Supercommunicators | 3. How to Have the Hardest Conversations

Supercommunicators | 3. How to Have the Hardest Conversations

Author: Peach Fish Projects March 13, 2025 Duration: 29:11

The final installment of our series explores the conversations that most of us dread, like frank discussions of our differences or a negative performance review at work. We often anticipate that these chats will go badly—and end in hurt feelings or embarrassment—but there are proven ways to make them easier to navigate.

Host Charles Duhigg talks with psychologist Jay Van Bavel about strategies for having the hardest conversations. And: Vernā Myers, Netflix's former vice president for inclusion strategy, tells the story of what happened inside the company after an executive was fired for using a racial slur.

This Slate miniseries dives into the art and science of meaningful conversations, inspired by Duhigg's bestselling book, Supercommunicators. The guides we mention in this episode can be found at charlesduhigg.com/tools/

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.


How To! with Mike Pesca is a podcast that operates on a simple, powerful premise: everyday people have complex, real-world problems that need solving. Each episode begins with a listener's specific dilemma, whether it's navigating a unique family dynamic, improving a personal skill, or protecting vulnerable loved ones from modern threats. Host Mike Pesca then connects that individual with genuine authorities-practicing attorneys, medical doctors, seasoned entrepreneurs, published researchers, and other accomplished experts-to provide actionable, credible advice. The conversations are structured yet organic, moving from the personal story of the problem to a practical exploration of solutions. You'll hear the caller's situation unfold, the expert's breakdown of the issue, and a collaborative path forward. This isn't abstract self-help; it's a direct application of specialized knowledge to tangible human challenges. The podcast thrives on specificity, tackling questions you might not even know how to ask, let alone who to ask. By focusing on one person's story, it uncovers insights and strategies that resonate far beyond the individual case, making expert guidance accessible and relatable. The tone is curious, empathetic, and grounded, prioritizing depth and utility over generic inspiration. Listening feels like being part of a focused, productive consultation where real questions meet real answers.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

How To! with Mike Pesca
Podcast Episodes
Supercommunicators | 2. How to Communicate Without Words [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:08
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.…
Quick Fix | Challenge #2: Sleep Hacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:21
Can you actually make your life better? Every month, How To! producer Rosie Belson will put some of our best advice to the test. This month: optimizing sleep! Featured How To! episodes: How To Sleep How To Sleep Like a C…
How To Protect Your Parents From Fraud [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:57
May's father nearly lost $4,000 to an online scam. How can she protect him from future fraud? On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs at AARP. She also ru…
Supercommunicators | 1. How to Talk to Anyone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:53
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…
How To Outsmart Your Student Loans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:14
At nearly 40, Valerie is itching to pay off her student loans and finally become debt-free. But… how? On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Yanely Espinal, financial educator, author of Mind Your Money, a…
How To Have the Best Sex of Your Life (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:39
Ever since she started taking a new medication a few years ago, Meme is worried that she's lost her sex drive. She still has a great relationship with her husband, but she isn't interested in sex the way that she used to…
Quick Fix: Letting Go of Guilt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:43
In this exclusive Quick Fix bonus episode: Laurel Braitman reads a passage from her book What Looks Like Bravery: An Epic Journey Through Loss to Love. She talks about journeying up to Alaska to learn about guilt from so…
How To Rebuild Your Life After a Wildfire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:44
Jeff and his family lost their home last month in the L.A. wildfires. Since then, he's been hyperfocused on insurance claims, an epic to-do list, and finding a "temporary" place to live for the next several years. But Je…
Quick Fix | Challenge #1: Make Every Day Exciting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:40
Can you actually make your life better? Every month How To! producer, Rosie Belson, will be putting some of our best advice to the test. This month: combating the mundane with novelty. The advice was from this 2021 episo…
How To Set Limits With an Ex [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:05
Guillermo and his ex-wife divorced nearly a decade ago. They share custody of their son which, Guillermo says, lets her continue meddling in his life. He recently started dating someone and it's getting serious, but he's…