#203: The Beyond Curious Time Machine: The Art & Science of Transformational Relationships w/ Blake Fly, Jon Levy, and Michael Roderick
We’re back at it again with another Beyond Curious “time machine” episode!
In this format, we curate clips from past episodes around one topic.
In this episode…
Transformational relationships.
Anything you want in life can be accessed through a relationship, and I’ve curated some of the best wisdom on the show on this topic.
We’ll for sure be doing more on this topic…
Not only because it’s so important, but there are also so many other guests that have shared magical insights on this topic!
Today, you’ll get wisdom from:
- A 9x TEDx Speaker who has delivered on 1,000+ in-person stages and worked with companies like Lululemon, LinkedIn and Microsoft.
- A NYT bestselling author & behavioral scientist that runs a secret dining experience for industry leaders ranging from Nobel laureates, Olympians, celebrities, and executives, to artists, musicians, and even the Grammy winning voice of the bark from “Who Let the Dogs Out.”
- A former high school English teacher turned Broadway producer… turned entrepreneur that can solve any “access problem” (getting in front of the right person, connecting to a hard to enter audience, etc.)
Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!
Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guests, Blake Fly, Jon Levy, and Michael Roderick
In this special "Time Machine" episode of Beyond Curious, host Brandon Fong curates some of the most insightful moments from past episodes on the theme of relationship building. Drawing on conversations with thought leaders Blake Fly, Jon Levy, and Michael Roderick, Brandon highlights actionable strategies for creating transformational relationships in both personal and professional contexts. Whether you're new to the show or a longtime listener, this episode serves as a powerful review of key concepts that can elevate your approach to connecting with others.
Timestamps & Show Notes:
00:00 - Brandon introduces the Time Machine episode format, which compiles valuable clips from previous episodes, focusing on the theme of building transformational relationships. He mentions the featured guests: Blake Fly, Jon Levy, and Michael Roderick.
01:49 - Introduction to Blake Fly. Blake is a husband, dad, entrepreneur, and a 9-time TEDx speaker known for his innovative relationship-building methods, including his "multiple choice emails" and "cereal box" story. Blake's approach has helped him secure speaking engagements with major companies like Lululemon and Microsoft.
03:33 - Blake Fly discusses his "multiple choice emails" strategy, a powerful tool for engaging people in a way that makes it easy for them to respond, leading to more meaningful connections and opportunities.
10:36 - Blake shares his "cereal box" story, where a simple act of reaching out to a mentor in a creative way led to significant speaking opportunities. This anecdote underscores the importance of spontaneity and thoughtful gestures in maintaining relationships.
17:58 - Brandon transitions to the next guest, Jon Levy, a behavioral scientist specializing in human connection and the author of "You're Invited." Jon’s insights into the "IKEA effect" explain why we value things more when we invest effort into them, and how this principle can be applied to building stronger relationships.
19:40 - Jon Levy delves into the "IKEA effect," emphasizing that people value relationships more when they have put effort into them. He discusses how to leverage this effect to deepen connections, whether in personal relationships or professional networking.
25:15 - Jon and Brandon explore practical ways to build trust in relationships by encouraging small, manageable efforts that gradually lead to stronger bonds. This method contrasts with the common but less effective approach of trying to impress or buy relationships.
26:18 - Introduction to Michael Roderick. Michael is the CEO of Small Pond Enterprises, where he helps thoughtful givers become thought leaders. He shares his "DIME" framework, which breaks down how to make effective asks in any relationship context.
27:51 - Michael Roderick introduces the "DIME" framework, starting with the concept of the "direct ask" and why it often fails to produce the desired results due to the psychological effects it triggers.
30:32 - Michael explains the "indirect ask," where you invite someone to be a thought partner, which engages them on a deeper level and avoids the pitfalls of a direct request.
34:09 - The "mutually beneficial ask" is discussed, where Michael outlines how to ensure that both parties see the value in a proposition, making it more likely to succeed.
36:28 - Michael concludes with the "extraordinary ask," encouraging listeners to not shy away from making bold, seemingly impossible requests. He shares tips on how to craft these asks in a way that engages curiosity and stands out from the crowd.
41:40 - Brandon wraps up the episode, reflecting on how the strategies discussed have personally impacted his approach to relationships. He encourages listeners to implement these techniques and share the episode with others who might benefit.
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