A few weeks ago, while listening to the “World and Everything In It” daily podcast, I heard a good book recommendation: “Next Conversation” by Jefferson Fischer. So, I bought it.
It arrived the next day, and I started reading it the morning after.
I love reading first thing in the morning on my porch, usually before anyone else is awake. With a cup of coffee in hand, I began to read. As I made my way through the foreword and introduction, I realized the author reminded me a lot of my nephew, Karl. Their place in the world—and in their families—felt remarkably similar. As I read about Jefferson Fischer, I couldn’t help but think of Karl.
Karl lives in Texas, but on that particular morning, he happened to be staying at my house. When it was time for my second cup of coffee, I went inside and found him standing in the kitchen. “Karl, I have a book for you,” I said, handing it over. He smiled and replied, “I’ll read it—my mom’s been trying to get me to read this for months!”
I was shocked. What are the odds?
As funny as the coincidence was, it left me in a bit of a bind. I’d just given away a book I was really enjoying—after only finishing chapter one. So, I went online and ordered myself another copy.
As I continued reading and ultimately finished reading the book, I kept getting the same feeling over and over again. Not only was this book full of good advice, but my brother Justin, Karl’s father, had been applying it to me.
On two occasions, Justin had given me advice that seemed a little out of character for him. But as I read the book, I realized where that wisdom had come from. The guidance he’d shared with me was straight out of Next Conversation. At the time, I just thought it was solid advice coming from someone who didn’t usually dish out communication tips.
I’ll never forget one meeting where Justin and I were with two other people. Someone was hesitating to pitch their idea, and Justin simply said, “Just come out and say what you want to say—pitch your idea.” They did, and within two minutes, the discussion was over, and the fourth person agreed to move forward. His straightforward advice encouraged the presenter and saved everyone twenty minutes.
Knowing Justin had read and applied Next Conversation motivated me to do the same. I didn’t just want to read this helpful book—I wanted to put it into practice. Having seen how it worked for him, I wanted to experience that same growth myself.
Life is about more than just knowing the right thing or seeking out wise counsel. We must apply the wisdom we receive. Knowledge isn’t meant to be stored away—it’s meant to be used, to improve ourselves and the people (and world) around us.
The way we share knowledge matters. Justin never embarrassed anyone or called them out. He offered advice humbly, in an encouraging way that helped others look good. He also didn’t reveal his source—he simply shared the wisdom. (Of course, it’s possible Justin didn’t even realize where he’d first heard it. Maybe he already knew the principle before reading the book, and I just happened to recognize it from that story.)
(The Biblical application would be Matthew 28:19-20. In that passage, Christians are told to go out in the world and share the good news.)
