Jonah Platt on How to Navigate Hard Conversations and Own Who You Are

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with the multi-talented, Jonah Platt, actor, writer, and host of the hit podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. As a powerful advocate for Jewish identity, Jonah is someone who has thought deeply about how we communicate in complex, high-stakes moments.

We explore what it means to build a career in a polarized environment and how Jonah’s recent ADHD diagnosis has reshaped the way he sees himself and shows up in the world. We discuss the tools we all need to navigate difficult conversations, those that arise at work, in friendships, within families, and online.

Jonah shares his "4 C’s" of effective communication, and we unpack the concept of secondary messaging, exploring how people speak in code, avoid clarity, or remain silent when the stakes feel too high.

We also explore what it takes to truly own your identity, especially when the room gets quiet, when it may come at a cost, or when you're still figuring it out yourself.

00:00 Introduction

01:22 Jonah Platt's Upbringing and Early Career

03:22 Transition to Acting and TV Writing

07:29 Jewish Identity and Advocacy

11:10 Impact of October 7th and Public Response

18:33 Starting a Podcast and Future Plans

20:21 The Challenges of Starting a Podcast

21:25 The Impact of Podcasting on Career

22:20 Memorable Conversations

23:23 The Four Cs of Difficult Conversations

29:04 Diagnosed with adult ADHD

37:37 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

39:07 Leaving a Mark