The SIXCOMMS Podcast: Elevate Your Communication Skills

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In this episode, we share our key learnings from a challenge set by our previous guest, Chris.  She encouraged us to carry out 3 tasks using different AI tools - Canva Magic to create a social media post, Opus Clip for video editing and Otter AI for taking meeting notes.  And let us tell you, the results were very interesting!

One of the things we discovered is that AI is a huge time saver for small business owners, especially if you have to wear many hats.

We also learned that it’s essential to always double check the work that AI produces before you use it.

Furthermore, it’s important to have a balance of your own voice and ideas when using AI, in order to remain authentic.

So, if you're curious to hear more about our experience, what AI tools we used and the insights we gained, tune in to this episode! 

Finally, we'd love to hear what you have learned from using AI. So please share your thoughts via email or connect with us on our social media channels.

Timestamps:

[00:01:37] Using Otter AI for taking meeting notes.
[00:05:10] How AI can help running a business if you’re a solopreneur.
[00:06:08] Using Munch AI for video editing.
[00:10:17] Be wary of getting click happy when posting AI generated content
[00:15:47] Lisa shares her experience using Canva Magic AI.
[00:20:20] Melanie reveals how she still feels conflicted about using ChatGPT
[00:28:10] Final 3 key takeaways from the Chris AI challenge.

AI Tools Mentioned In This Episode:

• ChatGPT 
• Canva Magic - https://www.canva.com
• Munch - https://app.getmunch.com/
• Opus Clip - https://www.opus.pro
• OtterAI - https://otter.ai

Connect with Lisa:

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/
Instagram: @sixcommslisa

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Connect with Melanie: 

· Email: [email protected]

· Website: https://www.communicatetraining.com/

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniestaunton/

· Instagram: @communicate_training

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the third episode of our special series, co-hosted by Melanie Staunton of Communicate! In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming the incredible Chris Edwards to the SIXCOMMS Podcast. We'll be exploring the question: “Does AI Help or Hinder Our Communication Skills?”

About Our Guest: Chris Edwards 

Chris is an award-winning entrepreneur, who founded her first business at 28 years old, the lifestyle media platform Honeycombers. She now runs Honeycombers in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bali and has recently created a platform for entrepreneurs called Launchpad. She is also the host of the weekly podcast, Good Business. 

In this episode we will tackle some pressing questions:
· How can using AI improve our communication with clients?

· What are the most useful AI tools for small business owners?

· Does AI diminish our abilities and make us more redundant?

· Does using AI make us less authentic?

Make sure to stick around till the end of the episode where Chris gives a special challenge to Lisa and Melanie with regards to using AI. This is especially interesting as Melanie is an AI novice, experimenting with many of these tools for the very first time!

We would love to hear if you try the AI challenge too and if you found any helpful tools, particularly if you felt they enhanced your communication skills.

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode, and let’s get ready to explore the world of AI and communication, with Chris Edwards!

Timestamps

[00:02:18] Chris to shares her overall experience using AI tools.

[00:07:08] Moving forward with technology and embracing change. 

[00:10:30] How can we utilise AI tools to communicate better with clients. 

[00:14:03] How to use Canva magic design for social media campaigns.

[00:19:26] Are we diminishing our own skills by using AI?

[00:26:12] Technology and how it can support with learning difficulties.

[00:35:31] The things to be cautious of when using AI. 

[00:38:38] Maintaining authenticity and individuality when using AI tools such as ChatGPT.

[00:44:00] Lisa and Melanie take on an AI challenge!

Review:

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to share what connected with you and leave a review here: https://ReviewThisPodcast.com/kfWefRV

Connect with Chris:

Email: [email protected]

Website:  http://www.thelaunchpad.group

Linkedin:  http://linkedin.com/in/chrisedwardshoneycombers

Podcast: https://thelaunchpad.group/podcast/

Recommended AI tools: 

Canva Magic

Otter AI: https://otter.ai/

OpusClip: https://www.opus.pro/

Munch: https://www.getmunch.com/

Connect with Lisa:

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/
Instagram: @sixcommslisa

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Connect with Melanie: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://communicatetraining.com/

LinkedIn:

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we share our key learnings from a challenge set by our guest, Veronica. She encouraged us to ask three people - a friend, family member, and client/collaborator - for feedback. And the results were eye-opening!

One of the things we discovered is the importance of keeping open lines of dialogue. By creating a safe and positive space for sharing, conversations became less emotionally charged and more productive. 

We also learned the value of asking for feedback regularly, both in our personal and professional lives. It's a powerful tool for growth and improvement, and something we're committed to continuing long after this episode.

One of us even received feedback on our tech skills (or lack thereof), but we're working on it! We're all on a learning curve, after all. 

So, if you're curious to hear more about our experiences and the insights we gained from this exercise, tune in to this episode! Trust us, it's packed full of tips and revelations. 

Finally, we'd love to hear your key learnings and feedback too. So please share your thoughts via email or connect with us on our social media channels.

Timestamps:

[00:02:29] Seeking feedback in both our professional and personal life. 

[00:04:08] Rituals for giving positive feedback – Lisa shares an inspiring story.

[00:09:30] The importance of specificity when asking for feedback.

[00:14:29] Why receiving feedback is so valuable.

[00:16:26] Our next episode: Does AI help or hinder our communication?

Connect with Lisa:

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/
Instagram: @sixcommslisa
YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025
Connect with Melanie: 

Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.communicatetraining.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniestaunton/
Instagram: @communicate_training

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the first episode of our special series, co-hosted by Melanie Staunton of Communicate! In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming the incredible Veronica Llorca Smith to the SIXCOMMS Podcast. We'll be delving into the topic of "How Can We Capitalize on Constructive Feedback?"

Before we dive in, if you haven't already, we highly recommend checking out Episode 35, where we explored the theme of Embracing Feedback.

About Our Guest: Veronica Llorca-Smith

Veronica is a seasoned inclusive leadership consultant with a remarkable background. She's fluent in six languages, boasts 20 years of experience in corporate and government roles, and is even an amateur triathlete. Veronica has a knack for energizing stages with her growth mindset and is a strong advocate for inclusion on social media. She's also the author of two books and was nominated for the prestigious Diversity Lead of the Year Award 2023 by Women in IT Asia.

In this episode, we'll tackle some pressing questions:

• What's your top tip for listeners seeking feedback?
• Once we receive feedback, how do we go about implementing it effectively?
• How can we embrace a growth mindset when it comes to feedback?
• What are the cultural challenges that often arise in the context of receiving feedback?

Stick around until the end because Veronica will challenge us to put our feedback agility to the test, and we invite you to join us in taking up this challenge!

We'd absolutely love to hear about your experiences with this feedback challenge, so please don't hesitate to connect with us.

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode, and let's get ready to explore the world of constructive feedback with Veronica Llorca Smith!

Timestamps:

00:03:50 How to make seeking feedback a habit

00:08:17 How to be specific when giving & seeking feedback

00:14:15 Creating a growth mindset towards feedback 

00:18:35 How culture impacts feedback

00:22:46 How to set the tone in order to foster a feedback environment

00:28:42 Feedback challenge for the hosts and audience

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to share what connected with you and leave a review here: https://reviewthispodcast.com/cuYo9LO

Connect with Veronica: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicallorcasmith/

Website: https://veronicallorcasmith.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/verollorcasmith

Resources: 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Tree-Mindset-reinvent-yourself-ebook/dp/B0BT6VR75H

Newsletter: https://veronicallorcasmith.substack.com/

Connect with Lisa:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025


Connect with Melanie:
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.communicatetraining.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniestaunton/
Instagram: @communicate_training 

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

Gary Pratt is the co-founder of an innovative sensor technology start-up and previously, an Entrepreneur in Residence and Teaching Fellow in Entrepreneurship at the University of Bath. He is also the co-founder of the Outside/community and Walking Leaders, where he serves as a mentor, facilitator and guide on walking expeditions intended to cultivate creative/outside thinking in business leaders, teams and entrepreneurs.

We discuss how the outdoors can support more meaningful conversations and the benefits of side-by-side conversations surrounded by nature. Gary shares his experience and insights on how being outside supports clear thinking and effective communication. We also touch on the natural storytelling technique mentioned in Gary's book, "The Creativity Factor." Stay tuned for valuable insights on fostering creativity and connection through nature.

We share a passion for Walking & Talking outside in nature.  I host a weekly Walk & Talk at different parks around Singapore and have experienced first-hand the benefits of bringing nature into conversations with others.

If you’d like to join me for a Walk & Talk in Singapore, you can sign up here: https://www.sixcomms.org/upcomingevents

Connect with Garry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrycpratt/
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.garrypratt.co.uk

Read Garry's book:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creativity-Factor-outdoors-successful-innovation/dp/1399400371/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Factor-outdoors-successful-innovation/dp/1399400371/

Listen to Garry's book:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creativity-Factor-Outdoors-Successful-Innovation/dp/B0BLT6TDWV/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Factor-Outdoors-Successful-Innovation/dp/B0BLSY5KPY/

Recommended Book:
The Comfort Crisis - Michael Easter

Connect with Lisa:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

Kirsty Lewis is the founder of the School of Facilitation. She has a passion for all things learning and workshops, right down to the best type of marker pen to use!

She likes nothing more than helping her clients create and deliver learning that has us, the humans, at the heart of it.

In this episode, we talk about how we can get the most out of our weekly team meetings.

You will be taken through the whole meeting experience from the invitation to how best to ideate and brainstorm, all the way to what Kirsty terms the “after party” and the follow-up.  Kirsty shares so many top tips that will ensure your team meetings are something participants get excited about and they achieve what they set out to achieve! 

Listen out for the tool Kirsty uses every time she sets up a meeting.  It’s called P.O.S.T and it never fails to ensure that her meetings are a positive experience.

Connect with Kirsty: 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-schooloffacilitation/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-facilitation/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schooloffacilitation/

Connect with Lisa:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Recommended Resources:

• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker:  https://www.priyaparker.com/book-art-of-gathering
• Liberating Structures: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

Claire Bown is a trainer, facilitator and museum educator in Amsterdam. Claire loves teaching people techniques and tools such as slow looking and thinking routines to help them engage and connect with art, audiences and ideas. 

In this episode, I ask Claire:

• What are thinking routines?
• What are the benefits of using them when facilitating a meeting?
• What are her top 3 favourites?
• How can thinking routines support connection and collaboration? 

Please stay till the end as Claire will share her recommendations on what your next steps should be if you would like to start using thinking routines at your next meeting.

Further reading on the 3 Thinking Routines mentioned in this episode: https://thinkingmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6Comms-THINKING-ROUTINES-RESOURCE.pdf

Recommended Resources:
Curated Newsletter: https://thinkingmuseum.com/newsletter/
The Art Engager Podcast: https://podcast.artengager.com/listen

Connect with Lisa
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

Connection is the focus of this episode and how we can connect with others by sharing our story.  This episode follows on from the last one, episode 38 How to Use Storytelling to Enhance our Networking Skills with Ana, so please do tune into that one if you haven’t already!

Public speaking was something that Antonia skillfully avoided for 21 years! In her previous career she had an online art business, so she didn’t talk to people face-to-face, it was all through online communication.  However, she now runs her own coaching business and she cannot avoid it any longer.

Antonia shares that she thought public speaking or storytelling is a gift or talent and you either have it or you don’t.  However, she realized through studying, working and then joining Toastmasters that it is a skill you can develop with some work and focus.   

Please listen out for Antonia’s relatable and humorous “Green Pears” story, which gives us an insight into what type of person she is and certainly is a story that has stuck in my mind. 

Like a lot of us, Antonia has not always been confident to speak up in front of others and she has faced a lot of challenges along the way.  However, she has persevered and now shares her stories openly, playfully and enthusiastically!

Please stay to the end as Antonia shares her three top tips for those who would like to start sharing their stories to build connection.  We hope this episode inspires you. 

Connect with Antonia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connecting-fragments/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connecting.fragments/
Website: https://connectingfragments.com/
Find out more about Toastmasters here: https://www.toastmasters.org/

Connect with Lisa

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

In-person networking events are an essential part of running a successful business; getting out there and connecting with other entrepreneurs, potential collaborators and clients.  However, the mere mention of  “networking" and "elevator pitch" make me feel somewhat uncomfortable and I know I'm not alone in this!  So I wondered  if we approach networking as an opportunity to share stories with each other, what would that look, feel and sound like?

 Ana and I explore these questions:

1. What was the most memorable story that someone shared to introduce themselves and what made it so? 

2. What are some ways in which we could structure our stories in such a way that it would be memorable for someone we meet at a networking event? 

3. It's a fine line to be prepared with some stories "up our sleeves" and coming across as genuine and not overly scripted, how do we manage this balance? 

Ana also shares a clear, simple and relatable example which shows the difference between telling a story versus narrating a story and what emotional impact that has on the listener.  

If you’re a professional who needs to attend networking events, the one story Ana says you must have in your toolbox is the WHY of your business or organization.  So do you have that story?  

We hope this episode inspires you to prepare those stories that will emotionally connect with others when you next go to that networking event.  And, if you don’t know where to start you might like to listen to my “What’s in a name” technique that I share at the beginning of this episode and start with that!  Let us know how you get on.

Connect with Ana

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anasousagavin/
Email: [email protected]
Facebook group: Organic Storytellers

Ana’s Book Recommendations:

• Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madson. Potter. USA. 2010 - about the Improv theatre philosophy that applies not only to improv but to life in general and to public speaking. You become a better person if you follow her suggestions!
• If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? Alan Alda. Random House. USA. 2017 - a great book that applies Improv to real life and communication. It comes with descriptions of simple games that develop complex communication skills in a fun way.
• Storyworthy. Matthew Dicks. New World Library. USA. 2018 - this is a storytelling coach with brilliant yet simple ideas that can bring your storytelling to the next level. He also has an online course called Storyworthy.

Connect with Lisa
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!

Send us Fan Mail

We have access to so much information and data at our fingertips! So it's a common challenge when writing at work or preparing a presentation to not be able to decide what information and data to use. It all seems important!  

So how do we decide what to include and what to leave out? How do we make sure that what we are saying is detailed yet concise and clear for our audience?  Because being clear is being kind.  

This question is what Jade and I discuss in this episode along with these questions:

1. In what professional situations have you needed to go from complexity to clarity? Can you tell me some common challenges that your clients have? 

2. Let's take one of those situations and break down how you have moved from complexity to clarity.  What steps have you taken?

3. How does Compassion show up when moving from the complex to the clear? 

4. Is there a particular mindset you think should be adopted? How do you know you have reached clarity?  

5. If you had to distill moving from the complex to clarity in 3 steps, what would they be?

Jade is currently in a writing group and one of the phrases they use is: “you have to kill your darlings!” I had never heard of this phrase before and I’m sure you haven’t either. So listen out for what this means in relation to going from Complexity to Clarity.

If you have an important presentation coming up and you’re not sure if it is clear then this episode will certainly help you with that!

Connect with Jade: 

Website: https://jademiller.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jademiller2023/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/art_with_jade

Connect with Lisa:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.sixcomms.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sixcommsconversations2025

Support the show

Download our 6Cs Guide to a Thriving Communicator and you will receive our monthly newsletter!