My Favourite Podcast

I was surprised to recently find out that Alan Alda (AKA Hawkeye from M*A*S*H) is a communication superstar.

I stumbled across his podcast "Clear and Vivid" and was rewarded with many intriguing interviews with celebrities like Judge Judy, Sarah Silverman, Tina Fey, and Itzhak Perlman. His interview style brings out warm personal stories from the guests. He also asks interesting questions about communication like "How do you stop a compulsive talker?"- and the answers are more varied than you'd imagine.

Working backwards I found out that there is something called the "Alan Alda Method" taught at none other than the Alan Alda Centre for Communicating Science. This program exists to help doctors and other scientists learn to communicate the vital information they have to share. The Alan Alda method uses improvisational theatre techniques to train scientists to pay attention to their audience/ listener and dynamically adjust to those needs. Anyone who's been in a room with a doctor that won't look you in the eye can agree this program is needed.

Clear and Vivid has quickly become my favourite podcast. Look for it wherever you get your podcasts!

Real listening is a willingness to let the other person change you. When I'm willing to let them change me, something happens between us that's more interesting than a pair of dueling monologues.- Alan Alda