People feel happier when they are emotionally engaged in meaningful conversations and when actively invested in learning something they care about. Successful people are not only knowledgeable about facts and figures, they also have multiple intelligences in several modalities. To discover how we can redesign our post-pandemic future to bring forth a more meaningful and happier life, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors whose latest books focus on creating emotional connection through communication tools. Fred Dust discusses his book, Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful Communication and details the benefits of deeper, meaningful conversations in society. And, Dr. Thomas Hoerr describes the framework of his book, Taking Social-Emotional Learning Schoolwide: The Formative Five Success Skills for Students and Staff, and how it can positively affect teachers, faculty, students, and learning. 

About Lisa’s guests:

Fred Dust was a Senior Partner and Global Managing Director at international design firm IDEO. A leading voice and practitioner of human-centered design and networked innovation, he helps organizations in media, finance, retail, and health confront disruption stemming from shifts in consumer behavior, social trends, economic pressures, and new technology. Prior to IDEO, Dust worked as an architect and spent eight years working with independent artists and major art organizations. He chairs the board of Parsons and sits on the board of the New School, NPR, and the Sundance Institute. He lives in New York City.

Book: Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful Communication

Dr. Tom Hoerr led schools for 37 years and is the Emeritus Head of the New City School. He is a Scholar In Residence at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, teaching in the educational leadership program. His newest book, Taking Social Emotional Learning Schoolwide: The Formative Five Success Skills for Students and Staff, shows how school culture can be a tool for implementing SEL.

Book: Taking Social-Emotional Learning Schoolwide: The Formative Five Success Skills for Students and Staff