Jessica Tarlov savors living off being quiet; this happens when her points are validated while she stays silent.
This unique skill set has empowered the TV pundit to listen to opposing views, which in turn has given her the capability of knowing whether someone is engaging with her on what she calls “good faith” or “bad faith” terms.
Tarlov, one of the liberal co-hosts on Fox News’ number-one-rated show, The Five, explained her approach to potential debates at the Agree to Disagree session at ADWEEK House: Advertising HQ during Advertising Week, moderated by ADWEEK’s chief content officer Zöe Ruderman.
“I think that there is so much bad faith debate or conversation going on that people are actually driven towards the conversations where they can tell that people are being very intentional about having them,” said Tarlov.
These intentional conversations are why Tarlov has succeeded on The Five, a show that pits her against four right-leaning co-hosts each weekday evening. She credits her success on the show, which has also put her in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs, to being prepared, curious, “and also human,” which she called a critical component.
At ADWEEK House, Tarlov spoke about her recently released best-selling book, “Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends,” published by Penguin Random House. She told Ruderman that one of the rules in her book is to not go into a conversation with the intention of changing someone’s mind. Instead, the goal is to open someone’s mind to the idea that there’s an alternative point of view worth considering.
According to Tarlov, change and growth can only happen if you are in it for the long haul. She decried the bad-faith discourse currently taking place because those engagements aren’t worth it.
Tarlov spoke on showing her vulnerable side in her new book. She said one of Trump’s personal attacks from years ago broke her down. However, as mean-spirited and personal as that attack was, it also reframed how she approaches tense debates and conversations.
“When someone is attacking you on style, you have won on substance,” Tarlov said.
Before committing to Fox News full time, Tarlov was a researcher at Bustle and shared advice for brands looking to speak to broad audiences. She said people are more tolerant, more politically diverse, kinder, and more open than you may think.
She encouraged more on-the-ground outreach, saying brands can’t capture the diversity of people’s interests just by looking at shopping patterns.
