DiscoverSpeak Easy
Speak Easy
Claim Ownership

Speak Easy

Author: Cleft

Subscribed: 2Played: 3
Share

Description

Speak Easy is the podcast where we discuss communication, productivity systems, capturing our thoughts, and how we share those thoughts with our future selves and others. Managing our brains is core to 21st century work and we're here to learn how to do it better than we did yesterday.
Speak Easy is brought to you by Cleft, the easiest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later.
20 Episodes
Reverse
Sales expert Solange Abraham joins the Speak Easy podcast to discuss effective sales communication. Solange emphasizes focusing on the customer's needs, not pitching. While cold calling can be uncomfortable, Solange stresses that unexpected outreach can be welcome. Solange advocates for "ask, learn, confirm": ask questions demonstrating expertise, learn through follow-ups, and confirm understanding. She dislikes generic questions, believing salespeople should understand their prospects' challenges. Preparation is key, including staying informed about market trends and communicating in the customer's language. Solange encourages focusing on connection, not just the sale.Solange is offering 20 percent off a first clarity call with her if you use the code CLEFT at check out on her website
Download and listen to Clara Ma, CEO of Ask a Chief of Staff, who emphasizes consistent communication between Chiefs of Staff and their principals. They recommend daily check-ins, weekly priority reviews, and monthly/quarterly strategic planning. Tools like AI note-takers (Cleft, Ambient), Notion, and pen/paper can optimize these interactions.
Tyler Sellhorn interviews Mike Kelly, author of "Meaning is the Mission." They discuss the challenges of modern work, the importance of mindset and "heartset," and the role of Al in productivity. Kelly emphasizes the value of human creativity and deep thinking, advocating for a balance between technology and traditional tools like pen and paper. Mike shares his personal system for capturing and developing ideas, highlighting the importance of focus and intentionality in a world of distractions.
Jonny Cosgrove, founder of Cleft, discusses the company's progress and new product announcement: Amber! Cleft, designed for capturing verbal thoughts, is being complemented by a new product called Amber, focused on authoring and writing. Both products are built specifically for neurodivergent users but accessible to everyone. They aim to be assistive technology that works alongside users rather than trying to be "everything apps." The company remains committed to building software that helps people process information their own way.Episode 2 of Speak Easy (aka Jonny's first episode on the podcast)Cleft catches fire online in 2024Rubber Duck DebuggingThe Cleft CookbookIntroducting Cleft AI's next product, Amber!What Cleft is to capture, Amber is for authoring
Ang Jandak discusses how business functions are interconnected, with success depending on understanding different contexts. Ang emphasizes "radical understanding" - going beyond surface-level empathy to grasp underlying experiences and barriers. For managing ideas, Ang uses multiple tools: brain dumps for rapid ideation, pen and paper for nebulous concepts, and AI as a thought partner to reveal blind spots and make connections across different domains.Ang on LinkedIn
John Lee, CEO of Work From Anywhere, discusses the importance of cultural awareness and communication in a globalized world. He emphasizes the power of deep connections, learning local languages, and understanding cultural nuances for successful communication and business interactions. Lee also highlights the benefits of workcations for both employees and companies, and the need for clear communication and understanding in a remote work environment.
Discover the power of "open and honest" communication: Grace Gavin reveals why these two simple words can transform your workplace and relationships. Plus, learn the surprising obstacles that prevent us from truly hearing each other. Don't miss this insightful episode!
In this episode of Speak Easy, host Tyler Sellhorn interviews Nadia Harris, a remote work lawyer and author. Harris discusses the evolving world of work, highlighting the clash between traditional and modern work practices. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to digital-native approaches, challenging outdated processes, and embracing authenticity. Harris shares her personal creative process, which involves seeking inspiration from diverse experiences and expressing ideas through writing, videos, and speaking engagements.
Listen as Sarah Lobkovich coaches us on OKRs and goal setting focused on well-being. Sarah helps people reconnect with their intrinsic motivation, moving away from external pressures. By using techniques like verbal processing and visualization, Sarah supports individuals and organizations in creating meaningful, learning-centered goals that align with personal purpose and reduce workplace suffering.Speak Easy is presented by Cleft: the easiest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later.Download Cleft on the App Store today!Sarah's website
Anna Burgess Yang

Anna Burgess Yang

2024-11-1423:31

This episode features Anna Burgess Yang, a former corporate executive turned freelance writer. Anna discusses her approach to productivity and work-life integration, focusing on selecting the right tools for specific tasks. She describes her three-level system for capturing ideas: quick notes via Siri, context-rich thoughts via Cleft, and full blog post dictation via Fireflies, all integrated through Zapier to streamline her workflow.Try CleftAnnaBYang.com
Susan Boles, CFO at Beyond Margins, discusses building "calmer" businesses focused on comfortable margins, not just profit. Key elements include clarity, autonomy, a lens of care, efficient systems, and rest/reduced urgency. She emphasizes the importance of designing businesses intentionally to be sustainable, rather than defaulting to growth at all costs. Boles shares her own experience with burnout and the need to build in emotional, energetic, and capacity margins to weather challenging seasons. The goal is businesses that feel "restful" and fun, not constantly stressful.Beyond Margins WebsiteSpeak Easy is brought to you by Cleft, the fastest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later.
Katherine Sanders, a neurodivergent ADHD coach in Scotland, discusses how divergent thinkers struggle with linear productivity systems. She explains that ADHD brains process information differently, often taking "side quests" in thinking. Sanders emphasizes the importance of understanding individual processing styles (visual, verbal, conceptual) and how executive function impacts organization and emotional regulation. She advocates for adapting systems to support different thinking styles rather than forcing linear approaches.Katherine's links:WebsiteLinkedInThreads, InstagramYouTubeADHD Powerful Possibilities PodcastBlog
This episode features Meighan O'Toole discussing knowledge management and productivity. She shares her journey from physical notebooks to digital tools like Notion, highlighting how proper knowledge management can empower teams and reduce micromanagement. She emphasizes using tools like Cleft for brain dumps and creating systems that maintain humanity while improving efficiency. The conversation explores themes of mutual flourishing, leadership, and creating healthy workplace systems that benefit everyone.Meighan's Links:WebsiteLinkedInThreadsDavid Pierce of The Verge's Installer Newsletter (aka how Meighan found Cleft):    "The best Al voice notes I've tried, period"    Also, on The VergecastAngela Bierman's episode of Speak Easy & her exploration of "Brain Dump" as a phrase on LinkedInDaniel Pink the author of "Drive", not Pink "the singer."Brené Brown's Dare to Lead and THE BEST PDF ON THE INTERNETRobin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass
Listen in as Ali Greene discusses how documentation enables workplace flexibility and autonomy. She explains that good documentation reduces unnecessary meetings, prevents misalignment, and allows for asynchronous work. This empowers people to structure their work around their values and life priorities. She emphasizes starting with "messy" thoughts through methods that work for you (writing, speaking, drawing), then organizing them into clear, structured documentation that others can use.Ali's Links:Remote Works BookLinkedIn
Listen in to this episode featuring an interview with Claire Podulka, Chief of Staff at TXI, about effective communication. Claire emphasizes that communication is a shared process involving speaking, listening, and understanding the audience's needs. She discusses her writing process, starting with verbose drafts and refining for clarity. Claire highlights TXI's approach to remote communication, using multiple formats (live presentations, recordings, transcripts) and a central knowledge base (Notion) to ensure information accessibility. She advises understanding current communication effectiveness and experimenting with incremental improvements.Claire's links:LinkedInTXI WebsiteTry Cleft!Speak Easy is brought to you by Cleft, the easiest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later.
Dr. Cynthia Young discusses human-centered knowledge management, emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge rather than hoarding it. She advocates for capturing and documenting processes, mentoring, and breaking down silos within organizations. Key points include:1. Writing down processes and creating workflows2. Adapting to individual learning styles3. Iterative improvement through feedback4. Integrating knowledge across departments5. Encouraging a culture of knowledge sharing6. Developing "forceful backups" to ensure continuityYoung stresses that everyone in an organization can act as a knowledge manager, contributing to a more efficient and collaborative work environment.Cindy's links:LinkedInInstagramThreadsKnowledge Management BootcampCJ Young ConsultingTry Cleft!Theme Music Credits:Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForthWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtube
Katie Scheuer, Mural

Katie Scheuer, Mural

2024-09-2624:03

Listen in as Katie Scheuer, a learning designer at Mural, discusses effective meeting practices & collaborative work. She emphasizes starting with purpose, balancing synchronous & asynchronous work, and using visual tools for better engagement. Katie advocates for flexibility in work schedules and leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and creativity.Katie's Links:LinkedInMuralSynchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication: Best Practices (Workplaceless)Allie K Miller on LinkedInTry Cleft!Theme Music Credits:Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForthWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtubeTheme Music Credits:Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForthWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtube
Angela Bierman, founder of Polka Dot Innovations, discusses knowledge capture and sharing. She emphasizes the importance of building a "corporate brain" to preserve institutional knowledge, advocates for progress over perfection in documenting ideas, and explores how neurodivergent individuals can optimize their productivity. Angela also shares her cautiously optimistic view on AI in business processes.Angela's Links:AngelaBierman.comPolka Dot InnovationsYouTubeTikTokMediumTry Cleft!Theme Music Credits:Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForthWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtube
Jonny Cosgrove, a neurodivergent entrepreneur, discusses how he manages thoughts and tasks using tools like Cleft, a note-taking app he co-founded. He emphasizes the importance of simple systems, capturing fleeting ideas, and using technology to support memory and personal growth for both work and life.Jonny's Links:CleftJonnyCosgrove.comLinkedInThreadsTheme Music Credits:Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForthWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtube
Trailer

Trailer

2024-09-1001:12

Hello, my name is Tyler Sellhorn, and welcome to the preview episode of Speak Easy, the podcast where we discuss communication, productivity systems, capturing our thoughts, and how we share those thoughts with our future selves and others. We believe that managing our brains is core to 21st century work and we're here to learn how to do it better than we did yesterday. We hope you'll listen and follow along as we learn out loud with one another. The Speak Easy podcast is brought to you by Cleft, the easiest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later. Check us out at cleftnotes.com. Thanks for listening as we think aloud together!Theme Music Credits:Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForthWatch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtube