Communicast: A Communication Skills Podcast

Great communication starts before you say a word.

In this episode of Communicast, Scott D’Amico sits down with career coach Michelle Shafer to explore why intentionality, clarity, preparation, and listening play such important roles in how we communicate at work.

Michelle shares lessons from helping professionals navigate career transitions, including why communicating your impact matters more than simply listing your responsibilities, how to tell your professional story more effectively, and why networking conversations often fall flat when people aren't clear about what they're asking for.

Scott and Michelle also explore the power of the pause, how preparation can make you a better listener, the unspoken messages leaders send when they're distracted, and why transparency and the willingness to say “I don't know” can strengthen trust during uncertain times.

They also discuss interviews, relationship-building when starting a new role, communicating through organizational change, and why some of the most effective communicators focus less on what they're going to say next and more on truly understanding the person in front of them.

Whether you're navigating a career change, leading others, or simply looking to communicate with greater clarity and purpose, this conversation offers practical ideas you can put to work immediately.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/ 
► Learn more about Michelle’s work: https://mschafercoaching.ca/   
►Get a free chapter of her book: https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/  
► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com

Today, I’m joined by Grant Ballard, an engineer, business leader, climate finance expert, and author of The Zero-Sum Illusion.

Grant brings a fascinating perspective to communication, shaped in part by growing up in South Africa during apartheid and witnessing firsthand what can happen when people move beyond division and find ways to engage with one another.

In our conversation, we explore what strong leadership communication really looks like and why it has far less to do with charisma than many people think.

Grant shares a great analogy about communicators being thermostats rather than thermometers, why the success of a message should be judged by how it is received rather than simply how it is delivered, and how empathy and curiosity can help us navigate difficult conversations.

There is a lot to unpack in this one.

Let’s dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Grant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantballardtremeer/ 
► Check out his book: https://www.zerosumillusion.com 
► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com

 

Today, I’m joined by Carlo D’Amore, a professional actor, director, writer, producer, and founder of Live In Theater, an immersive theater company that has evolved from its off-Broadway roots to delivering interactive team-building experiences for organizations around the world.

Carlo brings a fascinating perspective to communication because so much of what makes a great actor also makes a great communicator.

In this episode, we explore what the theater can teach us about listening, presence, authenticity, storytelling, and audience engagement. Carlo shares why great actors listen with more than their ears, what happens when we focus too much on what we are going to say next, and why your audience should be treated more like a scene partner than a group of passive observers.

Whether you’re presenting, leading a team, meeting with a client, or simply having an important conversation, there are some great lessons here about being present and making a genuine connection.

Let’s dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond
► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/
► Connect with Carlo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlodamore-creator/ 
► Learn more about Live in Theater : https://liveintheater.com/ 
► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/
► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com

Today, I’m joined by Jesston Williams, Executive Director and co-founder of Tangelic. Jesston brings more than two decades of experience in leadership, operations, and organizational management, and today his work focuses on social impact and sustainable development. 

In this episode, Jesston and I explore why being knowledgeable about something and being able to communicate it effectively are two very different skills.

We discuss the importance of listening, clarity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, along with why strong communicators adjust their message without changing the underlying facts.

Whether you’re leading a team, presenting complex ideas, working across different audiences, or simply looking to become a more effective communicator, there are plenty of practical takeaways in this conversation.

Let’s dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond

Today I'm joined by Scott McInnes, founder of Inspiring Change, a Dublin-based culture and internal communication consultancy. Scott helps senior leadership teams close the gap between the culture they have and the one they actually need to deliver their strategy. 

In this episode, we explore why communication is far more than simply sharing information. Scott explains how great leaders connect people to purpose, why clarity without emotion rarely inspires action, and how frontline managers play a critical role in translating organizational strategy into meaningful conversations.

We also discuss hybrid work, employee engagement, storytelling, communication confidence, and why self-awareness may be one of the most important communication skills any leader can develop.

Whether you lead a team, communicate change, or simply want your messages to create more impact, this conversation is full of practical insights you can apply immediately.

Let's dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond

Today, I'm joined by Grant "Upbeat" Bosnick, leadership expert, executive coach, keynote speaker, former professional musician, and founder of YES! (Your Empowering Solutions). For more than 25 years, Grant has helped leaders and organizations across 45 countries develop stronger leaders, build high-performing teams, and navigate change.

In this episode, Grant and I explore what truly separates great communicators from everyone else. We discuss why communication is ultimately about creating connection, why the best leaders know when to speak and when to stay silent, and how trust, responsiveness, and genuine curiosity shape every meaningful conversation.

We also talk about leading in the age of AI, influencing others without manipulation, and why listening with your heart may be one of the most important communication habits you can develop.

Whether you're leading a team, coaching employees, managing change, or simply looking to become a stronger communicator, you'll walk away with practical ideas you can put to work immediately.

Let's dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond

► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/

► Connect with Grant on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantbosnick/

► Learn more about Grant: 

https://grantbosnick.com/

► Learn more about YES : 

https://yes-sol.com/

► Subscribe to Communicast: 

https://communicast.simplecast.com/

► Learn more about Communispond: 

https://www.communispond.com

Today, I'm joined by Andrew Sykes, founder of Habits at Work, professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management, author, leadership expert, and global speaker who has spent his career helping leaders build trust, communicate with influence, and create lasting impact.

In this episode, Andrew and I explore what truly separates great communicators from everyone else. We discuss why trust is the foundation of effective communication, why listening goes far beyond simply hearing words, and how storytelling helps leaders inspire action rather than simply share information.

Whether you're leading a team, presenting ideas, managing relationships, or simply trying to become a better communicator, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Let's dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond

Today, I’m joined by Lee Caraher, CEO of Double Forte, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and PR leader with more than 40 years of experience helping organizations connect with the people who matter most.

In this episode, Lee and I explore how communication has changed over the past several decades, why the role of professional communicators has become more important, and what it takes to communicate effectively across today’s many channels.

We talk about why great communicators listen first, how to prioritize communication when everything feels urgent, and why clarity is essential when working across generations, teams, and time zones.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing clients, navigating a busy inbox, or simply trying to communicate with more clarity and respect, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways.

Let’s dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond

Today, I'm joined by Travis Hahler, founder of The Neurological Nomad, strategy and transformation leader at Salesforce, and author of Rethink Resistance. Travis brings together neuroscience, psychology, and business leadership to help organizations better understand how people respond to change and how leaders can communicate more effectively through transformation.

In this episode, Travis and I explore why people naturally resist change, how neuroscience influences the way messages are received, and what leaders can do to communicate in ways that build trust instead of triggering fear and uncertainty.

Whether you're leading organizational change, managing a team, or simply looking to become a more effective communicator, this conversation offers practical insights you can put to work immediately.

Let's dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond

Today, I’m joined by Bernadette Jones, CEO and co-founder of Visionova HR Consulting. With more than 25 years of experience in human resources, leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational culture, Bernadette helps leaders build stronger communication habits that improve trust, inclusion, and workplace relationships.

In this episode, Bernadette and I discuss what truly makes someone a great communicator in today’s workplace. We explore the connection between listening and leadership, why intentional inclusion matters more than ever in multi-generational teams, and how clarity and emotional intelligence directly impact workplace culture.

Whether you’re leading a team, navigating workplace change, or simply trying to become a better listener and communicator, this episode is packed with practical insights you can immediately apply.

Let’s dive in.

Additional Resources:

► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond