As humans one of our strongest instincts is to build and strengthen connections with one another.  In this episode we talk with Tony Martignetti about Creating Deeper Connections.  We discuss the positives of creating deeper connections in the workplace,  how connecting with yourself is a critical first step, and how Tony encourages clients to share their “weird” to open up or deepen those connections.  Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session. Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com. TALK BIG QUESTIONS Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life. So, what is your “weird” thing about yourself? How will you start to deepen connections in your personal or professional life? Do you find it easy to connect with others particularly co-workers or are you more guarded and why?    

One of the toughest things about being in the mid-level of a company is that your success depends on your ability to collaborate with people and teams that you don't directly manage. It's not enough to just do your work well. You have to be able to influence without authority to deliver together.  Being able to hold people accountable without being a jerk is an advanced communication skill and critical to collaborative work. In this episode, Kristy shares why she lets the person closest to the work name the deadline whenever possible and why in some situations a less assertive approach could make sense.    Work with Kristy: If your team is struggling with holding people accountable, upskill with workshops or on demand digital training experiences. 

Anyone who has walked through the fragrance department during a day of shopping knows there is an abundant number of smells (and choices) out there when it comes to a signature scent.  What they may not have thought about, however, is the deeper meaning behind the scents that draw us in or repel us.  In this episode we talk with Helida Dodd, an engineer by trade who fell in love with the art and science behind scents, about Harnessing Your Sense of Smell.  Helida shares with us how an extreme sensitivity to perfumes during her pregnancy brought her to the work she does, why an engineer would be drawn to this work, and how we can ignite memories, both good and bad, from what we smell. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com TALK BIG QUESTIONS Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life. What are some of your favorite scents/combination of scents?  Can you think of a memory or memories that are triggered when you smell them? Do you find yourself more drawn to invigorating or grounding scents in your daily life?   Following the episode and hearing how scent is such a personal choice, is a gift like a candle, scented lotion, or home fragrance something you would think to give as a gift to someone else still?  Why or why not?  

In this solo episode Danielle shares a powerful quote that has meant a lot to her and encourages listeners to reflect on how they are showing up in the world. 

At the end of a stressful or demanding day, do you ever feel like your inner child could use a hug?  Well then in today’s episode, you’ve come to the right place!  In this episode we talk with Tina Hamilton on the topic of Getting to know your inner child.  Tina shares some examples of how experiences from our childhood can impact how we now react or parent; how she recognized in herself the need to reconnect to, reflect and work on healing her inner child; and ways she now helps her clients to do the same. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com  TALK BIG QUESTIONS Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life. Do you feel like your parents were strict or unstrict? What are some examples? What are some of the ways that your parents parented that you decided to adopt when you had kids? What are things that you decided to do differently? How has your perspective of parenting changed now that you are a grandparent?  What are some things you do differently now as a grandparent?  

Inevitably, throughout the course of our lives, the majority of us will at one time or another ask or be asked what we deem an “uncomfortable question” on a myriad of hot button topics including, race, gender inequality, and gender identity.  In this episode we talk with Melina Cordero, who went from, as she describes it, a “corporate executive to equity trailblazer,” on the topic of Uncomfortable Questions About Race. We discuss her approach to uncomfortable questions and phrases; some of the barriers that we face in trying to understand one another’s human experiences; and how a conversation can sometimes be more effective than any other action. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com Interested in The Opposite of Small Talk Merch?  Visit:   www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com/merch.    TALK BIG QUESTIONS Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life. After this episode and advice from Melina are you more likely to ask “uncomfortable” questions in your personal or professional life?  How will you now approach those questions?  Do you agree that each of us has a shared responsibility to further the discussion around equity and inclusion? What were your feelings or reactions, prior to this episode, regarding the terms ally and white privilege?  Following the episode have those feelings or reactions changed or deepened?  

SHOP OFFICIAL MERCH>> If you were to search the term 'managing up' you would get a wide variety of definitions, but you would notice a common idea that managing up is something that benefits your boss. Articles from the Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review talk about things like anticipating your managers needs and adapting to their style. While these ideas have merit, they aren't the full picture.  Managing up is really about managing your manager to do the things you need to make your job easier. Managing up has been one of the key concepts that has improved both my work experience and work outcomes. In this expisode, Kristy shares examples of how to manage up.    Follow Kristy Instagram: @ko.communication Work with Kristy: www.kristyolinger.com    

In 2020, many of us went from social drinking to socially isolated drinking.  In this episode we talk with Nell Hurley, a Gray Area Drinking Coach, about the topic of understanding our relationship with alcohol.  Nell shares her own relationship with sobriety, defines the terms Gray Area Drinking and sober curiosity, and offers advice for anyone who may think they fall into these categories. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com   TALK BIG QUESTIONS Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life. Was gray area drinking a term you were familiar with before today’s episode?   Is sober curiosity something you’ve been interested in exploring, if you haven’t already? How do you cope with difficult feelings or situations?  Do you have a hobby or interest, like Nell has with running, that offers you an outlet?

Following a series of events that caused grief, isolation, and fear this week’s guest found her purpose and calling to help others.  In this episode, we talk with Amanda McKoy Flanagan about Trusting Yourself to be All in.  Amanda shares how the grief and losses in her life, her almost two decades of sobriety, and the global pandemic helped her to do the work to heal from generational family dysfunction and discover her true self.  We also discuss her first book, released in early May and titled, Trust Yourself to be All in:  Safe to Love and Let Go, which she hopes will help others. Amanda's website:  https://www.amandamckoyflanagan.com/    TALK BIG QUESTIONS Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life. What are some of the difficult life events, in your past, that you’ve gone through and conquered?  How did you do it? Was the term generational family trauma something you were familiar with prior to this episode?  What does it mean in your own experience? How well do you think you know your true self?  What are some ways you are going to work to discover your true self moving forward?   Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com

Access the Work Journal prompts > Normally solo episodes are just that... solo. But for this episode Kristy is sharing her interview with Matt Gilhooly from The Life Shift podcast. In this interview Kristy shares the story of a very specific moment that changed the trajectory of her life. It woke her up from living a life on auto-pilot and was the catalyst for restarting a journaling practice. You could say this life shift moment is the origin story of all of the personal growth from the last 5 years. Without that moment and the resulting practice of journaling regularly there may never have been a podcast, a speaking business, a renewed family focus, a job change. The story starts with a pound of cheese and terrible late night TV.     Did you like this episode? Get connected to The Life Shift Podcast and Matt: Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelifeshiftpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelifeshiftpodcast YouTube: https://bit.ly/thelifeshift_youtube Twitter: www.twitter.com/thelifeshiftpod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelifeshiftpodcast Website: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com        

A discussion on the phenomenon of Imposter Syndrome is a springboard to a deeper dive on societal pressures for both women and men, and the systemic factors that may have influenced them. In this episode we talk with Kim Meninger about Imposter Syndrome and Societal Pressures. We cover the phenomenon of imposter syndrome in the workplace, discuss the ways it’s both a personal and systemic problem and how some of its causes could be rooted in childhood.   TALK BIG QUESTIONS - Use these prompts to have the opposite of small talk in real life. Have you ever experienced impostor syndrome? What happened? Do you think that impostor syndrome is more related to systems & environments or individuals & their mental models? What can we do to help men and boys to have outlets to relate with others about the human experience beyond a narrow identity of being strong? Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com

In this episode Danielle talks about her experience of tuning into her sense of hearing after reading Gretchen Rubin's latest book "Life in Five Senses" and forgetting her airpods on a trip to New York City. 

During the course of our daily lives, many of us can take for granted the simple tasks we’re able to complete with little effort or difficulty.  In this episode we talk with Diana Elizabeth Jordan on the topic of Ability Privilege.  Diana shares her unique perspective, how to create space to discuss difficult topics, and how we can all be more inclusive of one another’s experiences and needs, in particular the 25% of people who have disabilities.  Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com   

Having a micromanager is a very specific kind of terrible work experience. This episode covers the mindset shift that could help in the short term, a couple of strategies to address it, and an important question to ask yourself to be sure you’re seeing this from every possible angle.   If you like this episode and want more workplace communication strategies, follow Kristy on Instagram @ko.communication Website: www.kristyolinger.com

Have you ever wondered who comes up with the witty and compelling promos for your favorite television shows?  Well, today we have the answer, our latest guest, that’s who!  In this episode we talk with Laura Belgray about Living your best life when you’re the f-ing worst.  She talks about her journey from copywriting to finding her own authentic voice in her new book;  connecting with fellow late bloomers through her personal storytelling, and how she encourages others to be unapologetically and authentically themselves, flaws and all. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit Kristy’s website at www.kristyolinger.com   

If you are an introvert or have ever been curious about what it means to be an introvert in an extroverted world –  this episode is for you!  Today, we talk with Andrea Sandu on the topic of introverts.  She shares her own first-person experience as an introvert in an extroverted world, some ways she learned to advocate for herself professionally, and guidelines that an extrovert can use, to better communicate with their introverted colleagues.   Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit www.kristyolinger.com to learn more.   

The podcast comes full circle with this special episode which features a guest whose work, unbeknownst to him, has served as an inspiration to The Opposite of Small Talk over the last several years.  In this episode we talk with W. Kamau Bell about his new documentary, 1000% Me; Growing Up Mixed, released this month on HBO Max. We touch on some of the insightful things he learned from the mixed kids and families featured in the documentary including his own children, and how they give him hope for the future. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Visit www.kristyolinger.com to learn more.  

Being a human is hard! May is Mental Health Awareness month, Danielle shares the things that she does in order to keep her mental health in check. 

In this milestone episode, we share and discuss clips that are a good representation of what this podcast is all about about; connection, reflection, and social justice. If you’ve never listened to this podcast before, this episode would be a good place to start. If you’re a long time listener, join us in this walk down memory lane. We close with some hopes for the future of the podcast and recognize that in some ways, this is just the beginning.   Featured clips include the following episodes: Episode 1: Originality Episode 9: How to make friends Episode 10: Combatting Negative Self-Talk, with Chanee Momoko Episode 17: Big talk about whiteness, with Kate Schatz Episode 42: Childfree by Choice, with Julie Brown Episode 52: Unfollow your Passion, with Terri Trespicio Episode 68: Evolving Masculinity, with Christopher Veal      

Should you curse at work? Yes!…sometimes… with ground rules. In this solo episode of the podcast, Kristy shares why she curses at work and the three ground rules she follows. If you’re looking to improve your workplace communication, you can hire Kristy to work with you one-on-one to build your skills. Visit www.kristyolinger.com to learn more.

For many of us, life is all about the routine and sometimes we have to remind ourselves to shut off autopilot, challenge ourselves, and start living.  In this episode we talk with Arielle Estoria on the topic of Letting Yourself Unfold.  Arielle shares the sources of inspiration and influence for her book of poetry, “The Unfolding:  An Invitation to Come Home to Yourself,” reads a stirring excerpt from the book, and offers advice on taking the first steps in unfolding our own lives. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication.

It is well documented that strong relationships and friendships can extend your life. In this episode Danielle talks about the power of connection in her life and how we should rethink measuring it. 

As the to-do list gets longer each day, at work and home, we sometimes forget to prioritize fun, joy, and creativity.  In this episode we talk with Kristina Eisenhower about Creativity:  How to Stop Working and Start Playing.  We cover Kristina’s commitment to live a creative life, how she inspires others, and ways anyone can get started on prioritizing creativity, right now! Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication.

Some of the most productive and valuable meetings happen between two people, this is because 2-person meetings create an environment that requires engagement. In this episode, Kristy shares three kinds of 2-person meetings that should be on your calendar and how to get the most from them.   Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. Follow on Instagram @ko.communication and @theoppositeofsmalltalk  

Today’s guest has worked for the likes of the Pentagon and Butterball Turkey discovering along the way how human behavior and leadership intersect.  In this episode, we talk with Catie Campbell about Taking Ownership of Your Life.  We find out how her psychology degree and a doubting professor were the beginning of a dynamic career in business, how she coaches business leaders to take ownership by being, “rooted in reality,” and ways we can do the same. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication.   

On this International Women’s Day, when we celebrate the achievements of women from around the globe, embrace and celebrate your own personal power!  In this episode we speak with Melissa Martin, a Business & Embodiment Coach, on the topic of personal power, why it’s important, how to harness it, and ways to make it an everyday practice in your personal and professional life. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication.

It’s been said many times that life’s a journey and for the majority of us that journey will include its fair share of joy, heartache, love, and loss.  In this episode we talk with Matt Gilhooly about the topic of “life shifts,”  and how through sharing his personal story and that of his guests on his podcast, he’s found purpose, hope, and healing. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication.   

Just when we started to figure out virtual meetings, we have a new variation – the hybrid meeting; where a portion of the group are gathered in person and others are remote. This format is here to stay, and requires thoughtful facilitation strategies to be effective. In this episode, Kristy shares three tips to improve participant’s experience during hybrid meetings.   Visit: kristyolinger.com for more workplace communication tips.   If you are looking to improve communication at work, hire Kristy as a speaker or 1-on-1 consultant.

 A chance encounter with Oprah, yes that Oprah, led to a life shifting hobby for this week’s guest.  In this episode we talk to Jill Donovan about the power of hobbies.  Jill discusses how she got started on this now decades-long journey, the ways she encourages those around her to do the same, as well as the tricks she uses to keep herself on track. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication.   

In this episode, Danielle talks about what intuition is. She gives an example of how following her intuition has enhanced her life and shares some ways to tap into your own intuition.  If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complementary exploratory session. 

 There’s never a wrong time to bet on yourself!  In this special episode Danielle interviews Kristy covering the topic of career transition, the lessons Kristy’s learned during this process, and how her own career transition into development, after two decades, has been a breath of fresh air for her professionally. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication.

Have you ever felt like it’s too late to make a change in your life? Like the clock has run out on following your dreams? Even smaller dreams, like trying a tap dance class or visiting a new place, get pushed aside and never move into action. You worry about what others will say and that you’ll look stupid if it doesn’t work out. You struggle to start. In this episode Danielle and Kristy talk about the ‘Choose Your Life’ Challenge, a 30 day interactive experience that gives you the confidence to live the life you want. Learn More and Register Use promo code LISTENER30 for a special discount.

A New Year brings talk of resolutions, goal setting, and fresh starts… could the key to achieving what you want in 2023, whether personally or professionally, be your mindset?  In this episode, we talk with Nicole Cramer about her experiences as a high school educator and a corporate sales professional and how they both helped to shape her, her mindset, and the services she provides to her clients as a successful sales coach.  Choose Your Life: Gain the confidence to live the life you want through this 30 day interactive experience. Work with Danielle: If you are ready to start working with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life, visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentary exploratory session.  Work with Kristy: You can work with Kristy one-on-one or hire her to speak with your team to improve workplace communication. 

Email is one of the primary communication channels at work. If you're consistently missing due dates or work requests because you mismanage your inbox, you get a reputation for being disorganized and unresponsive. It can hurt your work relationships. The email systems you have in place and how well they work drive your ability to communicate and build relationships and influence at work. In this episode Kristy shares why she started using the inbox zero method over a year ago and how you can set up a similar system for yourself. If you are looking to improve communication at work, hire Kristy as a speaker or 1-on-1 consultant.

Danielle and Kristy reflect on the episodes released in 2022. We share the ideas that impacted our lives most. If you’re behind on listening, be sure to catch these episodes.   Episode 65: Improving Filter Quality to Protect Your Time, with Dr. John Tuders Episode 66: Visual Communicating, with Todd Cherches Episode 63: Finding Your Feminine Genius, with Gina Marotta Episode 58: Addiction Recovery, One Day at a Time, with Guy Mercadante Episode 71: Ask Like An Auctioneer, with Dia Bondi Episode 70: Find your superpowers, with Michael Tertes Episode 72: Understanding Grief, with Maria Belanic Episode 75: How to amplify inclusion, with Kimberley Lewis Parsons and Shea O’Neil Adelson Episode 76: Confidence with Nicole Kalil Episode 82: Accessible Activism with Kate Schatz

Danielle shares the talk that she wrote, crafted and presented through a 30 day Speaker Intensive. The Talk is called Connect The Dots of Your Life for Confidence in Your Future.  If you are interested in participating in a future speaker intensive please visit: www.territrespicio.com to sign up for her next cohort starting in January 2023.   

You can care about a cause deeply and at the same time be overwhelmed into inaction. When the issues are big and complex, like racial injustice and reproductive healthcare rights, it’s easy to feel like you can’t make a difference. In this episode we talk with with feminist author and activist Kate Schatz about how to start where you are with what you have in order to take action for social change. We discuss using the power of conversation, parenting as activism, and how any action you take matters… even if nobody else sees it and even you can’t know the impact that you had. *** If you like this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or on social media. You can find us on Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk Contact Us to suggest a topic or guest for the podcast.  

From giving feedback to communicating a project delay to saying no to someone… there are many conversations that can make us uncomfortable. In this solo episode of the podcast, Kristy shares 6 tips for having a difficult conversation. If you’re looking to improve your workplace communication, you can hire Kristy to work with you one-on-one to build your skills. Visit www.kristyolinger.com to learn more and book a free consultation. This episode was recorded live on Instagram. Follow Kristy @ko.communication for tips to communicate better at work to make work easier.

As we enter a holiday season of increased expectation and decreased time, stress happens. Caitlin Donovan, Author of the book The Bouncebackability Factor and host of FRIED the burnout podcast says stress in and of itself is not a bad thing. However, burnout is a different story. In this episode, we talk about our own burnout stories, the role that companies play, and why beautiful spaces matter.   Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.    Continue the conversation with us on Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk   Email us any time at [email protected]  

Working with a coach can provide immense benefits to your life.  In this episode Danielle talks about the way her life has changed as a result of working with a life coach. By taking time to reflect on who she is, how she shows up in the world with the help of a coach has led her to make more intentional choices and steer her life in the direction she wants and help others in the process.  If you are ready to start workng with a life coach or just want to learn more about the impact that coaching can have in your life visit Danielle's website at www.daniellemccombs.com and schedule a complimentarty exploritory session.     

Though the average person is not likely to hit the Powerball in their lifetime, financial health and freedom is attainable as long as you heed this wake up call and realize that financial ignorance is not bliss. In this episode, Danielle and Kristy talk with financial expert Kimberlee Davis about why you should care for your financial health with the same effort you put into your physical health, the importance of being open and transparent about money in a relationship, and how societal norms around gender roles can put women at a financial disadvantage even when they are the breadwinner in a household. Book: The Fiscal Feminist ***If you are looking for a coach to help you on your self-development journey, you can hire Danielle. Book a free exploratory session at www.daniellemccombs.com

Workplace communication is a skill and skills get better with practice. This is great news. It means that no matter where you are in terms of communication ability, you can improve. In this episode, Kristy shares the 10,000 hour rule, the difference between practice and intentional practice, and a sports example of dramatic improvement without investing more time practicing and instead paying better attention.   If you wish that meetings were more effective and more fun? Join Better Meetings starting November 7th. Seven days to get better meetings. www.kristyolinger.com/meetings   If your team struggles with communication, you can hire me as your facilitator. I teach workshops and design team development programs that give you the strategies to communicate better together. Contact Kristy for more information about available workshops and consulting. Follow on Instagram @KO.Communication Follow on TikTok @KO.Communication

Nicole Kalil was playing an Oscar-worthy performance as a confident leader at a fortune 100 finance company while on the inside she was having a totally different experience. Now she is a confidence sherpa, leading people to discover how to build their own confidence. In this episode we talk about how to grow the trust in ourselves, letting go of the idea of being all things to all people, and why the hard moments are magic. Website: www.nicolekalil.com Book: Validation is for Parking   **** Are you looking for a coach to help you on your self-development journey? You can hire Danielle. Book a free consultation at www.daniellemccombs.com   

The podcast turns 3 today! In this mini-episode we reflect on lessons learned and talk about the future. We announce a format change. In addition to our regular episodes, which we launch every other week, Danielle and Kristy will be doing shorter, solo episodes. In these episodes Kristy will share workplace communication strategies and Danielle will share insights from life coaching.   ** If you need a coach to help you on your journey of self-discovery, you can hire Danielle. Danielle McCombs Coaching

Inclusive Teaming is not defined by a team with differences, but by a team that actively and productively manages those differences—a team that is in the habit of Inclusion. In this episode, we talk with Kimberley Lewis Parsons and Shea O’Neil Adelson about the team norms that detract from inclusion and what to do instead. We are all part of teams, wether it’s a neighborhood association, the PTO, a sports team, or a traditional work team… there are valuable actions that you can do as a group to amplify inclusivity. Learn them in this episode. *** Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com/challenge to learn how to gain the confidence to live a life you love.  Should you need a coach, you can hire Danielle. Find her at www.daniellemccombs.com  

Today’s leaders need more than power and control to get the best from their teams; they need to connect. In this episode Michelle K. Johnston shares powerful findings based on interviews with leaders around the globe that shows how leaders' ability to connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations defines their ultimate success—or failure. It’s a seismic shift in leadership… do you (or your boss) need a retrofit?

You don’t have to be working in commercial real estate to appreciate this episode and learn valuable insights about what it means to raise your hand and lead a volunteer organization. Tiffany English is the immediate past president of CREW Network, an organization that is transforming the commercial real estate industry by advancing women globally. In this episode Tiffany talks about the importance of knowing your why, setting commitments and boundaries, and stepping into a leadership role with the mindset of a life-long learner instead of a mindset of having something to prove.

Maria Belanic lost her oldest son to cancer in 2009 and now serves as a grief specialist with a mission to empower mothers on the roller coaster of grief shifting their experience of brokenness to inner peace. In this episode we discuss what grief is, why it is misunderstood, and what to say (and what not to say) to someone who is grieving. Are you ready to choose your life? Join the 'Choose Your Life' challenge to give you the confidence to life a life you love. www.theopposietofsmalltalk.com/challenge