Explore the art of great conversation with Charles Duhigg and Russ Roberts. Learn about the power of effective communication, the distinction between debate and conversation, the importance of vulnerability in building connections, and the impact of asking deep questions to enhance relationships.

Journalist and author Robert Wright and EconTalk's Russ Roberts engage in a lively debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They discuss American perspectives on Gaza casualties, navigating complexities in the conflict, the Gaza withdrawal in 2005, sexual violence in conflict zones, shifting global views on Israel, media biases, and the nuances of free speech in Israel-Palestine discourse.

Historian and author Hillel Cohen discusses the significance of 1929 in understanding the Arab-Israeli conflict. They explore the Hebron Massacre, differing perspectives, challenges faced by historians, and interpretations of key phrases. The history and challenges of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements and occupation, are also discussed.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren, argues that Israel should stop accepting U.S. foreign aid. He discusses the impact of condemnations against Israel, challenges faced by the Israeli army in the Gaza War, and Israel's goals and dilemmas in the conflict. Oren highlights the importance of rebuilding Gaza, eradicating Hamas ideology, and expresses optimism for Israel's future.

Pollster and political scientist Dahlia Scheindlin discusses the dreams, fears, anger, and frustration of Palestinians and Israelis. Topics include the impact of the war in Gaza on Israel's national mood, the aftermath of a recent terror attack in Israel, the immorality of collective punishment, the different meanings of political alignments in Israel, resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, extremist influence and support for radical Islam, and the optimism and pessimism surrounding Israel's future.

Political scientist Brian Klaas discusses his book Fluke and the impact of chance events on society and individuals. Topics include the targeting of the atomic bomb, personal tragedies, challenges in social science research, evolutionary biology, the thought experiment of killing baby Hitler, the ripple effects of small actions, and the concept of regret.

Economist Noah Smith and Russ Roberts discuss the impact of plunder and imperialism on wealth. They debunk the idea that plunder is the sole explanation for wealth and highlight the importance of growth, productivity, and innovation. They explore the role of slavery, machinery, liberalization, and globalization in economic development. They also discuss the breakdown of enforcement of national borders, conflicts arising in the world, and the extraordinary achievements in economic well-being in China and India.

Former Jerusalem Bureau journalist Matti Friedman discusses the media's obsession with Israel and the challenge of objective reporting in wartime. Topics include disproportionate coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict, different perspectives on the conflict, examining the coverage and ethical considerations, challenges of reporting in Gaza under Hamas rule, and hope for change and reflection on Israel and Gaza.

Daniel Gordis, faculty member at Shalem College, discusses the Second Intifada, Hamas's massacre on October 7th, and the existential threat to Israel. They explore the impact of the Oslo agreement, territorial acquisitions, and Israel's relationships with neighboring countries. They also discuss the need for buffer zones in the conflict, the parallels between protection needs of Jews in Israel and Europe, and the challenges of finding a resolution.

Psychologist Paul Bloom discusses his book 'Psych' with EconTalk's Russ Roberts, exploring the field of psychology's insights on human intelligence, consciousness, and unhelpful instincts. They delve into the challenges of aligning AI with human preferences and ethics, the ethical implications of AI decision-making, and the tension between morality and freedom in AI development. They also discuss the complexities of peaceful dialogue in conflict, societal advancements and changing values, and the social consequences of smartphones.