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Re:Thinking with Adam GrantWhy habits are stronger than motivation with Harlan Coben
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Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- September 24, 2026
- Duration
- 42m
- Channel
- Re:Thinking with Adam Grant
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Harlan Coben has written 35 bestsellers in the past three decades, selling over 90 million novels and spawning some of the most popular miniseries on Netflix– including I Will Find You. He recently published his first nonfiction book, Plot Twist: a writing guide packaged inside a memoir. In this episode, Adam and Harlan take a closer look at the routines and habits that help Harlan stay so prolific with his writing, and Harlan emphasises the importance of being comfortable with boredom and treating writing like a job. Harlan also reflects on what he learned while collaborating with Reese Witherspoon on their novel Gone Before Goodbye, and the difference between equality and equity in relationships. Adam shares insights on the biggest mistakes people make while pursuing happiness, and why successful people aren’t free of doubts. Follow our podcasts! ReThinking with Adam Grant: https://link.mgln.ai/kdYcyx 00:00 Introduction 00:42 What makes a character compelling? 04:19 Treating writing like a daily job 08:45 Getting ideas on paper 12:30 Challenges and Fulfillment of Writing 17:30 Character and Plot Development 21:15 Collaboration with Reese Witherspoon 26:15 Harlan Coben's Dream Dinner 28:44 What Makes a Successful Writer 33:45 Embracing Change and Taking Action 37:30 Overcoming Paralysis Through Conviction The TED Podcasts is a collection of podcasts for the curious. The TED Podcasts videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organiz...). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com.
SPEAKERS
Harlan Coben
guestBestselling thriller novelist known for the Myron Bolitar series and numerous suspense novels.
Adam Grant
hostOrganizational psychologist, author, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking with Adam Grant.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, featuring Harlan Coben and Adam Grant, Why habits are stronger than motivation with Harlan Coben explores Harlan Coben on writing habits, progress, and sustainable creative discipline Harlan Coben explains his long-running output as the result of habit and treating writing like a job rather than waiting for inspiration or motivation.
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