The Opposite of Small Talk

Most of us shy away from rejection because we see it as a personal failure or a sign, we're not good enough, but what if rejection holds the key to unlocking your true potential? Today's guest, Alice Draper, a writer turned rejection advocate, reveals how deliberately seeking and experiencing rejection can transform your life in exciting ways including drastically boosting confidence, sharpening s...

There comes a time in most people's lives where a health or personal crisis requires them to ask for help.   Why if it is a fairly common human experience, does it feel so hard for many of us to do?  In this episode Marisa Renee Lee, author of "Waiting for Dawn: Living with Uncertainty," available now, shares with Danielle and Kristy her experience with long COVID and reveals how living well amid...

Most people believe time management is about squeezing more into less. But what if the real secret to a fuller life isn't about managing time better, but about experiencing the moments more fully? Laura Vanderkam, bestselling author and speaker, whose newest book, "Big Time: A Simple Path to Abundance," is available now, joins us again to discuss and challenge conventional wisdom around time manag...

Have you heard the saying, "age is just a number?"   Well, for many women aging, and aspects around it, can create a sense of dread. However, today's guest, Andrea Nakayama, Functional Medicine Nutritionist, educator, and founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance, flips that narrative, revealing how many factors including: society, diet, and even our beliefs shape our experience of getting olde...

Today's episode isn't just about shifting careers, but about transforming your relationship with work and worth. It highlights the importance of curiosity, intuition, and resilience. If you've ever wondered whether you can rewrite your story at any stage of life, or how to navigate the fears that come with change, you'll find inspiration in our discussion with Christine Amerman, a seasoned profess...

Most of us are held back less by our fears than by the stories we're telling ourselves about them. In this episode, Rich Sirop, an Emmy-winning producer, turned transformational coach, shares how simple techniques can transform fear into a force for growth by understanding your self-worth. This episode challenges the myth that self-help is about fixing what's broken; instead, it's about rememberin...

What if the conversations, you're craving are closer than you think, you're just afraid to ask the first question?   In today's episode we explore the transformative power of meaningful conversations through the Big Talk movement, founded by Kalina Silverman. Kalina shares her journey of overcoming loneliness by engaging in deep, impactful dialogues with strangers, which has led to a global moveme...

  Most of us think kindness is about being polite or agreeable — but what if it's a sign of strength? In this thought-provoking episode, Shola Richards, a workplace civility expert and author, flips the script by revealing to Danielle and Kristy how courage, boundaries, and intentional action are at the core of real kindness. If you believe kindness is just soft or naive, this conversation will ch...

In this episode, Danielle and Kristy engage in a candid conversation about personal growth, identity shifts, and the importance of meaningful connections. They explore how their identities have evolved over the years including their over two-decade friendship. The discussion also delves into the need for community and the significance of having deep, honest conversations that go beyond small talk....

Most listeners are likely already familiar with the term "glass ceiling," but what about the term, "sticky floors" and the role these internal barriers can play in achieving success?   Today's guest, Erica Rooney, podcaster, keynote speaker, gender equality crusader, and author of the book "Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors," explains the internal barriers to success, otherwise known as sticky floo...

As we begin a new year, what if the key to success isn't specialization, but versatility?   Today's guest, Monique Lecomte, author of The Expert Generalist, help us answer this question and start the new year right. In her conversation with Danielle and Kristy, Monique suggests that the keys to success are within reach and are likely skills or interests we already possess from our life experiences...

www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com/starthere With over 200 episodes it can be difficult to direct new listeners on where to start. In this episode Danielle and Kristy talk about our Signature Episodes playlist (linked above) which represent what the podcast is about and the kind of 'big talk' conversations we aim to bring to you. If you like this podcast, please consider sharing the Signature Episodes...

We've entered the holiday season, and it's a time that's supposed to be filled with joy, but for many of us, the high expectations and full calendars can give us anxiety and a feeling of overwhelm.   For those feeling that way, this episode is just in time!   Today's guest, Jon Rosemberg, author of "A Guide to Thriving: The Science Behind Breaking Old Patterns, Reclaiming Your Agency, and Finding...

The holiday season can be particularly hard to navigate for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, but for many people there is comfort in believing that or receiving signs from their loved ones who they feel are very much still with them.   Following the loss of his daughter, today's guest, Bob Ginsberg, author and co-founder of the Forever Family Foundation, a federal 501C, alongside hi...

As a social species we as humans are wired to seek connection with one another throughout our lives be it through romantic relationships, friendships, or family bonds.   What may not feel as natural to us is cultivating partnerships professionally or networking with others because of the perception of it feeling like a transactional relationship.   Today's guest, Madeline Reeves, Founder & CEO of...

Today's guest wrote, as he puts it, "a memoir with a mission."   David Ambroz, author of A Place Called Home: A Memoir , sits down with Danielle and Kristy to talk about his incredible story of trial, resilience, and deep purpose. David shares his powerful story growing up homeless in New York City and navigating the foster care system; discusses the collective responsibility of society to address...

In this heartfelt and deeply personal conversation, Danielle and Kristy welcome Lisa Keefauver, author of, "Grief is a Sneaky Bitch" to explore the complexities of grief, sharing personal experiences, and insights on how to navigate loss. Lisa, a grief activist and author, discusses the importance of understanding grief as a multifaceted experience that impacts our identity, relationships, and ove...

What if the most productive thing you could do right now… was rest?   In today's episode, we talk to leadership coach Maegan Megginson about what it really means to be deeply rested; explore how rest is not a "one size fits all;" and discuss the nuances between vacations, retreats, and sabbaticals. Guest's Website: Home - Maegan Megginson Guest's Podcast: Deeply Rested Podcast Landing Page - Maega...

Sometime too much information is the real problem in our age of constant connectivity.   In today's episode Danielle and Kristy sit down with Liane Davey, organizational psychologist to discuss the topic of workload vs. thought load and how too much of the latter is leading to serious burnout. Leanne offers practical strategies for managing thought load, including creating priority lists, understa...

We've reached the 200 th Episode of The Opposite of Small Talk (TOOST).   Join Danielle and Kristy as they celebrate this milestone with a bit of reflection, discussion of their first summer "break," and a peek into the future of TOOST.   Cheers to the 200th and here's to 200 more opportunities to "stay curious and talk big!"     Connect with us at theoppositeofsmalltalkpodcast@gmail.com   Work wi...

What if in just five minutes a day you could completely change the way you think, perform, and handle life's challenges?  We'll explore this question and more in today's episode with Lindsey Wilson, a mindset and mental performance coach best known as The Sports Hypnotist™. With a professional basketball career spanning close to a decade, Lindsey took her knowledge of the mental game to work with...

In the final installment of the special four-part series, Summer Camp, which explores the topic of solopreneurship, Danielle is once again joined by Kerry Dobson, previous TOOST guest, respected group coaching expert, and friend of the podcast. In today's discussion, Danielle and Kerry come full circle following three episodes of discussing all things solopreneur and share the early stages of an e...

In the third installment of the special four-part series, Summer Camp, which explores the topic of solopreneurship, Danielle is once again joined by Kerry Dobson, previous TOOST guest, respected group coaching expert, and friend of the podcast. Today's discussion touches on the positive aspects of being a solopreneur and the great things Danielle and Kerry have experienced including working with p...

In the second episode of the special four-part series, Summer Camp, which explores the topic of solopreneurship, Danielle is once again joined by Kerry Dobson, previous TOOST guest, respected group coaching expert, and friend of the podcast. Today's discussion touches on, "what is missing" as a solopreneur and how both Danielle and Kerry have navigated the transitions from corporate to solopreneur...

In this episode of The Opposite of Small Talk (TOOST), Danielle introduces a special four-part series, Summer Camp, which explores the topic of solopreneurship. Danielle will be joined by Kerry Dobson, previous TOOST guest, respected group coaching expert, and friend of the podcast.  In upcoming episodes of Summer Camp, Danielle and Kerry will discuss solopreneurship in depth including: real talk...