Sept. 17, 2026

Best of PTT - Celeste Headlee - Why We’ve Forgotten How to Talk to Each Other (FROM JULY 2018)

Send us Fan Mail BEST OF PTT FROM JULY 2018 One of the many advantages of social media is that it connects the world. However, in a world where everyone is accessible, why are people so isolated and afraid to talk? Communication and Human Nature Expert, Award-winning journalist, and Author Celeste Headlee is an award-winning journalist, professional speaker and author of Heard Mentality and We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter. In her 20-year career in public radio, sh...

BEST OF PTT FROM JULY 2018

One of the many advantages of social media is that it connects the world. However, in a world where everyone is accessible, why are people so isolated and afraid to talk?

Communication and Human Nature Expert, Award-winning journalist, and Author

Celeste Headlee is an award-winning journalist, professional speaker and author of Heard Mentality and We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter. In her 20-year career in public radio, she has been the Executive Producer of On Second Thought at Georgia Public Radio and anchored programs including Tell Me More, Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. She also served as co-host of the national morning news show, The Takeaway, from PRI and WNYC, and anchored presidential coverage in 2012 for PBS World Channel. Celeste’s TEDx Talk sharing 10 ways to have a better conversation has over 15 million total views to date.

As an NPR host and journalist, Celeste has interviewed hundreds of people from all walks of life. Through her work, she has learned the true power of conversation and its ability to both bridge gaps or deepen wounds. In a time when conversations are often minimized to a few words in a text message and lack of meaningful communication and dialogue abounds, Celeste sheds a much-needed light on the lost and essential art of conversation. Celeste is an expert in human nature, reclaiming common humanity and finding well-being and frequently provides insight and commentary on what is good for all humans and what is bad for us, focusing the best research in neuro and social science to increase understanding of how we relate with one another and can work together in beneficial ways in our workplaces, neighborhoods, communities and homes. As a mixed race journalist of black and Jewish descent, Celeste also speaks candidly about how to converse on race and other difficult subjects.

Celeste serves as an advisory board member for Procon.org and is an official spokeswoman for Plenty of Fish. Her work and insights have been featured on TODAY, Psychology Today, Inc., NPR, Time, Essence, Elle, BuzzFeed, Salon, Parade, and many more. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Timestamps:

00:00 Celeste Headlee's career highlights

03:42 Improving conversational skills

07:28 Starting Conversations at TED Summit

11:16 Impact of phones on socializing

14:41 Discussing societal trends and future outlook

16:48 Engaging short attention spans

21:11 Importance of communication skills

22:31 Adapting leadership to employee needs

27:22 Handling workplace communication issues

29:24 Global divisions and tribalism

35:05 Book recommendations on human behavior

36:38 Cell phone presence effects

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Chapters

00:00 - Celeste Headlee's career highlights

03:42 - Improving conversational skills

07:28 - Starting Conversations at TED Summit

11:16 - Impact of phones on socializing

14:41 - Discussing societal trends and future outlook

16:48 - Engaging short attention spans

21:11 - Importance of communication skills

22:31 - Adapting leadership to employee needs

27:22 - Handling workplace communication issues

29:24 - Global divisions and tribalism

35:05 - Book recommendations on human behavior

36:38 - Cell phone presence effects

Transcript

Episode Summary

In this insightful episode, Martin Foster sits down with award-winning journalist, professional speaker, and author Celeste Headlee, renowned for her expertise in the art of conversation. The discussion centers on the profound importance of meaningful communication in a digital age dominated by superficial interactions.

Key Topics:

The Power and Practice of Real Conversation
Celeste Headlee highlights the psychological and emotional benefits of face-to-face conversations, referencing studies showing improved well-being after engaging with strangers and acquaintances alike 05:04. Despite these benefits, fear and self-doubt often inhibit people from initiating meaningful dialogue.
The Impact of Social Media and Technology
Social platforms, while useful tools, are criticized for fostering shallow (“horizontal”) relationships rather than deep (“vertical”) ones 03:03, 12:23. The omnipresence of smartphones is shown to negatively affect our social skills, sense of belonging, and even our physical and mental health 13:13.
Strategies for Better Communication
Practical advice is provided, such as starting conversations by asking questions people care about and listening more than speaking 08:24, 10:07. Scientific findings suggest we enjoy conversations more when we listen, and that empathy increases through attentive listening 11:07.
Leadership and Communication
Celeste Headlee ties strong conversation skills and emotional intelligence (EQ) to effective leadership, noting that most leaders fail because genuine listening and adapting to others’ communication needs are undervalued 21:54. She stresses the value of “cognitive diversity” and crowd wisdom when making decisions 23:41.
Dangers of Assumptions and Lack of Dialogue
The episode discusses how making assumptions about others—rather than engaging in real conversation—leads to division and dehumanization, referencing research that hearing someone's actual voice fosters empathy and a recognition of shared humanity 29:24.

Personal Insights

Celeste Headlee shares personal anecdotes, including parenting missteps and lessons learned about authentic listening and open communication 32:54. She recommends books such as The Knowledge Illusion and Mindwise for those wanting to deepen their understanding of communication and listening 34:45.

Practical Takeaways

Put phones away during conversations—research proves even a silent phone on a table diminishes trust and empathy 36:19.
If you want to improve conversations, focus on listening, self-awareness, and asking meaningful questions.
Leaders should prioritize EQ and crowd input for better outcomes.

Notable Quotes

“Don’t put your phones down. Put them away.” 36:19
“We need to reclaim our own humanity.” 16:30
“Nobody waves, but everybody waves back.” 17:47

Episode Theme:
Reclaiming the art of conversation is essential for our well-being, relationships, and society. Through listening, self-awareness, and human connection, we can overcome the obstacles of modern communication and rediscover what makes us most human.