Your Intended Message

The Three-Box Storytelling Framework The Hidden Psychology Behind Stories that Change Behavior Episode 288 (Graham is based in Singapore) This is a repeat of episode #68. In this conversation with Graham Brown, we explore: how the three-box storytelling model simplifies complex ideas why backstory builds trust before persuasion begins how fear of the unknown blocks decision-making why analogies he...

When You Serve First, Business Follows How a Servant’s Heart Builds Trust, Teams, and Sustainable Sales Episode 287 (Jim is based in Arizona) In this conversation with Jim Hardwick we explore: why serving others builds trust faster than traditional selling how servant leadership strengthens teams without weakening authority the role of vulnerability in effective leadership why intentional service...

How David Copperfield Creates Belief What a Master Illustionist Taught Me about Communication and Leadership This wasn't an intterview. It was me live on stage with David Copperfield at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I had no idea that I would learn so much from this experience as a volunteer in his magic act. ----- Key Lessons from this experience: there is no magic, only mastery perception matters...

The Missing Leadership Skill: How to listen for Real Results Listening for Oppportunity, Danger and Challenge  Episode 285 (Julian is based in the Orkney archipelago northeast of Scotland) In this conversation with Julian Tresure we explore: why listening is a learnable skill rather than a personality trait the difference between hearing and conscious listening how personal filters shape what peop...

Communication, Recovery, and Massive Action Massive Success Requires Massive Action Episode 285 (David spends his time between Floirda and Puerto Rico) In this conversation with David Price we explore: how a destructive inner narrative keeps people stuck and how to rewrite it why massive change requires massive action how relocating or disrupting routine can break old patterns how listening to suc...

The Donkey Leadership Mindset Every Leader Needs From "I Don't Know: to Great Leadership Episode 284 (Gary is based in California) In this conversation with Gary Ridge we explore: how humility accelerates learning and strengthens leadership why saying “I don’t know” unlocks collective intelligence what servant leadership looks like in practice inside WD-40 how leaders shift from managing to coachi...

12 Words and Phrases That Sabotage Your Communication Communication Tips from George Torok Episode 283 In this episode we explore: why vague words prevent listeners from seeing what you mean how double negatives create confusion and weaken your intent where emotional trigger words derail your message how insulting phrases show unintended arrogance why self-diminishing language lowers your authorit...

Fear, AI & Leadership: How to Stay Human in a Digital World The Truth About Executive Presence Episode 282 (Roz is based in Florida) In this coversation with Roz Usheroff we explore: how authenticity shapes executive presence why emotional intelligence matters more than polish how leaders can support people through AI-driven uncertainty the rise of “quiet cracking” and what it signals why psyc...

Why Top-Down Change Fails and how leaders can fix it How to lead change without burning out or losing your team Episode 281 (Jeff is based in Maine) In this conversation with Jeff Wetherhold we explore: why 88% of change initiatives fail and what leaders consistently overlook how treating change as a communication challenge shifts results how ambivalence, not resistance, explains employee behaviou...

Don't force teamwork, harness your team's superpowers Great teams don't need to be friends Episode 280 (Mark is based in Georgia) In this conversation with Mark Murphy, we explore: why you don’t have to like your teammates to perform well together how forced fun can kill real teamwork the five essential roles that make up every high-performing team how to diagnose what’s missing when your team is...

Praise in Public, Criticize in Private Leadership Lessons with Martha Lawrence Episode 279 ( Martha is based in San Diego, CA) In this conversation with Martha Lawrence, we explore: how the culture of positivity shaped Ken Blanchard’s leadership philosophy why The One Minute Manager changed how organizations lead and communicate how to apply “catch people doing things right” both at work and at ho...

The Power of Listening—Lessons from Elephants and Lions Elephant Wisdom: Be Still, Listen, and Lead Episode 278: (Hugh is based in San Fransico) In this conversation with Hugh Coppen we explore: how animals communicate clearly without words why listening is a survival skill in nature—and in business what elephants and lions can teach us about leadership how body language signals intent, trust, and...

Managing Fear and Chaos The Ant, the Elephant, and the Earthquake Episode 277 (Vince is based in Dallas, Texas) In this conversation with Vince Poscente we explore: how fear operates in both the conscious and subconscious mind why alignment between intention and emotion determines progress the meaning behind “there’s no linear way out of chaos” how to face personal earthquakes like loss, failure,...

Why Logic Doesn’t Sell — and What to Do Instead Brain Glue: Why Emotion Beats Logic in Business Communication Episode 276 (James is bases in LA, California) In this Conversation we Explore: Why the emotional brain makes 90% of our decisions How rhyme, rhythm, and repetition make ideas memorable The secret power of metaphors and analogies in persuasion What “Brain Glue” is and how to apply it in ma...

Feedback First: The Starting Point for Better Sales Coaching Listen for What Isn’t Said: The Coaching Skill Most Managers Miss Episode 275 (Keith is based in Philladephia) In this conversation with Keith Willis, we explore: why real coaching starts with clarity, not a barrage of questions how an Army leadership mindset accelerates business coaching outcomes the pharma sales reality and why manager...

Targeted messaging wins: why “market to everybody = market to nobody” Plateaued growth? Check your vision, strategy, and team empowerment Episode 274 (Shay is based in Charlotte NC) In this conversation with Shay Prosser, we explore: why strategy must come before messaging how interviewing customers sharpens language that resonates the danger of “laundry list” offerings and what to say instead how...

Manage Difficult Conversations & Meetings The 3-step script to calm angry people (ignore words, read feelings, label) Episode 273 (Doug is based in California) In this conversation we explore… https://dougnoll.com/why decisions are emotional and what that means for leadership credibility the 92-second reset protocol that calms intense situations fast a three-step method: ignore words, read emo...

Build trust in business through authentic storytelling The brand blueprint: how to define values and tell your story Episode 272  (Deevo is based in Charlotte, NC) In this conversation we explore… how to cut through industry noise with a no-fluff branding approach why self-discovery is the foundation of personal branding the role of trust and experience in building client relationships how authent...

Build Innovation Teams That Thrive in Ambiguity Human Ingenuity: Clever, Inventive and Fearless Thinking Episode 271 (Ken is based in the Greater Toronto Area) In this conversation we explore… why innovation often stalls in organizations the difference between innovation, entrepreneurship, and ingenuity how to measure and manage openness to ambiguity why diversity of thought and background is esse...

High-Stakes Communication: Lessons for Leaders From Crisis to Product Launch: Mastering High-Stakes Messaging Episode 270 (Angela is based in Massachusetts) In this conversation we explore… why every business needs a crisis communication plan how to identify vulnerabilities and prepare for unexpected risks why proactive preparation is a positive mindset how to communicate with honesty, transparenc...

Cold Calling in 2025: Strategies That Still Work Combining Emotional Intelligence with Artificial Intelligence Episode 269 (Ashley is based in Indianapolis, Indiana) In this conversation we explore: how AI can serve as a no-cost, personalized sales coach why combining emotional intelligence with artificial intelligence strengthens selling skills the importance of reviewing your own sales calls to...

Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success Mind Shifting for Leaders: Building Teams That Solve Complex Problems Episode 268 (Mitch is based in New York State) In This Conversation We Explore… how cultural values shape communication and decision-making the hidden “lies” that societies accept and how they influence relationships why the survival brain reacts faster than the resource...

Secret to Memorable Presentations Be Funny without Offending: Self-Deprecating Humor Episode 267 (Danny is based in Denver, Colorado) In this conversation with Danny Brassel we explore: how to instantly connect with your audience using relatability, authority, and purpose why storytelling beats bullet points for memorability and emotional connection how to mine everyday experiences for meaningful...

Fix What's Broken with Traditional Networking Replace Referrals with Introductions to Build Your Business Episode 266 (Donnie is based in Texas) In this conversation with Donnie Boivin we explore: why the traditional rules of networking fail in the B2B space how to eliminate the pitch and still make meaningful connections how to use LinkedIn QR codes instead of business cards what it means to rank...

Stop Hiding Your Flaws—Use Them to Lead One-Eyed Wisdom: Using Your Flaws to Connect with Others Episode 265 (Diana is based in Florida) In this conversation with Diana Fritz we explore: how Diana uses her literal blind spot to teach about communication blind spots why vulnerability builds stronger connections in leadership and teams how DISC profiles reveal communication styles and hidden frictio...