Micheal Leviton, a Brooklyn writer and musician known for his memoir "To Be Honest," shares his unique upbringing in a brutally honest family. He reflects on the challenges of maintaining such honesty in relationships and dating, revealing the tension between transparency and social expectations. The conversation also explores the struggles of vulnerability in group settings and the complexities of communication across cultures. With humor and insight, Leviton emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and authenticity in forging deep connections.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Honesty and Criticism
Michael Leviton emulated his music critic father's critical style in his interactions with teachers and classmates.
This led to humorous, yet sometimes uncomfortable, situations where he challenged norms and questioned rules, like the concept of leap years shifting birthdays.
insights INSIGHT
Shame and Vulnerability
Leviton's upbringing fostered a unique relationship with shame and vulnerability.
By accepting perceived flaws and societal judgments, he avoided shame and developed critical thinking towards societal norms.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Family Therapy Camp
Leviton attended "family therapy camp," where families engaged in public therapy sessions.
This experience exposed him to raw adult emotions and shaped his perception of honesty, influencing his interactions with teenagers at school.
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To Be Honest
Michael Leviton
In 'To Be Honest', Michael Leviton recounts his upbringing in a family that prioritized honesty to an extreme degree, often leading to social and personal challenges. The memoir explores his journey from embracing this philosophy to eventually learning the value of tact and dishonesty in certain situations. It offers a candid and humorous look at the complexities of honesty and its impact on relationships and personal growth.
In an era of fake news and 'alternative facts', the issue of truth and how it is presented to the world has never been more timely. But on a personal level, things are less clear cut. We all tell white lies and withhold info in the name of manners and politeness from time to time and some of the hardest truths can feel very difficult to tell. Micheal Leviton is a writer and musician from Brooklyn whose book, To Be Honest: A Memoir, tells his own story of growing up in a family who, according to Michael, never lied. His upbringing meant that by the age of 29 he could only recall having lied three times in his life. The challenges of being brutally honest on a daily basis have been the basis of much soul searching for the author and also serve as the foundation of a few entertaining tales in his book. He joins Intelligence Squared producer Catharine Hughes to talk about it.
Intelligence Squared 
