How to Talk to People You Disagree With
Featuring Dr. Caroline Fleck
In this episode of the “This Might Get Awkward” podcast with Second City, psychologist Caroline Fleck joins me and comedian Allison Reese to reveal the one tool that helps us connect with those with whom we may disagree. Caroline, a Stanford psychologist and author of the book “Validation”, breaks down why we confuse validation with agreement, how fear shapes our political reactions, and why finding even a “kernel of truth” in someone’s perspective can transform conflict into conversation.
Plus, she opens up about the personal story that reshaped her understanding of empathy and helps Allison run the most chaotic improv game we’ve played yet: That’s So Valid—featuring Nana, prune juice revenge, and an alarming amount of “air-sex energy.”
Cheers man. Excellent.
Today must be the day for posting on this topic. Here's the piece I wrote on having this kind of validation-driven, heart-open, curious conversation with one of my MAGA friends. Polarization is in our hands to fix. Not the politicians. Let's do it! Thanks for this conversation. I'm going to share it with my WeAreOne Alliance community. https://thehonorableheathermizeur.substack.com/p/a-rare-sight-in-the-wild-red-and