City Cast Denver

Introducing Vanessa Van Edwards: Stop Overthinking Every Social Interaction! (Use THESE Cues to Be Liked, Respected, and Build Confidence in Every Conversation) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.

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What usually holds you back from starting a conversation?

Can you remember a time you avoided someone out of fear of saying the wrong thing?

Jay sits down with behavioral researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards for a powerful conversation that blends science, honesty, and so many surprising moments. Vanessa, who refers to herself as a “recovering awkward person,” shares how her biggest social struggles became the driving force behind her mission to crack the code on human connection.

Together, Jay and Vanessa dive into the fascinating world of charisma, exploring the 97 cues, from eye contact to tone of voice, that quietly shape how we’re seen and understood. Vanessa breaks down why so many of us feel overlooked or underestimated—and introduces “signal amplification bias,” a concept that explains why the signals you think you’re sending might not be landing the way you expect. Vanessa shows us how confidence isn’t always something you’re born with but something you can build, with intention and awareness.

The conversation goes even deeper as they unpack the tricky balance between warmth and competence, especially for women in the workplace, and how vulnerability isn’t a weakness, but often your greatest strength. They explore how to create those magic “me too” moments that form instant connections, spot the hidden red flags in communication, and let go of the need to be liked by everyone in order to be truly seen by the right people.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Make a Great First Impression Without Saying a Word

How to Break the Ice with a Simple “Hey”

How to Balance Warmth and Competence in Any Conversation

How to Create Connection Using “Me Too” Moments

How to Exit a Conversation Gracefully (Without Offending Anyone)

How to Spot a Liar Using Body Language and Micro-Expressions

How to Ask Better Questions That Spark Real Conversations

How to Recognize the Difference Between Charisma and Manipulation

Whether you struggle with social anxiety, want to level up your leadership presence, or are just tired of surface-level small talk, this episode is packed with practical tools and uplifting wisdom to help you connect with more authenticity and power.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.  

Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!  

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

00:51 From Awkward to Empowered: Overcoming Social Anxiety

02:43 How Do You Really Want People to See You?

06:44 Why Aren’t Your First Impressions Landing?

10:01 Why They’re Not Getting Your Signals (And What to Do About It)

13:33 Want to Be More Attractive? Try Being More Available

15:40 One Simple “Hey” That Can Spark a New Connection

19:16 Your Vibe Teaches People How to Treat You

22:06 Speak with Power: Unlock Your Full Vocal Power

23:47 3 Conversation Starters That Actually Work

29:49 Making Friends Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

31:17 Why Compliments Alone Don’t Build Connection

33:30 Break the Ice Without Sounding Like Everyone Else

38:36 Stop Trying to Be Interesting, Do This Instead

40:48 The Art of a Smooth and Respectful Exit

44:32 Use These Nonverbal Cues to Steer the Conversation

47:41 Spot Inauthentic Behavior Before It Costs You

54:28 Why People-Pleasing Feels Safer But Actually Holds You Back

57:48 How to Tell If Someone’s Lying (Without Saying a Word)

01:00:04 When Narcissists Feel Like the Most Charismatic People

01:03:46 Want to Really Get to Know Someone? Take a Road Trip

01:04:45 How Dopamine Makes You More Memorable

01:08:23 Every Answer Can Be a Gateway to Connection

01:10:51 How Asking Better Questions Inspires Growth

01:13:10 Discover Your Social Battery: Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert?

01:15:10 You Might Be an Ambivert and That’s a Superpower

01:19:07 The Two Ways Friendships Evolve Over Time

01:22:30 Choose Friends Who Inspire Awe

01:25:20 The Double Standard Faced by Highly Competent Women

01:33:09 Before You Make That Connection, Ask Yourself This 

01:34:34 Life’s Too Short for Shallow Connections, Find Your People

01:36:29 Vanessa on Final Five

Episode Resources:

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

It’s no secret — Denverites love a good drink! From neighborhood watering holes to craft cocktail lounges, there’s a place for every kind of imbiber. So, how do you choose? We’re revisiting a conversation from last year with host Bree Davies and two City Cast Denver regulars, Westword food and drink editor Molly Martin and our own politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, to parse through the dozens of options and come up with the ultimate list of the Mile High’s best taverns, taprooms, lounges, and pubs!

This conversation was based on Molly’s “Best Bars We Can’t Live Without” for Westword. If you would like to help support Molly as she goes through cancer treatments, check out this GoFundMe.  

Do you have a favorite bar that didn’t make the list? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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Introducing Dr. Ania Jastreboff from The Oprah Podcast.

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In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah sits down with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an endocrinologist and associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, to talk about the new GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. Dr. Ania, who has been on the forefront of GLP-1 medication research for the past 20 years, will talk through why it is biologically difficult for some people to lose weight, maintain weight loss and why obesity is a disease. She explains how the new GLP-1 medications work, how they can facilitate weight loss, and if they are safe. Dr. Ania answers questions from people around the country who are taking the GLP-medications and have lost a significant amount of weight. We will also share an update from Amy Kane who told her story of losing 160 pounds on weight loss medications last year on Oprah’s ABC Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution.

Also referenced in this episode: "The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About" by Mel Robbins, published by Hay House LLC is available wherever books and audio books are sold.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

After five months of debate and debauchery, Colorado’s state lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session in Denver on Wednesday. So what passed? What failed? And what is Governor Polis going to veto next? Our capitol insider Deep Singh Badhesha was there for all the madness, and he’s on today’s Friday news roundup with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to give us the scoop. Then, the advocacy group YIMBY Denver has a new survey out showing broad support for more housing, but the numbers show a more complicated picture. And of course, our wins and fails of the week. 

You can check out the cross-tabs for the YIMBY Denver survey for yourself. Bree mentioned FLOCK cameras, a DoorDasher in detention, and the immigration support group Casa de Paz. Paul talked about Clever Girl at Zeppelin Station and a prized green chile recipe. Deep discussed the Nuggets big loss against Oklahoma and the judge who extended a restraining order against the Trump administration in a local immigration case. 

Paul also talked about Hold On to Your Butts, his new Jurassic Park rewatch podcast with friend of the show JD Lopez, which you can subscribe to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. 

What do you think about Denver’s push for housing density? Would you like fourplexes in your neighborhood? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

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Introducing Kerry Washington Opens Up: Mental Health Struggles, Her Spiritual Connection & The Secret That Changed EVERYTHING from The School of Greatness.

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Acclaimed actress Kerry Washington drops her Hollywood facade to reveal the startling truth about growing up with a family secret that shook her identity to its core. She opens up about the mental health battle that comes with discovering in her forties that she was conceived through a sperm donor—a revelation her parents had kept hidden her entire life. Through therapy, spiritual practice, and brutal honesty, Kerry transformed this family mystery into her greatest source of strength, allowing her to step fully into her power both on-screen in her new action film "Shadow Force" and in her personal life. This vulnerable conversation exposes how Kerry's mental health journey from feeling "not enough" to embracing her authentic self offers a blueprint for anyone seeking to break free from their own limiting beliefs.

Official Trailer for Shadow Force

Kerry’s book Thicker than Water: A Memoir

In this episode you will learn:

• How Kerry transformed her family's shocking DNA revelation from potential destruction to profound healing
• Why therapy became Kerry's mental health sanctuary where she learned to separate excellence from feelings of inadequacy
• The unexpected way Kerry's eating disorder recovery opened her spirituality
• How Kerry approaches marriage as a "third entity" requiring conscious investment from both partners
• The critical difference between pursuing greatness from a place of deficiency versus from joy and purpose

For more information go to https://www.lewishowes.com/1768

For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960

More SOG episodes we think you’ll love:

Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson – greatness.lnk.to/1767SC

Eric Thomas – greatness.lnk.to/1696SC

Sarah Jakes Roberts  – greatness.lnk.to/1606SC

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

It feels like every week Denverites are grappling with some shocking new way that President Trump is using the power of the federal government to reshape life here in the Mile High. This week, it’s art. Trump’s National Endowment for the Arts cut almost a half-million dollars in previously awarded grants last Friday to 22 local arts organizations, including the Denver Art Museum and Su Teatro, because their programs didn’t conform with the president’s new “priorities.” So host Bree Davies is talking to Youth on Record executive director and veteran arts fundraiser Jami Duffy about the impact on the local arts community, how much leverage Trump really has, and how the local arts world is pushing back in all different ways. 

In response to Trump’s NEA grant cuts, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation announced this week a new 2025 Arts & Culture Rapid Response Grant program to help make up the shortfall for the local organizations that lost money. 

What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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Introducing Oprah and Mel Robbins on How to Calm Anxiety from The Oprah Podcast.

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"The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About" by Mel Robbins, published by Hay House LLC is available wherever books and audio books are sold: https://www.melrobbins.com/letthemtheory https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-let-them-theory/id6532590423

Mel Robbins is a global podcasting sensation and the bestselling author of “The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About.” Mel joins Oprah on “The Oprah Podcast” to discuss what feels like the overwhelming emotion of our times: anxiety. Mel offers practical, effective tools and strategies—based on science and her own personal experience—to help ground your anxious thoughts and keep you connected to your capability. She answers questions from listeners about their own feelings of anxiety.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

President Trump rolled back his most expansive tariffs a couple weeks ago, but who knows. He might change his mind! And that’s got many Denverites worried about the possibility of a recession. So is that gonna happen? And what would a recession mean for us here the Mile High? Greg Sobetski is the chief economist for Colorado’s state legislature, which means it’s his job to answer this exact question for our top elected officials. Host Bree Davies sits down with Greg to get the inside scoop on the ripple effects across the local economy and how to decipher all the talk of “uncertainty.”

Do you have any life hacks or tips for living a frugal Mile High life? We want to assemble a Denver recession survival guide, and we need your help! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your suggestions on the show: 720-500-5418

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Introducing Michelle Obama Opens Up: Her Struggle To Feel Like She's “Enough,” Mental Health in the White House & Lessons from Childhood w/ Craig Robinson from The School of Greatness.

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Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson reveal how growing up in a tiny Chicago apartment shaped their values, outlook on life, and mental health today. From Craig "vetting" Barack Obama during a pickup basketball game to Michelle navigating the pressures of the White House, their conversation uncovers how family bonds grounded them through extraordinary circumstances. What makes this sibling dynamic special isn't just their impressive achievements but their authentic connection - Craig bringing lightness and joy while Michelle delivers wisdom and perspective. Their shared mental health belief that "home is about who's there, not where you are" resonates deeply as they explain how they raised confident children amid extreme privilege and spotlight by teaching them that success comes from character, not circumstance.

IMO Podcast

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Michelle’s book The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

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In this episode you will learn:

• Why basketball became the ultimate character test when Michelle asked Craig to play pickup with Barack Obama before their relationship got serious
• How their parents "coached confidence" decades before it became popular, building them up rather than breaking them down
• The surprising way Michelle and Barack maintained their mental health during White House stress by coaching their daughter's basketball team
• Why Michelle feels more confident at 61 than ever before despite asking herself "am I good enough?" throughout her career
• The counterintuitive parenting approach that helped them raise grounded children despite White House privilege

For more information go to https://www.lewishowes.com/1767

For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960

More SOG episodes we think you’ll love:

Venus Williams – greatness.lnk.to/1591SC

Muniba Mazari – greatness.lnk.to/1684SC

Jason Wilson  – greatness.lnk.to/1725SC

Get more from Lewis! 

Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!

Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on Spotify

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

There is less than one week until City Council votes on a $70 million plan to support the proposed NWSL stadium at the site of the old Gates Rubber Factory, and the debate is finally heating up! After we shared CU Denver professor Geoff Propheter’s critical take on the podcast last week, we heard from the owners, the mayor’s office, city council members, and both supporters and detractors of the project. So producer Paul Karolyi dug into the details, and he’s on with host Bree Davies to share more info you need to know before the vote. Plus, we discuss a couple of recent highs and lows from the local music world and hear some of your ideas to revamp the 16th St. Mall. 

We also have one further clarification on the specific source of the proposed $70 million expenditure. A spokesperson for the Dept. of Finance told us that, “Because the interest earnings on the 2017 Elevate Denver Bond can offset $60 million of the total $70 million cost of the Santa Fe Yards project, only approximately $10 million would come out of the city’s capital improvement fund. This $10 million would be split over 2026 and 2027, so about $4-6 million each year.”

What do you think about the proposal to spend $70 million on the NWSL stadium development project? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

Also, we have been thinking a lot lately about the possibility of a recession, and we want your help! Do you have any Denver hacks or tricks for squeezing the most out of every dollar? Help us make a Denver recession survival guide with a voicemail or a text: 720-500-5418

Bree mentioned DéCollage, whose new album you can stream/buy now and who you can see live at UMS this summer! She also talked about the passing of singer-songwriter Jill Sobule — Emily Ferguson at Westword wrote a nice tribute to the former Denverite. Paul shared NWSL co-owner Rob Cohen’s quote from this Denverite article about the stadium proposal, discussed Councilmember Sarah Parady’s line of questioning in this council meeting last week, and alluded to the fact that Denver voters already approved a $975 million bond to, among other things, install air conditioning at the 29 DPS schools without it.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

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