That Background Hum of Worry in Every Important Conversation — Here's What It Is and How to Quiet It | Claude M. Steele

Why talking to your boss, your doctor, or anyone with power puts your brain on high alert — and what a Stanford psychologist says to do about it. Claude M. Steele is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the author of a new book, Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome It . In this episode we talk about: Why talking across difference is so stressful, even when nobody's being bigoted What's actually happening in your brain during an awkward cross-cultural moment The surprisingly simple thing that makes critical feedback land or fall flat How to reduce tension when you're the one with power (and what to do when you're not) A three-part framework for building trust across any divide Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram , TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris This episode is sponsored by: Function Health : Join at functionhealth.com/happier or use the gift code HAPPIER25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. BetterHelp: Online therapy, matched to your needs. Get 10% off your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/happier Wix: Build a fully functional website with AI in minutes at https://www.wix.com/harmony Cash App : Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/oh9jnxlq #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card , Sutton debit flex card , and Bancorp debit flex card . Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. IQBAR: To get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, including the ultimate sampler pack, plus free shipping, text DAN to 64000. Gusto: Try Gusto today at gusto.com/happier and get three months free when you run your first payroll.