Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Part 1: Journalist Cal Fussman on Questions, Storytelling, Adventure

Feb 22, 2017

Journalist Cal Fussman, known for his skill of asking great questions and world-class storytelling, shares his insights on the power of storytelling and asking questions. The episode explores the art of interrupting others during storytelling and discusses the importance of developing meta awareness and the art of adaptation. It also delves into the qualities of a great listener and the power of curiosity in mental health. The conversation touches on confirmation bias in asking questions and emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude and seeking support.

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INSIGHT

Recognize Nuggets Instantly

Cal identifies "nuggets" instinctively when a person's words, cadence, or emotion clearly reveal something meaningful.
Those nuggets guide how he threads follow-up questions and shapes stories.

ADVICE

Pocket Threads, Don't Interrupt

Hold back from interrupting; pocket emerging threads and revisit them after the speaker finishes to let full stories unfold.
Use guides instead of forceful interruption to capture deeper answers without breaking flow.

ADVICE

Ask One Why And Only One

Ask open-ended why questions to nudge people to reflect and reveal deeper motives instead of yes/no answers.
Avoid multi-part rapid-fire questions because they let interviewees pick which part to answer and dodge others.

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This conversation, just like Cal Fussman, gets better as it goes. I really enjoy the conversations, that at the end, I walk away saying, man I'd love to spend more time him/her….This was one of those conversations. He's known for his skill of asking great questions -- yet his talent of storytelling is world class. Questions are to illicit responses and engagement -- and -- there is so much more beneath the surface of an answer -- body gestures, emotions, hints of motivation, and ultimately, snips of the framework that the person is working to share how they understand the world (and people). It's all in there -- does the responder orientate to protect, to embrace…..to explore, to have fun? And -- Cal takes that understanding to the next level by doing it artistically through storytelling. We all have a story -- thousands of stories. Cal pulls back the curtain to share his -- and the challenge is set for us all to become better at asking questions to learn other's stories -- and -- to become thoughtful on how we share our own stories with people who are thoughtful -- caring -- interested -- enough to offer their time and attention. This is a two part episode -- it's too good, way to good to cram. When you listen to Cal's stories, listen for the framework, for the stuff underneath the surface -- and -- also see if you can listen to how he constructs his stories. We also talk about the art of interrupting others -- during storytelling -- He doesn't -- I do, and we have fun with it (and if you've ever wondered why I purposefully interrupt folks -- it's all by design, and we talk about it just a bit in this conversation).

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