Experience Stimulating Conversations?

Rich conversations tickle the mind and challenge us to think in new ways.  Questions prime the well of ideas within the mind. Sharing insights from our knowledge and experience builds on others' contributions, and the bigger picture takes shape. People start considering solutions to a problem differently than when they first joined us.  Or, all of us learn more about why a person thinks as s/he does. 

Challenging exchanges of ideas might be just about life, philosophical in nature, show concern for worldwide issues or concerning latest science and technological innovations. Or it may be meeting new people and listening to what makes them tick.  Have you been engaged in a conversation lately that you hated to end because it was so fascinating?  Stimulation does not come by talking about the weather.

One of the reasons I love collaborating with Dr. Ellen Weber is that conversations we have about ideas keep me thinking and researching for hours.  Ellen has an uncanny ability to turn ideas upside down.  I suggested  that we extend our conversations to more people since they were so stimulating.  She caught that idea and invited many new people to her home.  She began to blog and she went so far as to join Twitter.  When I realized how much she seemed driven to exchange ideas with others, I tried my hand at it.  Nothing can turn me back since I experience the creativity and dopamine that accompanies it.

Social Media Turned the Tide of Conversation - Social media is changing the way we interact with others.  Many folks say they miss the engagement of personal conversation if they mostly engage others online. As a result it's not surprising for them to take a laptop to a cafe so they have an arena for personal and online conversations.  Our whole family is engaged in Facebook for instance and it's full of the latest photos and descriptions of events.  Business leaders find it an easy form to share their work and market their products.  Some can be both addicted to and distracted by these new community worlds.  But people enjoy these new worlds because they are engaging in challenging and powerful interactions with others.

MITA two-footed questions for starters Ellen invented the notion of a two-footed question to help people escape the kind of boring questions that are usually asked.  For instance, if you were to ask, "When it comes to storage, why is less more," the question does not connect to you personally because it is only about the topic.  It concentrates only on knowledge.

Not too surprisingly, if the second foot is inserted, the one that directly connects to you, all of a sudden your ideas are solicited and welcomed.  The question would now be: "When it comes to storage, why can less help you gain more and what difference does that make to you?"  The question now draws from intellect and experience.  You are emotionally attached to your experiences and more easily challenged.

Right and left brain

Ellen Weber notes that two-footed questions work best when you follow the human brain’s natural proclivity to resolve puzzles. The opposite is to stress over problems, and research shows that stressed brains rely more on habits that lock you into ruts, rather than progress with winning innovations.

The right brain leaps to solve puzzles and challenges since it is primed through curiosity.  On the other hand there are a few people who like to show off their knowledge and they are driven by trivia questions and TV shows such as, "Who Wants to Be a Billionaire?"  The left brain penetrates the knowledge.  The combination of both the right and left brain is the powerhouse available for you to test.

How might you engage in new conversations by asking two-footed questions at your dinner table tonight?  One might be, "How did you use your right and left brain today at work or school?"  Thoughts?

Invitation for Christmas Tea

Nothing would be so warming as to enjoy a Christmas tea with friends! Just think, tea can benefit your brain as can great intellectual or even relaxing conversations after a taxing day at the office! You'd see some sliced apples, thin bits of cheese and plump grapes as other goodies to enjoy. Let our tea begin...

Recognizing Friends - My Social Media Heroes

One of my heroes in successful blogging, Liz Strauss, named me as her social media hero along with two others in a recent article... Liz quoted from Time Magazine (2006) to say, we're "just getting started, as millions of minds that would otherwise have drowned in obscurity get backhauled into the global intellectual economy.”

Wow - that was out of the blue and unexpected! I'm glowing and humbled simultaneously. But I couldn't leave it there... When Liz asked who we'd suggust as two of our social media heroes, I found it impossible to narrow that to just two. So...

All folks who take part in the wonderful discussions here on Brain Based Biz are my heroes! Social networking helps build new friendships and alliances.

Friends' comments make a difference... They provide fresh ideas, stir another perspective or an insight based on personal experience... a fresh new way to build interpersonal intelligence.

Here's appreciation for friends at Brain Based Biz, my heroes, who noodle ideas and take time to comment...

Jeanne Dininni at Writers Notes 23

Brad Shorr at Word Sell 16

Karen Swim at Words for Hire 14

Joanna Young at Confident Writing 12

Axe City at Design Interval 10

Geology Joe at SlingShot Thought 8

Anna at My Only Photo 7

Ellen Weber at Brain Leaders and Learners 6

Alina Popescu at Words of a Broken Mirror 6

Chris Morgan at Learn2Develop 5

JD Walton at Black in Business 5

Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings 5

Yvonne Russell at Grow Your Writing Business 5

GL Hoffman at What Would Dad Say? 4

Amy Jessel at Shaping Youth 3

Craig at Better Projects 3

Drew McLellan at Drew's Marketing Minute 3

Lisa Gates at 360 Alliance 3

Bob Brucker at Ahern & Brucker Fine Jewelry 2

Jeffrey Carruthers at Strike a Chord 2

Mel Kaye at Monday Morning Power 2

Robin at Survive the Journey 2

Scott McArthur at McArthur's Rant 2

Steve Roesler at All Things Workplace 2

Anna Famery at The Engaging Brand 1

Benjamin at RedCatCo 1

Beth Robinson at Inventing Elephants 1

Billah at Blog e Billah 1

Cam Beck at Chaos Scenario 1

Dana Suazo at Business Growth Blog 1

Dennis at Retail Smart 1

Eric Peterson at Leadership and Other Ramblings

Gavin Heaton at Servant of Chaos 1

Isadore Biffin at Article Thirty-Nine: Concert 1

Jeremy at Campus Ministry for Dummies 1

Karen Hanrahan at Best of Mother Earth 1

Karen Putz at A Deaf Mom Shares Her World 1

Laura Hecht at Laura 4 Literacy 1

LillieAmmann at A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye 1

Liz Strauss at Successful and Outstanding Bloggers 1

Mark David Gerson at The Voice of Your Muse 1

Mike Wagner at Own Your Brand 1 Welcome back, Mike!

Mrs. Durff at Mrs. Durff's Blog 1

Shama at After the Launch 1

Tinu at Increase Your Website Traffic 1

I say "Thank you for the music"... the songs I'm singing...

Thanks for all the joy they're bringing...

Who can live without it... I ask in all honesty...

Without a song or dance what would life be?

So I say, "Thank you for the music"... for giving it to me..."

Excerpt from "Thank You for the Music" by Abba...

Who are your social media heroes? To name just two who would they be?

Age of Conversation 2: Blogging Brainpower

Do you always get it? Great news is that Age of Conversation 2's about to make a debut at Amazon.com. When you pick the brains of many bloggers you can tap into the art and science of building community. Best part is you'll discover new tools to be a successful blogger and marketer.

Think of all the brainpower packed inside the 2nd edition with 237 contributors. You'll "get it" for sure!

Adrian Ho, Aki Spicer, Alex Henault, Amy Jussel, Andrew Odom, Andy Nulman, Andy Sernovitz, Andy Whitlock, Angela Maiers, Ann Handley, Anna Farmery, Armando Alves, Arun Rajagopal, Asi Sharabi, Becky Carroll, Becky McCray, Bernie Scheffler, Bill Gammell, Bob LeDrew, Brad Shorr, Brandon Murphy, Branislav Peric, Brent Dixon, Brett Macfarlane, Brian Reich, C.C. Chapman, Cam Beck, Casper Willer, Cathleen Rittereiser, Cathryn Hrudicka, Cedric Giorgi, Charles Sipe, Chris Kieff, Chris Cree, Chris Wilson, Christina Kerley (CK), C.B. Whittemore, Chris Brown, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Schawbel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Dave Davison, David Armano, David Berkowitz, David Koopmans, David Meerman Scott, David Petherick, David Reich, David Weinfeld, David Zinger, Deanna Gernert, Deborah Brown, Dennis Price, Derrick Kwa, Dino Demopoulos, Doug Haslam, Doug Meacham, Doug Mitchell, Douglas Hanna, Douglas Karr, Drew McLellan, Duane Brown, Dustin Jacobsen, Dylan Viner, Ed Brenegar, Ed Cotton, Efrain Mendicuti, Ellen Weber, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne & Todd Cabral, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, John Herrington, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kristin Gorski, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, Paul McEnany, Paul Tedesco, Paul Williams, Pet Campbell, Pete Deutschman, Peter Corbett, Phil Gerbyshak, Phil Lewis, Phil Soden, Piet Wulleman, Rachel Steiner, Sreeraj Menon, Reginald Adkins, Richard Huntington, Rishi Desai, Robert Hruzek, Roberta Rosenberg, Robyn McMaster, Roger von Oech, Rohit Bhargava, Ron Shevlin, Ryan Barrett, Ryan Karpeles, Ryan Rasmussen, Sam Huleatt, Sandy Renshaw, Scott Goodson, Scott Monty, Scott Townsend, Scott White, Sean Howard, Sean Scott, Seni Thomas, Seth Gaffney, Shama Hyder, Sheila Scarborough, Sheryl Steadman, Simon Payn, Sonia Simone, Spike Jones, Stanley Johnson, Stephen Collins, Stephen Landau, Stephen Smith, Steve Bannister, Steve Hardy, Steve Portigal, Steve Roesler, Steven Verbruggen, Steve Woodruff, Sue Edworthy, Susan Bird, Susan Gunelius, Susan Heywood, Tammy Lenski, Terrell Meek, Thomas Clifford, Thomas Knoll, Tim Brunelle, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, Tim Mannveille, Tim Tyler, Timothy Johnson, Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Toby Bloomberg, Todd Andrlik, Troy Rutter, Troy Worman, Uwe Hook, Valeria Maltoni, Vandana Ahuja, Vanessa DiMauro, Veronique Rabuteau, Wayne Buckhanan, William Azaroff, Yves Van Landeghem

Quite an impressive list. And, if you've yearned to launch a business blog, but were afraid you would not "get it," this book's for you.

All proceeds from the book go to Variety, a children's charity.

Thanks Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton for the brainchild and all the work you've done to make this edition a reality. Thanks David Armano for a great cover. Thanks to all contributors.

Can't wait for it to appear in September.

Conversations Polish Your Brain!

It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others.

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592)

Where did conversations take your ideas this week?

Surprises Lurk in the Comment Box!

Conversations with others benefit in so many ways. Unexpected surprises surfaced for me recently since I was the 1,000th commenter on Brad Shorr's Word Sell, and the 2,000th commenter on Joanna Young's Confident Writing. They offered a choice of books as a prize!

I comment to engage with people in many fields - to encourage or to learn more. Hearing peoples' thoughts helps me see ideas afresh. So I leave bloggers' sites with extra takeaways, besides building friendships with folks around the world.

Brad said,

I’m glad that Robyn was the 1000th commenter for a couple reasons. First, she was one of my first readers. Without her early encouragement I don’t know if I would have kept it going. Second, I think she was really disappointed she didn’t come up a winner in the recent “nano contest”.

Brad, you were amongst the first commenters on Brain Based Biz, too. I sense we kept learning from each other along the way. You could be right about the nano, but I've been thinking now about purchasing one!

Joanna announced me as 2000th commenter with such fitting words in the title... Brainpower in the Comment Box. I also like the way she encourages me...

She was one of the first people to leave a comment on my blog at a point where those gestures of friendship, encouragement and support are so invaluable. And she's been here ever since.

I hope it gives you even more power to your writing elbow Robyn. You share some powerful and exciting ideas with us about the way the brain works, and we all benefit when your words fizz, crackle and soar.

From Brad's bookstore I chose The Little Blue Book of Advertising by Steve Lance and Jeff Woll. And, from Joanna's store On Writing Well by William Zinsser. I've already had some ideas springing since thumbing through The Little Blue Book... I can see why you recommend it, Brad! And, I can't wait until Zinsser's book is in my mail box!

Thanks Joanna and Brad! Winning prizes through commenting seems like pouring fresh strawberries over warm buttermilk biscuits... extra good!

Hmmm.... It also stirs my thinking about possibilities of a contest here. My thinking cap's revving as we speak...

Blogger Insights that Grab Your Brain!

The brain is designed to grab what input it can and then boil it up into a froth of understanding. John McCrone

Have you found ideas lately that lift you up like helium balloons sail to the heights? If so, you're likely an active participant in social media networks. That's where you'll find blogger insights that grab your brain.

Joanna Young reminded me that inspiring words connect us together. In that light, I chose the quote above. I dedicate the quote above to several friends in the blogosphere who provide insights to ponder...

Drew McLellan points out that The Women on the Web, friends "who have incredible influence in many different fields" describe their blog as a "conversation on the internet." Drew adds, "I call it a blog. But....in very short order, we're going to call it a force. Their question of the day for yesterday was....which 4 women would you like to see on Mt. Rushmore. 70+ comments." Obviously the women pushed Drew's thinking by asking great questions.

In a very powerful blog this morning, Liz shared that she was "stuck in weeds." In a short poem she describes this state of mind...

The sun when it shined hurt my eyes.
Folks weren’t responding — gee I wonder why?
I wanted someone to fix me.

It wasn’t the universe that was wrong — it was ME.

She notes that once she got out of the weeds she could see it had been raining wildflowers.

Heroes and angels were all around me — clients, sponsors, family, friends, folks who hardly knew me were suggesting how to lighten my load — They weren’t asking anything in return.

Do you see what blogging conversations can do! Be sure to sign up for SOBCon08, where you can enlarge your conversation person to person.

Ellen Weber shares why conversations go further and we learn more from each other when we encourage rather than vent or be critical...

Communication connects to most aspects of work when you think about it. It shapes:

1. Time when people rewire time management and share solutions.
2. Collaboration when team members inspire difficult people.
3. Innovation when people invent and suggest a better way.
4. Visionary when people see past the problem and show possibilities.
5. Mood when people use serotonin words and avoid cortisol barbs.

Chis Brown concludes Word of Mouth is Best Marketing:

Beyond all the fancy marketing techniques of SEO and Web2.0, all the competitive analysis and regression plotting — isn’t the best marketing of all when a friend tells you to try something because they liked it and thought you might too?

Gavin Heaton not only generates great conversations on the web that tickle my dendrites, he and Drew McLellan extended an opportunity for other bloggers to write a piece for a book, The Age of Conversation, to be sold on Amazon this second edition. The book will be chock full of amazing insights from bloggerss around the world.

Joanna chose a very meaningful quote for me and other bloggers she values highly:

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another"

Liz, Drew, Chris, Ellen, Gavin, you too, can find a great quote and begin to "boil up a froth of new understanding" with at least three other bloggers you value.

People who shine with interpersonal smarts, not only give out to others, but reap the reward of deeper understanding and build new friendships as they do.

May you all have a blessed Easter!

Happy New Year to Brain Based Biz Commenters

As 2008 opens, my cup is overflowing with appreciation for commenters on Brain Based Biz. I'm honored that you asked and answered tough questions, shared thoughtful insights and stepped up to the challenge of tags. Thanks from my heart.

To launch the New Year, I want to celebrate you... When we celebrate, Serotonin is released in the brain, which brings you and me more well-being... And may you find much to celebrate in 2008!

Al at 7P Productions

Albert at Urban Monk

Alina Popescu at WOBM

Alon Ben Levy at .:::A* World - The World is Flat:::.

Alvaro at SharpBrains

Amy Jussel at Shaping Youth

Andy Beard at Andy Beard

Anna Farmery at The Engaging Brand

Angela Maiers at Angela Maiers

Anita Bruzzese at 45 Things

Anna at My Only Photo

Anne at Brandsizzle.com

April Groves at My Beautiful Chaos

Arun Rajagopal at Arun Rajagopal

Bob Brucker at Plan-b Going to Market and Ahern & Brucker

Bob Glaza at One Reader at a Time

Brad Shorr at Word Sell

Cafe_Cafe at Entretenimiento Online

Cam Beck at Chaos Scenario

Carma Dutra at Carma's Window

C.B. Whittemore at Flooring the Consumer

Char at Essential Keystrokes

Cheh at Moderately-Confused

Cheryl Stephens at Building Rapport

Chris Brown at Branding and Marketing

Chris Cree at SuccessCREEations

Chris Kieff at Unconventional Thinking Blog

Christian at Christian Fernandez Alvayay

Christine at Create Business Growth

Comedy Magician at Hagerman the Magician

Cord Silverstein at Marketing Hipster

Danica Radovanovic at Belgrade and Beyond

Daniel Sitter at Idea Sellers

Dave Olson at live the GREAT life you desire!

David Airey at David Airey

Dawud Miracle at dawudmiracle

Dean Bennett at The Business Garden

Debbie Call at Spirit in Gear

Dennis Bjørn Petersen at The Beta News

Diogenes at Fine Art of Blogging

Donna Karlin at A Better Perspective

Douglas at Service Untitled

Douglas Karr at The Marketing Technology Blog

Drew McLellan at Drew's Marketing Minute

Mrs. Durff at Durff's Blog

Edith Brown at Jeteak Press Writer Blog

Elizabeth Perry at Woolgathering

Ellen Weber at Brain Based Business

Erin at Jenny and Erin

Ev Nucci at My Life is Murphy's Law

Frank Roche at KnowHR

Franxbudi at Secret of Mind

Galba Bright at Tune Up Your EQ

Gavin Heaton at Servant of Chaos

GL Hoffman at What Would Dad Say

Howie at Performanacemanagementcenter.com

Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei at Eye on DNA

Jack Payne at Con Man's Blog

Jackie Cameron at Jackie Cameron

Jaime at Fitzgerald Analytics

Jason at The Most Authoritative Technology Blog

Jaya at Cat on my Head

Jaypee Habaradas at Jaypeeonline: Blogging News & Reviews

J.D. Walton at Black in Business

Jon at Smart, Wealthy, Rich

Jeanne Dininni at Writer's Notes

Jeremy Jacobs at Corporate Presenter

Jim Stroup at Managing Leadership

Joanna Young at Confident Writing

John at Interesting Health Articles

Kare Anderson at Moving from Me to We

Karen H. at Stop/Start and The KISS Business

Katie Chatfield at Get Shouty

Laura at Writing Thoughts

Leo Cussons at Work Connexions

Leon at My thoughts...on stuff

Lisa Gates at Design Your Writing Life

Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Lucid at Ask Lucid

Lynda at Essential Estrogen

Maki at doshdosh

Mark Rapp at Uniquely the Epitome

Maria Palma at Salon de Maria

Mark Goren at Transmission

Mark K at Common Sense with Markk

Matthew Cornell at Matt's Idea Blog

Matt Owen at US Rodeo Supply

Meikah Delid at CustServ

Mel Kaye at Attitude, the Ultimate Power

Michael Michalko at Creative Thinking

Michelle Milay Carter at Mission Minded Management

Mike Sansone at ConverStations

Mike Wagner at Own Your Brand

Mikster at Reality is Over Rated

Mr. & Mrs. Money at Virtual Entrepreneur

Olivier Blanchard at the Brand Builder blog

Paintsmh at Buckin Junction

Patrick Schaber at The Lonely Marketer

Paul Enderson at reflections

Paula Neal Mooney at Paula Neal Mooney

Peter at I Will Change Your Life

Peter Chen at Blogger Tips and Tricks

Phil Gerbyshak at Make It Great!

Priscilla Palmer at Priscilla Palmer.com

Reg Adkins at ElementalTruths.Com

Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness

Rob at Good Advice

Rob O. at 2Dolphins

Rob Watts at Yack Yack SEO

Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings

Roberta Rosenberg at The Copywriting Maven

Roger von Oech at Creative Think

Rosa Say at Managing with Aloha Coaching

Sean Jeating at Omnium

Shantanu at Traveller's Tales

Scott McArthur at McArthur's Rant

Steve Roesler at All Things Workplace

Sue Olson at MOMeorganizer

Suma Valluru at Σsµmz Math Tutor for Kids

Susan Cartier Liebel at Build a Solo Practice, LLC

Tammy Vitale at Women, Art, Life: Weaving It All Together

Tara at graphic design blog

Terry Starbucker at Ramblings from a Glass Half Full

Timothy Johnson at Carpe Factum

Toby at Diva Marketing Blog

Todd and Michael Morales at Team Ideate

Todd at We the Change

Tom at TRCoach

Tom Vander Well at QA QnA

Tony D. Clark at Success from the Nest

Travis at Young Go Getter

Valeria Maltoni at Conversation Agent

Vanessa Byers at Venessa: Unplugged!

Visakha at Vedic Maths India

Wendy Piersall at eMOMS AT HOME.com

May each of you find blessings in 2008...

In the New Year I can extend even more well-being by acknowledging commenters on a monthly basis. That will bring top commenters the high recognition you deserve!

Two-footed Questions Spark Surprise

Ever noticed some questions have ready made answers? If I ask, "Who was the first man on the moon?" there's an expected answer. Questions with expected answers bore people, unless you're in the hot seat on The Millionaire. Here's why...

Questions that deal with facts and information, have little affect on the person asking or the person questioned. People's minds fly a million miles away, because their interest is simply not captured. Did you experience that at school?

On the other hand, some questions are all about people, their ideas, feelings, opinions... If I asked, "How are you feeling today?" the question is very subjective and can change between morning and evening or from day to day. And, even worse, you run the risk of hearing an organ recital. Since it's one person's experience, it does not necessarily involve me or anyone else but that person. When we don't connect, we tend to lose interest, too. So what kind of questions really spark peoples' juices?

A two-footed question bridges facts and folks' interests, and sparks surprise as folks respond thoughtfully...

Here're some starters that begin with you directly...

How might I adjust my day to do ... differently?

In what ways could I assist my manager with ...?

What strategies might work for me to engage my children in ... following school?

Note how your interests link directly to a topic... and if you ask the question just before you go to sleep your brain works on it while you get your zzzz's... Or, ask it in the morning and mull it over during the day. You'll be amazed that a great answer comes when you least expect it...

Consider two-footed questions that draw out others' thoughts and experiences...

Who has influenced you most at work, and in what key way did he or she help boost your leadership?

What contribution could you make to... and how might it impress the boss?

How do you get your teens interested in ...?

Or, maybe you'd like to try two-footed question strategies to draw from others' smarts.

When you use this strategy to inquire of another person, you show respect for their knowledge and experience. Your respect inspires, and folks jump to the challenge of providing you a very thoughtful answer.

When you ask two-footed questions of folks on your work team, with clients or with family, you'll be amazed at unexpected answers and deeper conversations that develop.

Dr.Ellen Weber, CEO of the MITA International Brain Based Center developed two feet for questioning as a way to spark deeper ideas, thoughtful discussion and interactions, based on many years of research. For additional insights, check Ellen's posts:

Two Footed Questions for a Flat World

Questions without Watertight Answers Increase Wonder

A Cat Covers Its Material, but Humans Question

Recapture the Power of a Question

And for your upcoming Thanksgiving table, Ellen advises...

Start your dinner by inviting each person to give thanks for one thing in the last week. Such a two-footed questions keeps the tone fresh. People tend to piggy back off one other’s insights from thanks, so cortisol diminishes, that horrid hormone for stress and negativity.

Ready for surprises and depth of thought as you communicate? Try asking a two-footed question at one of your next meals. Figure out a great question in advance... Come back and share results...