Alison Wood BrooksEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections. Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonas , levity is one of the most serious tools we have in building successful connections. Wood Brooks and Bagdonas, both teachers, authors, and experts in the field of communication, recognize how crucial levity is to our professional and personal interactions. “It’s easy to think of [humor] as this extra bonus thing,” says Wood Brooks. “What we find is it’s incredibly core to how people are relating to each other.” Bagdonas agrees: “When there's the presence of laughter in team meetings, those teams are more successful and more creative. Leaders with a sense of humor—not even a good sense of humor—are seen as more motivating, more admired, [and] their teams report being more engaged.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart , Wood Brooks and Bagdonas join host Matt Abrahams to explore levity as a mindset, or as Bagdonas puts it, “Navigating life on the precipice of a smile.” Together, they share how lightness and humor can break barriers, bridge connections, and unlock the door to better communication. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium . Episode Reference Links: Alison Wood Brooks Alison’s Book: Talk Naomi Bagdonas Naomi’s Book: Humor, Seriously Ep.13 Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication Ep.73 Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested Than Interesting Ep.89 Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections Ep.169 Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io Episode Transcripts</s

Meet Alison Wood Brooks, a professor at the Harvard Business School, mother of three, basketball enthusiast, and author of the new book TALK: The science of conversation and the art of being ourselves . Alison is passionate about helping students hone their conversation skills using an innovative MBA elective curriculum called "How to talk gooder in business and life." Drawing from her expert background in the psychology of conversation, she developed an easy-to-remember acronym – TALK – that outlines the four pillars of communication: Topic selection, Asking questions, Levity, and Kindness . Alison argues that conversation is one of the most complex, demanding, and delicate of all human tasks – and she’s on a mission to show others how to refine these skills to enhance both close personal relationships and professional success. Are you ready to learn the fundamentals of communication from a leading behavioral research scientist? Hit play now! Join the discussion to find out: New methods that scientists are using to study conversation. How Alison’s experience as an identical twin shaped her current research interests. How biomarkers can track the emotional and psychological experience of conversation. What entrainment is, and what it can tell us about the connection between two talkers. The role that acoustic properties play in conversations. Go pick up your copy of TALK here ! And be sure to follow along with Alison and her work by visiting her website . Boost Your Brainpower with 15% OFF! Fuel your mind with BrainSupreme Supplements and unlock your full potential. Get 15% OFF your order now using this exclusive link: brainsupreme.co/discount/findinggenius Hurry—your brain deserves the best! Episode also

In this episode of Spill the Tea , host Jason Blitman is joined by Alison Wood Brooks , behavioral scientist, Harvard Business School professor, and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Curious . They talk about her TALK maxims, what it means to be curious, tapping the adjacent possible, and Alison shares what makes a perfect conversation. Dr. Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School. She studies the behavioral science of conversation, teaches an award-winning course in the MBA curriculum called TALK, and chairs a program for executives called Communicating for Impact. She was named a Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants . Support the show BOOK CLUB! Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERE December Book: Like Family by Erin O. White SUBSTACK! https://gaysreading.substack.com/ MERCH! http://gaysreading.printful.me WATCH! https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW! Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitman Bluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com SUBSTACK! MERCH! WATCH! CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alison Wood Brooks is a renowned behavioral scientist, professor at Harvard Business School,and the author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and The Art of Being Ourselves. Her work focuses on the psychology of conversation, emotion, and behavioral decision-making. In this podcast, she dives into the intricacies of good conversation and negotiation. What makes someone a good conversationalist? Why do so many people hate “small talk.” What factors should we consider when beginning a conversation? Plus, find out what 4 actions you can take to have better conversations today. https://alisonwoodbrooks.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG1_DIh33LfXaiEiOscEyGQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10secondstoair/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alitaguillen/ Web: https://www.alitaguillen.com/ Web: https://www.10secondstoair.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony talks with Alison Wood Brooks, a professor at Harvard Business School, about her brand-new book TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves. They explore human interaction, self-disclosure, and the importance of authenticity. Alison highlights listening, charisma, and apologies in relationships, while also discussing nature vs. nurture in conversation and the role of humor and kindness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alison Wood Brooks: Talk Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where she created and teaches a course called TALK. As a behavioral scientist, she is a leading expert on the science of conversation and her research was referenced in two of the top ten most-viewed TED talks and depicted in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. She is the author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves*. Conversations are the venues where leaders do so much of their work. We all know someone who always can keep a conversation interesting and relevant. In this episode, Alison and I discuss how a key tactic can help you towards more meaningful conversations. Key Points Healthy relationships are critical for success, and relationships are about talking. Good conversation is both instinct and deliberate effort. Preparing topics in advance improves conversation immensely. Topics for conversation can be sourced from almost anywhere and help even if we don’t use those topics. Good topic management is more important than the right topic. The best conversationalists know when to shift. Small talk in an essential exploration ground for getting to bigger, more meaningful conversation. Resources Mentioned Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves* by Alison Wood Brooks Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Way Into Difficult Conversations, with Kwame Christian (episode 497) How to Help Difficult Conversations Go Better, with Sheila Heen (episode 655) How to Connect with People Better, with Charles Duhigg (episode 670) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

In this episode, you'll discover: The hidden psychological patterns that are sabotaging your conversations before they even begin How your attachment style is secretly running the show in every interaction (and what to do about it) The counterintuitive science behind why being more vulnerable actually makes you more powerful The average person will have 50,000 conversations in their lifetime. Most of them are completely worthless. Not because people are shallow – but because we're terrified of being seen. After years of studying consciousness, diving into plant medicine ceremonies, and exploring quantum physics, doing all the cool spiritual methods, I keep coming back to the simplest truth. The most powerful tool for change is conversation. Real, raw, vulnerable conversation. I see this every day in my coaching practice. What's therapy? What's transformational coaching? At its core, it's two people talking. But not just any kind of talking. Because we don't change when someone tells us what to do. We change when we come to our own realizations through dialogue. When we hear ourselves say something we've never admitted before. When someone asks us that one question that cracks everything wide open. The good news? Once you understand the psychology behind what makes conversations work or fail, you can transform every interaction from surface-level small talk into a portal for genuine connection. And I'm not talking about some manipulative "how to win friends and influence people" nonsense. I'm talking about real, raw, soul-level communication that can heal trauma, bridge divides, and maybe even save us from ourselves. Today's guest is Alison Brooks, a Harvard professor who's cracked the code on conversation. She's not your typical academic – she's done the research on why some people can turn any interaction into gold while others stay stuck in small talk hell. Her new book "Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves" blends cutting-edge research with practical wisdom about how we can all become better at this fundamental human skill. Links from the episode: Show Notes: mindlove.com/384 Join the Mind Love Collective Sign up for The Morning Mind Love for short daily notes to wake up inspired Support Mind Love Sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Meet Alison Wood Brooks, a professor at the Harvard Business School, mother of three, basketball enthusiast, and author of the new book TALK: The science of conversation and the art of being ourselves . Alison is passionate about helping students hone their conversation skills using an innovative MBA elective curriculum called "How to talk gooder in business and life." Drawing from her expert background in the psychology of conversation, she developed an easy-to-remember acronym – TALK – that outlines the four pillars of communication: Topic selection, Asking questions, Levity, and Kindness . Alison argues that conversation is one of the most complex, demanding, and delicate of all human tasks – and she’s on a mission to show others how to refine these skills to enhance both close personal relationships and professional success. Are you ready to learn the fundamentals of communication from a leading behavioral research scientist? Hit play now! Join the discussion to find out: New methods that scientists are using to study conversation. How Alison’s experience as an identical twin shaped her current research interests. How biomarkers can track the emotional and psychological experience of conversation. What entrainment is, and what it can tell us about the connection between two talkers. The role that acoustic properties play in conversations. Go pick up your copy of TALK here ! And be sure to follow along with Alison and her work by visiting her website . Boost Your Brainpower with 15% OFF! Fuel your mind with BrainSupreme Supplements and unlock your full potential. Get 15% OFF your order now using this exclusive link: brainsupreme.co/ discount/findinggenius Hurry—your brain deserves the best! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Send us Fan Mail The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe welcomes Harvard professor and author Alison Wood Brooks to discuss her groundbreaking book, Talk: The Science and Art of Being Ourselves . Together, they explore the science behind conversations and how they shape our personal and professional lives. Alison introduces her TALK framework—Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness—providing actionable strategies to improve communication. She shares why talking can feel so cognitively demanding, the myth of natural charisma, and how intentional choices can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections. Joe and Alison discuss practical tools like navigating the "topic pyramid," creating psychological safety in group settings, and the surprising power of levity. They also highlight the art of mastering conversations in both everyday life and professional environments. Whether you’re a leader, a friend, or simply someone wanting to communicate better, this episode offers invaluable insights for connecting with others and being authentically yourself. Dr. Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where she created and teaches a course called TALK. As a behavioral scientist, she is a leading expert on the science of conversation. Her award-winning research has been published in top academic journals and is regularly cited in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and NPR. Her research was referenced in two of the top ten most-viewed TED talks of all time and depicted in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. In 2021, she was named a Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants. "TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves" is her first book. A special thanks to this week's sponsors! Veteran-founded Adyton . Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here ! Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units. Onebrief , the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows

We learn the skill of talking as toddlers and by the time we’re adults, most of us don’t think twice about the inner workings of a conversation. But the reality is, there’s a science and an art to conversing. And understanding that science could unlock so much potential in your professional and personal life. Alison Wood Brooks is a professor at Harvard Business School and the author of the book, Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves . She also teaches a cutting-edge course at Harvard called Talk where she helps students hone their conversational skills. Alison and Greg talk about talking, including why this critical skill should be incorporated into more school curriculums, the complexities of effective communication, and the importance of small talk. Alison also offers tips for enhancing your conversation skills, whether in personal relationships or professional settings. *unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.* Show Links: Recommended Resources: Alex Pentland Jeffrey Pfeffer | Pfeffer on Power podcast “Risky business: When humor increases and decreases status” by Alison Wood Brooks, T. Bradford Bitterly, and Maurice Schweitzer Nicholas Epley | unSILOed Gong Guest Profile: Faculty Profile at Harvard Business School Professional Website Professional Profile on Instagram Her Work: Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves Episode Quotes: Why aren't people experts at communication? 01:59: Language acquisition starts very early in our lives, and we spend almost all day long, every day of our lives, practicing it. And so we get to adulthood, and we feel like we should be experts at it, that we should be really great at it. And yet, as we all know, based on our own ruminations about our own lives, and from our observations of others, we are far from perfect at communication. And the reason that we're not experts at it is because, when you look under the hood, conversation is a lot more complicated and tricky than it first appears, and it takes some rummaging under the hood to understand what's really going on here and why aren't we—why aren't we perfect at it? What makes a successful conversation 12:12: A successful conversation is about the combination of prep—what you do ahead of time—and then how well you improvise once you're there. It's the combination of preparation and flexibility. Small talk is the start not the destination in every conversation 18:01: Small talk is a very important social ritual. You have to do it. You have to start somewhere, especially with strangers and people you haven't seen in a long time. You gotta start with, like, how are you? Like, what's going on? How are you? It'd be weird not to. The mistake that people make is staying there too long, not finding those off-ramps to move up the pyramid to something more meaningful and interesting. The challenge of explicit goals in conversations 10:49: Often, we don't know what we want, and it might emerge as the conversation goes on or as a relationship proceeds. So that's a big proble

​​ What makes a great conversation? “Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks . Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper connection and opportunity. An expert in the science of conversation, Wood Brooks, teaches a popular course titled Talk and has spent years researching what makes a great conversation. "Big things often start with small talk," she notes. "It’s not about avoiding it; it’s about knowing how to use it to uncover something meaningful." In this LinkedIn Live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart , Wood Brooks joins host Matt Abrahams to share a practical framework for mastering small talk and making it enjoyable, even for those who loathe it. Drawing from her "topic pyramid" approach, Wood Brooks breaks down how to elevate a conversation from mundane chitchat to something memorable. “Think of it as a treasure hunt,” she suggests. “Small talk is where you start looking for golden nuggets that can lead to deeper engagement.” Episode Reference Links: Alison Wood Brooks Alison's Book: Talk Ep.73 Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested than Interesting Ep.89 Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn , Instagram , YouTube Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (00:52) - What Makes a Good Conversation? (03:11) - The Topic Pyramid (05:52) - Preparation for Small Talk (08:08) - Remembering Conversation

Research-backed techniques on how to beat nervousness in the moment. In this episode, Matt uses clips from experts from previous Think Fast Talk Smart episodes to provide you with several communication anxiety management techniques to help you feel more comfortable and confident when you communicate. And as a guide to help us learn these techniques, he introduces the ABCs of anxiety management. Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn , Instagram , YouTube Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

As a communication expert, Alison Wood Brooks spends a lot of time talking about talking. But, as she says, listening is just as important. “My course is called TALK,” says Wood Brooks, who is the O'Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at Harvard Business School. “The great irony is that it should really be called LISTEN . It’s hard to be a good listener yet so very important.” In the latest episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart , Wood Brooks covers conversation strategies for active listening, turning anxiety into excitement, and knowing when it’s time to change the subject. Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn , Instagram , YouTube Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

The rapid heartbeat. The shaking hands. The flushed face. The symptoms of pre-performance jitters are common. For some people, nervousness before a big test or important presentation is normal and temporary. For others, it can be debilitating. Typical suggestions for managing nerves tend to involve deep breaths and calming thoughts. But what if there were a better way? In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman , we look at the science behind the state of arousal commonly referred to as stage fright, including new research into better ways to manage unpleasant emotions. You’ll hear world-renowned concert pianist Steven Osborne describe the agonizing moment during an important performance when he began to experience memory lapses due to anxiety. As the fear of making mistakes increased, Steven began to worry that stage fright could cost him the career he loved. But through therapy and reflection, he managed to flip the script on his anxiety—and came to see it as a gift to be explored. All of the piano music in this segment comes from Steven Osborne’s recordings. You can hear his complete performances on Beethoven Piano Sonatas Opp 109, 110 & 111 and Prokofiev Piano Sonatas Nos 6, 7 & 8 , available on Hyperion Records . Next, Alison Wood Brooks joins Katy to talk about her fascinating research into stage fright using video game karaoke to discover the most effective techniques for managing and even leveraging pre-performance nerves. Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School . For more on her research, you can read her paper Get Excited: Reappraising Pre-performance Anxiety as Excitement . Finally, Katy explores other ways to regulate unpleasant emotions. These techniques can help improve outcomes for negotiations, job interviews, and schoolwork. For more on behavioral science—including additional content from the expert interviews featured on Choiceology— you can sign up for Katy’s newsletter at katymilkman.com/newsletter . Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the series, visit schwab.com/podcast . If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating or review on Apple Podcasts. Important Disclosures: All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. (0820-0BTM)

Clint concludes his conversation with Alison Wood Brooks, the award-winning professor at Harvard Business School that created an experiential course designed to help students hone conversational skills. In Part Two, Alison talks about how having a good sense of humor can elevate your status.

This week on The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett, Clint talks to Alison Wood Brooks, the award-winning professor at Harvard Business School. In Part One, Alison shares why the psychology of conversation became a focal point in her career and how she developed a cutting-edge MBA course called "How to talk gooder in business and life.”