The Science & Art of Communication
Communication - Making Meaning with Others

Even jaded commuters like myself can feel a sense of awe at the heroic flight that the Grand Central Terminal evokes. Sometimes it creates the wonder of the actual sky itself. Looking up at the stars, our ancestors made stories about what those feelings meant - a charioteer heads into battle and a lion pursues his prey across the sky or a ceiling. We - like they - are meaning-making creatures. The best communicators know that making meaning with others requires not just an exchange of ideas but a sharing of stories that engage the head, the heart and the gut.
And, in a world where AI pretends to be our bestie, we need to double down on being authentically human. That's something that AI bots can never do. But, if you're like most of us, you've spent a lifetime working inside the machine. Work with me and we'll rediscover your most authentic, impactful self by exploring the science and art of interpersonal communication. I've spent more than twenty years studying cognitive and social psychology, business best practices, and neuroscience and neuroaesthetics to cull the best ideas underpinning effective communication. But, I've also come to understand that there's an art to interpersonal connection, communication and collaboration. And, because I've always been involved in the arts - primarily theater and music - I know that it's necessary to bring those ideas to life with others artfully.
I can help you do that by:
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Knowing yourself and delivering your message as authentically as possible. (And that is truly lifelong learning!)
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Understanding the essence of your stories and how they are likely to resonate with a given audience.
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Delivering those stories in a way that grabs the audience's attention, feels meaningfully memorable, and does so in a way that actually drives behavior change.
Hello
My name is David Purdy
I have spent my whole life studying a broad range of disciplines to figure out how to communicate well and how to coach others to do the same. For myself, I had no choice. My father was a banker and my mother was an artist, and so I had to learn to speak both languages. I've spent a quarter century in just about every kind of finance you can imagine. And I've also spent many years on stage, as a classically-trained singer and actor. I wasa full-time business communication professor at NYU's Stern School of Business from 2012 to 2026. (Here's a link to my podcast on Stern Chats.)
Now, I've left Stern and am working on a book and preparing to start a podcast. The focus? Driving Change by Combining Artificial Intelligence with Real Wisdom. What the hell does that mean?! Click 'About Me' below to find out!






