Meet Alison Wood Brooks.
Founder of TALK Studios, Harvard Business School Professor, Behavioral Scientist, and Author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves
A pioneer in conversation science, Alison Wood Brooks is a behavioral scientist, author, sought-after media voice, and founder of TALK Studios. Drawing on years of research and teaching at Harvard Business School, she has become a leading voice on how better conversations help people connect, collaborate, build trust, and strengthen the relationships, teams, and communities that shape our lives.
Alison's StoryDr. Alison Wood Brooks has spent more than two decades studying how conversations shape our lives. As a behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School, she discovered that conversation is one of the most important—and most undertaught—human skills.
She's also a twin, mom of three, musician, and someone who genuinely loves people. The more she studied conversation, the more convinced she became that it isn't a talent you're born with—it's a skill that can be learned and practiced.
Through TALK Studios, Alison translates that work into practical tools, learning experiences, and partnerships that help people put conversation science into practice.
Alison in the Media.
From Diary of a CEO, The Mel Robbins Podcast, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, and Armchair Expert to MasterClass, Netflix, and leading print and digital media, Alison brings the science of better conversations to some of today’s most influential platforms.
The talk book.
TALK teaches us how to better understand, learn from, and delight one another through our everyday interactions. Filled with relatable stories and surprising insights, this practical, research-backed framework will change how you approach every conversation.
“Reading TALK is like having a conversation with the world's best conversationalist. Alison Wood Brooks brings to life the science of conversation, in which she is a world expert, with the utmost warmth, empathy, and joy… This book has raised my game as a conversationalist. I'm recommending it to everyone I know.”
—Angela Duckworth, #1 NYT Best-selling author of Grit
INVITE ALISON TO SPEAK OR CONNECT WITH TALK STUDIOS
Alison speaks with audiences around the world about the science and practice of better conversations: how we connect, collaborate, build trust, and navigate differences.
For keynote and speaking inquiries, visit Alison’s Lavin topics page or contact Charles Yao directly.
For partnerships, media, schools, general notes, or newsletter updates, visit the Contact page to find the right next step.
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45-75 minutes; ideal for conference plenary sessions and leadership events
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90 minutes to half-day; interactive, practice-based, smaller groups
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Bespoke, tailored to a specific leadership team or strategic challenge
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Full keynote and workshop formats available via video conference
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Partner-supported rollout for organizations looking to implement TALK at scale within their leadership, meetings, and culture.
