Rethinking your beliefs with Tara Westover | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant

TED Audio Collective
TED Audio Collective
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Published 2023-04-24
The first time Tara Westover ever stepped into a classroom, she was seventeen. Today, Tara has a PhD in history and a #1 New York Times bestselling book, “Educated”, a memoir about her experience growing up undereducated in rural Idaho in a Mormon survivalist family. Tara and Adam talk about the triumphs and struggles of educating yourself and others, what it takes to open other people’s minds, and the difficult and surprising emotions that arise when we challenge –and even change– our beliefs. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

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All Comments (13)
  • @kimmareflections7623
    Thank you for sharing this interview. The section from about 10:50 to 16:52 explored the idea that during a dialogue between two people who disagree, "I need to care more about you than about changing you" as Adam summarized it. Tara articulated well how curiosity and calm listening by a person, whether it's called "motivational interviewing" or "Humble Inquiry" (great book by Edgar Schein), can help uncover a belief which may be hurting the believer. By creating a kind, accepting space, her friend helped Tara understand that she didn't even like holding onto those unkind ideas. She was able to change and maintain her integrity. Thank you for highlighting such important elements.
  • @MartyFillingim
    This was a great interview; I liked the part where Tara became the interviewer. I would really like a podcast where Tara was the Interviewer and talked one-on-one with people on both sides of the issues we are facing.
  • @dorydeviance3774
    Read her book. What a rough series of events she had survived through between the abuse and car accidents (no seatbelts). Her father had interesting concepts but also seemed to possess unwarranted paranoia. Very interesting individual Tara turned out to be.
  • @karinturkington2455
    I believe it's disrespectful to be late when you have made arrangements with someone. I agree with Tara and her approach to humanity and not trying to prove herself 'right' in the face of others' skepticism.
  • @veronicaadame5655
    [00:20:47] Tara Westover: The Power of Influence. -->Does anyone know the author of the book she recommends???
  • @lesliewells-ig5dl
    Being late is really disrespectful to the person who is waiting for you.
  • @LFL983
    ‘You can’t waste my time’ - wastes everyone else’s. FYI - guess what being late has in common with conspiracy theories?
  • @heathercferris
    Hmmm. Adam Grant: I'm not late "if something important is dependent on me." Are you saying that the person you are late for is not that important? Are you assuming they are not depending on you being on time? IMVHO being late is a form of stealing another person's time and/or options for that period of time. They put off and changed other events to be there on time for you. Just because you feel great when someone is late and you use that time on the computer and phone does not mean it is the same for them. Deeply disrespectful.
  • @lesliewells-ig5dl
    I think conspiracy theories make narcissists feel special. They know the secrets.