Did you know that there is also an Intersections podcast?

In the podcast, I explore the scientific principles of success in life and leadership by dissolving boundaries between inner and outer, material and spiritual, east and west. I strive to bring a mathematician’s rigor and a truth-seeker’s spirit to some of today’s most vexing questions about authenticity, success, leadership and human potential.

I have had some truly inspiring guests on my podcast already, like Richard Davidson, Apolo Ohno, Rabbi Jevin Eagle, Angela Duckworth, Mick Ebeling, Hilaree Nelson, Arthur Brooks, and many more.

Here’s just one of the countless precious stories my guests have told me – a little reminder from Jamil Zaki on listening and being open in a conversation:

“Do you remember that famous image of a dress? It was a designer fashion dress and it created a war on the Internet because some people experienced it as being black and blue, and others believed fervently that it was white and gold. And this is not a political division. It’s just literally a division in what we are seeing. And I think that example always stuck out to me because people just couldn’t imagine somebody seeing things the other way and vice versa.

“And I think that that’s critical to remember when you’re entering a conversation where there’s any disagreement, is that this person, unless you have any reason to believe that they’re lying to you, is probably not. They’re probably representing their version of the world as honestly as they can. And I think that that’s a very brave thing to do during a disagreement.

“So I would say that holding on to our opinions less strongly is part of it. And then I think acknowledging and believing and having faith in the other person on the other side of that conversation as a full human is important. That sounds obvious, but I think we often, instead of focusing on the other person, just live in our reactions to what they’re saying. And I think that’s a very natural but a very toxic way to have conversations.

“So one thing that I often suggest to people is if you’re disagreeing, ask yourself, what am I learning? What is one thing that I now think of differently after this conversation than I did before? What is one thing that I didn’t know that I learned? And if the answer to that is nothing, then maybe you haven’t been listening as well as you think you have.”

Follow the podcast for more insights on your favorite platform like Spotify or Apple Podcast, or give a look at my website for an overview of the latest episodes.

Warmly,
Hitendra

P.S. If you don’t remember the dress Jamil referred to, you can find the image here.

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