Ep. 20 - The Power of Ethical Persuasion: Influence, Civility & AI with Dr. Christopher Phelps

Persuasion is often misunderstood—some see it as manipulation, while others recognize its potential to build trust, foster civility, and create meaningful change. But what separates ethical influence from coercion? And how can understanding the science of persuasion help us navigate leadership, business, education, and even AI-driven interactions more effectively?

In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Christopher Phelps—entrepreneur, best-selling author, and U.S. CEO of the Cialdini Institute— to explore the power of ethical persuasion. Trained under the renowned Dr. Robert Cialdini, Dr. Phelps is an expert in applying the psychology of influence to enhance communication, leadership, and decision-making.

Together, we discuss:
✔ How ethical persuasion differs from manipulation and why the distinction is critical
✔ The role of emotional intelligence in influence and how it impacts leadership and business success
✔ How persuasion techniques can help bridge ideological divides and improve civil discourse
✔ The intersection of AI and persuasion—can artificial intelligence be programmed for ethical influence, or does it pose a risk for manipulation?
✔ Practical ways to use persuasion in everyday life, from business negotiations to parenting and personal relationships

---