The Communication Guys Podcast: Communication Excellence | Professional and Personal Success

Your ultimate level of success depends on your ability to express yourself in a creative, confident, and compelling way. Whether you speak, teach, or write, the same underlying principles of communication will guarantee excellence in whatever you do. The Communication Guys podcast teaches those timeless, universal principles and applies them to all forms of communication: spoken and written, personal and public, platform and small group. Tim Downs is a professional speaker, communication trainer, novelist, and cartoonist whose work has appeared in newspapers from the New York Post to the Los Angeles Times. Dr. Tom Barrett is an internationally recognized expert in the psychology of success who specializes in teaching communication skills, emotional intelligence, and business development to entrepreneurs and business leaders.

How to Connect in an Angry World [E174]

Is it possible to connect with someone whose politics or social views are the virtual opposite of your own? Yes, it is possible—and it’s important that we learn to do it, because the world is becoming angrier and more polarized than ever before. How will we solve the problems of the future if we can’t even talk to one another? Episode 174 of the Communication Guys podcast is “How to Connect in an Angry World,” where the Guys describe 5 essentials for beginning to connect with someone whose views are nothing like your own. This episode is a replay of one of our most timely and significant episodes, originally released as Episode 148.

10-12
25:02

Turning Resolutions into Reality [E173]

Do your New Year’s resolutions have a way of vanishing, despite your best intentions? This week’s Communication Guys podcast is “Turning Resolutions into Reality,” where the Guys describe the key attitudes and habits that can make this year different and help you finally accomplish those dreams and goals. This episode is a replay of Episode 16.

12-30
31:09

How to Create Fun and Meaningful Conversations [E172]

Are you getting tired of the same old boring conversations? Then you’ll like this week’s Communication Guys podcast, “How to Create Fun and Meaningful Conversations,” where the Guys give creative suggestions for going a little deeper with friends and family this holiday season. This episode is a replay of one of our most popular podcasts, Episode 15.

12-23
31:08

The 1 Day Communication Challenge [E171]

You would be amazed at how much you can improve as a communicator in a single day. All you have to do is apply 5 simple techniques that will leave people wondering at the remarkable transformation that’s come over you. Today the Guys reveal those 5 life-changing techniques. Does it sound like we’re over-promising? Try it for one day and see for yourself. This episode is a replay of  Episode 126.

12-16
24:22

5 Ways to Become a Warmer Person [E170]

According to research, the character quality that everyone instinctively looks for first is “warmth.” Do people perceive you as a “warm” person? Today the Guys discuss intriguing research in the social sciences that reveals the importance of personal warmth and give practical tips for developing that quality. This episode is a replay of one of our most-downloaded episodes, and was originally released as Episode 120.

12-09
20:33

Dealing with Conflicts Before they Become Conflicts [E169]

Why do park rangers lob explosives onto a mountainside to purposely start an avalanche? Answer: Because the avalanche you start yourself is the easiest one to control. In this episode The Guys explain how to deal with disagreements while they’re still minor grievances and before they erupt into full-blown battles. This episode is a replay of one of our most-downloaded episodes, and was originally released as Episode 104.

12-02
26:39

Why We Make Bad Communication Choices [E168]

Do you suffer from a “brain bias?” We all do. A brain bias is a faulty way of thinking that’s hardwired into every human brain. They’re common to all of us, and they can lead us to make some very bad decisions about the way we communicate. In this episode clinical psychologist Dr. Tom Barrett explains how a brain bias works, and describes 5 common brain biases that lead us all to some bad decisions. This episode is a replay of one of our most-downloaded episodes, and was originally released as Episode 114.

11-25
27:52

The Soft Skills are the Hard Skills [E167]

Your current skills allowed you to land the job you have now, but what are the skills that will allow you to hold on to that job in the future? What are the skills that future employers will value most—the skills that will allow some to advance, while others remain stuck where they are? Today The Guys describe 5 increasingly important business skills that no successful person can afford to ignore. This episode is a replay of one of our most-downloaded episodes, and was originally released as Episode 102.

11-18
26:49

The 6 Rules of Storytelling [E166]

Do you know how to tell a great story? Some do, most do not. Everyone agrees that stories are able to connect powerfully with listeners, but only if you know how to tell your story well. Today the Guys share 6 commonly overlooked principles that will help you shape and polish your stories for maximum impact. This episode is a replay of one of our most-downloaded episodes, and was originally released as Episode 123.

11-11
24:18

Crucial Conversations [E165]

Have you ever had a discussion where the stakes were high, opinions varied, and emotions were running strong? Master trainer Justin Hale from VitalSmarts, the organization responsible for the best-selling book, “Crucial Conversations,” explains how you can have a productive discussion even when passions are high. This episode is a replay of one of our most-downloaded episodes, and was originally released as Episode 76.

11-04
24:21

Avoiding Drama in the Workplace [E164]

When a conflict begins, what role do you naturally play: Victim, Persecutor, or Rescuer? According to Dr. Nate Regier, a conflict is like a drama that follows a predictable script, and we each play one of three roles in that drama. By understanding those roles and refusing to play them we can reduce the unpleasant drama that comes with conflict. In “Avoiding Drama in the Workplace,” the Guys continue their interview with Dr. Nate Regier, CEO of Next Element and author of the book, “Conflict Without Casualties.”

10-28
27:39

The Compassion Mindset [E163]

Are you sick and tired of conflict in your workplace? Do miscommunication and strained relationships drain your creative energy and keep you from being more productive? According to Dr. Nate Regier, CEO of Next Element, the average employee spends two hours of every workweek dealing with conflict. The solution? According to Dr. Regier, it all comes down to compassion. In “The Compassion Mindset,” the Guys interview Dr. Nate Regier about compassion: what it is, how to develop it, and how to use it to reduce the amount of conflict where you work.

10-21
28:52

25 Things All Great Communicators Do [E162]

What are the habits that all great communicators have in common? Andrew Blotky should know. His career has taken him from the White House to Facebook, and he’s seen the best. In his new book, “Honestly Speaking,” he describes the techniques they all seem to practice. In “25 Things All Great Communicators Do,” the Guys continue their interview with Andrew and discuss his list of essential habits for every effective communicator.

10-14
26:49

The Golden Rule of Communication [E161]

What does it take to communicate clearly, honestly and effectively in a business setting? Ask Andrew Blotky. For five years he led global employee communications at Facebook, at a time when Facebook was expanding its workforce from 5,000 to 30,000 employees worldwide. Business communication doesn’t get more challenging than that. In “The Golden Rule of Communication,” the Guys talk with Andrew about his new book, “Honestly Speaking: How the Way We Communicate Transforms Leadership, Love, and Life.”

10-07
29:32

Be Real, But Not Too Real [E160]

Modern audiences place a high value on the quality of authenticity. But how can you be open and authentic without revealing too much—or the wrong thing? What makes the difference between an authentic moment and an awkward moment? How do you strike the delicate balance between “authentic” and “too much information?” In this episode, the Guys discuss the risks and rewards of authenticity, and explain how to make sure your openness and honesty work for you, not against you.

09-30
19:58

Be Tough, But Not Bulletproof [E159]

With all the criticism and negativity that surround us today, it can be hard to maintain a positive attitude. But when we tune out all negative-sounding comments, we risk cutting ourselves off from even the constructive criticism we desperately need to grow and improve. When that happens, you’ve become “bulletproof.” In this episode, the Guys discuss the reasons we all need to remain open to criticism, and explain how to tell the difference between constructive criticism and useless negativity.

09-23
26:07

Give Your Idea a Chance to Live [E158]

Why are some people able to turn their great ideas into successful realities, while others allow their similar ideas to fade into distant memory? What marks the difference between a mere dreamer and someone who makes their dreams come true? Episode 158 of the Communication Guys podcast is “Give Your Idea a Chance to Live,” where the Guys discuss the reasons that we often ignore or reject our best ideas, and why your ability to communicate might make the difference between a good concept and a great reality.

09-16
20:39

5 Qualities of an Emotionally Intelligent Person [E157]

At Stanford University’s prestigious Graduate School of Business, the most popular elective in their MBA program focuses not on business, but on Emotional Intelligence. Stanford’s best and brightest are taught that mastering this topic is crucial to their success in both business and relationships. In “5 Qualities of an Emotionally Intelligent Person,” the Guys describe 5 essential principles of Emotional Intelligence and explain its importance in our everyday lives.

09-09
22:57

6 Small Things that Make a Big Difference [E156]

In business as well as relationships, we sometimes make the mistake of focusing on the larger issues and forgetting that there are small things that have the power to make a remarkable difference. In this Communication Guys podcast, the Guys describe 6 simple, easy, but commonly overlooked practices that can greatly increase our ability to connect with others. This episode is a replay of one of our 10 most-downloaded programs, and was originally released as Episode 100.

09-02
33:12

How to Keep a Conversation Going [E155]

Do conversations feel like a boulder you’re trying to roll uphill? Do your interactions with others seem like a fire that’s always about to go out—and it’s up to you to somehow keep the fire going? Do you feel like you’re always the one who has to carry the conversation? In this episode, The Guys give 5 practical tips for keeping a conversational fire burning and turning an exhausting burden into an effortless delight. This episode is a replay of one of our 10 most-downloaded episodes, and was originally released as Episode 103.

08-26
26:02

M m

This was informative, when u say authenticity does not mean transparency, also knowing your listener and to know what to share with who, thank you so much

05-15 Reply

Engel Amaru

great first episode! absolutely worthy

04-19 Reply

Cuc Mauldin

this is an amazing episode. I am in the same shoes. I love your show. I'm glad I found it. Listening every day

08-21 Reply

Natalie Talamante

So grateful I found your podcast. I love geeking out over your topics. Thank you for your time and expertise, there is always more I want to learn.

08-29 Reply

Gaurav Agrawal

Interesting and informative of at the the same time . You guys are amazing !

01-26 Reply

01-18

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