Using Positive Intelligence mental fitness techniques to ground, this gentle meditation uses one sense at a time to build peace, calm, and confidence. 

Fielding Q&As from prospective clients, CEOS, or investors induces fear and stomach pain in the most confident presenters. For those working to build their courage, the fear of the unknown in these moments can paralyze. But in this week's podcast, we're offering phrases, come backs, and even tweaks to your mindset to help sail through that moment with ease.

We also tackle  this week on Medium, three of the more popular myths on Q&As which can induce panic  after we pitch or present our ideas. So, take a read and for anyone needing this vital help, please pass it on!

Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website.  I'm currently seeking group coaching clients for new launches of new communications and mental fitness workshops and programs. Stay tuned for those releases with the hashtag #bravecommunicators. 

My guest this week is Canadian technologist and adult musician, Sam Chow, who taught himself jazz piano, at aged 33, for the joy—and to show himself: It’s never too late to learn.

In our interview, we hear how COVID-19 inspired Chow along with the empowering metaphors that come from learning something as nuanced and tricky as jazz piano. Chow’s found he’s more nimble and less self critical. He knows: Any mistakes we sense our audience rarely notices—something powerful we can all learn from as communicators.

Follow Sam Chow’s You Tube channel, Midlife Funk, by clicking here. Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website.  Know someone feeling immobilized to make brave and lasting life change? Please share this interview to spark something bold and new. 

My inner circle knows that my dominant Saboteur — my leader of my inner critics, after the Judge — is the Stickler, who takes order, organization, and perfectionism way too far. While I view the strength of this saboteur as quality, until recently, holding out for flawless action has sabotaged any true career growth. (You can learn about your own saboteurs here.)

In this week's highly-flawed podcast (due partly to audio issues I self-created by recording at Lake Michigan) I'm offering five techniques I use to override fear and self-doubt.

I'm drawing upon skills I gathered as a business reporter, writing and reporting for global media like the Economist and the Guardian, and from three major career transitions I've navigated across two continents and three industries.  I've learned a lot about letting go of perfection along the way.

You can read my article on this same topic on Medium, by clicking here. Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website.  Know someone dying for life change  but unable to act? Please pass on this resource to spark something bold and new. 

Most of us want to sound warm but strident, clear on what we want and need, but open to feedback. And yet our writing can give off a cooler, sometimes lofty feeling which  can offset our audience.  In this podcast, at a time when most company leaders fret about attrition, we explore the delicate art of tone in business writing. (While the tips here tie to writing, many work in business speaking, too.)

Here’s my small but potentially powerful idea: While we have no control over our team's ambitions and wants to leave and move on, we do have control over how we sound and the signals we give our audience. So why not become a little more informed?

Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website.  Know a manager who’s hearing feedback on an abrasive or cool communication style? Please share this episode. The article I mentioned on cloaked or camouflaged verbs lives here and on passive voice lives here.    

In this week's episode we respond to popular asks for help with building our vocabulary in ways where others notice--but from a love for learning vs. fear of falling back, no longer mattering, or not fitting in. If you're wanting to improve your word choice or even find new ways to use plain words, consider these five coaching steps.  An article on Medium offers these same insights and some helpful digital tools, too.

Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website.  Know someone who's struggling with low vocabulary? Please share this episode. 

Around half of Americans, Brits, and Australians are on the hunt for new jobs. Figures are scant elsewhere; but if my coaching base stays reflective of communicators, I'd say those numbers feel about right. But if a job interview awaits us, what myths exist on how we show up as communicators?

In this week's podcast, I debunk the biggest myths I see plaguing communicators starting with this idea that researching about the company becomes the most important task or that researching ought to consume us. Not true. Getting grounded, peaceful, and taking time to truly celebrate our achievements becomes the most vital move. Of course research becomes vital; but keep a cap on things and stay strategic, too. 

If you want more tips and techniques on staying calm, centered, and sailing through your next job interview (for an internal or external role) then you may find my article on Medium offers some respite and insight, too.

Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website.  Know a job seeker? Please forward this episode on to share the love and wisdom. 

My guest this week is entrepreneur and coffee e-retailer Brad Peugh who (through the height of the Pandemic) launched his e-retailer selling (what I find to be) the best coffee in America.

Brad's drawing from two major life experiences to launch Peugh's Brews: His time in the Air Force where he learned resilience, problem solving, but also exposure to the world's best coffee and intriguing cultures. He's also leaning in on expert organizational skills he uses daily as a program manager.

Listen in to hear Brad's journey and what he's learned along the way--wisdom you can apply to your own career change and/or venture.

Read up and even order coffee from Peugh's Brews by clicking here. Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website.  

With the Great Return underway--and 50% of businesses demanding workers return to the office--politics are running amok. What's the bigger cry for help? Staying calm, focused, and centered when leaders hijack our meetings or presentations (and especially when external parties watch on.)

Fret not. This week's podcast episode offers tried-and-tested tips and techniques which other communicators have found yield positive, uplifting results.

Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website. Please share this podcast episode with anyone you know needing/wanting communications help. Let's help humanity by tackling communications, one challenge at a time. 

Last month marked my fifth year living in the U.S. midwestern state of Wisconsin, one of America's most frigidly cold states.  I’ve found surprising gifts from the long, drawn-out colder temps which can linger through to May. (Last week, we froze for days. Yesterday: snow!)

In this week’s episode, I’m celebrating Wisconsin and what I learned about myself and my situation from a cooler climate. By that, I’m applying the Sage perspective I bring to my life and coaching: finding gifts, opportunities, and even knowledge, within tricky situations.

A few resources enrich this week's podcast including my article on Medium, a documentary I produced on ice fishing for National Public Radio from Wisconsin.

Connect with me, Coach Debbi McCullough, about your group's communication challenges by clicking here. Or, do visit my LinkedIn profile and website. Please share this podcast episode with anyone you know needing/wanting communications help. Let's help humanity by tackling communications, one challenge at a time.