Changing Minds: The Neuroscience of Storytelling & Connection

Neuroscience shows that we don’t make decisions through pure rational analysis, but through how that analysis makes us feel.

From early childhood, our experiences shape a personal narrative that helps us make sense of the world; far from being an escape, story is how we navigate reality. Because our primal wiring compels us to defend this worldview as the only valid perspective, challenging our beliefs triggers us into action. Overcoming this defensiveness requires recognizing that vulnerability isn’t a liability, but the ultimate strength in expanding our understanding — and in building real human connection.

To discover the art of changing someone’s mind through brain science, Positive Psychology Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author Lisa Cron.

Lisa shares key insights from her book, Wired for Story, exploring the neuroscience of human connection and communication. Through raw storytelling, she shows how narrative can bridge the gap between conflicting worldviews, and reminds us that while changing minds is notoriously difficult, especially when deep-seated beliefs are at stake, narrative gives us a way in. For listeners navigating their own difficult experiences, she also points to the role mental health resources can play alongside this kind of self-understanding.

Original Air Date Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Tune in:

Meet Our Guest:

Lisa Cron is the author of Wired for Story, Story Genius, and most recently, Story or Die: How to Use Brain Science to Engage, Persuade, and Change Minds in Business and in Life. Drawing on neuroscience to explain why story is the way we’re wired to process meaning. Lisa spent a decade in publishing and has worked as a literary agent, television producer, and story analyst for Hollywood studios. Her work explores how brain science shapes human connection—why we’re moved by some stories and not others and what that means for anyone trying to communicate with real impact. She served on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts MFA program in visual narrative and, since 2006, has taught in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

Book: Story or Die: How to Use Brain Science to Engage, Persuade, and Change Minds in Business and in Life

Lisa Cron—The Neuroscience of Raw Storytelling:

In her book, Wired for Story, Lisa asserts that it is story that gives context and meaning to everything that happens to us. {2:21}
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is missing one critical component. {4:09}
The body perceives risk when our early-held beliefs are challenged. {6:51}
Why is it so difficult to change someone else’s mind? {17:07}
What neuroscience links as the ultimate key to human connection and communication. {23:23}
Society expects us to conform to its ideas to get other people to like us, but it is our self-disclosure that binds us together. {27:07}

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WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING?

Check out the Harvesting Happiness podcast episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

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Shareables:

“The willingness to self-disclose or be seen is what binds us to one another.” @LisaKamen on @HH_TalkRadio Share on X “It is story that gives context and meaning to everything that happens to us.” @WiredforStory on @HH_TalkRadio Share on X “Emotion is something that is deeply misunderstood.” @WiredforStory on @HH_TalkRadio Share on X “Vulnerability isn't a liability. Vulnerability is a strength." @WiredforStory on @HH_TalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now? Explore lifelong relationships as part of your journey to happiness.

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day. Our lifelong relationships have a big influence on this journey.