• How to TALK So People Actually Listen with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks 7 | 12

  • Mar 19 2025
  • Length: 46 mins
  • Podcast

How to TALK So People Actually Listen with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks 7 | 12

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  • Summary

  • Ditch the awkwardness and start owning every conversation.

    Talking to people shouldn’t feel like a struggle—but let’s be honest, it often does. Maybe you’re stuck in small talk hell, getting ignored in meetings, or watching conversations die mid-sentence. Why is this so hard? Amy sits down with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business School professor and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, to expose the hidden science behind great conversations—and why most of us are getting it wrong. They break down the TALK framework (Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness) and unpack the subtle mistakes that make people tune out, disengage, or just not like talking to you. Whether you want to command the room, sound sharper in meetings or just stop replaying every interaction in your head, Alison delivers straight-shooting, science-backed strategies to help you talk better, connect faster, and stress less.

    Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.

    Episode Links:
    • Alison Wood Brooks
    • Talk: The Science Of Conversation and the Art Of Being Ourselves
    • Alison Wood Brooks | LinkedIn

    Connect:
    • Website
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction
    Amy Sandler welcomes Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business School professor and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation.

    (00:01:44) The Power of Connection in Conversation
    How small, personal connections can create deeper conversations.

    (00:02:53) What Inspired Talk?
    Dr. Wood Brooks shares how she became fascinated with conversation science.

    (00:07:25) Giving Conversation Feedback
    Why most people receive little feedback on their conversational skills.

    (00:13:17) The Hidden Coordination Game
    How small, unconscious decisions shape every conversation.

    (00:18:54) The TALK Framework
    Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness—the four keys to better conversations.

    (00:20:24) Practicing Listening
    Guided exercises and listening techniques from the Talk course.

    (00:21:39) The Science Behind Mind-Wandering
    Why we tune out during conversations and how to stay present.

    (00:29:06) The Challenges of Group Conversations
    Why group conversations are harder to manage than one-on-one talks.

    (00:34:05) Digital vs. In-Person Talk
    How virtual communication changes conversations.

    (00:36:51) Designing Better Meetings
    Strategies for leaders to create inclusive and effective meetings.

    (00:39:37) Boomer Asking
    The conversational habit that makes people disengage.

    (00:44:28) Where to Find Dr. Wood Brooks
    Dr. Wood Brooks shares where to find her work and book tour details.

    (00:45:32) Conclusion
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