After his parents’ divorce, Topaz Adizes discovered the power of connection through the camera. His drive to explore human connection led him to become a filmmaker. From filmmaking to his work with The Skin Deep, Topaz focuses on creating real, vulnerable conversations in a digital world. His viral documentary The And shows how shared space and honest dialogue can deepen relationships. In this episode, Topaz joins Ilana to discuss the art of asking questions that strengthen relationships and how to create space for hard but empowering conversations.
Topaz Adizes is an award-winning writer, director, experience design architect, and the founder and executive director of The Skin Deep, an experience design studio. He has earned an Emmy for new documentary approaches, and two World Press Photo awards for immersive storytelling.
In this episode, Ilana and Topaz will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:37) Finding Purpose in His Parents' Divorce
(04:27) The Lasting Impact of Divorce on Relationships
(07:16) Why The And Documentary Went Viral
(11:12) How Great Questions Create Great Relationships
(12:28) Ways to Craft Questions That Yield Results
(14:19) The Cost of Avoiding Difficult Conversations
(18:16) Creating Space for Hard, Scary Conversations
(24:16) Training Your Mind to Ask Empowering Questions
(26:55) Crafting Questions That Drive Clarity and Growth
(32:10) Five Questioning Strategies to Deepen Relationships
(38:54) A Raw Father-Son Conversation on YouTube
(41:47) Aligning Passion and Profit for Sustainable Growth
(52:01) The Life Topaz Wishes He Had Embraced Sooner
Topaz Adizes is an award-winning writer, director, experience design architect, and the founder and executive director of The Skin Deep, an experience design studio. He has earned an Emmy for new documentary approaches, and two World Press Photo awards for immersive storytelling. Topaz's work has been showcased at Cannes, Sundance, and SXSW, and featured in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times.
Connect with Topaz:
Topaz’s Website: https://www.topazadizes.com/
Topaz’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/topazadizes/
Resources Mentioned:
Topaz’s Book, 12 Questions for Love: A Guide to Intimate Conversations and Deeper Relationships: https://www.amazon.com/12-Questions-Love-Conversations-Relationships/dp/1632174901
The And Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4439128/
The Skin Deep YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSkinDeep
The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce by Julia M. Lewis: https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Legacy-Divorce-Landmark-Study/dp/0786886161
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If You Want to Have Life-Changing Conversations, Ask These Tough Questions | Topaz Adizes | Leap Academy with Ilana Golan podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
