SPEAK LIKE A CEO

As a leader, most of your time should go to communicating. The problem starts when there’s no room left for the work that moves the needle. Dr. Christian Poensgen, co-author of Ultraproductive, has spent the last decade researching how to sustain peak performance without burning out. He shares three pillars of an ultraproductive life that help even the busiest leaders double their output without working more. You’ll learn how to get into deep focus, sleep better, and calm your nervous system in seconds. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:58) The 3 Pillars (02:42) Balancing Focus and Communication (06:22) Focus Optimization (10:10) Why Flow Feels Lousy (13:48) Sleep Optimization (17:53) Stress Optimization (19:40) Good Stress vs. Bad Stress (21:48) Calm Your Nervous System (25:02) Why Downtime Feels Stressful (29:34) Double Your Productivity (31:15) Zoom Fatigue Ultraproductive: The 90-Minute Method to Optimize Focus, Sleep, and Stress Book: https://ultra-labs.com/book/ Get the Presentation Planner Oliver…

Bad bosses, toxic politics, people fighting for promotions. One in four employees works in a broken hierarchy, and the real number is probably higher. Nir Halevy, Stanford professor and author of Level Up, says that flattening the org chart isn't the answer. In this episode, he gives the three signs of a dysfunctional hierarchy, explains his CPR model for repairing it, and shares one thing you can start doing tomorrow. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:52) Why Hierarchy Still Exists (03:07) Flattening the Org Chart (05:11) The Warning Signs (08:28) The Fix (10:50) Co-Leadership (12:31) Who Deserves to Rise (15:43) Humor and Connection (19:46) The Dangerous Precedent (21:49) AI vs. Middle Managers (25:58) Improve Your Hierarchy (27:08) The Truth About Silence Level Up Book: https://basic-venture.com/titles/nir-halevy/level-up/9781541705739/ 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller…

Logic can make your case. A story makes people act. This episode breaks down why numbers, slides, and dashboards aren't what it takes to tell a story that does. You'll learn simple three-step structures Oliver has used with over 300 CEOs, and the mistakes many leaders make on the way to becoming storytellers. Download Oliver’s free 21 Storytelling Frameworks guide: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:51) Where Decisions Really Happen (04:14) What Makes a Story (05:18) Stories in Business (06:51) The Entertainment Trap (07:45) The One-Size-Fits-All Mistake (09:01) Problem, Solution, Benefit (10:23) Goal, Problem, Solution (10:54) Excite, Disturb, Assure (12:38) Become a Story Collector 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MjPtegbC6wSmLWG6Nqjvy • 308: Confidence on Command…

You have town halls, frequent Slack updates, and an annual survey. Your team is still disengaged. Oliver Aust has helped over 300 CEOs communicate with their teams, and found that disengagement usually traces back to systems, not people. In this episode, he shares the method that keeps teams engaged and aligned, whether you lead five people or a company of 100,000. The side effect: fewer meetings and more clarity for you and your team. Download Oliver’s guide to the Push-Pull Method, plus 99 more cheat sheets to become a top 1% communicator: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/100-cheat-sheets ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:38) The Illusion of Communication (01:26) The Fix: Push-Pull Exchange (01:53) Step One: Push (02:11) The 1-Minute Friday Video (03:04) Step Two: Pull (03:39) Step Three: Exchange (04:11) Who to Invite (05:08) The Impact 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller…

“Ich bin ein Berliner." Four words. 450,000 people. The most memorable speech ever given – and a 5-step system you can steal for your own signature talk. Get Oliver’s 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver Kennedy had Ted Sorensen, the best speechwriter of his generation. You don't have a speechwriting team, and after this video you won't need one. Oliver breaks down exactly what made JFK's 1963 Berlin speech land the way it did – and how to apply the same moves to your business or career in about 15 minutes. What you'll learn: The single message every great speech is built around How to structure a talk as emotional architecture, not a list of points The hook technique JFK and MLK both used to make words stick Why every powerful story needs an enemy, and how to pick yours The small, human moves that connect you with any audience (yes, including the doughnut myth)

Does your team know the best channel to reach you? What time you'll actually respond? What you need to make a decision? In this episode, Oliver Aust walks through the seven points of his How to Work With Me Guide that's helped over 300 CEOs take the guesswork out of their teams. It takes just five minutes to make, and will give everyone hours back every week. Download Oliver’s How to Work With Me Guide, plus 99 more that help you become a top 1% communicator: ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:59) Who Needs the Guide (01:38) Timing (02:13) Channels (03:18) Format (04:18) Meetings (04:58) Style (05:46) Decisions (06:28) Feedback (07:08) The Three Cs (07:38) Quirks (08:42) Make It Happen 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MjPtegbC6wSmLWG6Nqjvy • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host:…

Your presentations are high stakes moments. You spend days on them, but most of the time, everything is forgotten by tomorrow. Oliver shows you how you can create a presentation in minutes while doubling your impact. He reveals why most presentations are boring and forgettable, and the simple trick that allows you to present so that people take notes and you get what you want out of your talk. Get the Perfect Presentation Planner​ Oliver uses to coach executives from boring fact-tellers to magnetic speakers: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner ⏰ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:43 The 3 biggest mistakes 02:26 The 3 levels of speaking 03:17 Start with these questions 04:04 Create your presentation in minutes 07:39 Fill it with life 10:48 Science of slides 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDLepEQ9smw • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhs6fvtiJig • 308: Confidence on Command…

Micromanage and you lose your time. Step back and you lose the quality. Delegate correctly and you keep both. Oliver Aust has helped over 300 CEOs become master communicators, and delegation is often one of the first things they tackle. In this episode, he walks through his four-step delegation system designed to fix the handover boomerang, help you and your team get 10x more done, and give you your time and headspace back. Download Oliver’s four-step CEO delegation system, plus 99 more that help you become a top 1% communicator: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/100-cheat-sheets ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:53) Step 1: Filter (02:33) Step 2: Match The Level (04:19) Step 3: Brief (06:24) Step 4: Own (06:53) 10-80-10 Rule (08:41) Send It Back (10:25) The Delegation Trap 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MjPtegbC6wSmLWG6Nqjvy • 308: Confidence on…

Attention isn't something you win once. You have to earn it back every two minutes. This episode explains the three reasons audiences drift, even when the topic is good and the speaker is better, and 10 moves that reset the room. Oliver has helped over 300 CEOs become master communicators, and these are the hooks he gives them to re-engage an audience. Download all 10 hooks as a cheat sheet, plus 99 more that help you become a top 1% communicator: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/100-cheat-sheets ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:13) Why Audiences Tune Out (03:14) Ask The Unanswered Question (03:45) Say Something Surprising (04:27) Make Them Imagine (05:13) Ask One Person (05:35) Force A Decision (06:15) Tell A Story (06:55) Use Humor (07:24) Show, Don't Tell (08:06) Power Of The Pause (08:57) Change Your Voice 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller…

How do you become a top 1% leader on LinkedIn? All it takes is one hour a week. Oliver's Oliver is a LinkedIn Top Voice and LinkedIn Learning instructor with an audience that’s bigger than that of the CEOs of Ikea, Caterpillar, and Toyota combined. His PACE method takes your LinkedIn profile from a basic online CV to the most powerful business card you own. In this episode, he breaks down four elements of a true leadership profile, how to write an About section that people actually read, and what makes content stop the scroll. Oliver's Mastering Communications As a Leader course is free with LinkedIn Premium: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/mastering-communications-as-a-leader-45181615 ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:50) Three Ways You're Perceived (03:25) Build Your Profile (04:54) Simon Sinek's "About" Formula (06:27) Know Your Audience (07:10) Two Ways to Grow (09:34) How Often to Post (10:26) Two Types Of Content (11:39) Stop the Scroll (13:22) Avoid AI Slop (14:01) Engage Your Audience 🎧More…

The first sentence of your speech is doing more work than the next twenty. Don't leave it to chance — your opening should be the last thing you improvise, and the first thing you plan. This episode covers the four jobs of every successful opening and eight killer openings that do them all. Learn which one to reach for in which room, so you can grab your audience's attention from the very first second. Download Oliver's 100 Cheat Sheets for killer openings: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/100-cheat-sheets ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:17) Why First Words Stick (01:42) The Four Jobs (02:15) Script Only This (02:32) Positive or Negative (04:03) The Ice Cream Cone (04:24) The Sledgehammer (04:57) The Riddle (05:23) Startling Statistic (05:55) Historical Reference (06:18) The Vision (06:34) The Story (06:59) Personal Revelation (07:54) Which Opening To Pick 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best…

Speak slowly, be on message, work on your soft skills — you've probably heard this advice a hundred times. Elite communicators do the opposite. This episode counts down 10 pieces of outdated communication advice that are actually hurting your career. Oliver shares what works now, from common techniques that can easily backfire to making your message stick in the age of AI. Download Oliver’s free 21 Storytelling Frameworks guide: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:52) Speak Slowly (02:32) Tell Them Three Times (03:36) One Slide Per Minute (05:03) Use a Teleprompter (06:37) Be On Message (07:20) Fake It Till You Make It (08:28) The Feedback Sandwich (10:26) Don't Show Emotions (11:08) Logic Wins (12:18) Work on Soft Skills 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 308:…

Losing your cool = losing credibility. So how do you respond like a leader when you're being criticized? Most people react in one of four ways, but none of them are effective. In this episode, you'll learn seven powerful ways to de-escalate conflict, protect your relationships, and earn respect. The next time you're criticized, you'll know how to respond with confidence — not emotion. Download 100 Cheat Sheets to Make You a Top 1% Communicator: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/100-cheat-sheets ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:48) Four Wrong Reactions (03:11) Respond vs. React (05:11) The Seven Power Phrases 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ 📩Newsletter Host:…

Audiences know when you're a weak speaker. The question is: do you? This episode breaks down seven signs of being a weak speaker — most of which you're probably guilty of without realizing. Oliver shares a fast fix for each sign so you can stop losing rooms you should be winning. Download Oliver’s free 21 Storytelling Frameworks guide: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:41) Sign 7: Filler Words (02:05) Sign 6: Unclear Ideas (02:57) Sign 5: The "So What?" (03:57) Sign 4: Nobody's Taking Notes (05:55) Sign 3: Speak in Quotes (07:26) Sign 2: Practice Delivery (09:01) Sign 1: Fact-Telling (10:51) Score Yourself 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host:…

What's better than being listened to? Being remembered — and one of the best ways to be unforgettable is to speak in quotes. This episode shows you how to borrow the best lines from others without stealing them, and how to create your own quotes that stick using the three C's every memorable quote has in common. Get this right and one idea can follow you for years to come. Download Oliver’s 100 Cheat Sheets to learn how to speak in quotes: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/100-cheat-sheets ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:32) Be Quotable (01:54) Collect Quotes (03:47) Is It Stealing? (04:18) Create Your Own (04:55) What Makes Quotes Stick (08:11) Build Your Portfolio 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host:…

Some leaders speak and the room leans in. For others, the audience tunes them out in seconds. In this episode, Oliver joins Mo Bunnell on his podcast Real Relationships Real Value to break down the seven psychological forces that decide whether people listen to you. You’ll hear how to build trust faster than most leaders think possible, why clarity beats complexity in every conversation, and the simple framework Oliver uses to prepare presentations that move people to action in minutes, not hours. Subscribe to Mo’s podcast for more conversations like this one: https://open.spotify.com/show/7rwiK1CzEJ3oShg46JrIuO ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:38) The Hidden Bottleneck (03:28) Communication as Leverage (06:48) Force 1: Clarity (08:54) Force 2: Value (12:08) Force 3: Connection (14:59) Force 4: Fear (18:29) Force 5: Differentiation (23:55) Force 6: Trust (27:17) Force 7: Framing & Priming (34:45) How to Prepare in Minutes (37:17) 3 Levels of Speakers (43:00) The Hook (52:00) Make It About Them 🎧More…

It's not how good your idea is. It's how clear it is. This episode breaks down the Clarity Code — Oliver Aust's system that's helped 300+ CEOs communicate even the most complex ideas. You'll hear the three clarity killers most leaders unknowingly commit, the five techniques that make any idea 10x clearer, and the three tests that will instantly tell you whether your message will actually land. Get this right and you'll be the clearest person in any room. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:49) Three Clarity Killers (04:30) Five Techniques for 10x Clarity (07:49) Three Clarity Tests 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21…

Twenty experts. Twenty answers. One question: what's your single best piece of communications advice? In this special episode, you'll hear from twenty of the world's top communicators — including Adam Galinsky, Nancy Duarte, Bill McGowan, Will Storr, Mark Victor Hansen, and Stephen M.R. Covey. Their advice will help you become someone people trust, follow, and never stop listening to. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:38) Nancy Duarte (01:30) Thomas Erikson (01:38) Joshua Bandoch (02:04) Bill McGowan (03:19) Kate Mason (04:40) Mark Bowden (06:35) Will Storr (06:59) Allison Shapira (07:08) Chris Fenning (07:32) Nir Eyal (08:09) Andy J. Pizza (10:35) Mark Victor Hansen (11:51) Tyler Denk (12:56) Ashley Herd (13:51) Adam Galinsky (14:08) Angus Fletcher (15:03) Stephen M.R. Covey (20:24) Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane (21:09) Paul Propster (21:56) Mo Bunnell 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best…

What really motivates people? Most leaders think money or ambition, but it's something far more powerful: story and status. In this episode, bestselling author Will Storr (The Status Game, The Science of Storytelling) unpacks how stories quietly shape who we follow, what we buy, and who we trust. He shares why the most effective messages in history are only a few words long, the three-act structure behind every story that moves people, and the villain trap that destroys leaders in a crisis. Plus, learn why the leaders who lean on AI risk losing the one thing that actually motivates their teams. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:50) Two Worlds We Live In (04:35) The Underdog Archetype (07:48) Part Ape, Part Ant (09:30) You're Always Signaling (11:05) Connection Beats Money (12:31) Group vs. Individual Status (14:46) Competence Space (15:45) Identity Sells (21:16) Atomic Statements (23:30) The Three-Act Structure (28:55) Don't Be the Villain (30:36) Understand Their Story World Connect with Will Storr:…

Leadership isn't management. Management tells people what to do; leadership gets them to want to follow. Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul, says the difference is a great story. In this episode, he shares the one thing every leader has to sell, how to fight the negativity bias that pulls most leaders under, and why the biggest goals are often the easiest to reach. You'll walk away with a new definition of leadership, success, and legacy. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:52) Leadership is Storytelling (03:00) Fight Negativity Bias (06:09) Program Your Mind (08:51) Come From the End Result (12:51) Buckminster Fuller (15:53) Storytelling Plus Action (17:48) Talk Prep (21:24) Master Communication Connect with Mark Victor Hansen: https://markvictorhansen.com/ 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 308:…

The science of persuasion has nothing to do with logic. Most people try to "win" with better arguments — and Joshua Bandoch, author of How to Get What You Want, says that's exactly why they fail. In this episode, he shares a three-step framework for moving people to action. He breaks down how to find the real barrier blocking any "yes," craft a story that persuades your audience, and the surprisingly simple test that tells you if your message will actually land. The result: conversations that end in agreement, not arguments. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:47) What Persuasion Is (01:58) The Persuader's Mindset (04:48) Find Your North Star (05:45) Feelings Over Facts (07:35) Stories That Win (10:14) Build the Story Arc (15:21) Find the Barrier (17:26) Frame It as a Loss (18:38) Persuasion or Manipulation? (19:29) Go Beyond Words (21:24) The Granny Test (24:26) Right or Make a Difference Connect with Joshua Bandoch: https://joshuabandoch.com/ 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas…

If your presentation goes well, your audience will forget 90% of what you said. So, the question is: what's the 1% you want them to remember? Andrea Pacini, author of Timeless Presenter, joins Oliver to ensure you become a confident presenter whose message isn’t forgotten by tomorrow. They unpack why you don't want to start with an agenda or title slide, how to find your 1%, how to work with the brain not against it like most presenters, how you avoid ending up in your audience's spam folder and what the worst thing is you can tell your audience. These principles for memorable communication are the difference between being heard and being remembered. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:36) Spam Folder (01:33) Start with a Promise (03:10) The 1% That Matters (05:01) The One-Word Pitch (06:24) Don't Fight the Brain (07:26) Weakness Is a Strength (09:12) Clear Is Kind (11:23) Creativity Needs a Cage (13:24) Let Your Message Breathe (14:38) Don't "Use" PowerPoint (16:10) Action Over Reach (18:09) Love Your…

What if the way you've been going after bigger opportunities is exactly what's making them harder to land? There are two approaches most leaders take, and they both leave opportunities on the table. Mo Bunnell, one of the world’s leading experts on business development and author of Give to Grow, teaches a third strategy that actually wins the work with less effort. This episode breaks down the difference between doing the work and winning the work, and how making this shift changes the way you run meetings, handle pricing, and ask for referrals. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:32) Doing vs. Winning the Work (04:22) Mistakes That Kill the Pitch (07:37) The IKEA Effect (10:13) Building Credibility (15:57) Storytelling (19:27) Pricing Conversations (21:21) Pricing Options (23:55) Raising Prices (27:15) Asking for Referrals (29:17) Closing Meetings with Momentum (32:04) AI as a Thought Partner Learn more in Mo’s free training course: http://givetogrow.info/ Connect with Mo Bunnell:…

You’ve been trained to stay on message. The problem? “On message” is forgettable. Bill McGowan, author of Speak, Memorably and founder of Clarity Media Group, has spent 25 years coaching executives on how to be memorable, even working with clients like Kim Kardashian and Cookie Monster. In this episode, he breaks down the difference between speakers people remember and speakers people tune out. From how to open your presentation to the physical and verbal techniques that keep people listening, he shares what actually works and what to avoid. ⏰Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Staying on Message 02:15 Be 22x More Memorable 03:30 Keeping Attention 05:09 The 60-Second Rule 08:13 The Three Ps of voice 09:32 Projection and Energy 16:03 Spotting Clichés 18:25 The Magnificent Seven 20:34 What to Do With Your Hands 22:30 Crafting a Memorable Talk 25:01 Kardashians and Cookie Monster 27:33 Reading the Zoom 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson…

Most leaders think their idea will win on merit. It won't. Even NASA could not get funding for a $100 million mission to measure air pollution from space. Not because of the science, but because not enough people believed in it. In this episode, NASA's former Chief Story Architect Paul Propster shares the persuasive framework NASA now uses to win funding for their missions. You'll learn the four-point structure they use to plan their pitches, the simple test Pixar taught them for vetting ideas, and the single insight that will get review boards rooting for your idea instead of picking it apart. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:21) Winning a $100M (04:30) Story Architecting (06:06) NASA’s Credible Messengers (08:58) What Pixar Taught NASA (12:52) 6-Sentence Story Template (14:17) Artemis Moon Program (16:29) Storytelling Through Failure (19:05) Story Architect Circle (23:22) Teaching Authenticity (29:52) Paul’s Best Advice 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316:Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson…

Every platform eventually turns on the brands that built on it. The leaders winning now aren't begging algorithms for reach – they're owning their audience directly. Tyler Denk is doing exactly that. As CEO of beehiiv, he's built a $500K newsletter in five hours a week while running a $30M business with 110 employees across 15 countries. Before that, he was employee number two at famed newsletter Morning Brew, which sold for $75 million. He joins Oliver to unpack why storytelling is now your most important business asset, why your social following may be worth less than you think, and how the best leaders today are the ones who know how to communicate, not just manage. Learn why owning your audience is the most important move leaders can make right now. ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:58) Why platforms are unreliable now (02:23) Power of Newsletters (07:31) Why Storytelling is Key (10:16) Founding beehiiv (13:48) Leading Remote 110 Team (19:39) Creator & CEO Hybrid (21:59) Customer Acquisition in AI Age…

Most leaders avoid AI entirely or let it do all their work. Both are destroying their credibility. In this episode, Oliver sits down with Allison Shapira, Harvard lecturer and author of AI for the Authentic Leader, to discuss why AI is actually making so many leaders worse communicators and leaders. She shares her frameworks and insights on how to write with AI without losing your voice, let it help with your biggest problems, and handle tough conversations. You’ll learn what it really means to be authentic in an AI word, how the AI Authenticity Loop can help you maintain trust, , and how to get started using AI the right way. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) How to use AI strategically (00:40) The AI authenticity loop (03:35) The definition of true authenticity - and where AI fits in (06:24) How to protect trust while using AI (08:52) When and how to use AI for difficult conversations (10:14) Will AI make middle management redundant? (16:31) What leaders are getting wrong about AI (18:41) Three steps…

Meetings, emails, conversations – the reason they all break down is the same: we get the first minute wrong. Chris Fenning, author of The First Minute, literally wrote the book on how to get that first minute right. His frameworks are simple, but they fix the problems most leaders deal with every single day. In this episode, you'll learn how to lead better meetings, write emails that actually get answered, and communicate your point before people tune out. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) 3 questions you must answer in the first minute - and why it matters (00:37) The science behind the first minute (05:22) The GPS framework for getting results (07:36) How to recover when conversations go wrong (11:00) The TPO framework for better meetings (12:38) How to change communication culture in organizations (14:46) When to replace a meeting with something else (18:34) Who to include (and not include) in meetings (21:08) Should you use AI to write your emails? (23:17) How to set communication preferences within…

Boards are now asking one question about every CEO candidate: are they coachable? Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane, leaders of 100 Coaches, pull back the curtain on how elite coaching actually works: what makes someone coachable, what questions to ask, why coaching (almost) always justifies the price tag, and how long it takes to see results. In this episode, they share why the best leaders are coachable and how you can build that skill yourself – plus, the one question every leader should ask themselves if they want to make a bigger impact. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) Who actually needs a coach? (00:47) Why coachability has become a CEO-level skill (01:51) The origin story of 100 Coaches (04:54) How to find the right coach for you (07:18) The most common areas people need coaching (10:56) How long does coaching take to work? (11:59) How coaches use feedback to reveal your blind spots (13:30) Should you suggest coaching to your boss? (18:39) The leadership habits that silently undermine you (20:11)…

Get the Presentation Planner: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner Most leaders spend hours preparing presentations that get mediocre results. They stare at PowerPoint, fill slides with bullet points, and still struggle to connect with their audience. This comprehensive course reveals the exact system Oliver uses with CEOs and founders to cut preparation time in half while doubling impact. You'll learn the three-step framework elite communicators use to plan, practice, and present with confidence. Whether you're pitching to investors, presenting to your board, or leading your team, this course will transform how you communicate. You'll discover how to structure any presentation in minutes, craft messages that stick, and deliver with the confidence of a top 1% presenter. Topics discussed: The objective: becoming a top 1% presenter (00:00) Why presentations matter for leaders (02:15) The three P framework: plan, practice, present (05:30) Seven deadly sins of presenting and how to avoid them…

Here's a hard truth: the people you think are idiots think the exact same thing about you. In this episode, Thomas Erikson, bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots, helps us answer the question: are we really surrounded by idiots or are we simply failing to communicate? He breaks down the four personality types that shape how every person around you behaves and explains exactly how each one thinks, communicates, and needs to be led. You’ll learn the truth about energy vampires, narcissists, and how to protect yourself without sacrificing yourself in the process. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) Why you think you're surrounded by idiots (00:51) The four “colors” of human behavior (04:10) Yellow vs. blue: the communication gap (09:58) How to adapt to different colors (15:03) What each color needs most from their leaders (16:47) How to build your leadership communication skills (18:22) The trap most leaders fall into (23:05) The colors that struggle the most to adapt (28:47) How to deal with energy…

Beliefs can limit us – or liberate us. And most of us are still carrying a few that stop us short of reaching our goals. Our guest Nir Eyal helps us identify and overcome the limiting beliefs that hold us back. Nir is the bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable. He spent the last six years researching the science of motivation for his brand new book Beyond Belief – and what he found explains why even highly motivated leaders limit themselves. He makes a provocative argument: the real limiter isn’t motivation or willpower. It’s belief. Not positive thinking. Not affirmations. Not mantras in front of the mirror. That stuff hardly works. What does work is to treat “beliefs as tools, not truths.” You’ll learn why motivation isn’t about willpower, why confidence collapses under pressure, and how one missing layer – your beliefs – determines whether you persist, command the room, and communicate like a true leader. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) How limiting beliefs hold us back (00:47) Facts vs.…

The communication “rules” most workplaces follow weren’t built for every brain. In this episode, Andy J. Pizza explores how ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence shape the way people think, speak and lead. You’ll hear why entrepreneurship attracts so many neurodivergent thinkers, how to turn these traits into a storytelling advantage, and what leaders can do to support neurodivergent teams so everyone can do their best work. Andy is a bestselling author, speaker, and host of the long-running podcast Creative Pep Talk. He has spent years studying storytelling, creativity, and speaking with ADHD – and built a career on turning different wiring into influence. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) Do neurodivergent people communicate differently? (00:38) Moving from shame to self-acceptance with an ADHD diagnosis (05:15) Masking as a coping mechanism: when it becomes detrimental (10:21) Why many entrepreneurs are neurodivergent (11:59) Neurodivergent work methods and why meaning is so important (15:49) Why…

30 seconds. That’s all you have to win the room – or lose your audience. Oliver Aust is joined by Nancy Duarte. Calling Nancy a guru wouldn’t do her justice. As a persuasion expert, she cracked the code for effectively incorporating story patterns into business communications. She has written six bestselling books including Resonate and DataStory, and has advised some of the highest-performing brands and executives in the world for over three decades. Nancy breaks down the fastest way leaders lose an audience, what actually happens psychologically in the first minute, and the framework elite communicators use to move the audience to action. Topics discussed: What happens in the first 30 seconds (00:00) How leaders can “win the room” (01:21) The fastest way to lose an audience early (03:25) Why leaders struggle with storytelling (04:02) How to turn data into a compelling story (06:21) Moving from informing to driving action (09:05) Why most slides fail and what to do instead (11:45) Why tension matters in…

Same sentence. Different gestures. Totally different message. Your body and the subconscious signals it sends decide whether people find you credible – and it happens in just 10 seconds. In this episode, Mark Bowden, ranked the World’s #1 Communication Keynote Speaker and Body Language Professional, explains the body language rules that shape how the world sees you. You'll learn how to use your hands to build trust, the signals that undermine your message, and why "just be natural" is terrible advice and what to do instead. Topics discussed: The truth about first impressions (00:45) Why body language matters more than words (02:03) The dos and don’ts of making a good first impression (05:51) How the brain interprets facial expressions and body language (12:11) The “$5 million” example (16:43) What changes when you communicate virtually (22:27) A confidence strategy you can use immediately (26:04) Why over preparation backfires (29:45) The presentation shift that makes you more effective (32:45) How leaders…

Micromanager or “easy” boss. Most leaders I meet feel stuck in the middle – they are trying not to be controlling, but also don’t want to be that nice boss people don’t respect. As a result, team communication feels messy and exhausting. Ashley Herd, author of The Manager Method and a former HR boss at McKinsey and Yum Brands, says the solution is cozy joggers leadership – where leaders set clear expectations, provide support, but let people get on with their work. Her three-step framework, Cozy Joggers Leadership approach and practical tips will help you make small changes that have a big impact on how you delegate, communicate with your team, and lead. Topics discussed: How oversized sweatpants leaders are made (00:38) Finding the middle ground: cozy joggers leadership (02:13) The complexity of modern leadership (05:00) The Pause-Consider-Act management method (09:28) The leadership shift that builds true confidence (15:31) What most people miss when delegating (18:06) How to balance empathy with…

When you’re a leader, your words don’t stop with the room. Compliment someone in a meeting? Their partner hears about it that night. Express concern about a deadline? It travels through the team as “we’re in trouble.” Get visibly angry? People are still talking about it weeks later. Adam Galinsky calls this the Leader Amplification Effect, and it helps explain why some leaders inspire while others infuriate — often without realizing it. In this episode, he shares how leaders can build the skill of inspiration through small habits and clear, simple communication. You'll learn actionable strategies that empower your team, help your message land, and make people want to follow your lead. Topics discussed: Are leaders born or made? (00:48) Inspire vs. infuriate: the leadership continuum (03:09) How leadership impact spreads beyond work (06:15) Nonverbal signals: the banana story (09:25) The simple act that builds inspiration (12:09) 3 roles of inspiring leaders (15:07) How visual language makes leaders more…

Download your copy of the 21 Storytelling Frameworks (https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver) guide: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver AI isn't going to run your company – but not for the reason you think. Business thrives on innovation and adaptability, which requires more than logic. That's where storytelling comes in. Angus Fletcher, Professor of Story Science and author of Primal Intelligence, joins host Oliver Aust to explain why storytelling is a form of intelligence that helps us plan, act and innovate in ways AI never could. He breaks down how narrative thinking guides our decisions, how intuition really works, and how to strengthen them both. You’ll also learn the “three stories” every business is running (whether you realize it or not), and what happens when they’re out of alignment. Topics discussed: Storytelling as a form of intelligence (00:51) Why AI struggles in dynamic, changing environments (03:14) Narrative thinking vs.…

Download your copy of the 21 Storytelling Frameworks guide:https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliverHave you ever been told to "fake it till you make it" or “just be yourself"? It's no surprise this common advice doesn't work – it focuses on acting confident instead of becoming confident.This episode breaks down Oliver’s three-step method that helps you build true confidence so you’re not overthinking or over-preparing for every presentation. You'll learn why you get so nervous in the first place, the common mistake that causes people to freeze, and how to calm your anxiety so you can speak confidently under pressure as a leader.Topics discussed:Bad public speaking advice (01:22)How perfectionism fuels imposter syndrome (03:33)Limiting beliefs that hold you back (04:04)The foundation of being a confident speaker (05:07)The 3-step BMW method (06:37)Why scripts don’t work and what to do instead (09:02)Strategies that build true confidence (10:56)Want to work with Oliver and become a…

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/Communication problems don’t always start with words. From misinterpretation to slow execution, you can say all the right things and still be misunderstood.Trust expert Stephen M. R. Covey has seen great organizations experience this for one reason: lack of trust. In this episode, he shares why trust is the foundation of communication and a true driver of performance. You'll hear powerful leadership lessons from Ford, Campbell's, and Hugo Boss, so you can build a culture of trust that moves faster.Topics discussed:What most leaders get wrong about trust (00:34)The difference between low and high-trust cultures (04:09)How leaders can build the skill of trust (07:11)High-trust behaviors vs. counterfeit behaviors (09:19)The first step to changing trust dynamics as a leader (11:48)Alan Mulally and Ford case study (14:31)Distrust in the age of AI: what…

Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/Most women are taught to be nice and agreeable, but that comes at a cost in the workplace.In this episode, Kate Mason, author of Powerfully Likeable: A Woman's Guide to Effective Communication, challenges the idea that women have to choose between being likeable and powerful at work. You'll learn how to define your authentic communication style, bring warmth without losing authority, and find calm confidence even in high-stakes rooms.Topics discussed:Why “likable vs. powerful” is a false choice (00:33)How to define your own communication style (03:02)Ways we diminish our authenticity (06:24)Saying “no” and setting boundaries without guilt (08:18)The failure privilege and who is "allowed" to fail (10:52)What to do when you’re afraid to speak up (13:07)Managing perfectionism and over-preparation (15:58)The mindset shift that helps women "steal space"…

If you’ve ever felt your heart race before a presentation, struggled to find the right words in a high-stakes conversation, or worried you’re not being heard at work, this episode is for you.My guest is Matt Abrahams, a world expert in communication, Stanford lecturer, and host of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast. In this episode, he shares a powerful, practical approach to overcoming the most common challenges in public speaking and everyday communication.We explore how to manage anxiety, stop over-relying on slides, and shift from performance mode to connection mode. Matt explains why memorizing a script often makes us more nervous and offers a better alternative: structure over script. He breaks down how to recover gracefully when your mind goes blank, eliminate filler words like “umm” and “you know,” and use storytelling to make your message more memorable and persuasive. We also dive into how to be seen and heard at work without sounding self-promotional, and how to build spontaneous speaking skills…

If your team is smart, talented, and experienced – but still isn’t performing as they should – this episode is your wake-up call. Because the problem isn’t your people… it’s the norms driving how they interact.Today, you’re going to learn how to build team emotional intelligence on demand — the kind that unlocks trust, psychological safety, and fast alignment. If you want to lead a top 1% team, this is the playbook.In this must-listen episode, Oliver is joined by Dr. Vanessa Druskat, organizational psychologist, long-time collaborator of Daniel Goleman, and co-author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team – one of the most important leadership books of the year.We unpack why focusing on individuals is no longer enough, how to embed emotional intelligence into your team’s daily habits, the 3 essential norms that separate average teams from extraordinary ones, and how to measure and improve your team’s EQ, starting now.Vanessa offers a science-backed, deeply practical framework to create high-performing,…

Many leaders sound inauthentic, robotic or fake.It’s true: As a leader, it’s hard to sound authentic – to be real, relatable, and trusted. Some messages may come across as too corporate, others as too casual. The result is the same: there’s a gap between what you want to say and what your people hear. To close that gap, I’m joined by David Shelley, CEO of Hachette Book Group, one of the biggest names in global publishing, with more than 220 million books sold annually.He’s raw, real, and incredibly believable – and he shows us what authentic leadership communication sounds like at scale.Get your 50 Presentation Hacks here: https://eoipsocommunications.com/newsletter/00:00 Introduction & Authentic Leadership00:32 Open Office & Company Culture01:39 Industry Changes & Inclusivity02:27 Feedback & Growth Mindset07:54 Diversity & Changing the Story10:27 Business Growth & Pillars of Success12:14 Understanding Consumers14:50 Building Trust & Communication Channels19:23 Transparency vs. Confidentiality22:34 The…

Is everything we know about leadership… wrong?In this eye-opening episode, Jon Levy, behavioral scientist and bestselling author of Team Intelligence, joins Oliver to challenge some of our most deeply held assumptions about what makes a great leader – and what truly drives high-performing teams.Forget charisma and vision. According to Jon, the real reason we follow someone isn’t their MBA or their skills checklist – it's the feeling that they offer a better future. But that’s just the beginning.In this conversation, you’ll learn:Why the MBA was designed for a world that no longer exists – and what it missed entirely.How Harvard’s early leadership research was based on fake credentials.Why “super skills” (not soft skills) are the secret to influence.What makes some teams 1.6x more productive – and why “glue players” are the hidden MVPs.The science of bursty communication and why it beats Slack pings and endless meetings.How too much talent can tank a team—and why team intelligence > individual genius.Why…

Bad communication costs businesses $37 billion a year, and chances are, it's costing you too. Celeste Headlee is one of the most watched TED speakers ever and a global authority on conversations. And today, she's going to show you how to save money by communicating better. Plus: she exposes the bad advice you’ve been given by so-called experts.Timestamps00:00 The Cost of Poor Communication01:19 The Inefficiency of Emails04:03 Mastering the Art of Conversation28:21 Switch vs. Support Responses in Conversations29:34 The Impact of Technology on Communication33:29 The Future of Communication and AI

Have you ever struggled to explain what you do, or find it hard to cut through? And no, it’s not about refining your elevator pitch or polishing your LinkedIn bio. It’s about making one crucial decision: what are you not?Because in a noisy world, people don’t remember nuance. They remember contrast.Global brand and positioning strategist Laura Ries argues that the clearest way to stand out as a leader or a company is to pick the right fight. Not out of anger. Out of clarity.She’s spent decades advising global brands. In her new book Pick the Right Fight, she shows why finding your strategic enemy might be the smartest move you ever make.She breaks it down:-Why people don’t buy “better” – they buy “different”-How to become instantly memorable by positioning against something-Why trying to “stay open” often keeps you invisible- And how even something as small as a color, a word, or a tagline can anchor your entire presence.This isn’t theory. It’s about being findable in a world that forgets you in…

To influence someone, we have to change their minds – or so we have been told. But what if that’s exactly why your message keeps falling flat?In this episode, you'll learn why changing minds is overrated – and how to be influential in today’s world.Our guest is Steve Martin, one of the world’s top minds in behavioral science and longtime business partner of Robert Cialdini, the godfather of persuasion. Steve has spent 20+ years translating psychology into action and is the author of “Messengers” and his new book “Influence at Work”. Here’s what we break down:How you can influence behaviors without changing believesWhat makes people trust you – especially in an era of deepfakes, AI, and "super-distrusters"How to become a messenger worth listening to, not just another voice in the feedIf you want to be more effective in how you show up in the world, this conversation will change the way you think about influence.Find out more about Steve Martin: https://influenceatwork.co.uk/Subscribed to the Speak Like a CEO…

This episode reveals why most teams underperform and how to fix it fast.I sit down with Dr. Colin M. Fisher – Harvard-trained management professor, former jazz musician, and author of the brand new book The Collective Edge – to dismantle the myths most leaders believe about collaboration, trust, and leadership.Forget forced fun, trust falls, and bloated org charts. Fisher explains why most teams are too big, too unclear, and too focused on individual performance – and what it actually takes to build a high-functioning team that delivers.🔥 In this episode:Why adding more people makes your team slower, not smarterThe difference between real trust and the fluff HR sells youHow to reset broken teams without firing anyoneWhat jazz improvisation can teach you about timing, leadership, and collaborationWhy the lone genius narrative is toxic — and how to build systems that reward actual performanceIf you're building teams, leading change, or scaling fast — this conversation will challenge your assumptions and give…

Meet the man who scaled Kindle and turned McDonald’s, Volvo, and MGM into truly digital businesses. Atif Rafiq has helped reshape some of the world’s biggest brands by challenging how organizations make decisions and execute bold ideas. As the first Chief Digital Officer in the Fortune 500 and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Decision Sprint, Atif believes the true competitive edge lies not in execution alone, but in mastering the messy, often misunderstood process of decision-making.Atif breaks down how to foster a culture where problem-solving thrives, people feel heard, and collaboration leads to clarity. He knows what he talks about: Atif led the transformation of McDonald’s customer experience through self-service kiosks and shares how old school carmaker Volvo reimagined its digital strategy.Now as founder of Ritual – an AI-native workspace designed for strategy, product, and cross-functional collaboration – Atif is building what some have called a “McKinsey Killer.” He offers a compelling…