Kara Swisher and Orna Guralnik on How to Get People Talking
Jun 25, 2024
01:14:07
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Psychoanalyst Dr. Orna Guralnik and tech journalist Kara Swisher discuss the art of connecting with people and encouraging openness in interviews. They delve into therapeutic listening, navigating power dynamics in couples therapy, and personal resilience when confronting influential figures. The conversation also touches on preparing patients for therapy sessions, interactions with tech moguls, reflections on death and career choices, and the importance of maintaining personal and professional boundaries.
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Quick takeaways
Dr. Orna Guralnik creates space for unconscious revelations by uncovering defenses in couples therapy.
Kara Swisher builds relationships beyond professional boundaries to navigate tough interviews with honesty.
Swisher's resilience from childhood trauma shapes her parenting style focused on authenticity and self-expression.
Deep dives
Dr. Orna Guralnick's Psychoanalytic Techniques
Dr. Orna Guralnick, a psychoanalyst known for her profound listening skills on Couples Therapy, explains how she creates a space for surprises and the unconscious to emerge. By focusing on uncovering defenses, she delves beyond the obvious and encourages unexpected revelations. Guralnick's approach involves establishing trust with couples, observing behaviors for insights, and strategically timing information delivery to foster growth.
Kara Swisher's Interviewing Strategy
Tech journalist Kara Swisher, known for her direct style, discusses her approach to interviews. Swisher builds relationships with subjects over time, gaining insights beyond the professional realm. She navigates challenging conversations by offering personal anecdotes and by maintaining honesty in her assessments, even toward powerful figures like Mark Zuckerberg. Swisher's willingness to ask tough questions highlights the accountability and consequences that come with immense power.
Impact of Childhood Trauma on Kara Swisher
Kara Swisher reflects on the influence of losing her father at a young age due to an aneurysm. Despite limited memories of her father, this early loss shaped her resilience and ability to handle crisis situations with calmness. Swisher's childhood trauma contributed to her being highly functional and adept at overcoming challenges, illustrating a deep emotional strength instilled by past experiences.
Parenting Philosophy and LGBTQ+ Support
Kara Swisher discusses her parenting style, emphasizing the importance of letting her kids be themselves and fostering a supportive environment. She shares how she encourages her children to express themselves authentically, mentioning her son's experience with a cowboy hat and the impact of societal norms. Swisher reflects on her LGBTQ+ identity and the significance of allowing children to explore their individuality without judgment or limitations.
Journalistic Integrity and Accountability in Tech Reporting
Swisher highlights her commitment to journalistic integrity, especially in holding tech leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. She discusses her approach to interviewing powerful individuals, aiming to bring transparency and accountability to tech discussions. Swisher emphasizes the importance of speaking truth to power and not shying away from controversial topics, ensuring her reporting serves the audience's interests rather than conforming to industry norms.
Anna talks to Dr. Orna Guralnik, the psychoanalyst from Showtime’sCouples Therapy, and then to Kara Swisher, the pugnacious tech journalist and podcast host, about the art of the interview, and how they get people to open up to them.
This episode is from a live conversation, earlier this month, at the Tribeca Festival. It was produced by Slate’s Katie Rayford and Alexandra Cohl and Tribeca Festival’s Davy Gardner, with help from Zoe Azulay and Cameron Drews.
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