SPEAK LIKE A CEO

Episodios

• How Leaders Get People to Want to Follow Them 03.06.2026 24m

  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: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markvhansen/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: info@eoipsocommunications.com 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com
• How Leaders Get What They Want Without Winning Arguments 27.05.2026 25m

  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 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/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-bandoch-02211b167/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: info@eoipsocommunications.com 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com
• The 1% Framework for Clear, Memorable Communication 20.05.2026 29m

  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 Audience (20:20) Think Like a Journalist (22:09) The Pause Is the Point (23:56) The Worst Thing You Can Do (25:09) Curiosity Beats Confidence (26:39) Content Fills the Time (28:36) End Before They Want You To Connect with Andrea Pacini: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/ 🎧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 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apacini/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: info@eoipsocommunications.com 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique: https://www.podcastboutique.com
• The Secret to Selling Without Trying So Hard 13.05.2026 37m

  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: https://bunnellideagroup.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: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-mcgowan-7103b/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: info@eoipsocommunications.com 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique: https://www.podcastboutique.com
• Speak Memorably: Why Being “On Message” Isn’t Enough 06.05.2026 30m

  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  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU?si=u_Dt5fqgRVqzOOoyCJoctA • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MjPtegbC6wSmLWG6Nqjvy?si=r_en9YaUQFqT5eBBgrN6MA • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9?si=m32VAVaTQUONT8VVS8qm 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-mcgowan-7103b/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: info@eoipsocommunications.com 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com
• How to Make Your Ideas Undeniable 30.04.2026 42m

  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  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU?si=u_Dt5fqgRVqzOOoyCJoctA • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MjPtegbC6wSmLWG6Nqjvy?si=r_en9YaUQFqT5eBBgrN6MA • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9?si=m32VAVaTQUONT8VVS8qm 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-propster/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: info@eoipsocommunications.com 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com 💡 This episode’s supervising editor was Chelsea B. Olsen https://chelseabolsen.com
• $500,000 Newsletter Side Hustle by $30M CEO! The Storytelling Strategy Powering Beehiiv 23.04.2026 36m

  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 (25:02) Own Distribution  (29:14) Transparency as a Superpower (32:10) LinkedIn strategy and building a brand as CEO 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316:Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU?si=87e4724578bf4d51 • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MjPtegbC6wSmLWG6Nqjvy?si=79801e1f275d4973 • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9?si=40659e79a0964e07 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-denk/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile Guest: http://mail.bigdeskenergy.com/  📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: info@eoipsocommunications.com 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com 💡 This episode’s supervising editor was Chelsea B. Olsen https://chelseabolsen.com
• 320: AI Can Make You MORE Authentic… Or Instantly Destroy Trust 16.04.2026 31m

  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 to start using AI as a leader (25:37) How to overcome resistance and get your team on board (27:19) Get access to Allison’s custom AI: https://allisonshapira.com/ai Grab a copy of Allison’s book, AI for the Authentic Leader: https://allisonshapira.com/books/ Get the Presentation Planner Oliver uses with elite communicators: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com
• 319: How to Nail the First Minute of Any Conversation 09.04.2026 39m

  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 your organization (28:27) How to structure emails that get replies (31:02) The 10-second habit for clearer communication (34:59) Where niceties belong in an email (36:15) Connect with Chris Fenning: https://chrisfenning.com/ Connect with Oliver:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ Get the Presentation Planner Oliver uses with elite communicators: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy:https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com
• 318: How the World’s #1 Executive Coach Builds Elite Leaders 02.04.2026 36m

  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) Should a leader also be a coach? (22:18) The openness framework: how to become more coachable (24:36) Will AI replace executive coaches? (30:51) Scott and Jacquelyn’s best communication advice (33:47) Learn more about 100 Coaches: http://100coaches.com/ Grab Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane’s book: https://becomingcoachable.com/ Subscribe to Scott’s newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/best-insights-from-100-coaches-6613518216260050944/ Get the Presentation Planner Oliver uses with elite communicators: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner 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/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com
• How to Present to Audiences & Become a Top 1% Presenter 26.03.2026 46m

  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 (08:45) How to make the audience care: the 90% test (14:20) Choosing the right structure for any presentation (19:35) Crafting simple, effective messages that move people (25:10) The killer opening line and ending with impact (31:45) Why storytelling beats facts and logic (37:20) Creating slides that support your message (43:15) Handling questions, interruptions, and objections with grace (49:30) Body language: posture, hands, and facial expressions (54:40) Voice mastery: the five Ps of vocal variety (61:25) Eliminating filler words and embracing the pause (67:10) The BMW method: staying calm and confident under pressure (72:35) Bringing energy and passion to every presentation (78:50) Your action plan: joining the top 1% (83:15) Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/
• 316: Why Leaders Feel Surrounded by Idiots (The 4 Personality Types) 19.03.2026 39m

  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 vampires (30:27) The truth about working with narcissists (34:04) Connect with Thomas Erikson: http://surroundedbyidiots.com/ Get the Presentation Planner Oliver uses with elite communicators: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/presentation-planner 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/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 315: Why You Stop Short of the Top 1% (Even When You’re Motivated) 12.03.2026 43m

  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. faith and why the difference matters (05:38) Why toxic positivity hurts you (10:45) The framework for challenging a limiting belief (14:45) How identity and fear keep people stuck (19:47) Becoming an anti-fragile communicator (22:47) "Fake it till you make it" — the reframe (25:58) The three powers of belief (30:05) High-agency leadership in the age of AI (35:53) The first step to changing your limiting beliefs (37:13) Connect with Nir Eyal: https://www.nirandfar.com/beyond-belief/ Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 314: How ADHD Leaders Develop a Communication Edge 05.03.2026 45m

  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 so many neurodivergent people undermine their value (20:15) Why neurodivergent leaders may thrive in the AI era (22:25) How leaders unlock creativity and what blocks it (28:30) Storytelling as a communication tool (30:44) How leaders can support neurodivergent employees (36:50) Andy’s picture books and podcast (41:10) What you should do before communicating (42:35) Connect with Andy J. Pizza: https://www.andyjpizza.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativePepTalk Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 313: You Have 30 Seconds to Prove You’re a Leader 26.02.2026 36m

  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 communication (15:27) Balancing logic and emotion in your communication (19:05) How introverts can become great communicators (24:50) The AI era and rise of storytelling (28:32) Why CEOs must communicate more than ever (32:41) Connect with Nancy Duarte: https://www.duarte.com/ Want to work with Oliver and become a top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 312: The Body Language Expert: You’re Losing Authority in the First 10 Seconds 19.02.2026 47m

  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 manage “risk” and discomfort (35:08) Authenticity vs. performance (37:40) Why modern leaders are always on display (42:05) Connect with Mark Bowden: https://truthplane.com/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 311: The Leadership Trap: Escaping Control and Chaos 12.02.2026 34m

  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 expectations (22:40) Imposter phenomenon and how leaders work through it (25:48) How small actions can make a big impact (31:33) Why context needs to come before content (33:22) Connect with Ashley Herd: https://www.managermethod.com/ Grab her book, The Manager Method, and the free companion guide: https://www.managermethod.com/book 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/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 310: How to Speak So People Want to Follow You 06.02.2026 41m

  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 persuasive (19:30) Why repetition matters and the cost of undercommunicating (22:51) Why leaders must show authentic passion (26:50) What it means to truly empower people (33:18) How to take accountability without shame (37:21) One action you can take to become more inspirational (39:24) Take Adam’s Am I Inspiring? Quiz: https://adamgalinsky.com/assessment/ Get your 50 Presentation Hacks from Oliver: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/50-presentation-hacks-by-oliver-aust 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/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 309: The Leadership Advantage AI Can’t Replace 29.01.2026 42m

  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. logical thinking (05:47) The mission behind his research and book, Primal Intelligence (07:38) How intuition really works and how to develop it (11:12) 3 stories every business runs on: strategic, operational, external (14:33) When “marketing problems” are actually alignment problems (17:26) Leaders vs. managers and why “safe” communication fails (21:18) The AI spam loop and why humans are tuning out (27:31) External vs. internal storytelling structure (30:42) The trap of “defining the problem” (35:56) Where to start if you want to become a better storyteller (38:23) 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/ This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com (https://podcastboutique.com)
• 308: How to Be Confident on Command 22.01.2026 13m

  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 top 1% communicator? Join the Speak Like a CEO Academy and sign up for the FREE webinar! https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com