Working

Supercommunicators | 2. How to Communicate Without Words

Why is it that we can tell someone “I’m totally fine!” and they instantly know we’re not? Gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and other subtle nonverbal cues play a huge role in how we connect with one another.  In this episode, host Charles Duhigg explores how we communicate without words, including a deep dive into the visual and tonal cues embedded in one of the biggest sitcoms of all time, The Big Bang Theory.  He talks with Dr. Dustin York, a professor at Maryville University who studies nonverbal communication and worked in public relations for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. He also sits down with Dave Goetsch, a co-executive producer and longtime writer for The Big Bang Theory, and journalist Jessica Radloff, who wrote an exhaustive book about the show [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jessica-radloff/the-big-bang-theory/9781538708491/?lens=grand-central-publishing].  This Slate miniseries dives into the art and science of meaningful conversations, inspired by Duhigg’s bestselling book, Supercommunicators [https://www.amazon.com/Supercommunicators-Unlock-Secret-Language-Connection/dp/0593243919].  Supercommunicators was produced by Sophie Summergrad and Derek John, who also did the sound design. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Supercommunicators | 1. How to Talk to Anyone

Why are some people able to talk with just about anyone—about almost anything? One answer may lie in the questions we ask—and how deeply we ask them. Stick with us here… In this episode, host Charles Duhigg examines why deep questions are so powerful and how to ask them in everyday life. He talks to Nick Epley, psychology professor at the University of Chicago and lifelong researcher of deep questions. And we catch up with Mandy Len Catron, 10 years after she wrote the viral New York Times article “The 36 Questions That Lead to Love [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/style/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html].” This Slate miniseries dives into the art and science of meaningful conversations, inspired by Duhigg’s bestselling book, Supercommunicators [https://www.amazon.com/Supercommunicators-Unlock-Secret-Language-Connection/dp/0593243919].  Supercommunicators was produced by Derek John and Sophie Summergrad.  Our technical director is Merritt Jacob.  Joel Meyer is our supervising producer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

A Working Farewell and What We’ve Learned

This week, hosts June Thomas, Isaac Butler, and Ronald Young Jr. reflect on the best tips, tools, and words of wisdom from the past four years of Working. They bid farewell to the show, to the listeners, and discuss the lessons that stuck with them and changed the way they work. They also save time at the end to reply to some heartwarming listener emails.   Past episodes that they mention include: How Choreographer Annie-B Parson Expresses Music Through Movement [https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/02/choreographer-annie-b-parson], Writer Oliver Burkeman on the Dangers of Obsessive Time Management [https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/11/oliver-burkeman-time-management], and How to Write Every Day and Stick to It [https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2024/02/how-to-write-every-day-and-stick-to-it]. In recent years, Working has been hosted by June Thomas, Isaac Butler, Ronald Young Jr., Karen Han, Nate Chinen, Kristen Meinzer, TK Dutes, and Cameron Drews.  Morgan Flannery was the founding producer of the most recent iteration of the show. Cameron Drews and Kevin Bendis have been the primary producers of both Working and Working Overtime.  Please send comments, questions, tips about creative work, and feedback to working@slate.com [working@slate.com], and thank you so much for listening!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Working Overtime: Saying Goodbye

On this, the final episode of Working Overtime, hosts Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas share some last bits of advice on how best to leave a job! Ronald has been let go, quit jobs, and switched gears in every possible way. June has moved across countries and allowed turning points in her life to be catalysts for moving on from certain work. Both of them share their experiences and offer some best practices for leaving on good terms and being prepared to leap into something new. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

An Artist’s Guide to ADHD and Getting Stuff Done

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Andy J. Pizza, an illustrator and creator of children’s books who’s also the host of the Creative Pep Talk [https://www.creativepeptalk.com/] podcast. In the interview, Andy explains what it’s like to be a working artist with ADHD, and he shares some strategies that have helped him channel his attention, accomplish tasks, and evolve in his career.  After the interview, Ronald and co-host June Thomas talk about creating like a child and the importance of “useless” friends. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Andy discusses some of his favorite music.  Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]