In this episode, Dr. Ed Tori poses a deceptively powerful question:

“How different would your week be if you pretended everyone you met was sent to teach you something?”

From annoying coworkers to passive-aggressive emails… from toddler tantrums to micromanagers… from Lyft drivers to your own children - this episode unpacks how adopting a “curious student” frame in everyday interactions can unlock surprising insight, emotional mastery, and even life-changing wisdom.

This isn’t just mindset work. It’s moment-by-moment training in influence, communication, and presence.

• How friction can become feedback (and feedback can become fuel)

• Why a 5-star Uber driver changed how Ed approaches every conversation

• What criticism at the dinner table might really be offering you

• The leadership lesson hiding inside micromanagement

• A profound insight Ed’s mom got from a 5-year-old version of him

• A practice you can start today that will change how people respond to you forever

For the next 7 days, pretend every person you meet - friend, stranger, critic, or child - is there to teach you something. Ask yourself:

“What’s the lesson here?”

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• Share this episode with a friend who’s facing a challenging week

• Subscribe so you never miss a chance to influence for good

Ever found yourself having a vivid memory or insight for no obvious reason? In this episode, Dr. Ed Tori shares a moment at a red light that turned into a masterclass on non-conscious triggers, nostalgia, and the power of placing ideas in your line of sight.

From merch to memory to mastery, this episode explores why deliberate reminders—like card decks, sticky notes, or swag—can shape behavior, improve communication, and even transform lives.

If you’re an author, coach, speaker, or leader looking to package your ideas for real-world impact—don’t skip this one.

• How a GPS label triggered a nostalgic wave and why that matters

• The neuroscience behind “top of mind = tip of tongue”

• The two ways to create real-world behavioral triggers

• How Dr. Tori’s card decks became “theft-worthy” reminders for leaders

• Why merch, swag, and tchotchkes are more than gifts—they’re influence tools

00:00 – The red light memory: how non-conscious cues work

01:45 – The role of visual anchors and everyday nostalgia

02:30 – “Top of mind = tip of tongue” and why it matters for influence

03:20 – Why Dr. Tori makes card decks and what they’re really for

04:15 – A leader’s hidden use of his cards (and why it matters)

05:30 – The merch mindset: how to make your ideas part of someone else’s daily life

06:45 – The big takeaway: curate your cues and influence your habits

07:15 – Systematize your triggers, influence your future

Whether you’re shaping behavior in your home, your company, or your content—deliberate reminders can be game-changers. Want to turn your ideas into influence tools people keep on their desks, pin to their walls, and refer to before tough conversations?

📬 Join the InfluenceBookClub.com

Here’s a draft of compelling show notes for episode 060 based on your transcript:

Small talk is deeply misunderstood. It’s often labeled as fake, pointless, or awkward - but what if those beliefs are just assumptions holding you back from genuine connection? In this episode, Dr. Ed Tori dismantles the limiting beliefs that make small talk feel like a chore and reframes it as one of the most powerful tools for building rapport and unlocking deeper conversations.

• Identify and challenge your hidden assumptions that make small talk feel inauthentic.

• Use small talk as a “hallway of doors” to find genuine connect points.

• Shift your focus from being interesting to being interested.

• Navigate small talk to skillfully warm up conversations and avoid awkward jumps into “too deep, too soon.”

• Exit conversations gracefully when needed - without damaging rapport.

If you’ve ever felt like you “just aren’t good at small talk,” this episode will help you turn that belief on its head - and maybe change how you connect with everyone you meet.

• Hypnotic Gifts: How to Change Someone’s Life in a Single Conversation – Explore Dr. Tori’s upcoming book and framework for life-changing conversations.
• Prior Episode: 012 (Not So) Small Talk and the Gold Rush
• Connect on LinkedIn – Join the conversation and gain more daily influence insights.