Hey Reader, I can't tell you how many times I've watched a hard conversation fall apart before it ever gets going. In this week's episode, I'm breaking down the 3 biggest mistakes people make in hard conversations, and how to fix each one. Here’s what’s in this episode: Why "always" and "never" turn any conversation into an argument about accuracy Why the more you explain a "no," the less it sounds like one Why the first seven seconds aren't about your words (and what to do when they go...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, I'm headed to Nebraska this week. Apparently it's known as the Tree Planters' State, which is right up my alley. I love trees. They remind me that the best things in life take time and outlive you. Same goes for the work you're putting into better conversations. Alright, let’s get into it. Here are this week’s 3 things: an inbox question, a communication tip, and something I’m currently loving. #1. From My Inbox: “What's the difference between setting a boundary and being...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, This week's guest, Emma Grede, is one of the most charming people I've ever met. She's also someone you don't mess around with. In this episode, Emma and I talk about what it means to be ambitious as a woman, and why she doesn't "watch what she says." Here's what we cover: Why work-life balance is a myth (and what to focus on instead) The "old thought vs. new thought" framework that will shift how you see your career Why imposter syndrome is fake (and how her mom made sure she...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, I'll be on tour in Australia and New Zealand this July. Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. Melbourne's first show is already sold out. If you're in the area, grab your tickets now. Here we go. #1. From My Inbox: "How do I communicate with someone who's hurt but refuses to talk about it?" Stop trying to get them to talk. The harder you push, the higher the wall goes. Instead, drop the rope. Your job isn't to get answers now. It's to make it safe to answer later. Swap...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Most people think having the hard conversation is what changes the relationship. It doesn't. Avoiding it does. In this week's podcast episode, I'm breaking down why the conversation you keep putting off is already costing you and exactly how to have it. Here's what you’ll learn: Why staying silent is changing things more than speaking up ever would Why "start with the end" cuts the anxiety out of a hard conversation before it even starts The mindset I use before every difficult...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, The response to the new format has been amazing — thank you. Again this week I'll answer another inbox question, give a communication tip, and share something I'm currently loving. Let’s jump into our 3 things: #1. From My Inbox: "How do I keep my emotions from hijacking high-stakes conversations?" What do you do when your boss questions your judgment in in a team meeting? Your face likely gets hot. Your chest tightens. You open your mouth and whatever comes out has twice the...
22 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Have you ever questioned the meaning of your life? I sat down with Arthur Brooks, a behavioral scientist at Harvard, happiness researcher, and author of The Meaning of Your Life. What I thought would be a conversation about happiness turned into one of the most meaningful hours I've had in a long time. He told me some things I haven't been able to shake. We talked about marriage, faith, imposter syndrome, and the one conversation Arthur witnessed on a plane that changed the entire...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, This week on a run, I realized I've made a lot of progress on my goal to move more. It wasn't fast or flashy. Just a little more each time. I'm a firm believer that's how most real progress works. Not in leaps, but in small shifts that build on each other. That goes for communication too, and it's what I want you to focus on today. Let’s jump into our 3 things this week: #1. From My Inbox: "How do I respectfully express an opposing view without creating tension?" When you disagree...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That’s not what I meant...” It’s usually because you weren’t clear. You were trying to be understood without being direct. In this week’s podcast episode, I’m showing you how to say what you mean without overexplaining, rambling, or hoping people figure it out. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why trying to sound nice can water down what you really mean How to stop rambling and land your point the first time The 3-part...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read