Lulu Cheng Meservey: How To Build A Cult

In this episode of The Knowledge Project, Shane Parrish interviews Lulu Cheng Meservey, a communications strategist, about how to effectively communicate in a noisy world. Lulu shares insights on grabbing attention, appealing to human psychology, and building trust. She emphasizes the importance of human connection, conviction, and narrative arcs in storytelling. The discussion covers determining the right narrative by focusing on the overlap between what the speaker cares about and what the audience cares about, using hooks to draw people in, and the significance of being interesting to a specific audience. Lulu also addresses why corporations and governments often communicate poorly, the role of skin in the game, and how to respond to attacks, including the strategic use of offense and defense. The conversation further explores the psychological aspects of trust, likability, and the power of repetition, as well as practical communication tips for office workers and the importance of having a "second strike capability."