Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Supercommunicators, shares insights on becoming a "supercommunicator." He delves into the science behind effective communication, emphasizing emotional connection and active listening. Listeners learn how to navigate conversations with intention—whether in personal relationships or while traveling. Additionally, Duhigg highlights Baltimore's cultural gems, from local cuisine to vibrant neighborhoods, making it a must-visit destination.
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insights INSIGHT
Relationships Predict Wellbeing
Close relationships at mid-life predict happiness and health at age 65.
Maintaining conversations with important people, even infrequently, promotes wellbeing.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Nurture Relationships Actively
Reconnect intuitively by reaching out when reminded of someone.
Keep relationships alive through simple messages or organized gatherings.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Match Conversation Types
Identify the type of conversation (practical, emotional, social) before responding.
Align conversations by asking if the person wants to be helped, hugged, or heard.
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In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and change. He explains the 'habit loop' consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward, and how understanding this loop can help in changing bad habits or forming good ones. The book includes numerous examples from various fields, such as how Procter & Gamble successfully marketed Febreze, how Alcoa transformed its business by focusing on safety, and how individuals like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. benefited from specific habits. Duhigg argues that by harnessing this science, individuals and organizations can transform their lives and businesses[2][4][5].
Supercommunicators
How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
Charles Duhigg
In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the secrets of 'supercommunicators' who excel at connecting with others. He delves into the three distinct types of conversations—practical, emotional, and social—and provides practical strategies and case studies to illustrate how to recognize and navigate these conversations effectively. The book includes examples from various contexts, such as jury deliberations, CIA recruitments, and workplace interactions, to demonstrate how communication can be improved. Duhigg emphasizes the importance of active listening, identifying complex emotions, and matching the type of conversation to enhance connection and understanding.
Why do some conversations leave you feeling seen and understood, while others fall flat?
Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author of The Power of Habit and his latest, Supercommunicators. He's spent years exploring the science of communication to find out what separates those rare, magical conversations from ones that leave us disconnected or misunderstood.
In this episode, we explore how communication really works - what’s happening in our brains during conversations, the skills that make someone a “supercommunicator,” and how to have more meaningful, connected interactions no matter where you are in the world.
If you’ve ever left a conversation wondering why it didn’t land the way you wanted or if you’re trying to get better at connecting with people across cultures, relationships, or work, this one’s for you. Charles shares practical frameworks and surprising science-backed insights that help you show up better in any conversation. Whether you're navigating conflict with your partner or chatting with a stranger abroad, this episode is full of takeaways that’ll make you rethink how you communicate.
PLUS, stick around on the backend for a special segment on the best things to do, see, and eat in Baltimore, Maryland.
What’s one small shift you could make to be more present and connected in your conversations this week? I'd love to hear what you took away from our talk, and I hope you’ll share bysending me an audio message.
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Tune In To Learn:
Why Charles and his wife spent six months surfing in El Salvador and living in Costa Rica
How living abroad shaped his worldview as a journalist
What led Charles to write Supercommunicators after the success of The Power of Habit
How to identify the 3 types of conversations (and why mismatching them causes conflict)
How to ask deep questions that invite real connection
Why “looping for understanding” is a powerful listening tool
How vulnerability really works in our brains, and why energy matching is a powerful way to build trust and connection
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