Emily Fang

Okay, Rachel, you have ventured into the world of disagreement, like the neuroscience of, and retrieved some info to help us have better conversations. Let's start with what happens in our bodies when we disagree. What goes down?

Exactly. Activity there increases. So if we're disagreeing and our amygdala is going off, what else is happening in our brain?

Exactly. Activity there increases. So if we're disagreeing and our amygdala is going off, what else is happening in our brain?

Exactly. Activity there increases. So if we're disagreeing and our amygdala is going off, what else is happening in our brain?

So in Joy's study, she just had people sitting around having a conversation like one might at family dinner, except her research participants are wearing these swim cap things.

So in Joy's study, she just had people sitting around having a conversation like one might at family dinner, except her research participants are wearing these swim cap things.

So in Joy's study, she just had people sitting around having a conversation like one might at family dinner, except her research participants are wearing these swim cap things.

No, they're just people out here living their lives. Yeah. And she's looking at their brain activity.

No, they're just people out here living their lives. Yeah. And she's looking at their brain activity.

No, they're just people out here living their lives. Yeah. And she's looking at their brain activity.

Okay, their brains were more synchronous.

Okay, their brains were more synchronous.

Okay, their brains were more synchronous.

So clearly disagreement sets off a waterfall of reactions and behaviors that lights up all these parts of the brain. When that is happening to us, which seems fairly inevitable... How can we approach disagreement better? What does the science say on that?

So clearly disagreement sets off a waterfall of reactions and behaviors that lights up all these parts of the brain. When that is happening to us, which seems fairly inevitable... How can we approach disagreement better? What does the science say on that?

So clearly disagreement sets off a waterfall of reactions and behaviors that lights up all these parts of the brain. When that is happening to us, which seems fairly inevitable... How can we approach disagreement better? What does the science say on that?

This absolutely reminds me of Jeannie and Richard. They are not trying to change each other's minds. They're trying to create space for each other to talk about what they feel. Yeah. And they're ultimately putting the good of their relationship first.

This absolutely reminds me of Jeannie and Richard. They are not trying to change each other's minds. They're trying to create space for each other to talk about what they feel. Yeah. And they're ultimately putting the good of their relationship first.

This absolutely reminds me of Jeannie and Richard. They are not trying to change each other's minds. They're trying to create space for each other to talk about what they feel. Yeah. And they're ultimately putting the good of their relationship first.

Okay, so arguing to learn helps us keep an open mind about the topic at hand. But you mentioned earlier, Rachel, how we're often making judgments about other people, not just their opinions. So how do you navigate those feelings that can kind of obscure your ability to fully listen to someone?