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Communications That Matter

Storytelling, body language, and neuroscience.

Bullying
Bullying and Body Language

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on May 1, 2024

If we’ve been told as children that we are beautiful or ugly, strong or weak, winners or losers, we carry ourselves accordingly.

If we’ve been told as children that we are beautiful or ugly, strong or weak, winners or losers, we carry ourselves accordingly.

Optimism
Is Positive Thinking a Mistake?

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on April 16, 2024

Two studies published last year cast doubt on the power of positive thinking and avoiding negative emotions. Why?

Two studies published last year cast doubt on the power of positive thinking and avoiding negative emotions. Why?

Persuasion
How to Change Someone's Mind, According to Neuroscience

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on January 16, 2024

Given that our parallel worldviews seem to be held with passionate conviction, is there any possibility of changing people’s minds with some sort of argument?

Given that our parallel worldviews seem to be held with passionate conviction, is there any possibility of changing people’s minds with some sort of argument?

Relationships
Is Small Talk a Waste of Time?

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on January 3, 2024

The phrase “small talk” hints that it’s not a big deal. But we pour a lot of seriousness into it anyway. Why do humans make small talk?

The phrase “small talk” hints that it’s not a big deal. But we pour a lot of seriousness into it anyway. Why do humans make small talk?

Happiness
7 Things I've Learned This Year

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Real success happens slowly. Real happiness comes from giving first, being present, and creating joy whenever you can.

A Personal Perspective: Real success happens slowly. Real happiness comes from giving first, being present, and creating joy whenever you can.

Coaching
How to Give Better Feedback

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on November 2, 2023

A body of research shows that people don’t like feedback—they don’t want to receive it or give it. So, how can you provide effective feedback?

A body of research shows that people don’t like feedback—they don’t want to receive it or give it. So, how can you provide effective feedback?

Happiness
Healing Humans Requires the Communal Touch

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on October 17, 2023

We humans do better mentally, physically, and emotionally when we can be near one another. Digital communication can only be a substitute for in-person connection.

We humans do better mentally, physically, and emotionally when we can be near one another. Digital communication can only be a substitute for in-person connection.

Stage Fright
One Simple Trick to Calm Stage Fright

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on October 4, 2023

For most of us, standing in front of a crowd to give a speech causes our fight, flight, or freeze response to kick in. A recent study introduced a new way to calm the nerves.

For most of us, standing in front of a crowd to give a speech causes our fight, flight, or freeze response to kick in. A recent study introduced a new way to calm the nerves.

Emotions
How Long Do Emotions Last?

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on September 18, 2023

One study asked the simple question, how long do emotions last? It’s not the case that negative emotions last and positive ones are fleeting. The answer is more complicated. 

One study asked the simple question, how long do emotions last? It’s not the case that negative emotions last and positive ones are fleeting. The answer is more complicated. 

Imagination
My Favorite Brain Study Reveals a Startling Secret

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on September 3, 2023

A startling study reveals that simply imagining yourself exercising conveys some of the benefits of actual exercise. What does this mind-body connection mean for us?

A startling study reveals that simply imagining yourself exercising conveys some of the benefits of actual exercise. What does this mind-body connection mean for us?

Anger
How to Handle a Hostile Audience

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on August 16, 2023

It's a sign of the times: From school boards to boardrooms, we're seeing more and more hostile audiences. How do you handle tough questions or even outright anger from an audience?

It's a sign of the times: From school boards to boardrooms, we're seeing more and more hostile audiences. How do you handle tough questions or even outright anger from an audience?

Resilience
How to Deal With Failure

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on August 3, 2023

We all experience failure. The relevant question is how do you deal with failure when it occurs? Are you able to move on?

We all experience failure. The relevant question is how do you deal with failure when it occurs? Are you able to move on?

Neuroscience
New Studies Prove the Brain Is Still a Mystery

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on July 3, 2023

It’s easy to get carried away with the insights coming from neuroscience laboratories. It’s important, every now and then, to remind ourselves of what we don’t know.

It’s easy to get carried away with the insights coming from neuroscience laboratories. It’s important, every now and then, to remind ourselves of what we don’t know.

Unconscious
Why One Conversation a Day Is Essential for Us Humans

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on June 19, 2023

What happens when two humans start chatting is not what we think. We focus on what we’re talking about, while our unconscious minds exchange information at an extraordinary rate.

What happens when two humans start chatting is not what we think. We focus on what we’re talking about, while our unconscious minds exchange information at an extraordinary rate.

Career
Neuroscience Shows Us How to Please a Crowd

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on June 5, 2023

A recent study on how we humans decide what we like offers clues for those who need to craft a speech that will please a crowd.

A recent study on how we humans decide what we like offers clues for those who need to craft a speech that will please a crowd.

Cognition
The Real Problem With Virtual Communication

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on May 16, 2023

Despite its many benefits, virtual communication is still an impoverished way of connecting people, rife with possibilities for misunderstanding.

Despite its many benefits, virtual communication is still an impoverished way of connecting people, rife with possibilities for misunderstanding.

Empathy
How Empathetic Are We?

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on April 28, 2023

If, like me, you’re a little worried about the state of humanity post-pandemic, then the results of our empathy quiz will be of some comfort.

If, like me, you’re a little worried about the state of humanity post-pandemic, then the results of our empathy quiz will be of some comfort.

Bias
How to Use Negative Bias to Your Advantage

Nick Morgan Ph.D. on April 17, 2023

It may strike you as vaguely improper to focus on the negative, but our brains already are, and you ignore the way the brain works at your peril.

It may strike you as vaguely improper to focus on the negative, but our brains already are, and you ignore the way the brain works at your peril.