#276: Better Conversations – One Question at a Time (Part 2) – Dr. Alison Wood Brooks

The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin

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[19:50] This episode is Part 2 of our conversation on The Toastmasters Podcast, in which host Greg Gazin continues his discussion with Harvard Business School professor and behavioral scientist Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves. Together, they take a deeper dive into the underrated power of asking good questions, exploring the art and science of conversation through the lens of inquiry—revealing that it’s not just about what you ask, but how, when, and why you ask it. If you haven’t already done so, you might want to listen to Part 1, Episode #275 first.

The discussion continues to draw from the chapter titled “A is for Asking” in Alison’s new book, along with her article, “Asking More and Better Questions,” which will appear in an upcoming issue of Toastmaster magazine.

If you enjoyed Part 1, you’ll love Part 2. In this episode, Alison returns to expand on the power of better questions, beginning with the story that opens the “Asking” chapter of her book. We explore how NPR’s Terry Gross and the late Carrie Fisher—best known as Star Wars’ Princess Leia—built a relationship over three decades of interviews, with questions that evolved alongside their connection. Alison also shares tips on reframing sensitive topics, using AI for preparation, and creating more emotionally engaging conversations—whether for podcasts, Table Topics, everyday interactions, and more.

👤 About Dr. Alison Wood Brooks

Dr. Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School. She is a behavioral scientist and one of the world’s leading experts on the science of conversation. Her award-winning research has been published in top academic journals and cited in major media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and NPR. Her work was referenced in two of the top ten most-viewed TED Talks of all time and even depicted in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. In 2021, she was named a Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants.

🔗 You can reach out to Alison at: AlisonWoodBrooks.com where you can also get a free copy of The TALK Workbook, by joining the TALK community. 

Link to the article will be posted here when available..

You can listen to Part 1 here: