That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It: Why We Read, and Tell, the Stories We Do: This popular talk is based on Robin’s dissertation on cognitive models of literary genre, and the interaction between personality and genre—in short, why we read, and tell, the stories we do. Robin has extensive experience in many kinds of communication—from standup comedy to teaching to corporate memo-writing—and can help communicators in any field gain greater control over their messages.
Jewish Values in "Miss Conduct" (Alternate titles: My Mom and Maimonides; Jew by Choice, Yenta by Birth): How Robin became Jewish, how she became an advice columnist, and the relationship between the two. How her Jewish values and experience inform her answers as Miss Conduct. This entertaining yet thought-provoking talk is illustrated with questions and answers from the "Miss Conduct" column and ends with questions from the audience.
Shy Snobbery: How Modern Life Increases Social Anxiety and Self-Centeredness: Psychologists have agreed for many years that rates of social anxiety (shyness) are increasing. Robin's background in psychology and experience as "Miss Conduct" have provided her with a unique perspective on what makes people shy--and why. This entertaining and thought-provoking talk suggests three social reasons for increasing shyness, three psychological responses to modern-day pressures, and three things that people can do to help themselves overcome shyness.
Dealing with Diversity: How to Live in a Complicated World: This talk is based on the upcoming book, Mind Over Manners: Etiquette for a Diverse Society. The focus is not so much on demographic diversity, but of diversity of values, priorities, and life experiences. What courtesies do parents and the childless, pet owners and the dog-phobic, vegans and omnivores, the healthy and the sick, owe each other?
Surviving the Holidays: A seasonal talk, based on Robin’s popular feature of the same title published in the Boston Globe Magazine in December 2006. She addresses the so-called War on Christmas, “Happy Holidays,” how to cope with unrealistic expectations (others’ and one’s own), and making the holidays fun rather than a chore.
Robin is also available to moderate or serve on discussion panels, MC events, or do customized talks and training.