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent much of his career trying to solve a problem he describes simply: eradicating entrepreneurial poverty. As the bestselling author of and numerous other books on entrepreneurship and business, Mike has built a body of work around challenging conventional wisdom and finding practical systems that work with human behavior rather than against it. He's also an old friend, which means our conversations have a tendency to wander into some unexpected places... and this one certainly does. His latest...
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Axios And The Art Of Simplification With Roy Schwartz - TWMJ #1055
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1055 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is the co-founder of and CEO of , where he has helped redefine how organizations communicate in an age of information overload. Before launching Axios alongside and , Roy helped build into one of the most influential political news organizations in the world. Today, Axios reaches millions of readers through its distinctive format, while Axios HQ helps some of the world's largest organizations communicate more clearly and effectively. In his new book, , Roy argues that our biggest challenge isn't a...
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Creating The Apple Store And Reinventing Retail With Ron Johnson - TWMJ #1054
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1054 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is one of the most influential retail innovators of the modern era. Best known for creating the (alongside ), he helped redefine what a physical store could be, transforming retail from a place that simply sold products into a destination centered on service, learning, and human connection. Before , Ron helped reshape 's merchandising strategy through groundbreaking designer collaborations, and later served as CEO of during one of the industry's most ambitious retail transformations (and it did not go...
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Great Companies With Eric Ries - TWMJ #1053
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1053 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is one of the most influential entrepreneurs and management thinkers of the past two decades. Best known as the creator of the movement, his ideas fundamentally changed how founders, innovators, and established organizations build products, test ideas, and bring innovation to market. His work has shaped startups, Fortune 500 companies, governments, and nonprofits around the world, earning him recognition as one of the defining voices on modern entrepreneurship. In his latest book, , Eric turns his...
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The Power Of Brands With Lifang He - TWMJ #1052
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1052 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent more than two decades helping some of the world's most influential technology companies build products that people don't just use... they love. A global brand strategist and product marketing leader, she has led branding, go-to-market, and growth initiatives for companies including , , and . During her time at Apple's longtime creative agency, , she helped shape global launches, giving her a front-row seat to one of the most successful product introductions in history. Her new book, , argues...
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Data Inspired With Sebastian Wernicke - TWMJ #1051
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1051 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has built his career at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, economics, and decision-making. He leads the Data Science and AI team at , one of Europe's leading economics consultancies, and has become widely recognized for his ability to make complex ideas about data both accessible and deeply human. Many people first encountered Sebastian through his memorable , which cleverly used data to satirize TED Talks themselves, but his work has always been driven by a much bigger question:...
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Navigating Future Shock With Fredric Marshall - TWMJ #1050
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1050 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent decades helping people navigate change. An entrepreneur, investor in AI startups, CEO of , and advisor on leadership and transformation, he has watched multiple waves of technological disruption unfold from the inside. His latest book, , revisits 's famous concept of "" and argues that today's anxiety isn't a personal failing... it's the predictable result of living through an era where change, information, and technological progress are arriving faster than most people can absorb. In this...
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AI Mindsets With Farid Mheir - TWMJ #1049
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1049 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent four decades at the intersection of engineering, business strategy, and digital transformation. Trained as a microelectronics engineer, he helped pioneer online grocery commerce with in the mid-1990s before building e-commerce platforms for major retailers across North America and Europe. Today, through his , and as a faculty member at the , Farid advises executives on AI strategy and organizational transformation. His new book, , distills decades of experience into thirty-one practical...
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Purpose And Strengthfinding With Tom Rath - TWMJ #1048
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1048 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). is one of the most influential voices in the fields of leadership, strengths, wellbeing, and human performance. A researcher and the #1 bestselling author of books including , , , and , Tom's work has shaped how millions of people think about work, health, and personal development. His latest book, , challenges one of today's most common assumptions: that purpose is something we discover once in a lifetime. Instead, Tom argues that purpose is built through everyday actions and by focusing less on...
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.
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- 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.
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- 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.