In this episode of Speaking of Meaning, host Ibrahim engages in a transformative conversation with Martin Svaneborgo, an accomplished author, singer, actor, and communications expert.

They explore the pivotal role of the voice in effective communication, emphasizing that voice is not just a natural gift but a craft that can be honed. Martin shares his journey from finding his voice in school to becoming a professional performer, and offers valuable insights into training one's voice for greater impact. They discuss how to handle stage fright, how to sound confident, the importance of creating an avatar for public speaking, and practical exercises to develop a powerful and dynamic voice. The episode ends with Martin's life advice about cherishing the small moments. A must-listen for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and make a lasting impact.

00:00 Introduction to Speaking of Meaning

00:42 Meet Martin Sbo: Author, Singer, Actor, and Communications Expert

01:10 Discovering the Power of Voice

02:12 Martin's Journey: From School to Professional Singing

04:33 Classical Singing and Its Impact

08:39 The Technicalities of Voice Control

11:18 The Importance of Voice Projection

21:55 Voice in Everyday Situations

32:45 Managing Nervousness and Fear

37:08 Embracing Physical Sensations for Better Performance

38:27 Mental Preparation and Visualization Techniques

39:34 Reframing Nervousness as Excitement

40:29 Controlling Your Voice Under Pressure

42:09 Bill Hader's Stage Fright and Jeff Bridges' Advice

45:17 Exercises for a Deeper, Dynamic Voice

53:05 The Concept of the Public Speaking Avatar

01:07:08 Final Thoughts on Authenticity and Performance

01:10:10 One Piece of Advice for a Meaningful Life

01:11:51 Conclusion and Takeaways

You can read more about Martin Svaneborg here:

Martin Svaneborg | dansk romanforfatter

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Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

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Bridging Communication and Climate Leadership with Annam Chaudhry.

In this episode of 'Speaking of Meaning,' host Ibrahim speaks with Annam Chaudhry, named Oslo’s Green Citizen of the Year, about her expertise in ESG and Arctic leadership.

Annam's national campaigns and substantial projects have engaged more than 500,000 people in Norway alone, while ventures developed within this framework have fostered new concepts in sustainable business and green value creation.

Anam shares insights on using communication to bridge local actions and global impacts, the societal importance of understanding climate change, and the interconnected roles of corporations and governance in environmental sustainability. She discusses the challenges and rewards of engaging with climate deniers, her journey through male-dominated fields, and the value of resilience and purpose-driven leadership. Anam emphasizes living in the moment and listening to one's inner voice to foster a more meaningful life.

00:00 Introduction to Annam Chaudhry

01:05 Annam's Mission and Climate Communication

03:22 The Role of Corporations in ESG

09:16 International Perspectives on Green Innovation

13:10 Annam's Journey and Achievements

28:40 Challenges and Leadership as a Woman

36:42 Advice for Future Leaders

42:49 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

You can read more about Annam Chaudhry's work here:

Website: https://www.ecofrontier.eu/

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Youtube;: www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakingofmeaning/

In this episode of Speaking of Meaning: Better Communication, Greater Impact, host Ibrahim sits down with Howard J. Ross and Jake Ross for a deep and reflective conversation on bias, belonging, and the future of human connection.

Howard J. Ross is a globally recognized expert on unconscious bias, leadership, and inclusion, and the bestselling author of Everyday Bias. Jake Ross is the CEO and founder of Belong Together and holds a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology, bringing a fresh perspective on belonging and the role of AI in shaping human experiences.

-Together, we explore:

-What unconscious bias really is — and why it affects all of us

-Why awareness matters more than guilt or blame

-How belonging shapes identity, leadership, and behavior

-The role of compassion in addressing bias

-How AI may influence inclusion, decision-making, and human connection

-Why slowing down and reflecting is essential in an overstimulated world

This episode is not about having the “right” answers — it’s about asking better questions, building awareness, and creating space for more meaningful conversations.

🎧 Listen with curiosity, reflection, and openness.

Howard J Ross website: https://howardjross.com/bio/

Book Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives. Find it here

Follow Speaking of Meaning

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Guest: Daniel Nordström — Keynote Speaker at Gapminder & Founder of Talking Bridge

In this episode of Speaking of Meaning, I’m joined by Daniel Nordström, a keynote speaker at Gapminder and the founder of Talking Bridge, to explore what communication really means — beyond words, techniques, and presentations.

We talk about how communication shapes human connection, leadership, and understanding in both personal and professional life. Daniel shares insights from his work in global education and communication, and why patience, self-awareness, and presence matter more than most people realize.

This conversation is about slowing down, listening deeper, and realizing that everything we do communicates something.

In this episode, we explore:

-Why communication is more than just talking

-How misunderstanding often comes from lack of presence

-The role of self-awareness in becoming a better communicator

-Why patience is a leadership skill

-How empathy builds stronger connections

-The three types of conversations: Helping, Hearing, and Hugging

-What it really means to become a “super communicator”

If you’re interested in leadership, communication, human connection, or personal growth, this episode offers reflections that will stay with you long after listening.

You can read more about Daniel Nordström at www.talkingbridge.se

Follow & listen to Speaking of Meaning:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/speaking-of-meaning/id1845181298?l=en-GB

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yW6sRvHLbwS86k4h6um9a?si=2de451bc95664b72

Youtube: Speaking of Meaning - YouTube

In this conversation, Patrick shares insights on how self-awareness, curiosity, and reflection form the foundation of intercultural competence. We explore how our perspectives are shaped by culture, the importance of recognizing blind spots, and why friction and mistakes are essential for growth. Patrick also provides practical strategies for leaders to create inclusive environments and for individuals to improve their communication across cultural boundaries.

Key Takeaways:

Self-awareness: Understand your own perspective and blind spots.

Awareness of subjectivity: Realize your reality is not the only one.

Curiosity: Ask questions before making assumptions — it can transform relationships.

Knowledge & Skills: Learn cultural nuances to prevent misunderstandings.

Experience: Mistakes and successes both teach valuable lessons.

Reflection: Regularly review interactions to improve understanding and empathy.

Leadership Tips: Create spaces where team members feel safe, included, and able to share diverse perspectives.

Practical Habit: Next time you disagree, ask two open questions before forming a judgment.

Resources & Links:

Patrick’s website: samarbetsbolaget.se

Follow Patrick on LinkedIn: Patrick Gruczkun

Tools mentioned: AI language tools for communication, intercultural training programs

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction & Episode Theme

5:00 – Self-awareness and blind spots

15:00 – Curiosity and empathy in action

30:00 – Knowledge, skills, and leadership practices

45:00 – Experience, friction, and learning from mistakes

55:00 – Reflection and building inclusive teams

1:05:00 – Practical takeaways and closing thoughts

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from a deeper understanding of intercultural communication.

You can also find us on Youtube: @speakingofmeaning

Kasim Hussain, Director at Deloitte (Head of IT Transformation in Denmark Nordic and Head of Projects in Demark), joins the podcast to break down what effective leadership truly looks like in today’s fast-paced, multicultural workplaces. With years of experience working with senior leaders and global teams, Kasim shares practical strategies on communication, active listening, psychological safety, and navigating diversity and inclusion with intention.

This episode is packed with actionable tools leaders can use immediately — whether you’re running meetings, giving feedback, or managing complex team dynamics.

Kasim and I explore why communication feels harder than ever — fast-paced work environments, emotional overload, cultural differences, and lack of early communication training. He explains how habits, bias, and “autopilot leadership” damage clarity and connection, and why leaders must learn to read a room, stay present, and be themselves.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Lack of communication training makes effective dialogue difficult.

Old habits are hard to break — leaders often stay on autopilot.

Fast-paced environments reduce reflection and intentional communication.

Personal bias affects how we interpret and deliver messages.

Cultural & language differences create misunderstandings.

Emotions leak into emails & meetings, lowering objectivity.

You need allies — people who can review your messages and give honest feedback.

Reading the room requires presence, not overthinking.

Authenticity beats “fake it till you make it.” People can always tell when you’re not yourself.

In this episode, we sit down with John Zimmer, internationally recognized public speaking expert, TEDx speaker, and master storyteller. Together, we dive into what it truly takes to communicate with influence—whether you’re leading a team, pitching an idea, or speaking on stage.

John shares powerful insights on how clarity, structure, and preparation shape great communication. We explore how leaders can use storytelling to make ideas stick, why transparency earns trust, and how to speak with confidence even under pressure.

From removing filler language, to crafting a strong point of view, to understanding how human psychology affects persuasion—John breaks down practical, actionable strategies that anyone can apply. This conversation is a masterclass in both leadership communication and public speaking, delivered by one of the best in the field.

Follow John Zimmer:

Website: mannerofspeaking.org/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnszimmer/

Follow Speaking of Meaning

Youtube: @Speakingofmeaning

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In this episode of Speaking of Meaning, Ibrahim explores a simple but powerful truth: you are your conversations. The words you speak—to yourself and to others—shape who you are, how you show up, and the impact you make in the world.

Through personal stories, including a transformative moment with a university professor and a moving reflection on the loss of his father, Ibrahim shows how shifting your inner dialogue from self-doubt and regret to gratitude and responsibility can completely change your outlook on life.

He also dives into the conversations we have with others—how gossip, blame, and negativity drain our energy, while uplifting and honest conversations build connection, trust, and growth.

This week’s challenge:- Change one conversation within yourself.- Start one uplifting conversation with someone else.

Because when you speak differently, you live differently.

Follow Ibrahim:

Youtube: @speakingofmeaning

Linkedin: Ibrahim Mohamad

Follow us on Spotify and Apple podcast.

In this episode of the Speaking of Meaning podcast, host Ibrahim sits down with communications expert Neil Greenspan to explore what truly makes communication effective—whether in the boardroom, at home, or in your own self-talk.

From public speaking tips to building stronger relationships through honest conversations, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you connect, inspire, and lead with confidence.

👉 What You'll Learn:

How supportive environments like can supercharge your communication growth

The full spectrum of communication—beyond just words

Why learning to say "no" is a skill worth mastering

The power of storytelling in building real connection

How preparation breeds confidence for pitches & presentations

The crucial role of positive self-talk

How to handle tough conversations with empathy

Simple, practical ways to improve your communication skills today

Whether you're a leader, speaker, or just looking to navigate everyday conversations with more clarity and confidence, this episode offers something for everyone.

About our guest Neal Greenspan:

Neal has several products in his portfolio and there are several ways you can reach him. His websites and email addresses are:

www.perfectyourpitch.me - [email protected] www.pitchninja.online - [email protected] www.myfutureproofcareer.com - [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealgreenspan/

Feel free to reach out! www.perfectyourpitch.me

🎧 Listen now and discover how mastering communication can transform your personal and professional life.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more deep-dive episodes on meaning, growth, and connection.

If you want to follow Speaking of Meaning on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@Speakingofmeaning

In this debut episode, Ibrahim shares the personal story that inspired Speaking of Meaning. For years, he hesitated to start a podcast, held back by fear, perfectionism, and the “what ifs.” A simple, powerful reminder from his son changed everything—success isn’t about perfection, it’s about starting and showing up. Join Ibrahim as he reflects on the courage to take that first step, the power of honest communication, and why speaking with meaning matters in every aspect of life.