Best First Impressions Communication Skills Podcasts (2025)

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How to Communicate Clearly in a Noisy Workplace 13:50

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3h ago13:50

13:50

Clarity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the amplifier that makes all your communication stronger. In today’s noisy workplaces, filled with endless emails, Slack messages, meetings, and mixed signals, clarity is what helps you (and your team) cut through the clutter and actually get work done. In this episode of Beyond Day One, David is joined by Lyn…

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How to Make Boring Talks Engaging (and Why It Matters) with Joel Benge 42:35

5d ago42:35

42:35

Mastering Technical Talks: Joel Benge's Guide to Message Therapy SUMMARY In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball speaks with Joel Benge, author of 'Be A Nerd that Talks Good,' and creator of the Message Therapy framework. Joel shares his technique for transforming technical presentations into memorable and impactful stories. Drawing fr…

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231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean 25:05

6d ago25:05

25:05

Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken. We often speak in hints and half-truths, not because we can’t be direct, but because subtlety protects our relationships. “An awful lot of the time, we don’t just blurt out what we mean,” says Steven Pinker. “We hint, we wink, we beat around the bush — counting on our listener to read be…

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Personality Impacts Culture 40:35

2d ago40:35

40:35

Dr. Kuba and Bethany revisit culture but in a slightly different way today. They look at the personalities that impact the culture the most. In other words, they discuss the most influential personalities on the team (sanguine and cholerics). If your culture seems slightly “off,” or recently went through a dramatic turn of events, it is worth your …

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230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage 11:28

11d ago11:28

11:28

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Clear communication isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about making ideas stick. That’s why Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma, believes the key to effective collaboration lies in turning complex concepts into simple, memorable visuals. For years, Figma has…

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How to Improve Active Listening Skills at Work 14:35

6d ago14:35

14:35

In this episode of Beyond Day One, David, Ryan, and Philip dive into one of the most underrated professional skills: listening. Last week, we talked about why communication is the foundation of workplace success. This week, we’re building on that conversation by focusing on the skill that transforms communication from average to powerful—active lis…

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Before You Speak: The Pre-Game Rituals That Actually Work 22:46

12d ago22:46

22:46

Most speakers sabotage themselves before they even get on stage. Some wing it. Others over-hype themselves. Many cling to lucky charms or last-minute cramming. The result? Nerves, shaky delivery, and lost connection with the audience. In this solo episode, John shares a practical pre-game system you can actually use to get stage-ready without super…

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229. Rethinks: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot 25:28

13d ago25:28

25:28

To celebrate its second anniversary, we revisit our favourite tools and tips from Matt’s book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Original executive producer Jenny Luna turns the tables and interviews host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams about his bestselling book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put o…

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Are We Making Our Patients Feel Dumb? 45:03

9d ago45:03

45:03

Dr. Kuba and Bethany dig in to an all-important topic – patient communication. In this episode, Dr. Kuba shares a recent restaurant experience and how the communication was off throughout the entire meal. Ultimately, she felt like she was treated like she was an idiot. She began to wonder how often patients feel like idiots in our office. She and B…

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Stop Performing, Start Connecting | Rebecca Williams on Presenting That Moves People 44:33

18d ago44:33

44:33

Most presenters polish slides and still feel the room slip away. In this conversation with Rebecca Williams, co-author of Presenting Presenting: The Art of Public Speaking and How to Do It Better, we delve into why performance blocks connection and how to address it quickly. You’ll learn Rebecca’s First Five Formula to open any talk, how to reframe…

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Why Communication Is the #1 Workplace Skill You Can’t Ignore 14:56

15d ago14:56

14:56

In this episode of Beyond Day One, David, Ryan, and Philip unpack why communication is the single most essential skill for workplace success. From avoiding costly assumptions to building stronger teams, they reveal how great communication powers every other soft skill — leadership, teamwork, empathy, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. Ryan i…

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Work-Life Balance: Myth or Must-Have for Gen Z? 14:44

14d ago14:44

14:44

Can you really have it all — or do you need to sacrifice balance to succeed? In this episode of Beyond Day One, David, Phillip, and Ryan tackle one of today’s hottest workplace debates: is work-life balance possible, or just another myth we’ve been sold? Inspired by a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed from young entrepreneur Emil Barr, we dig into: …

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228. Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling 20:27

20d ago20:27

20:27

Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake. Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolution. For Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and CEO of The Black Swan Group, it’s a daily discipline built on empathy, self-regulation, and intentional l…

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Sucktember – What to Do With Staff When the Schedule is Slow 31:51

16d ago31:51

31:51

September can be slow in the dental field. In fact, many practice owners refer to it as “Suck-tember.” In this episode, Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss the September slowdown in her practice. Should a practice owner send employees home? Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss how and when she decides to send employees home. As practice owners, it is important to…

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227. Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation 18:19

25d ago18:19

18:19

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick. For more than 15 years, Prezi has been reimagining the way we share informa…

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Start Standing Out: Normal Is Boring. 21:21

26d ago21:21

21:21

SUMMARY Most of us spend our lives trying to blend in; at work, in friendships, even on stage. But the harder we chase acceptance, the more invisible we become. In this episode, I share my own story of being pushed out of the very communities I once belonged to, and how that rejection became the catalyst for finding my voice. You’ll learn why “not …

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226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity 24:05

27d ago24:05

24:05

Reinventing your life or career starts with reflection and conversation. Making the leap — to a new career, to the next stage of a relationship, or to a different version of yourself — requires honest communication. For Ilana Golan, being “leap-ready” requires that we answer three questions: Why me? Why this? And why now? Golan knows all about thes…

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Dr. Jones Divulges His Worst Moments as a Practice Owner 43:11

23d ago43:11

43:11

Welcome to SEASON FIVE!!! We kick this season off right with Dr. Jones! Dr. Kuba challenged him to think of some of his worst moments as a practice owner and some of the worst decisions he’s made. So, as he always does – he delivers! He discusses a medical emergency situation, his worst employee, as well as major financial decisions he made complet…

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The 3 Rules of Communication Every Leader Needs | Lucille Ossai 47:37

1M ago47:37

47:37

Leaders don’t fail because they lack ideas — they fail because they can’t communicate them. In this episode, I sit down with Lucille Ossai, award-winning communications trainer and author of Influence and Thrive. From Lagos Business School to global boardrooms, Lucille has helped leaders transform how they connect, persuade, and inspire. We unpack …

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225. Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak 28:06

1M ago28:06

28:06

In the digital age, it’s critical to craft communication that fits the context. Like it or not, algorithms now decide whose messages get heard. “If you want to communicate effectively,” says Adam Aleksic, “you need to be exactly aware of what that medium is doing.” Aleksic is a linguist, author, and educational content creator with millions of foll…

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Unwritten Rules of the Workplace: Secrets They Don’t Teach on Day One |Ep.8 |Beyond Day One Podcast 14:59

1M ago14:59

14:59

Starting a new job comes with orientation checklists, logins, and handbooks—but what about the unwritten rules that actually shape your success? In this episode of Beyond Day One, David, Lynn, Philip, and Ryan unpack the workplace etiquette lessons they wish someone had told them earlier in their careers. From understanding office culture to the po…

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Can Your Team Handle the Truth? Why Honesty Matters in Leadership 14:58

1M ago14:58

14:58

Your team can handle the truth—but can you deliver it? In this episode of Beyond Day One – The Podcast, David, Ryan, and Philip dive into why honesty and truth-telling are critical skills for leaders. Learn how to: ✅ Give direct feedback without tearing people down ✅ Avoid the trap of passive-aggressive communication ✅ Wrap truth in care to build s…

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Phone Skills = First (or Last) Impression 34:27

1M ago34:27

34:27

Never underestimate the power of phone answering skills. The way a dental practice phone is answered can lead to a new patient appointment (or the lack of one). Good skills can lead to de-escalation of a frustrated patient and to the positive feeling of satisfaction while neutral or negative skills can unintentionally upset a patient or drive a pat…

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Don’t Bore Your Job Interviewer with the Same Long Story… 29:40

1M ago29:40

29:40

Let me guess — you’ve worked hard. You care about your career. You want people to see the full picture. So when the interview starts, you launch into your whole story… your background, your experience, your last three roles… But by the time you finish? You’ve lost them — and you don’t even know it. In today’s episode, we’re diving into a common mis…

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224. Make Your Messages Epic: The Evolution of Words and the Stories They Carry 23:47

1M ago23:47

23:47

Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives. All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from and how it evolves over time — can help us use it more effectively. “Language is incredibly powerful,” says Spinney, an author and journalis…

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Feeling Ignored: How to Be Heard Without Shouting 40:28

1M ago40:28

40:28

Overcoming the Feeling of Being Ignored: Real Stories and Practical Strategies SUMMARY In this episode, the host and his coaching friend James discuss the painful experience of feeling ignored, whether at work, online, or among friends. They share personal stories and explore the reasons why feeling ignored can hurt deeply. The conversation delves …

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223. Laughing Matters: Levity, Leadership, and Lasting Connection 23:41

1M ago23:41

23:41

By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections. Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonas, levity is one of the most serious tools we have in building successful connections. Wood Brooks and Bagdonas, both teachers, authors, and experts in the field of communication, r…

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When Team Members Fail to Show Up for Team Building 47:06

1M ago47:06

47:06

Team building events are an important part of building successful team members, but what do you do when team members fail to show up for these important and often costly events? Dr. Kuba shares a colleagues frustration when after careful planning for an expensive team building weekend, two team members bail with less than 24 hours-notice. In this e…

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How Transformational Leaders Show Their Team They Care 14:46

1M ago14:46

14:46

In this episode of Beyond Day One – The Podcast, we tackle a leadership question every manager, supervisor, and HR leader should be asking: How do you show your team that you care? Whether you lead in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, or anywhere around the globe, caring leadership is a universal skill that drives results. Drawing from real-world…

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Trust & First Impressions - Ex-Secret Service Agent Brad Beeler 49:43

2M ago49:43

49:43

Mastering Human Interaction: Insights from a Former US Secret Service Agent with Brad Beeler SUMMARY In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball welcomes Brad Beeler, a former US Secret Service agent. Brad shares profound insights from his experiences in high-stakes environments to help decode human behaviour, build trust, and improve comm…

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222. Discussing Through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most 25:01

2M ago25:01

25:01

Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost. You want a more successful career, a more fulfilling relationship, a more meaningful life? What if all that’s standing in your way — are the conversations that you’re avoiding? “Most things that we want in life are on the other side of a difficult conversation,” says Jenn Wy…

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Big Fish – The Nature of Boss and Team 53:22

2M ago53:22

53:22

As if last week’s “Male vs. Female” episode was not enough, Dr. Kuba and Bethany go in even further on difficult topics. Bethany summarizes some upsetting details from a client’s recent drama and discusses the specifics with Dr. Kuba. They both talk about the challenges of being equal to team members while also still having to be “boss.” When the b…

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The Leader Gen Z Needs: Mentorship, Connection & Transformational Culture | Beyond Day One 14:13

2M ago14:13

14:13

Gen Z is speaking up—and they’re telling us what’s not working. Lack of mentorship. Poor feedback. Ghosted applications. Rigid culture. In this episode of Beyond Day One, David, Lynn, and Philip explore how transformational leadership can meet these needs head-on. ✅ Real solutions for frustrated employees ✅ How to build a mentorship culture that ac…

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221. Don’t Get Lost in Translation: Staying Cool When Every Word Counts 19:32

2M ago19:32

19:32

How do you stay clear, calm, and precise when every word counts and there’s no room for error? Staying calm and focused while translating high-stakes conversations in real time isn’t just a language skill — it’s a masterclass in communication under pressure. And for Giampaolo Bianchi, simultaneous interpreter for the United Nations and World Health…

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Charisma Killers: Stop Sabotaging Your Stage Presence 10:30

2M ago10:30

10:30

Identifying and Overcoming Common Charisma Killers in Your Presentations Summary In this episode, presentation coach John discusses why some presentations fail to connect despite clear, confident, and sometimes even humorous delivery. He introduces three common 'charisma killers'—overexplaining, incongruent energy, and lack of curiosity. John share…

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220. Prep Like a Pro: Communication Confidence, Clarity, and Comedy 26:10

2M ago26:10

26:10

Master the art of thinking on your feet and turning unpredictability into powerful communication. Being quick on your feet isn’t just a performance skill — it’s a communication necessity. And for Peter Sagal, longtime host of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, it’s a craft he’s honed over more than two decades in front of a live audience. In this expa…

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Male vs. Female Practice Owners 50:15

2M ago50:15

50:15

Bethany notices every day the differences between practices led by males and those led by females. While Bethany has avoided doing a podcast on this topic, the impact of gender is simply too strong to ignore. She meets with so many practice owners that are reeling in the aftermath of a gender problem, so she and Dr. Kuba decided to take the plunge …

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How to Be Funny on Purpose: Joel Morris on the Craft of Comedy 43:22

2M ago43:22

43:22

Unlocking the Secrets of Comedy with Joel Morris Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball delves into the intricacies of comedy with Joel Morris, the prolific comedy writer behind beloved characters like Paddington Bear and Philomena Cunk. Joel discusses his book, 'Be Funny or Die,' shedding light on the rhythm of humour, the si…

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219. Six Motivations, One Workplace: Who Are You at Work? 25:20

2M ago25:20

25:20

When communicating with their employees, most firms have no idea who they’re talking to. Good communication is about knowing your audience. But if your organization is only focused on knowing your customers, James Root says you're forgetting a whole other cohort: your employees. Root is a senior partner at Bain & Company, Chair of Bain Futures, and…

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From Manager to Transformational Leader: How Great Leaders See and Develop Potential| Beyond Day One 14:50

2M ago14:50

14:50

What separates a manager from a transformational leader? In this episode of Beyond Day One, we explore the difference—and it all starts with one powerful concept: seeing potential in others. We’re diving deep into what it means to lead with more than just execution and goals. The best leaders don’t just manage tasks—they see people, recognize poten…

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The 5 Characteristics of Transformational Leadership 14:59

2M ago14:59

14:59

Beyond Day One | Episode: The 5 Characteristics of Transformational Leadership How do you lead in a way that truly transforms your team? In this episode, David, Ryan, and Philip explore five powerful traits that define transformational leadership and break them down with real-world insight, humor, and practical application. Whether you're managing …