logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2022
37m 53s

How to have curious conversations in dan...

TED
About this episode

When was the last time you really connected with someone who disagrees with you? Or saw a post on social media that challenged your views? Or listened to a newscast from across the political aisle? Modern life places us in all kinds of echo chambers – so what happens when these divides stop us from actually seeing and understanding one another? Today’s guest, journalist Mónica Guzmán, is the daughter of Mexican immigrants who voted –twice– for Donald Trump. Now the chief storyteller for “Braver Angels”, an organization dedicated to political depolarization, Monica shares the tools she uses to find common ground with her loved ones. She talks about why interacting with (and listening to) different points of view is critical work – and how through curiosity we can achieve the seemingly impossible task of understanding those we tend to think of as our enemy. Her book, “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times” is out now.

For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts


Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Apr 20
The right risks to take for a great career (w/ Molly Graham)
Molly Graham has had a high-powered career at a ton of extremely successful companies—and now she’s joining TED as the new host of the podcast WorkLife with Molly Graham. So what does it take to have a great career? And how do you know what job you should take, which you should q ... Show More
41m 8s
Apr 13
How to have great sex (w/ Siphumeze Khundayi and Tiffany Mugo) (re-release)
Sex is a normal part of human life, but it can also get complicated–whether you’re having it or not! The way we approach, think, and engage with our sexuality varies widely our culture, community, identity, and more. But one thing we can all strive for is healthy and safe sex. Si ... Show More
36m 20s
Apr 6
Want to change your life? Start small! (w/ Eric Zimmer)
Eric Zimmer has learned the hard way that the path to big life changes starts with small everyday behaviors. Whether it’s kicking an addiction, building a business, or writing a book, Eric starts with habits and a clear focus on what he wants to do. The host of the podcast “The O ... Show More
37m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
254 - I Never Thought of It That Way - Mónica Guzmán
<p>This is the first episode in a three-part series about how to have difficult conversations with people who see the world differently, how to have better debates about contentious issues, and how to ethically and scientifically persuade one another about things that matter – in ... Show More
51m 50s
Feb 2024
A Politics Reporter Walks Into a Singles Mixer
<p>The New York Times political reporter Astead Herndon went speed dating in a swing state to ask daters fun questions like: How early do you tell a prospective date whether you lean red or blue? When do you talk about your stances on issues like abortion or gender equality? It’s ... Show More
23m 7s
Apr 2019
How to lead a conversation between people who disagree | Eve Pearlman
In a world deeply divided, how do we have hard conversations with nuance, curiosity, respect? Veteran reporter Eve Pearlman introduces "dialogue journalism": a project where journalists go to the heart of social and political divides to support discussions between people who disa ... Show More
9m 12s
Sep 2023
How to Find Peace, Even When You Disagree | Melissa Carter
tail spinning
51m 14s
May 2021
What You Can Learn About Your Relationships from a Former Neo-Nazi | Shannon Foley Martinez
We've got a provocative but deeply practical episode today. All of us have people in our lives — whether it be our personal lives, our professional lives, or even just people we see on TV — with whom we disagree. So how can we coexist, or even reach a state of mutual understandin ... Show More
57m 29s
May 2024
Explorando la Política Mexicana Parte 1 - Exploring Mexican Politics Part 1
<p>Curious about the political landscape in Mexico? This episode is perfect for you! We discuss the dominant political parties, historical shifts, and notable figures like Vicente Fox. Learn about the PRI&apos;s long-standing influence, the conservative stance of the PAN, and the ... Show More
25m 32s
Aug 2019
Left & Right CAN Be Friends: Searching for Truth with Pantsuit Politics’ Beth & Sarah
In the immortal words of Jack Nicholson, can you handle the truth? We think you can, and we’re excited to start a new series that dives into the murky world of truth-telling in our culture today: For the Love of Finding the Truth! Skewing the truth is nothing new—bias exists ever ... Show More
1h 13m