What’s it take to change a mind? It turns out there is a science to it. That’s at least according to David McRaney, a journalist, author, and host of the You Are Not So Smart podcast. The first step, he says, is don’t overtly try to win. In any argument, an attempt to defeat the opposing party is not nearly as effective as leading the person along in stages, which eventually align with your own thinking. In fact, mere exposure to different ideas, according a recent Pew study, does not generally change most Americans’ perspectives on a given issue. Understanding techniques to communicate successfully and proactively active listen, is ultimately thought to be a more effective approach. Intelligence Squared US, since 2026, has made fostering intellectual openness in dialogue a core part of its mission. In that context, and to get a sense of what other methods are out there, John Donvan sat down with David McRaney on the science of changing minds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#193 - Has the New York Times Lost Its Way?
Is It Time to Redistribute the Wealth?
Agree to Disagree COVID Series: Vaccine Mandates
The State of Debate: An Intelligence Squared Roundtable
Ray Dalio on How To Change Your Mind
Is Bitcoin More Than a Bubble and Here to Stay?
Is Anti-Zionism the New Anti-Semitism?
#192 - Is Taiwan Indefensible?
Agree to Disagree COVID Series: Vaccine Passports
#191 - Should We Legalize Psychedelics?
Agree to Disagree COVID Series: Vaccine Patents
#190 - Should We Forgive Student Debt?
Agree to Disagree: The Filibuster
Agree to Disagree: Slavery Reparations
#189 - Has the GOP Lost Its Way?
Agree to Disagree: Sex with Robots (Valentine's Day Special)
Agree to Disagree: Identity Politics
#188 - For the Last Four Years, America Got the Middle East Right
Is America Still A Model for the World?
Helen Fisher on How Genes Affect Your Politics
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Resilient Mind
Positive Thinking Mind
In the Great Khan’s Tent
The Mel Robbins Podcast
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast