In this episode, Host Guy Pratte speaks with Dr. David Goldbloom, a well-known psychiatrist, best-selling author, tireless educator, promoter of mental health, an officer of the Order of Canada, and a member of the board of directors of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Their conversation diverges through the human mind’s ability to recognize patterns and essential elements of persuasion, and establishing credibility with others.

Key Takeaways 

• [8:04] Listening skills are the link between the arts and psychiatry, Dr. Goldbloom says.
• [11:15] Dr. Goldbloom explains how pattern recognition is a component part of the art of persuasion.
• [27:00] How Dr. Goldbloom persuades the public to clear the stigma of mental health and mental illness. ‘Addiction’ diminishes the meaning for those who struggle with true addictions.

Additional Resources:

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast

About Your Host:

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984 and Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Host Guy Pratte speaks with star fashion designer Tanya Taylor. What do designing and selling clothes have to do with persuasion? Well, quite a lot, in fact, as Tanya explains. During the conversation, she shares how she builds brand trust, how the in-store experience differs from online media, and how she helps clients project their personal style into the world. Full disclosure, Tanya Taylor is Guy’s daughter-in-law. Listen in to discover how persuasion and fashion fit together.

Key Takeaways

• [9:02] Tanya explains why humans desire to change in appearance.
• [10:27] How Tanya determines what her market wants and how she persuades her team to embrace her vision.
• [14:27] Why Tanya believes Michelle Obama and other people of influence choose her designs.
• [17:49] How social media helps Tanya achieve her goals and how she uses the platform to persuade people to embrace her brand.

Additional Resources

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast 

About Your Host

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984 and Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

In this episode, Host Guy Pratte speaks with star conductor and maestro Alexander Shelley, music director of the National Arts Center Orchestra and principal associate conductor of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. At first glance, it may seem surprising that we would discuss the art of persuasion with an orchestra conductor who uses gestures instead of words to do his job. But Alexander Shelley, who has been described as a natural communicator both on and off the podium, explains that conductors must also be great persuaders if they are to succeed in convincing an orchestra and the public to embrace their musical vision.

Key Takeaways

• [9:44] How Maestro Shelley persuades musicians to embrace his vision for a piece of music.
• [20:39] Alexander explains how different people can extract different interpretations and different styles from the same music.
• [37:16] How Maestro Shelley convinces the public that new music is worth listening to.

Additional Resources:

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast

About Your Host:

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984 and Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

Lord Pannick KC is without a doubt one of the greatest advocates of his generation. He has been involved in some of the most important cases in the United Kingdom, including his successful challenge of PM Boris Johnson’s attempts to avoid Parliament review of his Brexit deal, yet recently representing former PM Johnson before a parliamentary committee investigating statements he made to the House of Commons. . He is a fellow of Oxford’s All Souls College, an honor reserved for the brightest of the bright, and he is a celebrated author of many books involving advocacy. Guy Pratte discusses with Lord Pannick  the art of persuasion as practiced in courtrooms and in the House of Lords. 

Key Takeaways:

• [1:14] Liking the sound of your own voice is not a prerequisite for an advocate, but it certainly helps persuade listeners, as Lord Pannick explains.
• [8:12] As an advocate, Lord Pannick gives his voice on behalf of his clients; as an author, he is able to share his voice and his perspective.
• [10:04] Lord Pannick shares his views on the nature of advocacy in the United States and the United Kingdom.
• [31:11] The role of humour in the art of persuasion is best kept mild and relevant.
• [38:27] Lord Pannick offers his thoughts on virtual hearings.

Additional Resources:

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast

About Your Host:

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984 and Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

There is perhaps no other context where the art of persuasion is put to the test as acutely as when a lawyer has to persuade a group of strangers, the jury, that her client is in the right. That is where this episode’s guest comes in: a senior partner at the prestigious law firm King and Spalding, Chilton Davis Varner was also president of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) , only the second woman to occupy the office of the premier trial lawyer organization in the U.S. In this episode, Guy Pratte explores with Chilton Varner how she became one of the best jury trial lawyers of her country. 

Key Takeaways:

• [1:31] Chilton recounts her journey from a small town in Alabama, through the all-female Smith College, and her decision to adopt the law as her professional career.
• [14:19] Chiton shares a memory of her mentor the fearless Judge Griffin Bell.
• [19:31] Chilton explains why she likes juries, why she thinks they are important, and the challenges they pose to an advocate.
• [23:19] By way of the famous To Kill a Mockingbird book, Chilton describes why she prefers the jury system even if the system is not perfect.
• [27:39] As jury members may have various personal convictions, does Chilton believe the art of persuasion can lead a jury to consider a case objectively?

Additional Resources:

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast 

About Your Host:

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984 and Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

Colm Feore is the most versatile and brilliant actor of his generation. From stage to films to television, he has played characters as diverse as Hamlet, Pierre Elliot   Trudeau, Cyrano de Bergerac, Glenn Gould, and the inimitable Detective Martin Ward in the comedy series Bon Cop, Bad Cop. With each role, Colm Feore has managed to persuade us that he is the character he pretended to be. How does he do it?

Key Takeaways:

• [:58] Acting since primary school, Colm found studying characters and scripts more appealing than studying curriculum.
• [10:33] After being fully immersed in his character, how does Colm leave a character behind when a project is over?
• [13:39] Colm carefully considers every aspect of the illusion he creates as part of his transformation into a character.
• [23:01] What emotional responses do humans want to experience when they hear or watch stories?
• [28:24] Colm shares what he believes the active ingredient of the art of persuasion is.
• [33:04] As an actor, does inhabiting, or embodying another person offer insights that correspond with walking a mile in their shoes?

Additional Resources:

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast 
• @ColmFeore on Instagram

About Your Host:

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984 and Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

It’s now almost 40 years since Brian Mulroney became Canada’s 18th prime minister and 30 years since he retired from politics in 1993. Even his harshest critics at the time now acknowledge him to have been one of Canada’s most significant statesmen both on the national and the international scene. In today’s podcast, Guy Pratte explores how Prime Minister Mulroney skillfully used persuasion to achieve success not only in politics but in law and business.

Key Takeaways:

• [:47] After growing up with liberal parents in a modest home, Mulroney found conservative campus politics to be instantly intoxicating.
• [6:55] Mulroney shares what he admired most about former prime minister Diefenbaker.
• [8:39] From public speaking to becoming “the voice,” to practicing law, Mulroney reflects on chapters of his life.
• [17:57] Mulroney’s take on the vital role of relationships in the art of persuasion.
• [24:23] Giving rise to one of the largest wins in Canadian political history, Mulroney’s spontaneous response to Prime Minister Turner persuaded Canadians to vote for change.
• [29:52] Mulroney explains how he used the art of persuasion to broker Canada’s Free Trade Agreement with the United States.
• [38:52] Persuasion takes on many forms when addressing issues with a moral imperative.

Additional Resources:

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast 

About Your Host:

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario and later at the University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984 and Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

Marie Henein is one of Canada's most celebrated and best-known lawyers. She is a senior partner at Henein Hutchison LLP, a sought-after public speaker, and author of the bestselling, not-so-typical law memoir, Nothing But The Truth: A Memoir. During this conversation, host Guy Pratte questions Marie about her insightful book, the importance of words, emotions, and the audience in a case, and her take on the art of persuasion.

Key Takeaways:

• [2:05] The art of persuasion is part of Marie’s DNA.
• [5:51] What inspired Marie to expand beyond criminal law and how do her skills of persuasion apply to every case?
• [13:49] Marie describes the real-life human element of the law, and how cases differ from popular culture portrayals.
• [16:33] Marie shares her views on the subtleties of personal biases.
• [19:48] For advocates, Marie describes the importance of the artful use of language in persuasion and the part emotions play in a case.
• [26:43] Marie shares her view on the impact of social media and the audience outside the courtroom for an advocate.
• [29:58] How important are authenticity and style for a persuader?
• [33:56] As an advocate’s time for motions grows shorter and shorter, Marie reminds us that reaching an acquittal or conviction in record time isn’t the goal.
• [35:27] How important is the human element to a case or can “virtual justice” be achieved?
• [38:01] Marie explains why she wrote Nothing But The Truth: A Memoir and why she wanted to engage the public in this way.

Additional Resources:

• Guy J. Pratte
• BLG
• The Art of Persuasion Podcast 
• Nothing But The Truth: A Memoir, by Marie Henein

About Your Host:

Host Guy Pratte was educated at the University of Western Ontario, and later at University of Toronto, where he earned his MA in philosophy and LLB. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984, and in Québec in 2002. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a former President of The Advocates’ Society.

Welcome to The Art of Persuasion Podcast