Would you rather take a stand or take a seat? Your answer to that question reveals a lot about you as a communicator. Episode 74 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Take a Stand or Take a Seat,” where the Guys compare two fundamentally different approaches to communication—and strongly recommend the one our world needs most.

Where were you on 9/11? Colonel Mark Bontrager was in the Pentagon. The next day, his job was to coordinate the different armed services as they began planning the global war on terror. Episode 73 of The Communication Guys podcast is Part 2 of “High-Risk Communication,” where Mark explains how to communicate effectively when the pressure is on.

How would you communicate if the safety of your entire nation depended on it? It’s not a theoretical question. Meet Mark Bontrager, whose job as a young Air Force lieutenant was to monitor every missile launched anywhere on Earth. Episode 72 of The Communication Guys interview is “High-Risk Communication,” where the Guys explore how to communicate when everything depends on it.

Do you have a passion, or are you still searching for yours? Some people seem to have known their passion since childhood, while others find it more difficult to determine. Episode 71 of The Communication Guys podcast is “How to Find and Develop Your Passion,” where the Guys give 6 tips for discovering your personal passion and living the life you long for.

What’s the most effective way to accelerate your growth in any field? For many people, it’s through coaching. Episode 70 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Why Everybody Needs a Coach,” where the Guys explain why coaching is so effective and also give 4 tips for finding the right coach and getting the most from any coaching experience.

It’s time to get started making those dreams of yours a reality, and The Communication Guys are here to help. Episode 69 of The Communication Guys podcast is “How to Get Your Dreams Off the Ground,” and no one knows better than aviation expert and former Chief of Staff of Naval Air Training Chuck Hollingsworth. In today's interview, we identify the four forces that will determine whether your dreams for the New Year gain the altitude they deserve.

Merry Christmas from The Communication Guys! Episode 68 of The Communication Guys podcast is the final episode of 2017, and we couldn’t think of a better way to finish out the year than by looking back at some of the most popular episodes of 2017, from “How to Cast Your Vision so Others Catch It” to “Overcoming Shyness.” If you manage to find a quiet moment today, listen in.

Words matter. If you don’t believe it, try using the wrong one at the wrong place or time. The wrong word can get you fired, or publicly humiliated. The wrong word can lead to confusion or misunderstanding—or even start a war. Yet all of us are prone to 7 common word choice errors that we can easily correct. In “7 Word Choice Mistakes and How to Avoid Them,” the Guys describe 5 of the most common word choice errors and how to correct them. Can you really sound smarter in just 30 minutes? Apply these principles and find out.

"Are people avoiding me, or is it just my imagination?" Sometimes, without meaning to, we send subtle nonverbal signals that warn people off and push them away. It’s as though we have a sign around our neck that says, “DO NOT DISTURB,” and we don’t even know we’re wearing it. In “Am I a Person People Avoid?” the Guys describe 5 signals you may be unconsciously sending that cause people to avoid you, and how to replace them with signals that draw people in.

Are you an initiator? If you are, you’re part of a rare minority. Most people wait for someone else to think of the idea, plan the event, make the phone call, or extend the invitation. They wait for you to get the car rolling, then gladly climb aboard. But there’s great reward in being the kind of person who’s willing to make that first move. In “Why if Pays to Be the Initiator,” the Guys explain why initiators are valuable people—and why all of us should join their ranks.