This episode’s guest is Bo Seo, the author of Good Arguments – a book about how he became a world debate champion in which he not only teaches us how to apply what he has learned to everyday life but imagines communities built around, not despite, constant arguing and disagreement.
Seo says that a political life without constant disagreement would be impove ... Show More
Aug 31
347 - Under Alien Skies - Phil Plait
Astronomer Phil Plait joins us to discuss his new book, Under Alien Skies, in which he describes what it would be like (through human eyes and real physical experiences) to actually travel to Saturn, Mars, asteroids, and distant stars. Also, we discuss the recent surge in UFO sig ... Show More
1h 10m
Aug 17
346 - No Nocebo Effect - Helen Pilcher
The suffering is real, but the source may not be what you assume. That's the essence of the nocebo effect, the placebo effect's evil twin. As neuroscientist Dr. Helen Pilcher explains, illness is not simply a matter of biology. Our thoughts, conscious or otherwise, can make lead ... Show More
59m 30s
Jun 2022
How to Make a Good Argument
Whenever you get into an argument, whether you're discussing politics with a colleague or the distribution of chores with your spouse, you likely feel like you're floundering. You feel worked up, but you don't feel like you're getting your point across, much less convincing the o ... Show More
44m 21s
Sep 2024
Train for any argument with Harvard’s former debate coach | Bo Seo - BIGTHINK
Train for any argument with Harvard’s former debate coach, Bo Seo. Bo Seo, an author and two-time world debate champion, believes our public conversations are in crisis. To Seo, our arguing skills have collectively atrophied over recent decades, resulting in bad arguments that ha ... Show More
17m 50s
Jun 2022
A Debate Champion on How to Have More Productive Disagreements at Work
In an ideal world, professional conflicts are settled with thoughtful discussion and collaborative decision-making. But that’s not usually how it works. More typically, you see leaders - or the loudest voices - win out, leaving others resentful. And sometimes people don’t even tr ... Show More
28m 48s
Nov 2022
GOOD ARGUMENTS: Adam Grant and Champion Debater Bo Seo on the Craft of Persuasion
When Bo Seo was 8 years old, his family moved from Korea to Australia. He did not speak a world of English. At school, to deflect attention from his inarticulacy, he became an agreeable wallflower. But that all changed when Bo’s fifth-grade teacher introduced him to competitive d ... Show More
54m 26s
Jul 2025
How to Talk to Difficult People: Proven Strategies to Stop Arguments & Feel Connected Again
<p>This episode is your playbook for having saner, smarter, and more successful conversations, even when you disagree. </p><p>If every dinner turns into a debate… </p><p>If you feel like you're having the same argument on repeat… </p><p>If you're avoiding certain topics, work eve ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 2024
My Top 3 Argument Responses
Ever find yourself in an argument where the other person gets defensive, no matter what you say?
In this episode, I’m sharing 3 easy phrases that can help you calm things down and handle defensive behavior—even when tensions are high.
Plus, I’ll show you how small changes in yo ... Show More
13m 10s
Aug 2017
#92 — The Limits of Persuasion
Sam Harris speaks with David Pizarro and Tamler Sommers about free speech on campus, the Scott Adams podcast, the failings of the mainstream media, moral persuasion, moral certainty, the ethics of abortion, Buddhism, the illusion of the self, and other topics. If the Making Sense ... Show More
1 h