Whether you're making small talk at a party or navigating a tough disagreement at work, strong communication can make or break the moment. In this episode, Matt Norman breaks down the five essential conversations everyone needs to master, from explaining what you do, to articulating your ideas, to handling conflict with grace.

You’ll also hear three research-backed strategies to boost your confidence and clarity: using proven frameworks, practicing consistently, and finding your flow. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just trying to stop dreading social situations, this episode offers practical tools to help you speak with purpose, connect more deeply, and get better outcomes in every conversation.

What if the best thing you could say as a leader… was nothing at all? In this episode, Matt Norman unpacks a powerful yet underrated leadership skill: self-restraint. Inspired by insights from podcaster Dan Heath, we explore how great leaders resist the urge to jump in with answers — and instead create space for others to speak freely.

You’ll learn why asking before explaining leads to more authentic conversations, stronger relationships, and smarter collaboration. Whether you're navigating conflict, trying to win support, or just want to stop dominating meetings without realizing it, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: listening well is leading well.

Ever leave a conversation replaying everything you said — and cringing? You’re not alone. In this episode, Matt Norman explores the sneaky voice of the inner critic and why so many of us base our self-worth on how others respond to us. We dive into the concept of the “reflected self,” the exhausting need for constant validation, and how it keeps us stuck in cycles of self-doubt.

But there’s another way. Matt shares how to shift toward a “solid self” — one rooted in your own values, not someone else’s perception. Through personal stories and practical insights, you’ll learn how to quiet that inner critic and show up to your relationships with more confidence, authenticity, and ease.

Whether you're overthinking yesterday’s meeting or dreading your next social event, this episode is for you.

Here we talk about the power of remembering and using names as a foundational element for building influence and fostering genuine connections referencing personal anecdotes, such as interactions with Costco employees as well as public figures known for this practice, like sports columnist Sid Hartman. This simple act of attentiveness to others, inspired in part by the Dale Carnegie Course, transforms transactional relationships into friendships, ultimately broadening one's ability to persuade and gain support. The remembering of names is a virtuous act that enhances both personal well-being and professional effectiveness, advocating for its implementation in daily life to achieve positive change.

This episode explores the complexities of moving from problem to solution, arguing that a linear approach often overlooks crucial human elements. Drawing on Matt Norman's personal experience in corporate technology, we illustrate how focusing solely on task completion can lead to a disconnect from underlying motivations and emotions. Subjective interpretations, feelings, and context can significantly alter the perceived "problem" and "solution." Ultimately, this episode advocates for influencers and leaders to engage in transparent dialogue, ask better questions, empathize, and strive for shared commitment to navigate the ambiguous space surrounding problems effectively.

This episode focuses on the critical role of communication style over content in achieving comprehension and acceptance from others. We introduce seven specific phrases—"so that," "could we," "say more," "you'd mentioned," "for example," "let's," and "that's important"—as tools to foster dialogue, demonstrate active listening, provide context, and encourage collaboration. This episode emphasizes that strategic word choice can significantly boost influence and effectiveness in various interactions, even when facing resistance. Ultimately, the piece champions the idea that how a message is delivered is paramount to its reception and impact.

If you’re leading change, influencing people, or just trying to get your team on the same page, the words you don’t say might matter more than the ones you do. In this short and powerful episode, Matt unpacks common words that subtly derail collaboration, trust, and buy-in — like the word “but,” which might as well mean “brace yourself for what I really think.” Drawing on 20+ years of leadership training and communication coaching, he explains why words like no, unfortunately, and certain types of questions can create friction instead of progress — and what to say instead.

Whether you’re a coach, a leader, a parent, or just someone who wants to influence with more clarity and connection, this episode will shift how you speak — and how others respond.