What makes for a meaningful conversation? In an era where polarization, argument, and competition for attention have taken the place of real conversation, it can be hard to know what to say. Fred Dust, author of "Making Conversation," has spent his life thinking about and designing conversations. These days, he finds that people are struggling to connect, avoiding conversation, or even engaging in what he calls “toxic politeness.” In this episode, the Surgeon General and Fred Dust explore why conversation has become so difficult and how we can change that, in small ways and big ones. This episode also offers practical ways to approach conversations, especially the hard ones.

(3:41) Why is having a conversation so difficult these days?

Fred Dust, Designer and Author

Twitter: @f_dust

Instagram (Fred Dust): @fdbrave 

Instagram (Making Conversation): @makingconversationco

About Fred Dust

Fred Dust is the founder of Dust&Company and works at the intersection of business, society, and creativity. As a designer, author, educator, consultant, trustee, and advisor to social and business leaders, he is one of the world’s most original thinkers, applying the craft and optimism of human-centered design to the intractable challenges we face today. His work uses a combination of catalytic convenings, difficult games and micro curriculum to enable large scale change in institutions and across cultural, governmental, philanthropic, non-profit and for-profit organizations and strives to do so for the world at large.

Using the methodology from his book “Making Conversation,” he also works as the Senior Dialogue Designer with The Rockefeller Foundation to explore the future of pressing global needs; with The School for Advanced Research, The New Museum, The Einhorn Collaborative and other foundations to host constructive dialogue with leaders. He is also proud to be faculty at the Esalen Institute.