LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation

Ilana Gilovich

Conversation is the world’s most underrated art form. It’s how we communicate love, hope, anger, fear, excitement, compassion, and humor. Yet many conversations can feel stilted, boring, or scary. In Liftoff, host Ilana Gilovich explores what makes a good conversation— and a good conversationalist— by talking to people about talking.

Episodes

  1. 05/28/2024

    9. WHEN: It's Time to End

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 9 In Episode 9, host Ilana Gilovich learns how to navigate conversational endings gracefully. Featured Guests: Tom Gilovich: Cornell University psychology professor and co-director of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics and Decision ResearchAlison Wood Brooks: Harvard Business School professor and author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being OurselvesMallory Gracenin: Actor, writer, consultant, and producerTessa Velazquez: Chef, restaurant co-owner, founder + writer of The Sobremesa, and co-founder of YESBABEMax Stossel: Poet, Filmmaker, Speaker, and Founder of Social AwakeningAdam Mastroianni: Experimental psychologist and author of the science blog Experimental HistoryTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    47 min

  2. 05/28/2024

    8. WHY: Art Loves Mess

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 8 In Episode 8, host Ilana Gilovich muses on the courage and authenticity summoned by all captivating art... including conversation. Featured Guests: Nicholas Epley: Professor of Behavior Science and Director of the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of BusinessAmit Kumar: University of Texas at Austin assistant professor of Marketing and PsychologyMallory Gracenin: Actor, writer, consultant, and producerAndrew Horn: social entrepreneur, writer, speaker, executive life coach, and creator of Social FlowMax Stossel: Poet, Filmmaker, Speaker, and Founder of Social AwakeningFrancesca Harper: Artistic Director of Ailey II, Dancer, Choreographer, Singer, ProducerTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    37 min

  3. 05/28/2024

    7. HOW Part II: How to Listen

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 7 In Episode 7, host Ilana Gilovich learns how to listen deeply to the human and non-human worlds. Featured Guests: Mallory Gracenin: Actor, writer, consultant, and producerBrandon Kazen-Maddox: ASL artist, director, choreographer, dancer, acrobat, and filmmakerAlison Wood Brooks: Harvard Business School professor and author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being OurselvesFred Dust: Founder of Dust&Co. and author of Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful ConversationNatalie Marie Shapiro: Facilitator, ritualist, and ceremonial guideMentioned Morsels: Sleep No More: an award-winning theatrical experienceTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    30 min

  4. 05/28/2024

    6. HOW Part I: How to Ask Questions

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 6 In Episode 6, host Ilana Gilovich learns about the kinds of questions most likely to encourage scintillating conversation. Featured Guests: Andrew Horn: social entrepreneur, writer, speaker, executive life coach, and creator of Social FlowAlejandro Rodriguez: writer, director, and founder of Alejo CommunicationsAlison Wood Brooks: Harvard Business School professor and author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being OurselvesPaula Marantz Cohen: Distinguished Professor of English and Dean of the Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University and author of Talking Cure: An Essay on the Civilizing Power of ConversationMentioned Morsels: Talking Cure: An Essay on the Civilizing Power of Conversation by Paula Marantz CohenTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    30 min

  5. 05/28/2024

    5. WHAT Part II: We Can Laugh About This

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 5 In Episode 5, host Ilana Gilovich learns how humor informs conversation: by putting people at ease or by putting them on edge. Featured Guests: Alison Wood Brooks: Harvard Business School professor and author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being OurselvesMax Stossel: Poet, Filmmaker, Speaker, and Founder of Social AwakeningWill Boyajian: Actor, Singer, and MusicianMentioned Morsels: Sleep No More: an award-winning theatrical experienceTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    26 min

  6. 05/28/2024

    4. WHAT Part I: From Small Talk to Tall Talk

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 4 In Episode 4, host Ilana Gilovich learns about the conversational pyramid and contemplates the optimal level of depth in conversation. Featured Guests: Alison Wood Brooks: Harvard Business School professor and author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being OurselvesAmit Kumar: University of Texas at Austin assistant professor of Marketing and PsychologyDavid Pizarro: Cornell University psychology professor and co-host of Very Bad WizardsMentioned Morsels: Very Bad WizardsTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    17 min

  7. 05/28/2024

    3. WHERE: Setting the Mood

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 3 In Episode 3, host Ilana Gilovich learns how to design conversational environments to encourage vibrant conversation. Featured Guests: Alejandro Rodriguez: Writer, director, and founder of Alejo CommunicationsTom Gilovich: Cornell University psychology professor and co-director of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics and Decision ResearchTessa Velazquez: Chef, restaurant co-owner, founder + writer of The Sobremesa, and co-founder of YESBABEFred Dust: Founder of Dust&Co. and author of Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful ConversationMorsels Mentioned:  Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful Conversation by Fred Dust Sleep No More: an award-winning theatrical experienceTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    29 min

  8. 05/28/2024

    2. WHO: Is Everyone Here?

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 2 In Episode 2, host Ilana Gilovich explores how to build conversational environments in which all participants feel empowered to take creative risks. Featured Guests: Brandon Kazen-Maddox: ASL artist, director, choreographer, dancer, acrobat, and filmmakerDavid Pizarro: Cornell University psychology professor and co-host of Very Bad WizardsAlejandro Rodriguez: writer, director, and founder of Alejo CommunicationsMorsels Mentioned: Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by Adrienne Maree BrownSister Outsider by Audre LordeVideo Interview: The full video interview with Brandon Kazen-Maddox is available here with subtitles, so podcast audiences can both see and hear the conversation. Transcripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    37 min

  9. 05/28/2024

    1. INTRODUCTION: The World's Most Underrated Art Form

    LIFTOFF: The Art & Science of Conversation Episode 1 In Liftoff's first episode, host Ilana Gilovich shares her passion for conversation as an art form, and begins her quest to discover the secrets of extraordinary conversation. Featured Guest:  Tom Gilovich, Cornell University psychology professor and co-director of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics and Decision Research. Morsels Mentioned: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya AngelouTranscripts for all LIFTOFF episodes are available on Buzzsprout.

    11 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Conversation is the world’s most underrated art form. It’s how we communicate love, hope, anger, fear, excitement, compassion, and humor. Yet many conversations can feel stilted, boring, or scary. In Liftoff, host Ilana Gilovich explores what makes a good conversation— and a good conversationalist— by talking to people about talking.

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