Libsyn Directory

SPOS #973 – Alison Wood Brooks On The Science Of Great Conversations

Release Date: 03/02/2025

SPOS #996 – Christie Smith On Distributed Teams, Generative AI And Global Shifts

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

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...

SPOS #995 – Nelson Repenning On Delivering Real Results At Work

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

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...

SPOS #994 – Vicki Tan On Life's Big And Little Decisions

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

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...

SPOS #993 – Angela Chee On The Power Of Only

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

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...

SPOS #992 – Dave Whorton On Building Companies That Last

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

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...

SPOS #991 – Bob Goodson On The "Like" Button (And How It Changed The World)

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

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...

SPOS #990 – Lori Rosenkopf On Creating Value Through Innovation

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Welcome to episode #990 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is the Simon and Midge Palley Professor at the , and currently serves as the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship. In that role, she oversees Wharton’s and its West Coast campus, while continuing her long-standing research into social networks, innovation and how knowledge flows between people, companies and technologies. Before her academic career, Lori worked as a systems engineer for and , giving her a rare blend of practical and academic insight into how organizations innovate. She’s also the author of the new...

SPOS #989 – Andrew Brodsky On The Secrets Of Virtual Communications

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Welcome to episode #989 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is reshaping how we think about work, not by focusing on tasks or tools, but by interrogating how we communicate. A management professor at the at , Andrew specializes in organizational behavior, with a sharp focus on the friction (and possibility) that emerges when human behavior meets digital platforms. With a PhD from and a BS from , his work explores everything from how to show emotional authenticity on to how organizations can build culture without a physical office. In his new book, , Andrew offers a...

SPOS #988 – Julian Treasure On Listening, Sounds And Superpowers

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Welcome to episode #988 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. believes the world needs to learn how to listen again. You may know him from his , - one of the most viewed of all time (over 65 million views). But long before going viral, Julian was helping companies and individuals rethink their relationship with sound - as founder of , author of and , and now with his new book . Julian’s work spans science, music, psychology, and design - from biophilic soundscapes in office buildings to sonic branding for global brands. In this conversation, he breaks down why we...

SPOS #987 - Cindy Anderson On The ROI Of Thought Leadership

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Welcome to episode #987 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is on a mission to bring clarity, standards, and serious business impact to thought leadership. As Global Lead for Engagement & Eminence at ’s and the , Cindy has spent years leading one of the most ambitious research efforts ever undertaken on this topic. The result is her new book, , co-authored with . In it, Cindy reveals what more than 4000 C-level executives told IBM about how they consume, value, and act on thought leadership, and why some content drives sales while most gets ignored. In this...

More Episodes

Welcome 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.

TOPICS