Whether we like it or not, arguments are a part of life. We quarrel with our friends, our family, our colleagues, and sometimes even our pets. (“No, Milo, I’m not feeding you again—stop looking at me like that!”)
So even if it’s not our favorite activity, it’s critical that we learn how to disagree well—and come out on top. To begin your training in the secret art of the argument, check out the seven insightful reads below.
The Art of Verbal Warfare
By Rik Smits
An acclaimed linguist delves into the magic of oaths and profanity, art and advertising, the lure of fake news and propaganda, as well as invective and off-color jokes the world over. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Rik Smits, in the Next Big Idea App
Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard
By Bo Seo
A two-time world champion debater and former coach of the Harvard debate team tells the inspiring story of his life in competitive debating, and reveals the timeless secrets of effective communication and persuasion. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Bo Seo, in the Next Big Idea App
Making Great Relationships: Simple Practices for Solving Conflicts, Building Connection, and Fostering Love
By Rick Hanson
From a renowned psychologist comes a comprehensive guide to fostering healthy, effective, and fulfilling relationships of all kinds: at home and at work, with family and friends, and with people who are challenging. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Rick Hanson, in the Next Big Idea App
I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times
By Mónica Guzmán
In this timely, personal guide, the chief storyteller for the national cross-partisan depolarization organization Braver Angels, takes you to the real front lines of a crisis that threatens to grind America to a halt—broken conversations among confounded people. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Mónica Guzmán, in the Next Big Idea App
Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking
By Mehdi Hasan
Arguments are everywhere―and especially given the fierce debates we’re all embroiled in today, everyone wants to win. In this riveting guide to the art of argument and rhetoric, an MSNBC host shows you how. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Mehdi Hasan, in the Next Big Idea App
How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason
By Lee McIntyre
A philosopher of science offers tools and techniques for communicating the truth and values of science, emphasizing that the most important way to reach science deniers is to talk to them calmly and respectfully—to put ourselves out there, and meet them face to face. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lee McIntyre, in the Next Big Idea App
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less
By Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
The co-founders of Axios teach readers how to say more with less in virtually any format, sharing lessons learned from their decades of experience in media, business, and communications. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by co-author Mike Allen, in the Next Big Idea App
The Key Ideas in 15 Minutes
“If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books,” Roald Dahl once famously said. The only trouble is, reading even one book from cover to cover takes hours—and you may not have many hours to spare.
But imagine for a moment: What if you could read a groundbreaking new book every day? Or even better, what if you could invite a world-renowned thinker into your earbuds, where they personally describe the 5 key takeaways from their work in just 15 minutes?
With the Next Big Idea App, we’ve turned this fantasy into a reality. We partnered with hundreds of acclaimed authors to create “Book Bites,” short audio summaries of the latest nonfiction that are prepared and read aloud by the authors themselves. Discover cutting-edge leadership skills, productivity hacks, the science of happiness and well-being, and much more—all in the time it takes to drive to work or walk the dog.
Go Deeper with a Next Big Idea Club Membership
The Next Big Idea App is free for anyone to try—and if you love it, we invite you to become an official member of the Next Big Idea Club. Membership grants you unlimited access to Book Bites and unlocks early-release, ad-free episodes of our LinkedIn-partnered podcast. You also gain entry to our private online discussion group, where you can talk big ideas with fellow club members and join exclusive live Q&A sessions with featured authors.
For a more focused learning experience, we recommend a Hardcover or eBook Membership. Every few months, legendary authors and club curators Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink select two new nonfiction books as the must-reads of the season. We then send hardcover copies straight to your doorstep, or eBook versions to your favorite digital device. We also collaborate with the authors of selected books to produce original reading guides and premium video e-courses, 50-minute master classes that take you step by step through their most life-changing ideas. And yes, it’s all available through the Next Big Idea App.
Learn Faster, from the World’s Leading Thinkers
Whether you prefer to read, listen, or watch, the Next Big Idea is here to help you work smarter and live better. Wake up with an always-fresh Idea of the Day, the perfect shot of inspiration to go with your morning coffee. Then dive into one of our Challenges, hand-picked collections of Book Bites that form crash courses in subjects like communication, motivation, and career acceleration. Later, watch the playback of an interview with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Stanford psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt, or philosopher John Kaag. And be sure to check the “Events” tab in the app, so that you can join an upcoming live Q&A and personally chat with the next featured thought leader.
If you’re hoping to grow as a person or as a professional, we hope you’ll join us and tens of thousands of others who enjoy the Next Big Idea. Get started by downloading the app today!
