The Opposite of Small Talk

Domestic and interpersonal violence do not discriminate and can happen to people from all walks of life.  In this episode, we have a Discussion on Domestic and Interpersonal Violence with our guest, Jennifer Peterkin.  Jennifer helps us to understand the difficulties of recognizing and exiting a violent relationship as well as some of the harmful stereotypes and expectations society has pushed in...

What do you do with those few minutes after you've joined a meeting when some people have arrived, but not everyone is there yet so the meeting can't get started? Do you turn to your email inbox? Do you sit in awkward silence? Or do you initiate conversation with the group? In this episode Kristy shares the secret that will make it easier to connect with your colleagues and build rapport quickly d...

Have you ever felt like you are your own "worst enemy" or that you just can't seem to get out of your own way personally or professionally?  This may be what this week's guest would refer to as an "upper limit" problem.  In this episode, we speak to Gay Hendricks on the topic of Overcoming Upper Limits and Self-Sabotage.  Gay shares his own personal struggles, how he came to recognize patterns of...

In this special TOOST episode we had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with Dr. Yanique Redwood, author, speaker, and facilitator, and Kate Schatz, now a three-time TOOST podcast guest, following an experimental event they held in Fall 2023 in Oakland, CA, with the goal of centering black female voices and experiences as well as a book talk on Dr. Redwood's book, White Women Cry and C...

In this episode Kristy is interviewed with Lisa Gillette of Big Sky Coaching on her podcast Grace, Grit, and Getting it Done! Kristy shares her experience of struggling with workplace communication as a mid-career professional how she learned to be more prepared to speak up at work.   https://gracegritgettingitdone.com/  

For most of us, at some point in our lives, we will come to a crossroads with a job or career, be it from burnout, finding it no longer brings us joy, or it doesn't align with our values or goals. If or when we reach that crossroads, it may mean quitting or leaving that job or career behind. In this episode, we discuss with Amani Zaveri the topic of The Art of Quitting.  Amani shares with us some...

In this episode Danielle explores the real meaning of listening, the three types of listening and how to practice to be a better listener. 

It's true, we're not a one size fits all society, but individuals deemed as overweight, obese, or fat can face a rush to judgment and unfair treatment based solely on their larger body size.  Today's guest Kate Manne discusses with us the topic of How to Face Fatphobia.  Kate shares with us some fascinating historical origins of the Body Mass Index (BMI); ways fat phobia shows up in areas of socie...

This episode is for you if you're overwhelmed with meetings and spending nights and weekends catching up on work that you couldn't get to during the day. Learn practical steps to take today to get your work hours under control.    Work with Kristy: Learn more about workplace communication workshops and contsulting at www.kristyolinger.com  

Many of us associate the season of winter with hibernation and the need for extra rest.  Just as some animals and plants hibernate during winter – we too, as humans, need a dedicated period of time to rest and recharge.  So, what do you do when sleep doesn't come as easily as it should?   This week we speak to Monica Le Baron on the topic of Sleep Simplified.  Monica shares how several experiences...

Just in time for "Galentine's Day," this special episode features author Rhaina Cohen on the topic of, The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center.  Her book, by the same name, was released today.  We discuss excerpts from the book, the unique friendship stories she's found through her research; and how her own close friendship was the catalyst to her interest in t...

" The biggest problem in communication is the illusaion that it has taken place " according to George Bernard Shaw. In this episode, Kristy covers the communication cycle and the different blockers that can prevent your message from getting through to your intended recipient.    If your team is ready to upskill workplace communication to make work easier, learn more about workshops and team traini...

Many people tend to believe that professional success is measured by the amount of money in their bank account and that the harder they work the more successful they'll become, but what happens when that type of "hustle harder" mentality leaves you burned out and disenchanted?  This week's guest suggests there is an alternative that offers a balance between hard work and success.  Today we speak t...

In this episode Danielle shares tips and ideas on how to stay authentic and true to yourself through all different stages of your career. By idenifying and reevealuating your core values, strengths and super powers throughout your life you can honor yourself at all stages of your career. 

When the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, each year, we often dedicate ourselves to resolutions or new habits, but what about dedicating ourselves to less burnout and more personal growth?  This week we speak to Kate Vanden Bos on the topic of the Soul Path Growth Cycle.  During our discussion Kate shares how through her work she encourages her clients to listen to their whole self – body, m...

REGISTER FOR THE 'CHOOSE YOUR LIFE' CHALLENGE - STARTING JAN 15 2024 Work shouldn't be this hard and it shouldn't be a barrier to living the life you want. In this episode, Kristy talks about why improving communication could be the key that unlocks a work life that is easier, more effective, and more enjoyable.    Follow Kristy on Instagram for more workplace communication tips.  

Register for the Choose Your Life Challenge - Use promo code LISTENER20 for a 20% discount! The new year is a great time to reflect on our personal goals and harness our strengths and emotions to reach them.  Today's guest explains how even awkwardness, in social situations, can be a powerful tool to get where you want to go this new year.  In this episode we talk with Henna Pryor, a fellow Univer...

Register for the Choose Your Life Challenge - Use promo code LISTENER20 for a 20% discount! In this episode Kristy and Danielle review 2023; the themes, the milestones, and hopes for the future. Do you have an idea for a topic or guest? Contact Danielle and Kristy

In this episode of The Opposite of Small Talk, Danielle gives a quick talk about the importance of CELEBRATING! 

When the holiday season rolls around do you ever feel like singing, "deck the halls with stress and chaos?"  If so, you're not alone, but there are solutions and in this episode we talk with Laura Vanderkam on the topic of Scheduling Intentionality.  We begin the conversation with Laura finding out what an average Tuesday looks like for her, we touch on the phenomenon of "revenge procrastination"...

If you don't have enough time to do your work because you're always in meetings, this episode is for you.  Kristy walks through a series of simple steps that will help you reclaim your time and break up with bad meeting using a calendar audit.   WORK WITH KRISTY: Kristy helps mid-career corporate professionals to communicate better at work through interactive workships, team programs, and 1:1 cons...

Pain can be found in every corner of our world, but so can joy.  Today's guest encourages us to seek the joy from within and harness it in powerful and life changing ways.  In this episode we talk with Tanmeet Sethi, MD on the topic of Joy as a Human Right.  During this moving and powerful discussion, Dr. Sethi explains the difference between happiness and joy; offers tips to those who aren't sure...

This fourth anniversary episode of TOOST was recorded in front of a live audience on October 21, 2023, at Neon in San Francisco.  In this special episode, Danielle and Kristy take a look back at how the podcast started and some of the triumphs and challenges. Dia Bondi, who originally appeared as their guest in episode 71, returns for a discussion about her new book, "Ask Like an Auctioneer," avai...

In this episode Kristy tackles three interesting and complex questions from followers. M wonders how she should respond when her team laughs about her authoritative style in a meeting, L feels undervalued as the youngest member of her team, and S wonders how to build rapport when he is not a person that socializes over drinks and coffee.  If you'd like to submit a workplace communication questions...

The world can be a scary place – some of our fears are very real and others are of our own making. This week's guest addresses identifying and utilizing healthy fear as a tool for personal growth.  In this week's episode we talk with Farnoosh Torabi, a muti-bestselling financial author and go-to money expert, on what it means to be in a healthy state of panic.  We discuss details from her latest b...