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Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Behavioral Grooves Podcast

How to Disagree Better | Julia Minson

Aug 31, 2026 · 1 hr 16 min · 11 segments

Disagreements are inevitable, but they don’t have to become conflicts. Harvard Kennedy School professor Julia Minson joins us to explore why we struggle to see perspectives different from our own and…

Disagreements are inevitable, but they don’t have to become conflicts. Harvard Kennedy School professor Julia Minson joins us to explore why we struggle to see perspectives different from our own and how openness, curiosity, and humility can lead to more productive conversations. We also get practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations, from asking better questions to understanding what we actually know versus what we’re simply assuming. Topics \[0:00] Introduction and Speed Round with Julia Minson \[6:16] Does Feeling Heard Make Us More Receptive? \[19:23] Why Context Matters in Conflict \[21:13] What Is Naive Realism? \[37:37] Why Receptiveness Isn't Weakness \[42:00] What Is "Boomer Asking"? \[44:39] How to Start a Difficult Conversation \[47:23] What Do You Actually Know? \[49:30] Asking Better Questions \[51:12] Are You Actually Being Curious? \[52:30] Using Notes to Have Better Conversations \[57:19] Grooving Session: Practical Tips for Better Disagreements ©2026 Behavioral Grooves Links About Julia How to Disagree Better by Julia Minson Join us on Substack! Join the Behavioral Grooves community Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube Support Behavioral Grooves Music Links Taylor Swift - august Noah Kahan - The Great Divide

Disagreements are inevitable, but they don’t have to become conflicts. Harvard Kennedy School professor Julia Minson joins us to explore why we struggle to see perspectives different from our own and…

Speakers: Julia MinsonGuestKurt NelsonHostTim HoulihanHost

Top entities: Julia A Minson×46 God×4 Conflict Book YouTube

Music and PhD Teasing0:07 – 0:53

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:07

Tim, did I ever tell you how I just really don't like the way that you always bring our conversations back to music? I mean, really, every episode of the show ends with some stupid music point you got to make.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:22

I mean, oh,

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:23

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:24

Oh, yeah.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:24

Well, you know, did I ever tell you how much I hate the fact that you bring up your damn PhD all the time? I mean, it's in every single email.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:33

You remind me in every single conversation.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:36

Every time you introduce yourself, it's Kurt Nelson, PhD, PhD, PhD.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:41

Oh,

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:41

come on.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:44

It's not anywhere near the music stuff that you do.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:46

It's always about the music.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:47

It is

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:48

way worse than the music stuff.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:49

Music is at least healthy and good.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:51

Oh, my

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:51

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:52

It's just a...

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Julia A MinsonEntityResearcher
98%46 mentions
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ConflictEntity
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77%2 mentions
Noah KahanPersonAmerican singer-songwriter
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The Great DivideMusic AlbumStudio album by Noah Kahan
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38%2 mentions
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George LoewensteinPersonAmerican economist
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Conflict ManagementSociety > Relationships > Interpersonal Communication
DisagreementPsychology > Behavioral Science > Conflict Resolution
Communication StrategiesPsychology > Behavioral Science > Conflict Resolution > Disagreement
Listening SkillsSociety > Relationships > Interpersonal Communication > Conflict Management
ReceptivenessEducation > Personal Development > Communication Skills
Cognitive ReceptivenessEducation > Personal Development > Communication Skills > Receptiveness
Behavioral InsightsEntertainment > Media > Podcasts > Interviews
Cultural InfluenceMusic > Music Education > Learning Instruments
Personal ExperiencesMusic > Music Education > Learning Instruments > Cultural Influence
Society
RelationshipsSociety
MediaEntertainment
Communication SkillsEducation > Personal Development
Behavioral SciencePsychology
Personal DevelopmentEducation
PodcastsEntertainment > Media
Conflict ResolutionPsychology > Behavioral Science
Music EducationMusic
InterviewsEntertainment > Media > Podcasts
Interpersonal CommunicationSociety > Relationships
Education
Music
Entertainment
Psychology
Learning InstrumentsMusic > Music Education

Music and PhD Teasing0:07 – 0:53

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:07

Tim, did I ever tell you how I just really don't like the way that you always bring our conversations back to music? I mean, really, every episode of the show ends with some stupid music point you got to make.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:22

I mean, oh,

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:23

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:24

Oh, yeah.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:24

Well, you know, did I ever tell you how much I hate the fact that you bring up your damn PhD all the time? I mean, it's in every single email.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:33

You remind me in every single conversation.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:36

Every time you introduce yourself, it's Kurt Nelson, PhD, PhD, PhD.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:41

Oh,

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:41

come on.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:44

It's not anywhere near the music stuff that you do.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:46

It's always about the music.

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:47

It is

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:48

way worse than the music stuff.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:49

Music is at least healthy and good.

T

Tim HoulihanHost

0:51

Oh, my

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:51

K

Kurt NelsonHost

0:52

It's just a...