When Keith Rovinelli applied to be a firefighter, he expected to leave his uninspiring day job behind to follow in his father’s footsteps. But during the firefighter application process something unexpected happened. Keith started a new job in HR, using a different set of skills to serve people through supporting their development, which he found rewarding and fulfilling. When the offer came in from the fire company, instead of choosing one path, Keith designed a plan that would enable him to serve both organizations in an impactful way. In this episode Danielle and Kristy talk with Keith about what it’s like to have two careers, how they contribute to each other, and what to do if you are interested in a dual-career path.

This win at all costs, never show weakness, don’t ask for help style of masculinity is not serving us well. It causes division and keeps us separate. This is because in unhealthy masculinity, the need to dominate causes lack of willingness to listen openly to others and an inability to connect on a human level. There is another way. In this episode Christopher Veal, the author of The Whole Man, joins Danielle and Kristy to talk about what it means to be a Whole Man and how as a society we can evolve masculinity. Book: The Whole Man; Evolving Masculinity by Christopher Veal

Have you ever wanted to change something about your life and struggled to take the leap? Then this episode is for you. From being a native New Yorker who packed up her life and moved to San Francisco in 2016, to more recently transitioning out of a 20 year career in commercial real estate to become a Co-Active Institute trained coach, Danielle McCombs is no stranger to big life changes. In this episode Kristy interviews Danielle about her experience with change; how she got off auto-pilot to live more intentionally, the role of intuition, and how this podcast and our amazing guests sparked the idea for a career path more aligned with her values. If you’re ready to live a more intentional and fulfilling life, schedule a free exploratory coaching session here: www.daniellemccombs.com

Pictures, models and frameworks, metaphors, and storytelling are all ways we can communicate ideas visually. In this episode, Kristy and Danielle talk with Todd Cherches about the importance of visual thinking and communication and explore the tools, tips, and techniques that help turn your vision into reality.  

Filter Quality (FQ) is how well an individual can prioritize what deserves their response and what doesn’t. Danielle and Kristy talk with Dr. John Tuders about why filtering is so important and how to apply a process including a personalized set of filtering questions to any situation to make better decisions about what deserves your most precious and finite resource… your time.

In this episode Elena Sonnino shares insights about how to inhabit your joy using small nudges. A nudge, according to Elena, is a pattern disruptor that meets you where you are and helps you to take a step forward. It turns your walls into windows or doorways. The best part is, nudges are easily accessible. At the end of the interview, Danielle challenges Kristy to complete a week of these nudge activities. With the magic of editing, Kristy reports back on her experience at the end of this episode.

n this episode we get curious about understanding masculine and feminine energy and finding your feminine genius with career coach and spiritual guide Gina Marotta. We all have both masculine and feminine energy and while a healthy state is an integration of the two everyone has a home-base energy that is where they are their best selves. Those with a feminine home-base can feel unfulfilled in masculine spaces. Finding your feminine genius is about identifying your natural born talent… which will bring you joy, ease, and fulfillment. You can get Gina's tools to access your feminine genius (heart meditation, genius reflection practice, and oracle card reading) and learn about individual coaching and corporate training programs with Gina at www.ginamarotta.com.

Are you curious about a career change but feeling like it means walking away from all that you’ve accomplished so far? What if that idea couldn’t be further from the truth? In this episode Monique Valcour, executive coach and speaker, shares the mindset shifts we need to make career changes that align with our values and interests and bring us what we want in both our career and life. We also talk about the four components of a stable career and why creating and sharing your career story is important. This topic hits home for Danielle and Kristy, who have both made significant career changes in at the start of this year.

The meaning of work has been forever changed by our experiences over the last couple of years. Now more than ever, there is broader recognition of the importance of wellbeing to help individuals and businesses thrive. Danielle and Kristy talk with Mari Ryan, author and speaker, about workplace wellness and what individuals and companies can do to ignite engagement and fuel results.

Prior to recording our episode together, we had a blast with Linda Ugelow as she took us through some vocal warm up exercises. We are sharing this session so that you can listen and practice along with us. Save it for your next big work presentation or practice every morning so that you're ready to speak as you move through the day. Enjoy!

Have you experienced stress and anxiety around speaking? Maybe you’ve found ways to cope with it so that you can do the work presentation or give a toast at an important event. But what would it be like if you could move past the fear and actually enjoy time in the limelight? In this episode Linda Ugelow, an author and speaking empowerment coach, shares the Inner Freedom Framework that helps her clients go from anxious speakers to delighting in the limelight. Be sure to check out the bonus companion episode, where Linda takes us through some vocal warm ups. Download and practice along with us so that you’re ready to speak up when it matters.

Danielle and Kristy talk with Dr. Elia Gourgouris, the happiness doctor, about the paths to lasting happiness. We contemplate being grateful in the midst of adversity, why forgiveness equals freedom, and the influence of our personal brand on our lives. Later, Kristy shares a new strategy for journaling and how it has changed the volume and content of her daily journal practice.

At just 7 years old Guy Mercandante started gambling at his parent’s neighborhood poker game. By the time he was 9, he was memorizing cards and winning games with older teenagers while smoking and drinking coffee. As the years went on, the stakes got higher as he gambled in all night games while maintaining multiple day jobs. At 26, with the encouragement of his brother, Guy went into recovery and became a non-gambling compulsive gambler. In this episode Guy shares his experience and thoughts about why an addiction recovery anniversary date can be a dangerous thing, how the concept of higher-power is helpful when you can’t trust your own will, and why rainy days and Mondays get addicts down.

In this episode we are talking about The Great Resignation, and how we should be calling it The Great Realization. While there has been much published on the topic, Mike believes that we are talking about the wrong things. It's not about compensation, benefits, or even flexibility.... it's about giving employees autonomy, development opportunities, and human compassion. We need to stop asking "why are they resigning?" and come to a realization about how to be the types of leaders that prioritize helping people reach their potential.

When you have a physical ailment, it’s natural to focus on finding a physical solution. But you are so much more that just a physical being. You are emotional and social and intellectual and more. In this episode Danielle and Kristy talk with Dr. Tomi Mitchell, a physician and a Mental Health & Wellness Coach, about holistic wellness. We cover what burnout looks like, ideas to care for all aspects of your wellness, and how to encourage others in your life to do the same. Later in the episode Kristy and Danielle discuss the idea of doing a retrospective on the calendar year and the method of stop, start, continue.

In this episode Danielle and Kristy talk with Janese Murray, a thought leader in the field of diversity and inclusion, about race in the United States. We touch on critical race theory; what it is, what it isn’t, and what you can do about it. We talk about why laws are important but not enough, and how personal stories can make big impacts in the hearts and minds of individuals. The outlook is optimistic, some days… but culture change is a long game and it can be tough to know if it's going well. Ironically, resistance can be a signal that we're on the right track. Follow us on Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk

If you think that working hard is enough to ensure career success, you’re missing a big piece of the pie. Susan M. Barber, the author of The Visibility Factor, shares how a pivotal conversation with her mentor opened her eyes to the importance of visibility and changed the trajectory of her career. In this episode we talk about what it means to be visible at work and why it’s important, Sue shares the process that worked for her, and we discuss how to embrace visibility in a way that works for you. Later, Kristy and Danielle talk about new research from Journal of Personality and Social Psychology about deep conversation and why we should consider initiating the opposite of small talk, even with strangers.

As children we have a natural tendency towards the superpowers of curiosity, resilience, authenticity, compassion, and playfulness. Somewhere along the way, the customs of adulthood lead us to prioritize efficiency and control. In this episode, we talk with Lynae Steinhagen, co-author of the new book The Five Lost Superpowers. We talk about appreciative inquiry (looking for what is working), the lifelong practice of ‘both/and’, and the importance of understanding your locus of control. We also all share the advice we would give to our younger selves. Later, Kristy retracts her opinion around the book Untamed and shares a funny story about knowing yourself.

Confucius told us that if we choose a job we love, we’ll never work another day in our lives. This idea that we need to find our singular passion is a message that starts in our childhood and weighs on us as adults. Terri Trespicio is challenging us to rethink the conventional wisdom around what we need to succeed in her new book, Unfollow Your Passion. In this episode we talk about owning your story, the value of staying in your comfort zone, and why embracing boredom could be your path to creativity and passion.

We’ve all been there. That feeling of complete overwhelm and too much to do, when you say ‘Yes’ to every opportunity that comes towards you. In this episode we talk with Becky Morrison, author and happiness coach, about untangling the mess of your to do list so you can make intelligent decisions on what to let go of and then make better decisions moving forward. We cover why it’s so hard for most people to say no, the ways we can say no, and how to set yourself up to do more of what matters to you and less of all the rest. Later, Kristy shares a life hack about in-person networking in the digital age and we wrap with our pluses and deltas.   Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

When something negative is weighing you down, your first instinct might not be to show gratitude. But that’s exactly what Karl Staib has found helpful in his life and recommends to clients with his Dig to Fly method. Karl is a speaker and coach that helps people understand their struggles and turn them into stepping stones. We talk about reflection and gratitude, meditation and journaling, and the benefits of an evening routine and managing your thoughts right before bed. This is episode 50! We are so thrilled to hit this milestone. We appreciate you for listening and we want to know how to make the next 50 episodes even better. Take the listener survey to share your feedback.

Creativity is our elemental human gift and has been proven to influence resilience, confidence in the face of uncertainty, critical thinking, empathy, and more. Dr. Caroline Brookfield is a speaker who leverages research and data to help audiences realize the value of embracing everyday creativity. In this episode we discuss what creativity is, the benefits of being creative, how our inner critic and fear of judgement hold us back, and the ways to tap into your creative self. Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk

On September 11, 2001, sixteen employees of Baseline Financial Services remained on the 77th and 78th floors of Two World Trade Center not knowing that a second plane targeting the towers was about to crash directly into their offices. Twelve would survive. On this 20th anniversary of that tragic event, Ed Zier, former COO of Baseline joins us to tell the story that day and what followed. It is a true story of leadership amid growth and adversity. Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy have very different approaches to setting goals. We speak with Kelly Travis, a health and success coach, about how she works with clients to help them realize what they actually want for themselves and create a sustainable action plan to achieve their big scary goals. We cover why knowing your core values is foundational to setting goals, how your personality and preferences influence the process, and why to ask yourself ‘why’ you’re even interested in a specific goal in the first place. Through our discussion we recognize that there is not one right way to set goals. You can be a focused checklist person like Kristy or a more flexible achiever like Danielle.

Danielle and Kristy talk to Todd Sylvester, a Mindset Coach for those struggling with with drug or alcohol addiction, anxiety, depression, self-hatred, and more. Todds helps clients to recognize their self-talk bully and replace those thoughts. In this episode we talk about why you should give your negative thoughts a name, how to create a champion playlist of thoughts, and what a Kairos moment is. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person. Knowing your unique core values is a powerful tool to align your time and resources to what is important to you. This helps you let go of things that don't align with your principles so that you feel less overwhelmed. Danielle and Kristy talk about what core values are, why they are important, and how to apply this information in real life. Download the core values activity to discover your core values. Kristy shares an observation about going to the doctor and a life hack about how to call a person’s attention to a negative behavior without actually saying it. Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

Many of us are finding ourselves excited about re-entering the world, while at the same time feeling hesitant. This next phase of the pandemic has brought a new set of circumstances to navigate and questions to ponder. This is a roundtable discussion with Rashanda Udekwu and Amy Bradac about re-entering the world.  Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

43% of women leave the workforce to have children and if they are out for just 3 years they lose 37% of their lifetime compensation power. Danielle and Kristy talk with Ashley Connell, Founder and CEO of Prowess Project, an organization dedicated to helping women re-enter the workforce by providing resources for connection, upskilling, and jobs. We cover other staggering statistics, male allyship, and how dealing with a tantrum-throwing two year old could make you the perfect candidate to manage executive stakeholders. In this episode we also both commit to a new challenge called ‘75 medium’ and discuss a fact check from Episode 42: Childfree by Choice. Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk with Julie Brown about what it is like to be childfree by choice. 48% of women between ages 15 to 44 don’t have kids, yet often childless women face unwelcome commentary and are asked to give an explanation. We talk about the need to normalize being childfree, how not to respond when someone tells you that they’ve chosen to be childless, and exactly how many cats you need to own before earning the title of ‘crazy cat lady’. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Continue the conversation with us on both Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

It’s been just over a year since the death of George Floyd drove our increased awareness of social injustice and of our own white privilege. Big Talk about Whiteness is one of our most downloaded episodes and it was a catalyst for us to be more open to personal conversations… to live up to our name and be willing to engage in more than small talk even when it's uncomfortable. Enjoy this rebroadcast and be sure to check out our other episodes about social justice; confronting bias, black binder, and equity matters. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

Danielle and Kristy talk all about social media. We cover our early experiences, the upsides, and the pitfalls. We argue about the level of responsibility that tech companies should have in helping individuals to avoid social media addiction. Danielle and Kristy also discuss the inaugural 30-day Growth Mindset challenge that wrapped up this week.  Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk about psychological safety with Nils Davis, an author, trainer, and podcast host in the field of Product Management. We talk about what psychological safety is and why it’s important. Nils provides a series of practical tips to build psychological safety with others. We also talk about how to have psychological safety with yourself and why you might want to stop using self-deprecating humor. Danielle and Kristy geek out over their favorite podcasters reinforcing the primary philosophy of this podcast about how to live your best life. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Michelle Anne Johnson, a consultant and facilitator that helps leaders prepare for high-visibility presentations with her research based framework, the ACP Presence model. We talk about what authenticity means, barriers people face in being authentic, and how authenticity is an ongoing practice… particularly since we grow and evolve over time. Danielle shares a productivity life hack that has been working for her. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Dan Allbaugh, a game enthusiast and author of the children’s book The Gritty Little Lamb. We talk about how everyone can learn new things from playing games, what it means to have a growth mindset, and the value of the word ‘yet’. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Christina McFadden, an experiential facilitator who uses improv to teach leadership. We talk bout the rules of improv and applying them to how you show up as a leader. We do an improve activity related to compliments. Christina challenges Danielle and Kristy to know what delights each other as part of working together. Christina also shares some highlights of her travels. She has been to all 50 US states and 30 countries. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Janelle Scales, an anti-bias consultant, about confronting bias. It was an honest conversation about recognizing your own bias and how to work on changes internally and externally. We covered several examples of how marginalized groups are denied access through systemic issues as well as long standing biases that need to be challenged. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Danielle Bayard Jackson, author, podcast host, and certified coach specializing in female friendships. We talk about what a tough love friendship is, how to sustain friendships, and what Dunbar says about the cognitive cap on the number of friendships you can reasonably maintain. Kristy and Danielle also ponder what a mid-life crisis is and talk about plusses and deltas. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Elaine Blais, Life Coach, Author, Speaker and passionate encourager. We talk about self-doubt and how noticing without judgment can be a powerful catalyst for change. Kristy shares a life hack for when you are streaming shows and movies. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Stacey Shipman, a facilitator that encourages people to relinquish the formal protocols that are stifling our personality and ideas. We talk about what it means to be bold and the conditions that create the boldness needed to move through transition without losing yourself. Danielle shares a life hack about staying connected with friends. Stay in touch on Instagram and Facebook @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Dr. Kara Strauss, a doctor of physical therapy who takes a holistic approach to patient care that empowers people with the knowledge and understanding of their own bodies so they can live to their maximum potential. We cover how accumulated stress presents as all kinds of pain in the body, why breathing is so special, and you can befriend your bear with acknowledgement, movement, bonding and more. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy review the past year, answer listener questions, and look to the future. This episode was recorded live on Dec 30, 2020 in The Opposite of Small Talk facebook group.  Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

Danielle and Kristy talk to Katie Grimes, an International Sober Dating Coach, about love addiction and why she doesn’t want you to be “drunk in love.” We talk about the ways love addiction can manifest in your life, the difference between chemistry and connection, and how to move forward to find healthy relationships. Also in this episode, we get curious about why single people don’t tend to include pictures in holiday cards and Kristy shares a holiday card related life hack. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

This episode features Tovah Cook. Tovah is an accomplished brand creative leader who seeks justice in her daily work. She personally felt the pain and suffering of her Black brothers and sisters killed by the police. She began to challenge her peers to focus on actual movement by turning her pain into art.  Tovah created Black Binder, A Notebook for Activists and Accomplices. This is a collection of curated prompts designed to propel anti-racist questions into actions and solutions for black activists and their accomplices. We discuss how to use Black Binder to take action. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to our newsletter to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk

With the holidays coming up and families that may have very differing opinions when it comes to any number of things, we thought it would be a good time to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Michael Bryant is our guest, known for helping people get 'unstuck', today he's lending his wisdom to help us improve our relationships when we disagree.  Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

Crazy busy isn’t a badge of honor, it’s a warning sign. Danielle and Kristy talk with productivity mentor Judy Dang about the factors that lead us into a frenzied crazy busy state. While it can sometimes be inefficiencies in how we work or mismatched skill sets, it can just a as easily be things like comparison and people pleasing that cause us to say yes to too much. We talk about the mindset shifts and practical tips to help you calm the crazy and settle into a feeling of enoughness. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

We talk with Mary Jury, an experienced consultant, coach, and certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator about what it means to be resilient and the importance of being radically responsible for what you are attracting in your life. Danielle and Kristy celebrate the 1 year anniversary of starting the podcast. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to our newsletter to receive show notes by email.  Follow us on FB and IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk Email us any time at [email protected]

We interview Cheryl China, a Senior Vice President at Citizens Bank who despite career success found herself sometimes feeling like a fraud. Cheryl discovered that these feelings are normal and they even have a name, imposter syndrome. Kristy shares her experience doing a 24-hour marathon. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes and announcements by email.  Join our Facebook Community group to continue the discussion!

We couldn’t resist the irony of dedicating an episode to small talk. You may be surprised to learn that despite the title of the podcast we both feel like small talk is an important part of building connections with people. In this episode our expert is Debra Fine, the author of The Fine Art of Small Talk. We talk about what small talk is, why it’s important, and Debra shares some of her best tips. Also in this episode, Kristy reports back on her challenge to watch the news. Visit us at www.theoppositeofsmalltalk.com and subscribe to receive show notes and announcements by email.  Follow us on IG @theoppositeofsmalltalk Join our Facebook Community group to continue the discussion!