Nihal Arthanayake, an acclaimed broadcaster for BBC Radio 5 Live and author of 'Let’s Talk: How to Have Better Conversations,' dives into the art of meaningful dialogue with journalist Nosheen Iqbal. They discuss how curiosity and active listening can enrich conversations, especially against the backdrop of today's polarized communications. Arthanayake highlights the struggle for authentic dialogue in politics and the shift in journalism from conversation to controversy, emphasizing the importance of genuine engagement and empathy in forging deeper connections.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Origin of Curiosity
Nihal Arthanayake's mother, a nurse, frequently engaged in conversations with everyone.
This instilled in him the importance of listening and recognizing everyone's story.
insights INSIGHT
Effective Conversations
Effective conversations prioritize active listening and avoid pre-determined outcomes.
The goal is for both parties to gain something from the interaction.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Missed Connection
Johan Hari observed a first date where one person shared their brother's recent death.
The other person ignored this and continued talking about themselves, demonstrating poor listening.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'Stolen Focus', Johann Hari delves into the reasons behind the collapse of our ability to pay attention. He discusses various factors contributing to this issue and provides strategies on how to think deeply again and reclaim our focus in a world filled with distractions.
Let's Talk
Therese Huston
In 'Let's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower', Dr. Therese Huston provides strategies for managers to give constructive feedback without demotivating employees. The book emphasizes the importance of listening and tailoring feedback to individual needs, helping managers improve performance and build trust within their teams.
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As an acclaimed interviewer and broadcaster for BBC Radio 5 Live, Nihal Arthanayake has spent years trying to understand what makes for a great conversation. He joins journalist and host of the Guardian's Today in Focus podcast, Nosheen Iqbal, to discuss his new book, Let’s Talk, which explores the evolution of dialogue and the science behind stimulating conversation. With the rise of smartphones, polarised politics and the isolation of the pandemic having made our interactions less engaging, Arthanayake's book reveals insights from leading authorities in neuroscience as well as from popular figures including Lorraine Kelly, former president of Ireland Mary McAleese, Professor Tanya Byron, Matthew Syed and many more, to find out why good conversation has eroded and how we can fix it.
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