In this short interview, the host and Jason Wasser, LMFT, discuss key strategies for improving conversations and relationships. They emphasize the importance of honesty, transparency, and vulnerability, recommending that people speak openly and record their sessions to reflect on communication patterns. The conversation shifts to the role of simplicity, linking it to neurobiology: when conflicts arise, the brain’s reptilian (survival) response dominates, leading to a win‑or‑lose mindset. By moving into the rational neocortex, both parties can collaborate and uplift each other. Jason references biochemistry and neuroscience to support this view. The host concludes by asking Jason for a concise life‑hack to foster better conversations at work and home.
exactly that to that person. It was so honest and transparent and, and, you know, genuine and with the spirit of trying to improve this and a vulnerability. Say it just like that.
Yeah.
And then, of course, they always say back to me, how did I say that? But I think that's a good thing. Always record the sessions. Always record the sessions.
So yeah, that's a little hack for that. But yeah, no, I agree with you 100%. Or sometimes I'll offer like a quick, like, you know, have you tried something like this? And I'll kind of like, you know, sketch something out like verbally. And they're like, oh, wow, can you repeat that again so I can write it down? I'm like, oh crap, I already forgot what I said.
Right?
So, because it was so salient in the moment, like we're ready to move on. Like, why didn't you get that? But yeah, I think that a lot of times simplicity wins. Simplicity wins when you get out of your— because when you're trying to solve a problem, you're already in reaction, right? Because that's reptilian brain. It's survival instinct. Yeah, like I said before, the life or death if this doesn't get solved. So we have to realize that we're in reptilian brain survival. And one of us can only win here, versus getting back into our rational brain, our neocortex, and saying, you know, both of us can uplift each other, and both of us can win.
Yeah.
And I think that's, that's a big deal from the biochemistry neuroscience side.
Jason Wasser, I could have you on for hours. In fact, I'm going to have to have you back on. So, but I want to honor your time. And I always ask this question of all my guests, And this essentially would be an opportunity to summarize any one major point because you, this really sums up the entire conversation we had, but do you have any life hack for us on how we can have better conversations and build better relationships either at work or at home?
