Good Listen: Creating Memorable Conversations in Business and Life

by Joe Pardavila

Overview

Axiom Business Book Awards Bronze Medal Winner in Networking The Secrets Behind Creating Compelling Conversation and Powerful Podcasts

They say talk is cheap—but podcasting is currently a billion-dollar business. Now Joe Pardavila reveals how you can create the kind of conversations that draw both audiences and applause. Drawing on his many years as a radio host on a top-rated radio show in the New York City area, Joe shares a bevy of illuminating anecdotes featuring such superstars as Taylor Swift, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Aniston, John Mayer, and Chris Martin that demonstrate how the right communication skills can create magic moments—while the wrong ones can derail an entire conversation. He’ll also show you how learning comedy improv techniques actually aids interviews. And, by the way, what you’ll learn in Good Listen doesn’t just apply to podcasting. Joe’s mastery of “talking the talk” can work wonders in your personal life as well. If your everyday interactions aren’t sparking your relationships, you’ll discover how to not only find common ground with others but also create bonding opportunities that can carry you far in work, love, and life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781642253849
Publisher:	Advantage Media Group, Inc.
Publication date:	07/12/2022
Pages:	158
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.37(d)

About the Author

JOE PARDAVILA has produced over ten thousand hours of audio content over the course of his career in podcasting and terrestrial radio.Joe was a radio personality and producer on the legendary New York City radio station, 95.5 PLJ, where he was part of the iconic “Scott & Todd in the Morning”. He studied sketch and improv comedy at the UprightCitizens Brigade and was a founding member and actor in the NewYork-based sketch comedy group, Clip Show. The group performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and the People’s Improv Theater, and their video sketches were featured on Funny or Die and the Huffington Post. He is the codirector, writer, and producer of the award-winning horror satire, “The Witches of Bushwick”. Currently, he serves as the director of podcasts for Advantage Media Group|ForbesBooks. Joe splits his time between Charleston,South Carolina, and Northern New Jersey with his wife Theresa and their dachshund, Nathan

Table of Contents

THE POWER OF CONVERSATION
INTERNET KILLED THE RADIO STAR
CREATING MAGIC MOMENTS
THE SECRET TO CONVERSATIONAL SUCCESS
IF YOU’RE DOING MORE TALKING THAN LISTENING, YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG
SHARING IS CARING
“YES, AND ...”
TAKE YOURSELF TO AN ELEVEN
PREPARATION, MODERATION, CONCENTRATION
AVOIDING DIALOGUE DISASTERS
THE YIN AND YANG OF PODCASTS
SIMPLE AWARENESS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DONE-FOR-YOU PODCASTING SERVICES

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In a time when social media ‘conversations’ amount to 280 characters or memes, it’s reassuring to see that Joe is reminding all of us that there’s no innovation that can take the place of a meaningful, person-to-person conversation. He reminds us that curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and being a great listener opens all of us to learning more and making meaningful connections.”

—SANDY GIRARD
Executive Vice President, Programming, Crooked Media

“ Good Listen takes us on a jaunty adventure down the central path by which humans connect with each other—conversation—with an expert talker as our guide. Pardavila’s book is a ‘good read’ for anyone who wants to both smile and learn along the way.”

—ALISON WOOD BROOKS
Professor, Harvard Business School

“I’ve worked in the audio space from the days when it was only radio to today, when audio is everywhere and hotter than ever in these new smart times. This book shows why audio still matters, and despite the changes that have happened within radio, there is still an enthusiasm for the sound of sound. Joe shares his journey from the kid in college to today where he is recognized for what he was involved in creating and what his contributions have become. I’m honored to have been able to work with him and see firsthand the magic that he created.”

—MIKE McVAY
President, McVay Media Consulting

Editorial Reviews

01/09/2023

This competent debut by Pardavila, director of podcasts at Advantage Media Group, dispenses advice on how to be a good conversationalist. Drawing on his experience as the host of several podcasts, he offers guidance on holding meaningful exchanges for professional or personal purposes. Personal anecdotes illustrate the recommendations, such as when Pardavila contends that “if you’re doing more talking than listening, you’re doing it wrong” and recounts how his paying close attention during an interview with Coldplay’s Chris Martin led the author to ask an unplanned question about Martin’s home life that “humanized Chris for the audience.” Pardavila encourages readers to apply to conversations the “yes, and...” principle of improv comedy by building off what one’s interlocutor says and elaborating on one’s question if they need time to think of a response. Other suggestions include asking open-ended questions to keep conversation flowing and heightening one’s energy because interlocutors are likely to “mirror” the demeanor of whomever they’re talking with. Despite Pardavila’s aspiration to offer conversational advice for contexts as diverse as “job interviews,” “sales,” and “work meetings,” the sensible counsel doesn’t always apply to such situations and is best suited for having friendly conversations or interviews. Aspiring podcasters would do well to pick this up. (Self-published)

Publishers Weekly

In today’s world, we all know we are more connected than we’ve ever been in history, which is why it’s such a surprise when we realize how disconnected we feel. The connections are wide, but they’re not deep. We can send a quick hello to our family group text, or have a Zoom happy hour with our college friends, but those good conversations—those deep, soul-baring, vulnerable and healing talks—are harder to come by as we search for the perfect GIF. Joe Pardavila has spent his career having conversations with fascinating people, and his knack for connection takes those talks into unexpected and engaging places. Let him tell you what he’s learned so that you can use it in your life and regain the human connection you’ve been missing. As you would expect from Joe, GoodListen is a very good hang.”

—DAVE HOLMES
editor at large, Esquire

"In Good Listen, Joe Pardavila shares his wisdom and experiences on how talking less and listening more can have a profound positive impact on our personal and professional life. It's a must read for anyone who wants to learn the secrets of effective listening"

—Michael Clinton
Author of Roar: Into the Second Half of Your Life

"Aspiring podcasters would do well to pick this up." — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher