Conceptually Speaking
Conceptually Speaking is a show about exploring the cognitive processes and social practices that help us make sense of our world. As as teacher-scholar interested in the intersection of educational theory, practice, and scholarship, I host conversations with guests ranging from practicing educators to neuroscientists and literary scholars to YouTube video essayists. Each episode shares a common purpose: to consider, critique, and reconceptualize what we think and feel about education. If you enjoy the show and want to learn more, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, find me on Substack, and check out trevoraleo.com for more information, resources, and details on professional learning.
Conceptually Speaking
Rob Ashton Talks Communication, Cognitive Bias, and the Written Word
Have you ever shot off an angry email or text message and immediately regret it? Or have you ever wondered why it’s better to hash out disagreements in person instead of by email? Despite its ubiquitous nature, written communication is the lifeblood of complex modern institutions. Seriously. How we communicate in print can make or break an organization’s culture and productivity. So, in an effort to better understand the power of the written word, this week, Julia and I dig deep into the cognitive and social neuroscience behind written communication. Guiding us on this conversational journey is author, entrepreneur, and former scientist, Rob Ashton. His course, Silent Influence, pretty much blew both our minds, so we were eager to dive into this conversation. Continuing the Conceptually Speaking tradition–Rob’s message peels back the layers of misconception and pseudoscience and captures the true complexity of communication. Hold onto your socially situated brains, friends, because this was a fantastic episode.