Speaking and Communicating Podcast

Why is empathy necessary in running an organization?

Meet Michelle J. Howe!

Michelle is former CPA, strategic consultant, and founder of Empath Evolution™. They delve into why modern leadership requires a fundamental shift from rigid, transactional dynamics to empathetic, relationally aware leadership. 

Michelle shares her unique transition from numbers and financial precision to deep perceptual intelligence, highlighting how leaders can leverage empathy, active listening, and self-alignment to lead high-performing teams without burning out or losing themselves in the process.

Key Takeaways

• moving away from traditional, authoritarian frameworks
• developing soft skills, emotional regulation, and authentic connection
• how high achievers often "give pieces of themselves away"
• how to reclaim your internal alignment
• heightened perception and empathetic awareness
• grounded, strategic decision-making
• why empathetic communication builds psychological safety
• how to increase team retention and reduce communication silos
• how to have self-empathy and presence

...and so much more!

Connect with Michelle:

• Website: Empathevolution.com
• Special Resource / Private Intensive: Michelle J. Howe - Recalibration Intensive
• LinkedIn: Michelle J. Howe

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-leaders-need-to-have-empathy-w-michelle-j-howe/id1614151066?i=1000785406699
Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6363qJm3rsfbq5L6DN3RvJ?si=JotK73LdQqyJaKLue64QGA
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6363qJm3rsfbq5L6DN3RvJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqacSrkdgzw

How do you truly negotiate?

Meet Arlene Cohen Miller!

Arlene is an AV Preeminent® Rated Colorado Attorney, Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, and CEO of Jewel Consultancy, a firm based in Longmont, Colorado, specializing in work-life harmony, leadership coaching, and healing.

Drawing from over 3 decades of legal experience, Arlene breaks down what it truly takes to negotiate effectively and win—without resorting to aggression or high-stress conflict.

She shares practical strategies for navigating high-stakes conversations, regulating your nervous system during tense discussions, and shifting from a rigid, control-oriented mindset to "negotiating from the heart."

Key Takeaways

• why standard positional bargaining often fails both parties
• how stress and anxiety trigger the fight-or-flight response
• higher-level critical thinking and problem-solving
• transitioning from adversarial tactics to collaboration
• focusing on mutual gains and long-term relationships
• listening to understand (rather than listening to reply)
• hidden leverage and priorities revealed when actively listening
• how to establish clear boundaries
• maintaining key professional relationships

...and so much more!

Connect with Arlene:
Website: Jewel Consultancy
LinkedIn: Arlene Cohen Miller
Facebook: Jewel Consultancy / Arlene Cohen Miller
Instagram: @jewelcoach2
YouTube: @arlenecmiller

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-negotiate-and-win-communication-101-w-arlene/id1614151066?i=1000783849755
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3iSnITeCg5yhJB5v1zvfao?si=92210c1027424715
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3iSnITeCg5yhJB5v1zvfao
YouTube: https://youtu.be/JLHV2bN-nFs

What does it truly take to command a room, lead with authority, and project executive presence without putting on an artificial "mask"?

Meet Sandra Bargman!

Sandra is a seasoned voice and presence coach with over 35 years in performing arts, theater, and voiceover. She breaks down why traditional "authoritarian" leadership is dying, how soft skills like empathy and active breathing drive true authority, and why developing executive presence isn't about finding yourself—it’s about setting down what's blocking your authentic voice.

Key Takeaways

• executive presence and being the loudest or most aggressive voice
• emotional grounding and solid self-identity
• how to regulate your nervous system in high-stakes meetings
• choosing a courageous, thoughtful response instead of a knee-jerk reaction
• why high-performing teams demand empathy, collaboration, and vulnerability
• is the authoritarian persona and style outdated?
• traveling outside yourself to "find who you are."
• how to shed defense mechanisms and masks you've built up over time
• actionable tools anyone can use to communicate authority effortlessly

...and so much more!

 Connect with Sandra:

• Sandra Bargman's Website: sandrabargman.com
• Book a Consultation / Magic Thread Media: magicthreadmedia.com
• Sandra's Podcast: The Edge of Everyday Podcast (Streaming on all major platforms)
• YouTube: Sandra Bargman on The Edge of Everyday

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-have-executive-presence-voice-coaching-w-sandra/id1614151066?i=1000781371307
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MPWlv1AbVroFsrvBCmHRX?si=EDxs1an7RDu-m7wm1TL28g
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MPWlv1AbVroFsrvBCmHRX
YouTube: https://youtu.be/hpR50dBjntw

What do we get so wrong about mental health?

Meet Bryan Gastelle, PsyD!

Dr. Bryan Gastelle is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the founder of Empower Psychotherapy. Licensed in Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, he brings a direct and collaborative approach to mental health care. Dr. Gastelle specializes in evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, and ACT to support individuals and couples navigating trauma, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. He is dedicated to providing high-quality, remote therapy to empower each client’s unique healing journey.

Bryan also delves deep into adult ADHD diagnostic testing, why "narcissist" has become the most overused label in relationships, and actionable tools to rebuild communication with your partner before it’s too late.

Key Episode Takeaways

• The Burnout Paradox: what really causes burnout
• Adult ADHD vs. Common Stereotypes: how adults mask ADHD
• The "Narcissist" Myth: why we throw labels around
• Primary vs. Reactive Communication: what really goes on with us emotionally
• Telehealth vs. In-Person Care: the pros and cons of each

...and so much more!

Connect with Bryan:

• Website: EmpowerMyTherapy.com
• (Book a free 20-minute consultation or access free mental health guides)

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-about-mental-health-busting-myths-w-bryan/id1614151066?i=1000779629654
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45Wezy52k5RG5Wzf2iPOkg?si=p7wRi_JkRGGNkc9pGBLwKg
https://open.spotify.com/episode/45Wezy52k5RG5Wzf2iPOkg
YouTube: https://youtu.be/I40uA4M5yWo?si=87x5SyaMB4q33SzP

Are you staying in your comfort zone because it feels safe, or is it secretly holding you back from your true potential?

Meet Stan Lewis!

Stan is a Leadership Expert who explores how to shatter self-imposed limitations, master 360-degree leadership, and break free from mental captivity.

An empowerment advocate with over 25 years of experience, Stan unlocks the full potential of ambitious professionals and leaders. As the founder of Nward Journey and a Certified John Maxwell Guide, he combines deep expertise in organizational leadership, communication, and servant leadership to equip corporate executives, managers, and organizations with the proven Maxwell Method to break down communication silos, increase employee retention, and unlock high-performance leadership.

Endorsed personally by leadership legend Dr. John C. Maxwell, Stan’s unique Freedom From Mental Captivity Philosophy inspires transformational growth by challenging limiting beliefs and empowering confident action. Join Stan and the Nward Journey community to bridge the gap between your team’s current reality and their desired future, turning dreams into actionable, life-changing results.

On this episode, he shares actionable insights—including his powerful "Vantage Point Shift" model and his "Doubt Detox" framework—to help you stop letting negative self-talk squat rent-free in your mind and step boldly into your full capability.

Key Takeaways & Highlights
- why staying "safe" often causes more pain
- how early conditioning creates invisible chains
- how changing your perspective exposes limiting beliefs
- why you don't need a title to lead
- how active listening transforms team performance
- how to identify, confront, and eliminate imposter syndrome

...and so much more!

Connect with Stan:
Website: stanlewis.net/home

Free Resource: Download Stan's Doubt Detox Worksheet on his website.

Book: Evict the Doubts That Have Been Squatting Rent-Free in Your Mind
Here’s the pre-order link: 

👉 https://go.nwardjourney.com/evict-the-doubts-purchase?am_id=Tunnel2Towers

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, rate, and leave a review on
Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-escape-your-comfort-zone-leadership-imposter/id1614151066?i=1000778490745
Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qnbpSxAyLZqnEU9GnxxKr?si=4f6387f1620948c6
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qnbpSxAyLZqnEU9GnxxKr
YouTube: https://youtu.be/7_RztrwaVtA

Are you feeling stuck in a career that looks successful on paper but no longer fulfills you?

Meet Kay Kayaian!

Kate is an Author, Speaker, Career Strategist, and Grammy Award-winning former Cellist. She shares her powerful journey of walking away from a high-profile classical music career to help others rethink their own definitions of success, identity, and "what's next."

If you are struggling with career transitions, imposter syndrome, or the heavy guilt of letting down your mentors and family, this episode is your ultimate guide to turning the page and writing your next chapter.

Key Takeaways:

• the internal guilt of quitting
• battling imposter syndrome.
• chasing benchmarks without defining success
• turning points from listening to your body
• how fear of failure holds us back
• why waiting for confidence is a trap
• overcoming the story of betrayal 
• how to rewrite your excuses and reignite your goals

...and so much more!

Additional Resources

• Get Kate's Book: Beyond Potential: A Guide for Creatives Who Want to Reassess, Redefine, and Reignite Their Careers
• Visit Kate's Website: KateKayaian.com (For coaching, speaking inquiries, and her podcast Tales from the Lane)
• Connect on Instagram: @kkayaian

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-redefine-success-and-choose-courage-with/id1614151066?i=1000777505300
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vLB3VQBjXfm3A1ujfpUKI?si=kVhqTTgGSTmm7hsLSk4pCQ
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vLB3VQBjXfm3A1ujfpUKI
YouTube: https://youtu.be/V_juzuOq_XE

How is the next generation supposed to learn soft skills?

Meet John Kwon!

John is a finance expert and investor currently based in South Korea. He has lived in 4 countries, mostly in the United States. During the course of his career, he managed a $23 billion equity fund, amongst other portfolios.

On this episode, John focuses on soft skills development, particularly examining why young people struggle with social skills and how cultural differences impact communication styles. He also narrated his experience managing funds and dealing with sales pitches from Wall Street fund managers, highlighting how effective social engineering and soft skills can be in sales.

Listen as John shares:
- how children's soft skills are developed at home
- cultural conditioning in how soft skills are perceived
- what is missing in the school curriculum
-  technology and social media's impact on children's personal interaction
- the importance of teaching conflict resolution at a young age
- generational differences in work values and career aspirations
- how soft skills will never go out of style
- the "real" definition of soft skills
- how technology has changed the workplace learning hierachy

...and so much more!

Connect with John:
Email: [email protected]

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-develop-soft-skills-teaching-the-next/id1614151066?i=1000776536485
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NkYjBmQaG5FvulCIgYUPk?si=d8c0a85a344648a3
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NkYjBmQaG5FvulCIgYUPk
YouTube: https://youtu.be/oaeqZSH63kY

Are your presentations inspiring your team, or are they putting them to sleep?

Create Authority! Control the Room! Be a Rockstar!

Meet David Thomas!

In this episode, international keynote speaker and elite presentation coach David Thomas shares his expert strategies on how corporate leaders, politicians, and public speakers can break out of the "vanilla" presentation trap and become communication rockstars.

From preparing clients for the intense environment of the UK Houses of Parliament to analyzing Barack Obama’s dramatic public speaking transformation, David breaks down the exact science of high-stakes communication. You'll learn how to master the first 60 seconds of any speech, inject humor without losing your professional edge, and use storytelling to drive emotional connection and real action.

📈 Key Takeaways & Timestamps
Presenting in the Halls of Power: Why do leaders consistently deliver boring presentations even when they want to be engaging?

Hooking Your Audience Emotionally: Facts tell, but emotions sell. 

The Secret Weapon: Humor and Storytelling

The 60-Second Rule & The "Lightning Rod Theme": Minimalist slides that maximize visual impact.

The Barack Obama Transformation: Public speaking is a trained skill, not an innate talent.

• Sir Ken Robinson's TED Talk: Used as a prime case study for embedding humor (roughly one-third of the presentation) into an educational speech.
• Barack Obama’s Early Speeches: The "before-and-after" video footage David uses to inspire confidence in his coaching clients.
• Toastmasters International: Recommended as an excellent baseline resource for developing public speaking habits.

Connect with David:
Website: https://www.creatingpresentationrockstars.com

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-be-a-presentation-rockstar-w-david-thomas/id1614151066?i=1000775602140
Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qiGFJHTyMwUrIgxgdQOYd?si=ObD8saRoRXy1wHoag5KtRQ
YouTube: https://youtu.be/jtIOhGu4RGE

How can leaders create healthier workplace cultures for their teams?

Meet Dr. Melanie Gray!

Dr. Gray is a Registered Nurse of over 25 years and trauma-informed leadership expert from Wisconsin. She shares her transition from nursing to helping leaders create healthier workplace cultures.

Dr. Gray's experience during COVID-19, particularly seeing the impact on younger nurses, led her to formalize her work supporting employees struggling with workplace trauma and burnout.

Dr. Gray emphasized the need for creating a human-centered workplace culture during challenging times. Strategies for leaders including encouraging PTO use without punishment, limiting meeting schedules, and implementing regular one-on-ones are all part of a bigger wellness program.

On this episode, Dr. Gray breaks down her "STOP" acronym for professionals experiencing burnout: Scan, Tell yourself the truth, Own your truth, and Prioritize yourself.

Listen as Dr. Gray shares:
- how leaders often miss recognizing introverted team members
- how leaders can be trauma-informed in their communication
- practical strategies for leaders to implement
- creating a supportive culture for employee well-being
- structuring boundaries around work hours and communication
- lessons from European work-life balance cultures
- advocating for workplace wellness
- burnout from excessive change and poor communication
- why wellness helps retain great talent

...and so much more!

Connect with Dr. Gray:
Website: https://drmelaniegray.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmelaniegray/

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/health-and-wellness-for-professionals-and-leaders-w/id1614151066?i=1000774703757
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LkkDJ9YJQOWrr5ZU3w89F?si=qFfcUwXAQPG8V-3Hmjfnog
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LkkDJ9YJQOWrr5ZU3w89F
YouTube: https://youtu.be/TdNAcn_-xDk?si=8wKpw24NutUKIHJQ

How do you get what you want?

Meet Joshua Bandoch!

Joshua is a persuasion expert and TEDx speaker, an internationally recognized persuasion expert and keynote speaker. He has spent two decades mastering the art and science of persuasion. 

On this episode, he discusses his book "How to Get What You Want: Mastering the Art and Science of Persuasion."He shares insights on effective persuasion techniques, emphasizing the importance of adopting a "persuader's mindset".  

Joshua has spent over a decade uncovering the secrets of persuasion. He’s mined psychology, neuroscience, economics, public policy, and history for cutting-edge techniques that actually work—and he’s used them in speeches written for senior government officials, national leaders, business executives, and dozens of his own talks to audiences around the world. 

Josh shared that he works for a public policy think tank focusing on anti-poverty and pro-opportunity initiatives, working with various elected officials regardless of party affiliation. He touched on political polarization in America, with Josh explaining that people have forgotten how to engage in constructive dialogue with those who don't share their views. 

Listen as Joshua shares:
- how to create win-win situations
- effective persuasion techniques
- how to adopt a "persuader's mindset"
- persuading through storytelling rather than data
- being "right" versus making a difference in negotiations
- how non-verbal elements impact persuasion outcomes
- the importance of listening and asking questions
- understanding the other person's priorities and goals
- identifying overlaps with one's own priorities
- how clarity can be a superpower 

...and so much more!

Connect with Joshua:
Website: https://joshuabandoch.com/

Additional Resources:
"How To Get What You Want" by Joshua Bandoch

Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-get-what-you-want-persuasion-101-w-joshua-bandoch/id1614151066?i=1000773687193
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wzWP8Q7iLJRR672GToJF5?si=dBbnpeqvTIi0YwMQrANqhw
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wzWP8Q7iLJRR672GToJF5
YouTube: https://youtu.be/oj_-KxFhCmU?si=ODGX56ghrmJP0M9E