Think you can spot a liar? You may want to think again.

We’ve been taught to look for the obvious signs, avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, nervous behavior, or a story that just feels a little off. But research shows that many of the things we associate with lying aren’t reliable indicators at all.

In this episode of Breaking Bad Communication, we unpack what the science actually says about detecting deception and why curiosity may be far more powerful than accusation. You’ll learn what to notice, what to listen for, and how better questions, strategic pauses, and deeper listening can help you uncover what’s really being communicated.

Because you don’t need to become a human lie detector. You need to become a better communicator.

The Swiss Cheese Effect: Infertility, Energy, and Becoming Whole Again

What if the difficult experiences, negative self-talk, grief, and words of others leave little holes in us, until we start feeling a lot like Swiss cheese?

In this episode, Reiki Master Krista Igoe shares her Swiss cheese analogy and how energy work can support people navigating infertility, miscarriage, and loss. We also tackle the conversations nobody seems to know how to have, what to say, what to ask, and how paying attention to your own energy can be part of feeling grounded, supported, and whole again.

Connect with Krista at https://revivewithreiki.com/ 

What I Heard Wasn't What You Said: Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, "That’s not what I meant" or "That’s not what I heard at all"?

In this episode, we explore one of the biggest challenges in communication: the gap between what is said, what is meant, and what is actually heard. Through a real-life conversation that almost went sideways, you'll learn why misunderstandings happen so often and three simple strategies to bridge the gap before frustration turns into conflict.

Because great communication isn't about talking more. It's about making sure your meaning lands the way you intended.

What happened to manners? After a recent trip to London, I couldn’t help but notice how often people said please, thank you, and treated others with simple respect, and honestly, it made me realize how much we’ve lost that in everyday communication here in the US.

In this episode, we talk about why manners still matter, how respectful communication builds trust and connection, and what research says about politeness, gratitude, and human interaction. Because sometimes the smallest words create the biggest impact.

Your Future Has a Friend Group - Your future is being shaped by the people around you, the conversations you normalize, and the energy you allow into your life. In this episode, we talk about why your environment matters more than you think, how communication patterns like negativity, gossip, ambition, and accountability transfer between people, and why growth often changes relationships.

Not everyone can go where you’re growing, and some people quietly benefit when you stay small.

If you’ve ever questioned your circle, your relationships, or why certain people drain or inspire you, this episode will challenge you to look differently at who’s influencing your future.

Best-selling book Unleash Your Inner Voice

Have you ever sat in a meeting, conversation, or relationship knowing you had a thought to share, but convinced yourself it probably wasn’t smart enough, important enough, or valuable enough to say out loud?

In this episode, we talk about the courage it takes to use your voice before you fully believe in it. You’ll learn why so many people stay quiet, how confidence is actually built through contribution, and why your perspective may be more valuable than you realize.

Because the moment you stop withholding your thoughts is often the moment you realize your voice mattered all along.

Rambling doesn’t mean you lack intelligence, it often means your brain is overloaded and your thoughts need structure. In this episode, you’ll learn The Bookend Method™, a simple communication framework that helps you organize your thoughts, speak with more clarity, and make your message easier to follow.

If you want to sound more confident in meetings, conversations, presentations, or difficult discussions, this tool will help you communicate in a way people actually hear, understand, and remember.

Because clear communication builds trust.

Have you ever been told you’re too loud, too emotional, too much?

In this episode, I talk about the hidden cost of shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable, and why so many of us learned to stay quiet long before we ever found our voice. I share a deeply personal story about silence, self-trust, and the moment I realized other people’s discomfort was never my responsibility to carry.

You can shrink, struggle, or stand. I know which one I’m choosing now.

Sharing the Shine

In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Domsch of Keystone Collective for a powerful conversation on leadership, team alignment, and the mindset shifts that actually drive productivity. We dig into what it really takes to get everyone on the same page, why mindset is often the root of procrastination, and how leaders can create clarity that moves people into action.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, watched your team spin their wheels, or wondered why productivity feels harder than it should, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective and practical takeaways you can use right away.

Meet with Cathy here

Free gift from Cathy - Productivity is Power

Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn here

Get Cathys book Not Now! Turning Procrastination into Action 

Learn about Cathy here

Everyone wants to be a great leader, but most are asking the wrong questions. In this episode, I answer what it really takes to be seen, heard, and followed. It’s not about title or authority, it’s about how you choose to show up every single day. If you want people to listen and follow, this is your starting point.

Want to talk leadership - let's go!

Want questions to ask to develop as a leader - let's go