NeuroConversant Leadership

Are soft skills important in engineering? Dagna Bieda, an engineer turned career coach, discusses her transition from coding to coaching and the struggles engineers face in communication and self-marketing. She emphasizes the importance of soft skills and business acumen in engineering careers. Dagna also introduces the concept of brain refactoring and neurofeedback training as tools for optimizin...

Summary Our brains are wired for stories because storytelling provides sensory stimulation, activates patterns, and promotes social interaction. When we hear a story, our brains are immersed in the situation as if we were there, releasing dopamine and cortisol that make it easier to remember. Stories also provide context, helping our brains organize and understand information. Additionally, storyt...

Greg Williams, VP of Strategy at Western Computer, discusses the importance of effective communication in translating technical information to non-technical audiences. He emphasizes the need to simplify complex concepts, avoid jargon and acronyms, and focus on the business benefits. Greg shares his experience in training his team to communicate effectively and the importance of pausing for questio...

"I'm Jeremy and I am an imposter"...sounds like a self help group, doesn't it? Imposter syndrome is a common experience where individuals feel like they are frauds and fear being exposed as such. It is often experienced by high achievers who struggle to internalize their accomplishments. The perception of oneself and how others perceive them may not align, leading to feelings of...

Do you want to learn to streamline your communication? Make it simpler and more concise? That's what Geoff Weinstein talks about in this episode. Jeff Weinstein, a communications coach and author, shares his journey into the field of communication and the importance of effective communication in maximizing productivity. He emphasizes the impact of vulnerability and fear of public speaking on o...

Have you ever thought you were the only person in the room who didn't understand something...but when you asked the questions, found that that no one else understood it either? Asking questions requires confidence and can lead to valuable insights and opportunities. Many people are hesitant to ask questions, but those who do often gain respect and create a more open and collaborative environme...

In this conversation, Jeremy and Trent discuss the importance of communication in accounting and how accountants can improve their communication skills. Trent shares his personal journey and how he developed his communication skills. He emphasizes the power of creating one-minute stories and provides tips on how to develop and use them effectively. They also discuss the benefits of exercise in org...

In this episode, Jeremy discusses how people use labels to win political arguments and the negative impact of weaponizing words. He shares personal experiences where labels were used against him and emphasizes the importance of avoiding labels in conversations. Jeremy encourages listeners to focus on specific topics and avoid broad assumptions. He also asks for listeners' help in sharing inter...

Brendan Kumarasami, founder of MasterTalk, shares his journey from studying accounting to becoming a speech coach. He discusses the importance of communication skills for STEM professionals and offers three key tips: the random word exercise, the question drill, and the video message. Brendan emphasizes the need for engineers to develop their communication skills in order to advance in their caree...

Triggers, like stress, can be good or bad. They are stimuli that spark intense emotions. Negative triggers can be caused by various factors, such as past experiences or body image issues. In conversations, common triggers include feeling invisible, dismissed, or controlled. It is important to be mindful of the impact of our words and to ask questions to clarify intentions. When triggered, taking d...

Carlos Alvarenga, author of The Rules of Persuasion, discusses the importance of persuasion in effective communication. He explains that persuasion is a demonstration that something is true or appears to be true, and it can be achieved through the character of the speaker, the arguments presented, and the emotions evoked. Alvarenga emphasizes the need for authenticity in persuasion and cautions ag...

In this episode, Jeremy discusses the popularity of the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory' and how it resonates with viewers because of the unique and quirky characters. He emphasizes that everyone is unique and encourages embracing and understanding the differences in others. Jeremy suggests two courses of action: embracing differences by finding out what others are passionate about and why, a...

Summary Nic Redman, a spoken voice and recording coach, discusses the importance of voice training and communication in corporate environments. She emphasizes the need to focus on the impact and emotional connection in communication rather than just the technical aspects. Redman highlights the significance of vocal warm-ups to prepare the voice and release tension. She suggests quick and easy exer...

Jeremy announces a name change for the podcast to 'NeuroConversant Leadership' and explains the reasoning behind it. He discusses the need to consolidate his online presence and create a unified message. Jeremy shares his interest in communication and leadership, particularly in the context of neurodiversity. He highlights the communication challenges faced by engineers and the importance...

This episode explores how to make people want to pay attention and listen to what you have to say. It emphasizes the importance of understanding that people are self-centered and suggests making conversations relate to them. The episode provides an example of how to frame a conversation to highlight what's in it for the listener. It also discusses the use of hooks to capture attention and shar...

In this episode, Jeremy interviews Dr. Gary Simonds, a neurosurgeon, professor, and author, about the challenges of communication in the medical field and beyond. Gary discusses how the specialized training of surgeons can hinder their ability to communicate effectively with patients and offers insights into improving communication skills. He emphasizes the importance of listening, preparing for d...

Summary In this episode, Jeremy talks about some of the most popular male actors and what they have in common. He highlights the unique voices of actors like Sylvester Stallone, Christopher Walken, and James Earl Jones. Jeremy then introduces the five elements of voice usage: pitch, pace, pauses, tone, and inflection. He explains how each element can be used effectively to enhance communication. J...

In this episode, Jeremy interviews Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist and expert in working with neurodivergent people. They discuss the concept of neurodiversity and the differences between neurodivergent and neurotypical brains. Dr. Matt emphasizes the importance of finding one's community and embracing individual strengths and weaknesses. He also shares insights on effective communi...

In this episode Jeremy talks about some changes to the Podcast, one he has made, one he chose not to make...and one that he wants your feedback on! Those changes are largely due to feedback, so he spends a lot of time talking about how to get better at receiving feedback and using it. He also talks about how to give feedback in a way that is easier to receive. He talks about feedback he has gotten...

In this episode, Jeremy interviews Katja Schleicher, a communications trainer and consultant. They discuss various aspects of effective communication, including intercultural communication, agile communication, and the power of narrative. They also explore the importance of listening skills, balancing big picture and detail-oriented communication, and adapting communication to different audiences....

In this episode, Jeremy emphasizes the importance of listening in effective communication. He highlights how listening plays a significant role in personal and professional relationships, and how it can impact productivity and engagement. Jeremy also discusses the challenge of listening, as our brains tend to get distracted easily. He suggests techniques for deep listening, such as paying attentio...

Victoria Pelletier, founder and CEO of Unstoppable You, discusses her upcoming book 'Influence Unleashed' and the importance of personal branding. She emphasizes the need for authenticity, vulnerability, and storytelling in building a personal brand. Victoria also highlights the significance of diversity and inclusion in business and the role of personal stories in fostering connection and...

In this conversation, Jeremy discusses the importance of physical and verbal poise in various communication settings. He emphasizes the significance of volume, ending sentences with confidence, and speaking from the diaphragm. Jeremy also highlights the impact of posture on voice quality and suggests using standing and movement to enhance communication. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of enu...

Summary In this episode, Lauren Larson, a program manager with a background in engineering and management, discusses her experiences in managing engineers and non-technical people. She highlights the differences in communication styles and the importance of understanding and adapting to them. Lauren also shares insights on how to effectively respond to complaints and identify the underlying needs...

2023 has been quite the whirlwind! I hesitated for the first half of the year to start a podcast...because it was scary. Then I spent the second half of the year putting out podcasts and learning more and more with each episode! One large recent change is that people can now listen to the podcast from my webpage! I had no intention of this episode being about Social Media...but it was such a big p...