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

Tim Downs and Dr. Tom Barrett: Speakers, Authors, Communication Trainers, E•www.communicationguys.com

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.

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Episodes

This is For Your Own Good [E84]

How do you offer badly-needed criticism to a co-worker who might not take it well? It’s for his own good, it’s for the company, it’s for the team—but how are you supposed to make your suggestion without setting off a nuclear counterattack? Episode 84 of The Communication Guys podcast is “This is For Your Own Good,” where the Guys suggest five techniques for offering criticism in a way that gets your point across but also keeps the peace.

Apr 16, 2018•29 min•Season 2Ep. 84

How to Make a Boring Topic Fascinating [E83]

Think your product or company could use a little more sizzle? Meet Hollywood editor Marc Elmer, who helped turn the topic of alligator trappers in the Louisiana bayou into the internationally successful TV show “Swamp People.” Episode 83 of The Communication Guys podcast is “How to Make a Boring Topic Fascinating,” where Marc explains to the Guys the techniques that Hollywood professionals use to develop a rabid fan base for even the most unexpected topics.

Apr 09, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 83

The April Fools Episode [E82]

Learning to connect with your world is a serious business—but there’s a lighter side to it too. Episode 82 of The Communication Guys podcast is “The April Fools Episode,” where the Guys lean back, share some laughs, and recall stories from their 35 years of professional speaking experience when things didn’t go quite the way they planned.

Apr 02, 2018•29 min•Season 2Ep. 82

Before and After the Sale [E81]

When most people think of Sales, they focus on the sales presentation itself. But the success of your presentation just might depend on what you do before and after the sale. Episode 81 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Before and After the Sale,” where master salesman Doug Traxler explains to the Guys the often overlooked parts of the sales process that every salesperson needs to remember.

Mar 26, 2018•25 min•Season 2Ep. 81

Spring Cleaning for Communicators [E80]

This week marks the first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere, a time to clean out those dust bunnies and cobwebs that have accumulated over the winter. It’s a good time to clean out some bad communication habits too. Episode 80 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Spring Cleaning for Communicators,” where the Guys describe five ways to eliminate those old bad habits and identify your most promising areas for growth and improvement.

Mar 19, 2018•26 min•Season 2Ep. 80

How to Keep Blarney Out of Your Communication [E79]

Sometimes our desire to tell a great story tempts us to embellish it a little—or as the Irish would say, to allow a “wee bit o’ blarney” to creep in. But if those embellishments turn out to be untrue, your credibility suffers. Episode 79 of The Communication Guys podcast is “How to Keep Blarney Out of Your Communication,” where the Guys describe five ways to remain ethical and compelling at the same time.

Mar 12, 2018•28 min•Season 2Ep. 79

Recipe for a Great Presentation [E78]

Every chef knows that it helps to have all the ingredients at hand before you start a creative new recipe, and preparing a great presentation is no different. Episode 78 is “Recipe for a Great Presentation,” where the Guys describe eight essential ingredients to make sure you gather before you write that next presentation.

Mar 05, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 78

Crucial Conversations, Part 2 [E77]

What can you do when a conversation starts to turn angry or offensive? Today’s Communication Guys podcast is Part 2 of “Crucial Conversations,” where the Guys continue their interview with master trainer Justin Hale from VitalSmarts . In this episode, Justin gives 4 questions to ask yourself that can turn the tide whenever a conversation begins to go bad.

Feb 26, 2018•23 min•Season 2Ep. 77

Crucial Conversations, Part 1 [E76]

Have you ever had a discussion where the stakes were high, opinions varied, and emotions were running strong? In today’s Communication Guys podcast the Guys interview master trainer Justin Hale from VitalSmarts, the organization responsible for the best-selling book, “Crucial Conversations.” In this two-part interview, Justin explains how you can have a productive discussion even when passions are high.

Feb 19, 2018•24 min•Season 2Ep. 76

Everybody Has a Story [E75]

Who is the most fascinating person you ever met? The world is filled with interesting people with fascinating stories to tell, if we would only take the time to ask and listen. Episode 75 of The Communication Guys podcast is “Everybody Has a Story,” where the Guys give 5 tips for expanding your world by becoming a master story listener .

Feb 12, 2018•28 min•Season 2Ep. 75

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