How to TALK So People Actually Listen with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks 7 | 12

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Mar 19, 2025

Join Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and author, as she unpacks the secrets to effective conversation. Discover the TALK framework—Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness—essential for captivating your audience. Learn how to conquer small talk struggles, enhance feedback mechanisms, and navigate group dynamics in meetings. With science-backed strategies, Alison helps you transform awkward exchanges into meaningful connections, leaving you feeling more confident in every interaction.

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ANECDOTE

Twin Insights

Alison Wood Brooks's fascination with conversation stems from being an identical twin.
Observing her twin, Sarah, interact socially gave her unique insights into communication.

INSIGHT

Wicked Feedback

Conversation is a "wicked feedback environment" with limited feedback opportunities.
This lack of feedback contributes to feelings of awkwardness and uncertainty in social interactions.

INSIGHT

Conversation as a Coordination Game

Conversation is a constant coordination game where individuals make micro-decisions without direct communication.
This "gaminess" adds complexity and requires navigating uncertainty.

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Ditch the awkwardness and start owning every conversation.

Talking to people shouldn’t feel like a struggle—but let’s be honest, it often does. Maybe you’re stuck in small talk hell, getting ignored in meetings, or watching conversations die mid-sentence. Why is this so hard? Amy sits down with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business School professor and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, to expose the hidden science behind great conversations—and why most of us are getting it wrong. They break down the TALK framework (Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness) and unpack the subtle mistakes that make people tune out, disengage, or just not like talking to you. Whether you want to command the room, sound sharper in meetings or just stop replaying every interaction in your head, Alison delivers straight-shooting, science-backed strategies to help you talk better, connect faster, and stress less.

Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.

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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Amy Sandler welcomes Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business School professor and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation.
(00:01:44) The Power of Connection in Conversation
How small, personal connections can create deeper conversations.
(00:02:53) What Inspired Talk?
Dr. Wood Brooks shares how she became fascinated with conversation science.
(00:07:25) Giving Conversation Feedback
Why most people receive little feedback on their conversational skills.
(00:13:17) The Hidden Coordination Game
How small, unconscious decisions shape every conversation.
(00:18:54) The TALK Framework
Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness—the four keys to better conversations.
(00:20:24) Practicing Listening
Guided exercises and listening techniques from the Talk course.
(00:21:39) The Science Behind Mind-Wandering
Why we tune out during conversations and how to stay present.
(00:29:06) The Challenges of Group Conversations
Why group conversations are harder to manage than one-on-one talks.
(00:34:05) Digital vs. In-Person Talk
How virtual communication changes conversations.
(00:36:51) Designing Better Meetings
Strategies for leaders to create inclusive and effective meetings.
(00:39:37) Boomer Asking
The conversational habit that makes people disengage.
(00:44:28) Where to Find Dr. Wood Brooks
Dr. Wood Brooks shares where to find her work and book tour details.
(00:45:32) Conclusion

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