Resistance is Futile
Straight Forward Conversations
AI is no longer just a buzzword—it's rapidly becoming part of our daily lives, from chatbots and self-driving cars to smart shopping experiences and workplace automation. In this episode, we dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming society, the mixed feelings it stirs up, and why open conversations about its impact, are more important than ever. Are you ready to embrace the change, or do you find yourself resisting? Join us as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and the vital role we all play in shaping our digital future. Let’s navigate this revolution together!
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Curiosity Killed the Cat
Straight Forward Conversations
Unlock the transformative power of curiosity in this episode, where we explore how being genuinely curious can deepen your connections, enhance communication, and build resilience. From personal stories and practical tips, to insights from leadership and psychology experts, discover why curiosity is more than just asking questions—it’s a vital skill for navigating relationships, overcoming challenges, and fostering growth. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your relationships, communicate more effectively, or bounce back from adversity, this episode reveals how curiosity can be your...
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Direct, Not Rude!
Straight Forward Conversations
In this episode, we dive into the challenges of having tough, honest conversations in today’s workplaces, schools, and social circles. Inspired by Paul Doherty’s reflections on the growing discomfort around direct feedback, we explore why open dialogue now feels like walking a tightrope—where raising concerns can risk strained relationships or even legal fallout. We discuss how shifting societal norms, reduced resilience, and the influence of social media have made people more hesitant to speak up, often confusing directness with rudeness and assertiveness with aggression. The episode...
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Conflict Resolution
Straight Forward Conversations
In this episode, I explore the often misunderstood topic of conflict and the vital role it plays in healthy communication. Drawing on personal experiences and thought-provoking quotes from Cheryl Richardson and Gandhi, the discussion delves into why avoiding conflict can lead to internal turmoil and how reframing our perspective can transform conflict from something to fear, into an opportunity for connection and resolution. You will be guided through practical strategies for navigating disagreements constructively—including framing conversations, setting boundaries, active listening, and...
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Speaking Up
Straight Forward Conversations
In this reflective and honest episode, we dive into the tricky terrain of speaking up—why it can be surprisingly hard, even when we know it’s the right thing to do. Sharing a recent personal experience, I unpack how fear, people-pleasing, and the desire to avoid conflict led to silence when assertiveness was needed most. Through reflection, I explore the primal roots of our fear of rejection, the importance of self-awareness, and how to overcome hesitation with practical, respectful communication strategies. This episode is a nudge to anyone who's ever second-guessed themselves—to...
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Non Verbal Communiation
Straight Forward Conversations
Does the body language match the words? What are the hands & eyes doing? Are you tuned in to what isn’t being said? Is this person comfortable around you, or are they stressed and not saying or sharing about it? Being aware of some non-verbal cues can help you in your everyday conversations with people and we identify & discuss some of the key ones in this episode.
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Dealing with Rude People
Straight Forward Conversations
I was taken back to my 21st podcast episode recently when I was listening to DOAC by Steven Bartlett interviewing Jefferson Fisher, a trial attorney now speaking coach who through his time in court, has observed people in their communication behaviours & patterns and shares a few useful tactics. In this episode I’m summarising what he shares on dealing with rude people as a follow up to my previous episode, which I recommend going back to listen to that first, & then compliment it with this episode for some really useful comebacks to call rudeness out. The link to my previous episode...
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Losing Strategies
Straight Forward Conversations
Do you ever feel like you’re fighting a losing battle with your partner? Or in your other close relationships? There might be a good reason for feeling that way and in this episode, we’ll explore 5x losing strategies for conflict resolution where you might recognise an unhelpful pattern. Identifying and being aware is always, always the first step in improving something. In this 15min episode, I summarise some insights from Terry Real’s book, ‘Fierce Intimacy’ that Tim Ferriss shared on his podcast – links below! Time Ferriss Episode # 798 Terry Real audiobook – Fierce Intimacy ...
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Give & Take
Straight Forward Conversations
In this episode, we dive into the delicate dance of conversation: the give and take between talking and listening. Are you lending an ear or dominating the discussion? We've all heard the saying about having two ears and one mouth, but putting that wisdom into practice can be trickier than it seems. Drawing from personal anecdotes—including a disastrous date—we explore how to identify your conversational tendencies, take ownership of them, and implement practical tips to strike a better balance. Learn how active listening, thoughtful questioning, and mindful nonverbal communication can...
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Gossip & Drama
Straight Forward Conversations
It happens everywhere, at work, at the gym, at home, with friends, in media, magazines/TV, the list goes on. But how do we ‘not’ get caught up in the drama that so often accompanies gossip, how do you avoid getting involved. In this episode you’ll come away with a few useful and practical tips on what to say to cut it off before it becomes drama.
info_outlineWhat do you do when faced with an aggressive manager or boss? When they’re having a go at you, maybe they’re yelling at you?
Are you that boss/manager who get’s upset and yells at people?
In this episode we cover some useful tips for how to deal with this situation from both sides.