Book Summaries by Wise Words Jes Oliphant & Tristan Alexander
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Book summaries, reviews and discussions. We aim to teach the big ideas from the most popular non-fiction books. We cover a wide-range of topics including, psychology, communication, personal development, habits and much more. Our aim is to make sure you learn more in less time. If you enjoyed our podcast make sure to check out our other content on our website: https://wisewords.blog/
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#67 How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere - Book Summary
Greetings, Esteemed Wise Wordians,
Welcome back to yet another captivating instalment of 'Wise Words Book Summaries.'
In this episode, we delve into the insightful pages of 'How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere' by the esteemed Larry King, unraveling the profound essence of its central theme.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the following thought-provoking topics:
- How to break the ice with anyone
- How to master small talk
- How to build confidence in conversations
- How to initiate conversations
- How best to exit a conversation... tactfully
If any of these subjects pique your curiosity, we invite you to tune in. And if our content resonates with you, why not express your support by liking our episode, subscribing to our channel, or, even better, sharing your invaluable insights in the comment section below? Your feedback holds immense significance to us, serving as a compass guiding our podcast's improvement.
Furthermore, should you be inclined to put into practice any of the actionable ideas we discuss in this episode, navigate over to our website at wisewords.blog, where the comprehensive summary of 'How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere' awaits your exploration.
As a sneak peek into what's on the horizon, next week we shall unravel the pages of 'Win Every Argument' by Mehdi Hasan, so remember to stay tuned for that enlightening experience.
We that you enjoy it!
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For more engaging content, do explore our presence across various platforms:
- Website: https://wisewords.blog/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog
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Chapters:
Wise Words Intro-00:00:00
Overview-00:00:04
Introduction-00:03:17
1 - Talk 101-00:04:06
2 - Breaking the Ice-00:13:25
Building Comfort in Conversation-00:13:28
Initiating Conversations-00:17:34
Evading Yes/No Questions-00:20:02
Emphasising Listening-00:21:02
Understanding Body Language-00:23:36
Tackling Taboo Topics-00:25:01
The Key to Successful Conversation: Staying Informed and Relevant-00:26:09
3 - Social Talk-00:27:45
Navigating Cocktail Parties-00:27:56
Exiting Conversations Tactfully-00:28:52
Small Dinner Gatherings-00:29:49
Quarterbacking a Conversation-00:31:19
Family Events: Weddings to Funerals-00:33:13
Talking to Celebrities-00:34:11
General Conversation Tips-00:35:54
4 - Eight Things the Best Talkers Have in Common-00:37:05
Common Traits of Effective Communicators-00:37:10
Incorporating Humour-00:38:34
Developing a Unique Communication Style-00:39:19
5 - Trendy Talk and Political Correctness-00:41:36
The Importance of Clear Language-00:41:41
Avoiding Trendy and Inflated Language-00:42:12
Eliminating "Nothing Words" and Filler Noises-00:42:25
Breaking Bad Speech Habits-00:45:10
Navigating Political Correctness
6 - Business Talk-00:46:27
7 - My Best and Worst Guests, and Why-00-51:31
Key Qualities of
If you enjoyed this podcast make sure to check out our other content on our other platforms:
Website: https://wisewords.blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog -
#66 The Art of Explanation Part II - Book Summary
Greetings, Esteemed Wise Wordians,
Welcome back to the second part of 'The Art of Explanation.'
Join us on the second half of this summary as we embark on a journey through the following thought-provoking topics:
- Seven-Step Dynamic Explanation
- Organise your Information
- The importance of Verbalising
- How to use Memory Techniques to improve your explanations
- How to predict questions
- How to effectively answer questions in the moment
- Expecting the Unexpected
If any of these subjects pique your curiosity, we invite you to tune in. And if our content resonates with you, why not express your support by liking our episode, subscribing to our channel, or, even better, sharing your invaluable insights in the comment section below? Your feedback holds immense significance to us, serving as a compass guiding our podcast's improvement.
Furthermore, should you be inclined to put into practice any of the actionable ideas we discuss in this episode, navigate over to our website at wisewords.blog, where the comprehensive summary of 'The Art of Explanation' awaits your exploration.
As a sneak peek into what's on the horizon, next week we shall unravel the pages of 'How to Talk to Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime' by Larry King, so remember to stay tuned for that enlightening experience.
We that you enjoy it!
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For more engaging content, check out our different social channels:
- Website: **https://wisewords.blog/**
- Instagram: **https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/**
- Twitter: **https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog**
- Facebook: **https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog**
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Chapters:
Part 4: Seven-Step Dynamic Explanation-00:00:11
Steps One to Three: Prepare the Information-00:01:02
Step Four: Organise the Information-00:01:15
Step Five: Verbalise-00:03:59
Step Six: Memorise-00:08:42
Memory Techniques-00:08:59
Step Seven: Questions-00:12:53
Predicting the Questions-00:13:10
The Power of Clear Communication-00:24:18
Answering Questions in the Moment-00:28:33
Answering Unknown Questions-00:28:27
Expecting the Unexpected-00:30:52
Part 5: Quick Explanations-00:32:00
Crafting Effective Written Explanations-00:32:21
Brief Summary-00:37:56
If you enjoyed this podcast make sure to check out our other content on our other platforms:
Website: https://wisewords.blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog -
#65 The Art of Explanation Part I - Book Summary
Welcome back Wise Wordians,
Our new Video is the "The Art of Explanation," Book Summary written by Ros Atkins.
Ros Atkins is a senior BBC News anchor who hosted on BBC World Service radio for many years and is now the anchor and creator of the innovative primetime programme Outside Source on BBC World News television.
This book summary is an essential watch for anyone eager to refine their ability to convey complex ideas in a simple, engaging manner. Whether you're in education, marketing, any professional field, or simply keen on enhancing your communication prowess, this summary is tailored for you.
While Ros Atkins is known for his adeptness in clear and cogent reporting, the principles we discuss today, inspired by the themes of clarity in communication, will distill a step by step process to make your explanations more impactful. The book provides plenty of practical examples and actionable strategies that can be applied in various contexts to improve how you communicate ideas, making them accessible and relatable to your audience.
Join us as we break down the key takeaways and equip you with the tools to be an effective communicator, ensuring your ideas are not just heard but fully understood and appreciated. Whether explaining a complex process to colleagues or presenting a new concept to clients, enhancing your explanatory skills is invaluable.
Get ready to transform your communication style and make your explanations more effective than ever. Remember to hit the like button, share this video with friends or colleagues who could benefit, and subscribe to our channel for more insightful content on communication and beyond. Let's begin our journey to mastering the art of explanation with the guidance inspired by Ros Atkins' approach to clear communication.
For more engaging content, explore our presence across various platforms:
Website: https://wisewords.blog/
Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/
Twitter: / https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog
Chapters:
Wise Words Intro-00:00:00
Overview-00:00:04
Introduction-00:03:31
Discovering the Power of Explanation-00:04:44
Part 1: The Anatomy of a Good Explanation-00:10:00
Simplicity-00:10:33
Essential Detail-00:11:05
Complexity-00:12:00
Efficiency-00:13:40
Precision-00:14:57
Context-00:16:32
No Distractions00:18:51
Engaging-00:23:36
Useful-00:24:24
Clarity of purpose-00:25:23
Part 2: Know Your Audience-00:27:32
Part 3: Seven-Step Explanation-00:34:47
Step One: Set-up-00:34:54
Step Two: Find the information-00:36:32
Step Three: Distil the Information-00:40:44
Step Four: Organise the Information-00:51:40
Different Story Structures-00:46:44
Organise the Information within the Strands-00:51:40
Step 5: Link the Information-00:55:53
Writing Techniques to Help You Explain and Tell a Story-00:59:40
Step Six: Tighten-01:11:13
Ways to Tighten Your Explanation-01:11:40
Step Seven: Delivery-01:14:58
Verbalisation-01:16:19
Script v Bullet Points-01:18:12
Emphasis Techniques-01:24:21
The Importance of Rehearsal:01:29:30
If you enjoyed this podcast make sure to check out our other content on our other platforms:
Website: https://wisewords.blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog -
#64 New Years Special - Our Favourite Books of 2023
Hello, incredible Wise Words community!
We're thrilled to have you back for another enthralling edition of 'Wise Words Book Summaries.'
In today's episode, we're spicing things up to usher in the New Year. Join us for a special twist as we reflect on the past year, unveiling our favourite books and sharing the transformative insights we gained from them.
We touch on many topics throughout this episode, including:
HabitsPropagandaNutritionFitnessCorruptionTotalitarianism
If any of these subjects pique your curiosity, we invite you to tune in. And if our content resonates with you, why not express your support by liking our episode, subscribing to our channel, or, even better, sharing your invaluable insights in the comment section below? Your feedback holds immense significance to us, serving as a compass guiding our podcast's improvement.
Furthermore, should you be inclined to put into practice any of the actionable ideas we discuss in this episode, navigate over to our website at wisewords.blog, where all the book summaries will be waiting for you.
As a sneak peek into what's on the horizon, next week we will be starting our journey into communication with ‘The Art of Explanation’ by Ros Atkin, so remember to stay tuned for that.
We hope that you enjoy it!
If you enjoyed this podcast make sure to check out our other content on our other platforms:
Website: https://wisewords.blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog -
#63 Seeing Like a State - Book Summary
Greetings, Esteemed Wise Wordians,
Welcome back to yet another captivating instalment of 'Wise Words Book Summaries.'
In this episode, we delve into the insightful pages of ‘Seeing Like a State’ by the esteemed James C Scott, unravelling the profound essence of its central theme.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the following thought-provoking topics:
How societal transformations can take unexpected turnsThe 4 critical factors leading to catastrophic outcomes in state-led changesState projects of legibility and simplificationThe repercussions of applying measures to realityThe metric revolution and its implicationsThe fascinating story behind cadastral maps and their ramificationsUncovering the origins of the modern stateIf any of these subjects pique your curiosity, we invite you to tune in. And if our content resonates with you, why not express your support by liking our episode, subscribing to our channel, or, even better, sharing your invaluable insights in the comment section below? Your feedback holds immense significance to us, serving as a compass guiding our podcast's improvement.
Furthermore, should you be inclined to put into practice any of the actionable ideas we discuss in this episode, navigate over to our website at wisewords.blog, where the comprehensive summary of ‘Seeing Like A State’ awaits your exploration.
We hope that you enjoy it!
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Chapters:
Intro-00:00:00
Overview-00:00:16
Introduction (The Purpose of the Book)-00:00:48
How societal transformations go wrong:00:03:31
4 factors that lead to catastrophic outcomes in state-led societal changes:00:04:00
The pitfalls of order:00:08:10
Part 1 - State Projects of Legibility and Simplification:00:09:05
The Utilitarian language that underpins our modern times:00:14:13
Schematics of Social Order:00:20:47
Uniformity in Measurement Systems:00:21:39
The value in local measurements and why they aren’t of use to states:00:24:57
The Metric Revolution – Empowering the State:00:32:26
Measuring Land Tenure – The formation of the Cadastral Map:00:36:53
Initial Goals of Cadastral Maps:00:38:59
Where the Cadastral map gets it wrong:00:40:21
How shorthand formulas create incentives to game:00:45:32
The Origins of the Modern State:00:49:06
Naming Practices as a State Tool:00:50:52
State Tool – Standardising Language:00:52:48
Summary so far:00:54:54
Part 2 -Transforming Visions:00:55:29
Understanding State Simplification in Governance:00:59:09
Understanding the Modern Map:01:10:54
Catastrophes in State Development:01:13:55
The Evolution of the State's Role in Society:01:15:13
Understanding High Modernism:01:17:33
Modernism and City Planning:01:23:22
Lenin: The Revolutionary Visionary:01:30:18
The Art of Crafting History by Victors:01:32:18
Part 4 - The Missing Link - Types of Knowledge:01:35:58
Technical Knowledge - The Relation with Episteme and Techne:01:36:18
Techne and Science:01:39:30
Practical knowledge:01:46:53
Understanding Mētis:01:48:08
Effectiveness of Practical Knowledge:01:53:23
Valuing Practical Solutions:01:55:51
Factors Contributing to the Disregard for Practical Knowledge:01:58:32
How to make development planning better
If you enjoyed this podcast make sure to check out our other content on our other platforms:
Website: https://wisewords.blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog -
#62 Why Leaders Lie - Book Summary
Greetings, Esteemed Wise Wordians,
Welcome back to yet another captivating installment of 'Wise Words Book Summaries.'
In this episode, we delve into the insightful pages of ‘Why Leaders Lie’ by the esteemed John J. Mearsheimer, unravelling the profound essence of its central theme.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the following thought-provoking topics:
The difference between lying and deceptionWhat is Lying?The Inventory of International LiesWhy States Lie to Each OtherWhat happens when States Tell Each other LiesFearmongering and Why Leaders Use ItStrategic Cover-upsWhat are nationalist myths The Downside of Telling International LiesIf any of these subjects pique your curiosity, we invite you to tune in. And if our content resonates with you, why not express your support by liking our episode, subscribing to our channel, or, even better, sharing your invaluable insights in the comment section below? Your feedback holds immense significance to us, serving as a compass guiding our podcast's improvement.
Furthermore, should you be inclined to put into practice any of the actionable ideas we discuss in this episode, navigate over to our website at wisewords.blog, where the comprehensive summary of ‘’Why Leaders Lie’ awaits your exploration.
As a sneak peek into what's on the horizon, next week we shall unravel the pages of ‘Antifragile’ by Nassim Taleb, so remember to stay tuned for that enlightening experience.
We that you enjoy it!
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Chapters:
00:00:00-Intro
00:00:16-Author Information
00:04:46-Book Introduction - Wait Leaders Lie?
00:07:26-Two of the main findings in this book
00:09:08-Logic Vs Morals
00:10:55-Why Lie?
00:18:43-Lying and Deception
00:20:31-Perspectives on Lying
00:22:43-The rest of the book is built around four questions.
00:23:16-Chapter 1 - What is Lying?
00:32:46-Chapter 2 The Inventory of International Lies
00:48:21-Chapter 3 Lying between States
00:54:01-Why States Lie to Each Other
00:57:27-When States Tell Each Other Lies
01:00:35-Chapter 4 Fearmongering
01:01:32-Why Leaders Fearmonger
01:09:37-Fearmongering assumes the public is unable to handle the truth
01:13:35-Chapter 5 Strategic Cover-ups
01:15:11-When Strategic Cover-Ups Are Likely
01:17:14-Chapter 6 Nationalist Myths
01:24:26-Why Elites Create Nationalist Myths
01:29:37-When Elites Engage in National Mythmaking
01:31:54-Chapter 7 Liberal Lies
01:34:24-Why Elites Tell Liberal Lies
01:38:43-When Liberal Lying is Likely
01:40:18-Chapter 8 The Downside of Telling International Lies
01:45:20-What lies cause the most harm?
01:45:49-The Hazards of Fearmongering
01:49:36-The Hazards of Strategic Cover-Ups
01:54:47-The Risks of Nationalist Mythmaking
01:59:35-The Potential Costs of Liberal Lies
02:00:41-Summary
02:01:47-Debrief
If you enjoyed this podcast make sure to check out our other content on our other platforms:
Website: https://wisewords.blog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewords.blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisewordsblog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiseWordsBlog