Magnetic Communication

Holiday gatherings can feel like an emotional obstacle course, even for the most emotionally intelligent among us. One moment you're excited to see everyone, and the next you feel yourself slipping into an old version of you that you swore was long gone. If that sounds familiar, this episode offers the fresh start you didn't know you needed. In this first episode of the Holiday Love Pact Series, Sandy Gerber introduces the Holiday Love Pact, a seasonal extension of one of the tools inside her upcoming Connected Conversations book. The idea is simple. You don't need stricter boundaries or a long list of things to control. You need a small collection of gentle agreements you make with yourself that guide how you show up in the room. When you shift your presence, the whole dynamic shifts with you. Sandy walks you through the kinds of holiday communication skills that make gatherings easier, calmer, and more human. You'll learn how to stay curious instead of reactive, how to offer clear and confident answers without over explaining, and how to give yourself a graceful exit when a moment feels a little too tight. You'll also discover how to avoid falling back into old family patterns and how to meet people as the version of themselves they are today, not the version you remember. This episode is especially helpful for professional women who carry a lot at home and at work. If you want the holidays to feel more like connection and less like emotional gymnastics, this conversation will give you the tools and mindset to show up with clarity, ease, and compassion. Press play and set yourself up for a more meaningful, grounded holiday season.

If you have ever wondered why a tiny moment with a stranger can shift your whole day, this week’s Magnetic Communication Podcast episode will feel like a warm Canadian hug. In honour of GenWell’s Talk to a Stranger Week, Sandy Gerber explores the science, the stories, and the simple tools that remind us how powerful human connection really is in Canada, especially when life feels busy, noisy, or overwhelming. In this uplifting and practical episode, Sandy explains why conversations with strangers boost happiness, reduce stress, increase empathy, and strengthen our sense of belonging. You will hear how research from the University of British Columbia and the University of Chicago shows that even a brief interaction can lift your mood, calm your nervous system, and make everyday life feel easier. The surprising part is that we underestimate the impact every single time. Sandy also shares a personal moment from a grocery store encounter that reminded her why small acknowledgements matter so much. She invites listeners to consider the emotional weight so many Canadians are quietly carrying and offers a gentle reminder that connection is not a personality trait. It is a choice. One smile. One comment. One small act of curiosity. You will also learn simple, real world ways to start conversations anywhere. Coffee line. Grocery store. Dog park. Transit. A long holiday lineup. Sandy covers her favourite Connection Cues, honest follow up questions, and the one conversation starter she swears works in every setting. Whether you are naturally outgoing or someone who prefers quiet moments, this episode gives you the confidence and tools to participate in Talk to a Stranger Canada in a way that feels comfortable, authentic, and meaningful. By the end, you will leave with one small challenge and a powerful reminder. Connection does not need to be perfect to matter. It only needs to be human.

Holiday parties can feel overwhelming when you are not sure what to say. In this episode, Communication Coach, Sandy Gerber shares Holiday Small Talk Tips to help you feel calm, confident, and prepared at any festive event. You will learn how to reduce social anxiety using the EQ Switch, create instant rapport with Connection Cues, prepare simple stories and responses with SET for Success, and use easy holiday conversation starters that make mingling feel natural. Research shows almost half of adults dread holiday small talk and a third have skipped a party to avoid awkwardness. These Magnetic Communication tools will help you show up relaxed, warm, and genuinely ready to connect. Perfect for office parties, networking events, and family gatherings.

Relationship communication expert Sandy Gerber shares the one secret choice that keeps love magnetic and shows whether a relationship will last. After hundreds of people asked the bestselling author and Certified EQ Trainer what she and her partner Kris “do differently,” Sandy finally wrote it down. The answer wasn’t a trick or a tip. It was a single, powerful decision that changed everything. In this episode of The Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy reveals The Secret Choice That Keeps Love Magnetic (and Tells You If It Will Last). It’s the foundation of her Love Pact™ - sixteen daily choices that keep respect, curiosity, and desire alive through emotionally intelligent communication. Through humour, honesty, and neuroscience, Sandy explains how this one decision, made consciously every day, can instantly reveal whether your relationship will thrive or fade. You’ll learn how to stop collecting evidence of your partner’s flaws, why assuming love first rewires the brain for connection, and how small daily acts of adoration rebuild closeness even after years together. This is relationship communication that actually works. Real, relatable, and rooted in emotional intelligence. Whether you’re dating, married, or re-evaluating your connection, this episode helps you see love not as luck but as leadership, the daily language of choice. Because love doesn’t fade because it gets old. It fades because we stop choosing it. Listen now to discover The Secret Choice That Keeps Love Magnetic (and Tells You If It Will Last) with Sandy Gerber.

Want to learn how to connect quickly and build real rapport in seconds, not hours? In this episode of The Magnetic Communication Podcast, communication expert and best-selling author Sandy Gerber shares seven emotionally intelligent ways to create instant connection at work, in relationships, and everyday life. Sandy also shares a powerful bonus tip, a easy way to connect with yourself, helping you shape your mindset and emotional trajectory every day. These are real-world communication tools Sandy has taught for over 25 years, proven to build trust, influence, and connection that lasts.

Your voice has a vibe, and it’s telling people far more than your words ever could. In this episode of The Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber explores how your tone and pace in communication influence trust, confidence, and connection.Whether you’re leading a meeting, giving feedback, or having a heart-to-heart at home, your voice tells others exactly how safe it is to listen. You’ll learn how speaking too quickly, raising your pitch, or rushing your words can unintentionally trigger defensiveness and how small adjustments in tone and pace can immediately shift a conversation toward calm, clarity, and trust. Sandy also touches on Albert Mehrabian’s foundational research on tone and body language and how it’s often misunderstood. His work reminds us that when our tone and words don’t match, people believe what they feel from our voice more than what they hear in our words. You’ll also hear why two modern tone habits, uptalk and vocal fry, quietly reduce credibility and connection, even for strong communicators. Sandy shares how to notice these habits and adjust your voice to sound confident, calm, and engaging. By the end of the episode, you’ll understand exactly how to use your tone and pace as emotional intelligence tools to create safety, trust, and connection in every conversation. Because connection isn’t about perfect words. It’s about the energy your voice carries.

Modern dating is a paradox - constant connection with almost no clarity. “Situationships” sound fun, but they leave people anxious and unsure. In this episode of The Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber shares how emotional intelligence can turn confusion into connection. You’ll learn how to use the EQ Switch™ to calm emotional spikes, ThoughtFlow™ to clear mental clutter, and the Honest Sandwich™ to say how you feel without starting a fight. Plus, advanced Written Connection Cues™ for texting that actually build trust instead of tension. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “what are we?” or rewriting the same text ten times, this one’s for you.

In today’s world, most of our conversations don’t happen face-to-face, they happen in writing. And when your message is just words on a screen, your tone, intent, and credibility are all at risk of being misunderstood. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber shares practical, proven tools to help you communicate clearly and confidently in writing, whether it’s an email, Slack message, text, or DM. You’ll learn: • Why tone gets lost in writing and how to avoid common communication traps • The CLEAR Email Method to help your messages get read (and responded to) • The Draft and Delay Rule that saved a leader from lighting a fire in a crisis • Three connection cues you can apply in written messages to build trust and clarity • What emotional intelligence looks like in your inbox and your text threads If you’ve ever worried your message came off wrong or want to communicate with more confidence, presence, and EQ, this episode is your new cheat sheet.

We’ve all heard that first impressions matter, but few realize they’re made in less than seven seconds. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber reveals the small, powerful body language cues that shape how people see you, before you say a single word. You’ll learn which gestures make you more approachable, how posture influences trust, and the subtle Connection Cue Blockers to avoid if you don’t want to send the wrong message. These proven body language communication tips help you feel more confident and respected in any interaction. If you want to strengthen your presence at work and at home, listen in because the way you move might matter even more than what you say.

Stress doesn’t just make us uncomfortable, it hijacks our focus, fuels conflict, and keeps us from communicating clearly. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber teaches you two powerful stress management tools you can use anytime, anywhere. Discover The Sensory Anchor™, a simple grounding technique to bring yourself back into the present instantly and experience a guided Stress Relief Visualization exercise to calm your nervous system and re-enter tough conversations with clarity. If you’ve ever wanted tools to manage pressure without losing your cool, this episode is for you.

Conflict doesn’t have to end in explosions, shutdowns, or awkward silences. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber introduces the EARS+ framework - her emotionally intelligent upgrade to active listening. You’ll learn how to encourage with empathy, ask honest questions, reflect back what you’ve heard, and summarize with clarity. With real-world stories and practical tools, you’ll leave this episode knowing how to keep both connection and accountability in tough conversations.

Assumptions are one of the fastest ways to erode trust and misread people’s intentions. In this episode, Sandy Gerber shows you how to stop letting assumptions run the show and start leading with clarity. You’ll learn the Assumption Auction to catch the stories your brain invents, the Assumption Antidote Question to reset in seconds, and three practical EQ tools:• the EQ Switch™• Honest Questions™• Emotional Magnets™ to transform silence, tone, and uncertainty into real connection. You’ll walk away with:• A simple reset question to stop overthinking in its tracks• Tools to turn “they didn’t reply” into clarity instead of conflict• A quick team exercise to expose hidden assumptions and build trust• A faster, calmer way to respond instead of react If you want fewer misunderstandings and stronger connections at work and at home, this is your episode.

Want a fast-track guide to expressing yourself clearly, confidently, and without creating unnecessary conflict? In this recap episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber distills the best of the three-part Self-Expression mini-series into one 9-minute self-expression masterclass. You’ll get a practical overview of three proven tools: 1. Mirror Check-In™ – A quick body language alignment check to make sure your facial expressions, tone, and posture match your intended message, preventing mixed signals before you even speak. 2. 3Cs Conversation Filter™ + Emotional Magnets™ – A two-step process to ensure your words are clear, calm, constructive, and framed in a way that motivates the listener to engage. 3. EQ Switch™ + Honest Sandwich™ – A regulation and structure combo for delivering even the hardest truths without triggering defensiveness or regret.   In just one listen, you’ll learn how to: • Stop body language from undermining your words. • Choose words that match the listener’s motivations. • Handle tough conversations with both honesty and empathy.   With real-world examples - from leading a tense project meeting, to making a clear request at home, to framing a message for different personality types. Sandy shows how these tools work together to make your communication more magnetic. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a portable, repeatable self-expression system you can use in any situation, at work or at home, to build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and make your messages stick.

Tough conversations are part of leadership, but too often they leave both sides defensive and drained. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber shares how to handle necessary and difficult conversations with clarity and empathy using the EQ Switch™ and Honest Sandwich™ tools. You’ll start with the EQ Switch™ - a four-step technique for regulating your emotions before you speak, so you can respond instead of react: 1. EQ Breath - 3-second inhale, 4-second quiet exhale. 2. Name the Emotion - “I feel frustrated,” “I feel concerned.” 3. Locate It in the Body - Notice where tension shows up physically. 4. Choose Your Response - Decide from a calmer state what to say next.   Once regulated, you’ll learn how to structure your message with the Honest Sandwich™: 1. Say What You Feel – Without blame. 2. Say What You Need – Specific and actionable. 3. Say What You Want to Happen Next – A clear, constructive step forward.   Through real workplace and at-home examples including how one manager addressed repeated missed deadlines without triggering defensiveness, and a relatable “clothes on the floor” scenario - you’ll see how this approach gets better results than blunt criticism or avoidance.   By the end of this episode, you’ll know: • Why emotional regulation must come before honesty in high-stakes conversations. • How to use a simple structure to express tough feedback without burning bridges. • How these tools work in both professional and personal settings. This isn’t about sugarcoating the truth. It’s about delivering it in a way that the other person can actually hear and act on while protecting the relationship. If you want to replace avoidance or blow-ups with productive, trust-building conversations, this episode gives you the roadmap.

Miscommunication kills momentum, damages trust, and leaves everyone frustrated. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber shares a proven way to stop miscommunication before it starts - the 3Cs Conversation Filter™ - plus how to tailor your words to what truly motivates your listener using Emotional Magnets™.   If you’ve ever blurted something out, hinted at what you wanted, or buried your main point in so much detail that people tuned out, you’re not alone. Sandy walks you through a simple, three-question filter tool you can run every message through before you speak or hit send.   Once your message passes the 3Cs test, you’ll learn how to apply Emotional Magnets™ - the four motivators that drive how people listen and act: Safety, Achievement, Value, and Experience. Sandy shows you how to frame the same information four different ways so it resonates with each type, whether you’re talking to a team member, a client, or your boss.   You’ll hear practical examples of leaders using this approach to turn resistance into buy-in, including how one manager reframed a request for an Achievement-driven team and transformed the mood of the room. By the end of the episode, you’ll know: • How to quickly check if your message is clear, calm, and constructive. • How to identify someone’s Emotional Magnet™ and adjust your words so they actually hear your point. • Why skipping these steps leads to defensiveness, confusion, or disengagement.   This isn’t about manipulating people - it’s about making your communication land in a way that builds trust and gets results. Whether you lead a team, manage clients, or navigate challenging workplace conversations, the 3Cs + Emotional Magnets™ combo will help you deliver your message effectively the first time.

If you’re a leader, your face is talking - whether you realize it or not. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber reveals how your facial expressions, tone, and body language send messages before you even speak - and how the Mirror Check-In™ can help you make sure those messages build trust, not tension.   You’ll learn why body language for leaders matters more than ever in meetings, presentations, and even quick hallway conversations. Sandy explains how micro-expressions, eyebrow raises, crossed arms, and other subtle Connection Cues™ can either invite collaboration or shut it down instantly.   Through relatable stories, like the “Eyebrow Macarena” manager whose expressions said more than her words, you’ll see how easy it is for emotional “leakage” to undermine your credibility. You’ll also discover how the Mirror Check-In™ gives you a quick, three-question tool to align your non-verbal signals with your intended message, whether you’re walking into a boardroom, logging onto Zoom, or greeting your family after work.   This episode isn’t about faking your emotions. It’s about aligning your body language with your true intent so people believe what you say. You’ll walk away knowing: • Why people believe what they see more than what they hear. • The non-verbal mistakes leaders make that erode trust. • How to do a Mirror Check-In™ in under 10 seconds anywhere. • Real-life examples of leaders transforming tense situations just by adjusting their posture, expression, or tone. If you want to increase trust, engagement, and influence, this episode is your starting point. Perfect for executives, managers, and anyone in leadership who wants to stop sending mixed messages and start communicating with confidence.

A parent in one of my leadership workshops recently told me her teen’s best friend isn’t a classmate or a pet - it’s an AI chatbot. And she’s not alone. AI companions like Replika and My AI are being used by millions of teens worldwide - replacing real relationships with emotionally optimized interactions. In this episode, I dive into the growing trend of emotional attachment to AI, how it’s rewiring our kids’ ability to connect, and what we can actually do about it. You’ll learn five powerful, practical tools to rebuild emotional intelligence and communication - from the EQ Switch™ to the Mystery Tour - and help this generation reconnect with what really matters: people. 🎧 Listen now to learn: • Why AI companions are so appealing to teens • What the research says about emotional outsourcing • How to teach your teen (or yourself) to connect again, one real moment at a time This one’s for every parent, teacher, coach, or leader who wants to raise emotionally intelligent humans in a digital world.

Ever reacted in a conversation and immediately thought, “Oh no… why did I say that?” In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, host Sandy Gerber introduces one of her most powerful emotional intelligence tools: the Emotion Equalizer™. It’s a simple and proven emotion regulation tool that helps you respond with calm instead of reacting on autopilot. If you’ve ever lashed out in a meeting, shut down in a tough conversation, or rage-ate a bag of chocolate almonds after a frustrating email… you’re not broken. You just haven’t been taught how to regulate your emotions in the moment. Until now. In the last episode, we explored Self-Perception, the first dial on Sandy’s EQ Switchboard™. This week, we take that awareness and turn it into action. You’ll learn: - Why most of us were taught to ignore or bury emotions and how that sabotages your communication - What really happens in your brain and body when you get emotionally triggered - A practical 3-step emotion regulation tool you can use in under 10 seconds - Why naming your emotion is a science-backed way to reduce reactivity - How your body’s physical signals can help you regulate emotions in real time You’ll also hear a funny and painfully honest story involving swedish berries, built-up resentment, and Sandy’s squirrel-like grudge. The Emotion Equalizer™ isn’t about being perfect or polite. It’s about communicating with emotional intelligence, even when your logic is nowhere to be found. 🎧 Listen now and flip the EQ switch in real life. Next up: Self-Expression, where we’ll explore how to say what you mean without bottling it up or bulldozing others. Because emotional intelligence isn’t just about staying calm. It’s about choosing how you show up when you’re not.

Ever say something in a meeting and immediately want to disappear into your coffee mug? Welcome to the club - and welcome back to the Magnetic Communication Podcast with your host, Sandy Gerber. In this week’s episode, we’re flipping on the first dial of your emotional intelligence: Self-Perception. It’s the one nobody talks about enough - but it’s where confident communication actually starts. If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking something you said (or didn’t say), felt emotionally foggy at work, or snapped when you meant to stay calm… this episode is for you. Because before you can say the right thing or lead with impact, you have to know what’s going on inside your own mind. That’s what Self-Perception is all about - and today, you’ll get a clear, funny, and surprisingly doable breakdown of what it really means to “be self-aware.” You’ll learn: • Why emotional intelligence isn’t one big trait - but five practical dials you can learn to master • The three self-perception subskills that influence how you show up (even when you think you’re hiding it) • How to take your EQ Snapshot - a quick internal check-in that helps you assess what’s strong, what’s shaky, and what’s gathering dust • The #1 mistake people make when trying to manage their emotions - and how to avoid it • A sneak peek at Sandy’s go-to tool to help you regulate emotions in real-time (before the eye roll or the overreaction hits) You won’t just hear theory. You’ll get real-world examples, relatable insights, and Sandy’s signature magnetic humour that make emotional intelligence feel less like a corporate buzzword - and more like your new secret weapon in leadership and life. Whether you’re navigating a tough conversation, trying to stay calm in a stressful moment, or just figuring out why you feel so off lately, this episode will help you get clear on what you’re actually feeling - and why it matters. Sandy walks you through the EQ Switchboard™ - her five-part framework for emotionally intelligent communication. You’ll see why Self-Perception is the foundation, and how it quietly shapes what you say, how you lead, and even how people respond to you. And just when you think the episode’s done - there’s a teaser for what’s coming next: The Emotion Equalizer™, a simple 3-step EQ tool that helps you respond on purpose instead of reacting on autopilot. (Trust us, you’ll want this in your back pocket for your next Zoom call.) This episode is perfect for: - Leaders who want to model emotional intelligence without losing their edge - Professionals navigating stress, team tension, or tough conversations - Anyone who wants to stop replaying awkward moments on loop and start responding with clarity and confidence 🎧 Tune in now and get to know the most important person in your communication: you. Because when you know how you feel - you can finally say what you mean.

Ever wish you could take back something you said in the heat of the moment? In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, communication expert Sandy Gerber introduces emotional intelligence (EQ) as your real-time tool to handle stress, frustration, and conflict with clarity and confidence. You’ll discover how to flip the EQ Switch™—a 7-second breathing technique that rewires your brain, lowers stress, and improves how you respond instead of react. Sandy breaks down the 5 core dials of emotional intelligence (Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal Relationships, Decision Making, and Stress Management) and shares practical ways to apply EQ at work and at home. Whether you're leading a team, raising a teenager, or navigating tough conversations, this episode gives you the tool to stay calm under pressure and build stronger connections. What you'll learn: • What emotional intelligence really is (and why it’s a choice) • How to use the EQ Breath to pause and respond with intention • Science-backed EQ benefits for leadership and relationships • A challenge you can try today to shift your next conversation