131: Scott Jones: Cultivating The Art Of Conversation

Leaders Of Transformation

How do you cultivate the art of conversation as a podcaster? Today's guest, Scott Jones, shares his experience interviewing people from a wide variety of backgrounds, engaging them in refreshingly authentic conversations.

As a podcast host who also consults organizations on launching their own podcasts, Scott has made it his business to know what works and what doesn't. In this interview, he outlines the difference between microcasting and broadcasting, short form and long form interviews, and the elements of good conversation.

Thoughtful, articulate, and empathetic, Scott Jones finishes up his chat with us by sharing his perspective on tribalism and it's detriment to society, the beauty of one-way love with no strings attached, and the importance of self acceptance in cultivating meaningful conversations.

Key Takeaways

1) When booking guests for your show, choose people you are truly interested in. Don't simply go for the 'good-get'.

2) Develop an 'I, Thou' perspective (vs an 'I, It') where you and your guest are both subjects in the conversation.

3) Try not to censor your thoughts. Trust yourself and your intuition.

4) Build warm relationships with publicists. Take good care of the guests they send you, and they will likely send you more.

5) To gain mastery, listen to different types of podcasts, have your ears open, and be a student of other people.

Favorite Quote

"The opposite of love is control."

Who Is Scott Jones

Someone once observed that if Howard Stern and Krista Tippett had a love child, it would be Scott Jones. Scott liked that.

On his podcast, Give and Take, Scott Jones talks with artists, authors, theologians, and political pundits about the lens through which they experience life. With empathy, humor, and a deep knowledge of religion, current events, and pop culture, Scott engages his guests in a free-flowing conversation that's entertaining, unexpected, occasionally bizarre, and oftentimes enlightening. He likes people, and it shows.

Past interviewees include Mark Oppenheimer, Melissa Febos, David French, Miroslav Volf, Dan Savage, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Rob Bell, and (yes) Krista Tippett.

Scott is the former host and producer of the popular Mockingcast podcast (https://themockingcast.fireside.fm) and an in-demand consultant on all things “pod.” He’s also the co-host, with Bill Borror, of New Persuasive Words (https://npw.fireside.fm). Scott is also a prolific writer, a frequent conference speaker, a PhD candidate in Theology, and an ordained minister.

A New Jersey native, Scott lives with his best friend and wife, Lindy, in the suburbs of Philadelphia with two rescue pit bulls that he swears are sensitive souls.

Episode Show Notes: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/131-scott-jones-cultivating-art-conversation

Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com

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