In this episode, Jed fleshes out Compelling Seeds, a technique for changing someone’s mind in a single, short conversation.

For the first step, Feed a Need, he suggests how to start the conversation with an estranged family member, a friend, and a stranger at a protest by the opposition. Then he gives examples of the types of basic human needs you can address as you open the conversation.

For the second step, Behold Their Gold, where the other person talks through the way they see the issue you asked about, he walks through a reframing - how to give yourself a sense that the anger in the other person isn’t aimed at you, but is instead a distress call, a distress call that you can answer.

For the final step, Glue in You, he explains how to right-size the story you share in response - the origin story of the feelings you have about the issue at hand. He talks about the importance of reflecting back some of what the other person shared. Then he shares how to most effectively plant the seed - how best to pull the other person in, make your story the most compelling, and the most memorable. He shows how the connection mindsets covered in prior chapters suggest a particular flow to accomplish those three goals. Then he brings in bits of advice from experts in storytelling and persuasion on how to flesh out the story.

Next, Jed talks about thinking through your story ahead of time. Having an easy-to-remember outline will help you tell a better story in the moment. Doing this for each of the issues you feel strongly about will give you a library that you can pull from for any potential encounter where you want to change the other person’s mind.

Finally, he touches on the situation where you and the other person are living in different realities, and the implications of this for Compelling Seeds.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storyforces.substack.com