How to Have a Bloody Good Conversation
Sarah Wright & Dr Victoria Stakelum
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This podcast explores the art of conversation, from dating to business negotiations. Hosted by psychologist Dr Victoria Stakelum and communications consultant Sarah Wright, it offers practical advice for mastering difficult chats and improving communication skills. The show aims to help listeners become more confident and effective conversationalists.
Epizódok
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You Can’t Have Good Sex Without Having A Bloody Good Conversation First. 21.07.2026 1ó 8p⚠️ This episode contains adult content and is intended for mature audiences.A third of adults have never once talked to their partner about sex. Not once. Is that because we've never been taught HOW to have THAT conversation?We think so, and it's one of the conversations we struggle with too.That being a good enough reason to tackle this subject aside, here's another reason: the cost of not talking about it isn't just bad sex, it's needs quietly going unmet, resentment slowly building, and eventually someone deciding they'd rather find what they need elsewhere.This is an important episode for an important conversation and to help us navigate it, we (that's Sarah Wright and Dr Victoria Stakelum) are joined by Amy Terwilleger, a licensed US attorney and certified sex and relationship coach, to talk about why the conversation about sex is so hard, how to actually talk to your partner about it, what it costs us not to have it, and what it actually takes to start. Amy works with individuals and couples across the full spectrum of modern relationships, from intimacy and desire to conflict, separation, and rebuilding after divorce. She is, it turns out, exactly the person you want in the room when two rather British women are trying to get over their knickers-in-a-twist discomfort about the whole subject.This episode covers the shame and stigma that keeps the conversation locked down; why our sex education left a gap that pornography filled badly; the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire (and why the pizza analogy helps explain it); the bucket list but for sex; why faking orgasm is a communication problem; what body image is doing to our sex lives; how to have the conversation when your partner doesn't want to; and what Esther Perel's Mating in Captivity tells us about mystery, separateness, and why time apart might be the best thing you can do for your sex life.Victoria admits to palpitations. Sarah admits to being quieter than usual. And Amy's closing line is one of our best!⚠️ This episode contains adult content and is intended for mature audiences. It also includes an honest discussion of sexual trauma and its impact.GuestAmy Terwilleger - licensed US attorney and certified sex and relationship coach. Amy helps individuals and couples navigate the full spectrum of modern relationships, from intimacy and connection to conflict, separation, and rebuilding. She works with clients on communication, desire, body image, sexual confidence, and ethical non-monogamy.ContactBe part of the conversation. If you have a conversational conundrum or a question, please do get in touch via our email: abloodygoodconversation@gmail.com.Books mentionedEsther Perel – Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence https://www.estherperel.com/booksConversation WarmersMugs that make connections with a conversation starter on the front, and a follow-up prompt on the back. Perfect for keeping the tea and the conversation flowing. Buy them here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/conversationwarmers -
If we're communicating before we say a word, do we dress to impress or express who we are? 16.06.2026 1ó 14pBefore you said a single word today, someone had already formed an opinion about your competence, your status, and whether you could be trusted. We've all been told never to judge a book by its cover, and yet researchers tell us we do it anyway, in a fraction of a second, before a handshake, before a hello.So what exactly are your clothes saying? And more importantly, is it what you intend?In this episode, Sarah Wright and Dr Victoria Stakelum are joined by Stacie Baillie - an ICF-trained coach, leadership advisor, image consultant, certified makeup artist, and founder of Radiant Mirror, who has spent 30 years inside some of the world's largest global organisations watching how the way people show up quietly makes or breaks careers. The conversation covers the secret language of clothing: why 93% of communication is non-verbal and what that means for what you put on in the morning; the sumptuary laws of medieval England (yes, you could be fined for wearing the wrong colour); how the post-Covid collapse of formal dress codes has made the unwritten rules harder to read, not easier; and why a well-fitted jacket can literally change your posture and therefore how the world responds to you.Along the way: a Savile Row tailor's verdict on why fit matters more than labels; why King Charles may have worn chalk stripe to the US Senate on purpose; the VP who was being held back not by her work but by her wardrobe; and the single button on a senior woman's blouse that research shows was enough to reduce perceptions of her competence significantly.This episode also wrestles with the tensions that sit underneath all of it: between self-expression and conformity, between dressing for yourself and dressing for others, between the freedom to wear what you like and the reality that you will be judged for it regardless. Stacie's closing advice is both practical and kind.Part two - what specific items of clothing and colours are actually signalling to the people around you - is coming. But start here.GuestStacie Baillie: ICF-trained coach, leadership advisor, image consultant, and certified makeup artist. Founder of Radiant Mirror, which offers coaching, leadership development, and influence and image consulting. Stacie spent 30 years working in senior roles at some of the world’s largest global organisations, including banking and consulting, before founding Radiant Mirror to help people bridge the gap between how they see themselves and how the world sees them. You can contact her via her website: www.radiantmirror.caContact the showBe part of the conversation. If you have a conversational conundrum or a question, please do get in touch via our email: abloodygoodconversation@gmail.com.
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The Art of Rapport: How To Build Instant Connection With Anyone 07.05.2026 1ó 9pDo you find talking to strangers a challenge? You're not alone.Researchers at the University of Chicago put commuters on trains and buses and asked some of them to strike up a conversation with the stranger next to them. The ones who did reported significantly happier journeys, every single time. And yet when they asked a separate group beforehand whether they’d enjoy it, almost everyone said no. They predicted feeling awkward or unwanted. They were wrong, but the fear was so convincing, they believed it anyway.And yet, for the sake of your health and sanity, you need to find a way to overcome that fear of striking up a conversation and building rapport - connecting - with anyone.One in six people worldwide is now affected by loneliness. Around 100 deaths happen every hour as a result. The WHO has declared social connection a public health crisis on a par with obesity and smoking. And yet 75% of us say nothing replaces human connection. We have more ways to reach each other than any generation that has ever lived and we are lonelier than ever.In this episode, hosts Sarah Wright and Dr Victoria Stakelum are joined by Anitra Irrera - BBC Radio Kent broadcast journalist, reporter and producer - to explore the art and science of rapport: what it actually is, why we find it so terrifying, and what it takes to build genuine connection with a complete stranger. Anitra has spent her career doing the thing most of us dread - walking up to people she has never met and getting them to open up, whether that’s a grieving family, a hostile politician, or a reluctant celebrity who clearly doesn’t want to be there.This episode covers the neuroscience of eye contact, smiling, and mirror neurons; why mirroring someone’s energy and pace builds instant trust (and why this is both a teaching tool in NLP and, some would argue, a dark art); how the fear of rejection is wired into us at a survival level, and how to override it; the Norwegian approach to directness and what the British can learn from it; why digital connection is not the same as the real thing neurologically; and the single most powerful thing you can do to build rapport with anyone, anywhere. Spoiler alert - it involves swearing but not in the way you might think.If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your phone to avoid making eye contact on the tube, this one’s for you. Because every person you’ve ever loved was once a stranger. Every single one.GuestAnitra Irrera - BBC Radio Kent broadcast journalist, reporter and producer. Originally from Bergen in Norway, Anitra holds a degree in Psychology and Anthropology and has spent her career building rapport under pressure: from music interviews to political reporting to live broadcasting. She is also a teacher.ContactBe part of the conversation. If you have a conversational conundrum or a question, please do get in touch via our email: abloodygoodconversation@gmail.com.ReferencesResearch mentioned in this episodeUniversity of Chicago commuter study - Epley & Schroeder (2014), ‘Mistakenly seeking solitude’, Journal of Experimental Psychology: GeneralWHO report on loneliness as a global public health priority (2023)Mirror neurons and social connection - Rizzolatti & Craighero (2004), Annual Review of NeuroscienceNLP and rapportNLP World — introduction to matching, mirroring and rapport – https://www.nlpworld.co.ukPsychology Today — The Science of Rapport – https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/rapportThe 100 days of rejection experimentJia Jiang – ‘Rejection Proof’ TED Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/jia_jiang_what_i_learned_from_100_days_of_rejectionLoneliness and social connectionWHO — Social isolation and loneliness – https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/promotion-prevention/social-connectionCampaign to End Loneliness (UK) – https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org
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The Conversation You’re Having At 3AM (And How To Change It) 07.04.2026 1ó 5pThe Conversation You're Having At 3Am (And How To Change It)You know the one. It starts the moment you wake up at 3am, or maybe it’s the reason you woke up in the first place. Not good enough. Not clever enough. Not doing enough. Most of us are having a conversation with ourselves that we would never tolerate from another person. And it’s doing real damage: to our confidence, our relationships, and for many of us, our sleep.In this episode, hosts, Sarah Wright and psychologist Dr Victoria Stakelum, explore why our brains default to negative self-talk, what it is physically doing to our bodies, and what we can do to change it. Victoria explains the science behind negativity bias - the evolutionary survival mechanism that causes the brain to scan for threat and, in the absence of real danger, manufacture it - and why the stories we tell ourselves at night are particularly potent. In a wakeful sleep state, the body can’t tell the difference between a real threat and a vividly imagined one. The catastrophic 3am thought spiral is, quite literally, a self-induced stress response.The conversation covers the physiological cost of chronic self-criticism (inflammation, disrupted sleep hormones, reduced immunity), the origins of the inner critic in childhood programming and social comparison, and the research showing that how we speak to ourselves directly shapes what becomes possible for us. Victoria also opens up about her own relationship with perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking - a reminder that even the psychologist is working on it.You’ll come away with a step-by-step process for building kinder self-talk from the ground up: from the one sentence that can de-escalate a 3am spiral, to body scan techniques, to the most powerful reframe of all: responding to yourself as you would to someone you genuinely love.ContactBe part of the conversation. If you have a conversational conundrum or a question, please do get in touch via our email: abloodygoodconversation@gmail.com.ReferencesSarah’s bookGet Back to Sleep: A Recovering Insomniac’s Practical Guide to Beating Insomnia – Available on AmazonCBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia)Sarah refers to this course that helped her: ReSleep. Self-talk and self-compassionSelf-Compassion - Dr Kristin Neff’s research and free self-compassion exercises https://self-compassion.orgPsychology Today - What Is Negative Self-Talk, and How Can You Change It? https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/self-talkNegativity biasVerywell Mind - What Is the Negativity Bias? https://www.verywellmind.com/negative-bias-4589618Mindfulness and body scanNHS Every Mind Matters - Mindfulness and body scan audio guides: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/mindfulness/ -
The Best Conversation Is The One You Have With Yourself 10.03.2026 1ó 8pWhat if the most important conversation you'll ever have isn't with your boss, your partner, or your best friend but with yourself?In this episode, Sarah Wright and Dr. Victoria Stakelum explore the inner dialogue that shapes everything: your confidence, your decisions, your relationships, and your ability to have difficult conversations.We unpack where your inner critic comes from (spoiler: it was formed in childhood, and it thinks it's helping), how to tell the difference between fear-based chatter and genuine gut instinct, and what to do when that voice in your head is holding you back.You'll learn why trying to silence your inner critic backfires, what you can do so it loses its grip, and the ABC technique for regulating yourself in the moment. Plus: the surprising power of giving your inner critic a name, why affirmations can make things worse if you don't believe them, and how journaling with your non-dominant hand might unlock answers your conscious mind can't reach.If you've ever beaten yourself up after a meeting, talked yourself out of something you wanted, or wondered why you can't just think more positively—this one's for you.Topics covered:What a “conversation with yourself” really is and why we’re all doing it (whether we notice it or not).Why the tone and volume of your self-talk matters for wellbeing and relationships.How to spot when you’re being hijacked in a conversation (mental and physical signs).A simple regulation framework you can use anywhere: Awareness → Breath → Choice.How to work with (not against) your inner critic, including naming it and understanding what it’s trying to do for you.Why “positive affirmations” can backfire and how to do realism-based positivity instead.Practical ways to externalise your thoughts: journaling, speaking out loud, and prompts that take you deeper.Guest InformationDr. Victoria Stakelum - Psychologist & Mindset Coach Sarah Wright - Communications & Creative StrategistVictoria's Oracle Cards: Available at thesuccesssmith.com under LaunchpadContact / listener questionsHave a conversational conundrum or a question sparked by this episode? Email the show at ABloodyGoodConversation@gmail.com . -
Q&A Follow Up Episode on Emotions, Miscommunication, and Slowing Down 24.02.2026 42pWhy Conversations Feel So Hard Right Now: A Q&A on Emotions, Miscommunication, and Slowing DownIn this follow-up Q&A, communications consultant Sarah Wright and psychologist and mindset coach Dr Victoria Stakelum answer listener questions sparked by the episode “Why do conversations feel so hard right now?” Together, they explore why modern digital life speeds up our brains, how emotions and subconscious triggers derail what we’re trying to say, and what to do when miscommunication happens. You’ll hear practical tools for slowing down in high-stakes moments, regulating your nervous system, improving clarity, and bringing “clean energy” into important conversations.What You’ll LearnA simple way to slow your speaking without losing your thinkingWhy “I’m fine” rarely lands.The difference between regulation and repression, and how to name emotions without blaming.A practical NLP tool to reduce conflict and widen perspective. (NLP World)How modern messaging trains us into instant-response habits (and how to retrain expectations).How to build patience through nervous system practice.How to spot miscommunication early and the receiver/sender checks that prevent escalation.What “cup-filling conversations” look like (past, present, future), and why they matter.What “clean energy” is and how to stop emotional agenda hijacking outcomes.Resources MentionedPositive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine (referenced in the episode in the context of emotional channels / “PQ”). (Positive Intelligence)Perceptual Positions (NLP) – perspective-shifting technique discussed in the episode. (NLP World)Got a conversational conundrum you want us to unpack? Send your questions to ABloodyGoodConversation@gmail.com. -
Dating 101: How To Chat Up A Romantic Partner 10.02.2026 1ó 11pDating 101: How To Chat Up A Romantic PartnerIf you're dating in 2026 and wondering how to start a conversation, avoid dating fatigue, and actually find someone you're compatible with, this episode is for you.Sarah Wright and Dr Victoria Stakelum are joined by Lydia Hoey, matchmaking director at Maclynn International and a science-based dating coach, to talk about how modern dating is changing - including the slightly alarming rise of AI companionship (72% of American teenagers have now interacted with an AI companion, and Meta is building chatbots to fill the ‘romantic gap’) - and what still matters most: real-world connection, values, and the ability to communicate clearly.In this episode, we discuss how to approach modern dating with more clarity and less stress: how to define your values (properly, not just picking words), how to choose first-date settings that reduce awkwardness and increase connection, and how to avoid turning a date into an interview. You'll get practical conversation openers to keep things light and engaging, guidance on dating mindset (switching out of "work mode"), and tools for navigating the messy bits - like mixed signals, texting "rules", attachment styles, and how to end things kindly without ghosting.GuestLydia Hoey - Matchmaking Director at Maclynn International, and a qualified science-based dating coach and matchmaker. https://maclynninternational.com/ContactBe part of the conversation. If you have a conversational conundrum or a question, please do get in touch via our email: abloodygoodconversation@gmail.com.ReferencesAttachment stylesPsychology Today – Relationship Attachment Style Test (UK): https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/tests/relationships/relationship-attachment-style-testAttachment Project – Attachment Style Quiz: https://www.attachmentproject.com/attachment-style-quiz/Love languages The 5 Love Languages® – Official Love Language Quiz: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-languageCommunication styleVerywell Mind – Communication Style Quiz: https://www.verywellmind.com/take-the-communication-style-quiz-797314336 QuestionsThis site has them all: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/36_questions_for_increasing_closenessFilms referencedHitch (2005) – IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386588/Swingers (1996) – IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117802/When Harry Met Sally... (1989) – IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/ -
Why Good Conversations Feel So Hard Right Now (and what to do about it) 13.01.2026 1óHave you noticed that conversations feel more rushed, reactive and emotionally loaded than ever before? It’s not just you. That’s why, in this episode, we (that’s communications consultant, Sarah Wright, and psychologist and mindset coach, Dr Victoria Stakelum) explore the real reasons communication has become so challenging: from the speed of modern life to nervous system overload, digital disconnection, and the pressure to respond instantly.In this episode, we cover:Why time feels faster and how this impacts the way we thinkHow technology affects our nervous systems and patienceWhy we’re “connected” but still lonelyThe one simple shift that instantly improves every conversationHow energy, not wording, shapes how you’re receivedThe role of rapport with others and yourselfHow slowing down can transform conflict, communication, and connection.This episode is for anyone who wants calmer, richer, more meaningful conversations at work, at home, and everywhere in between. In it, we reference:The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen R. CoveyThe Trust Technique – www.thetrusttechnique.comLaura Lynne Jackson – ww. lauralynnejackson.com100 Ways to Raise Your Vibration – Victoria’s pdf can be downloaded here: https://thesuccesssmith.thrivecart.com/100waysWe’d genuinely love to hear your experiences. Please share what you tried, what shifted, or any questions you’d like us to cover in future episodes by emailing abloodygoodconversation@gmail.com. Enjoy the episode. -
Series 2 Trailer 01.01.2026 1pMaster the art of conversation, and you’ll transform your life.From dating to doing business, negotiating a pay rise to haggling over bedtimes, conversations shape everything: your career, your connections, your confidence. But while we all learned to talk as toddlers, no one really taught us how to have good conversations, the kind where you feel heard, understood, and genuinely connected.If you’ve ever found yourself:tongue-tied in a difficult conversationreplaying an argument in your head for daysdodging tricky chats at work or at homestuck in small talk when you want something deeper…this podcast is for you.Why this podcast matters nowWe’re living in a time of constant connection and growing disconnection. Research shows that:Around half of UK adults report feeling lonely, even when surrounded by othersOnly a small proportion of our daily conversations are truly meaningful, most are just logistics and small talkSmartphones and screens are eroding our face-to-face communication skills and attention.School taught us how to perform and achieve. It didn’t teach us how to listen, how to disagree well, how to set boundaries, or how to talk about things that really matter. Culture often treats conversation as polite chit-chat or intellectual debate, not as a tool for emotional connection, repair, and understanding.This podcast exists to change that.Meet your hostsJoin two curious conversationalists:Dr Victoria Stakelum – psychologist and mindset coach, specialising in the subconscious mind, emotions, and how we relate to ourselves and othersSarah Wright – communications consultant, creative strategist, and conversation curatorTogether, they explore how to have a bloody good conversation, at work, at home, in relationships, and in all those moments we’d secretly rather avoid.The topic of conversationIn Series 1, Sarah and seasoned journalist Mai Davies explored the art of conversation, including:When and how to use humour in conversationHow to handle conflict effectively (without burning bridgesHow to listen so people feel truly heardHow to read a room and pick your momentHow to talk about things that matter – from work disagreements and family tensions to death, cultural identity, and negotiating under pressure.Now, previous guest, Dr Victoria Stakelum, joins as co-host to give a different perspective using her experience drawn from her corporate life running million-pound businesses and current occupation as psychologist and mindset coach. Through real-life examples and practical tools, she shares why:Self-awareness is the foundation of every bloody good conversationCuriosity and empathy – stepping into someone else’s shoes – are non-negotiableBetter conversations don’t start with control; they start with noticing your own reactions, regulating your energy, and staying calm under pressureWhy conversation skills matterConversation is something we do together. The best conversations happen when both people feel safe, equipped, and able to bring their full selves to the table.When we lose the art of conversation, we all lose: misunderstandings grow, resentment builds, and we drift further away from the people who matter most.This podcast was created to help us all:have better, braver conversationsnavigate conflict and difference with more confidenceend conversations in a way that feels good for everyone – heard, understood, and genuinely connected.If you’re looking for a conversation skills podcast that’s practical, warm, honest, and real, hit follow and join us as we learn the art of meaningful dialogue – one bloody good conversation at a time. -
How to Have Difficult Conversations: Why We Avoid Them and How to Stop with Storyteller Chris Adriaanse 21.07.2025 50pWhat if storytelling could help you navigate the hardest conversations of your life? In this episode, we're joined by Chris Adriaanse, author of To The Heart of Difficult Conversations - a beautifully poignant anthology co-created with Berwick Literary Festival, Create Berwick, and students at Berwick Academy in Northumberland. Inspired by an ancient border-side plaque commemorating uneasy meetings between English and Scottish monarchs, this remarkable collection blends local h... -
How to Talk to Someone Who Doesn't Look Like You 07.07.2025 58pHow do you start a conversation with someone from a different race, culture, or background without saying the wrong thing? It's a question that paralyses many of us in our increasingly diverse workplaces, schools, and communities. We're so afraid of offending that we often avoid meaningful connections entirely. In this episode, we're joined by Claudia McKenzie, General Manager of Park's Edge Bar and Kitchen in South London and former PR executive, who brings both personal exper... -
"Sorry for Your Loss": A Grief Coach's Guide to the Conversations That Support Someone Who Is Grieving 23.06.2025 52pDeath is the one certainty we all share, yet most of us are terrible at talking about it. Whether it's supporting a grieving friend, having end-of-life conversations with family, or processing our own mortality, we stumble through these moments with stock phrases and uncomfortable silences. In this episode, we're joined by Kate Nolan-Burgess, a grief and identity coach who helps people navigate the many forms grief can take - from bereavement to major life transitions. Kate bri... -
What Stand-Up Comedians Can Teach Us About Difficult Conversations 09.06.2025 1ó 7pEver wished you could think faster in meetings, recover gracefully after a misstep, or connect more confidently in tough conversations? Turns out, stand-up comedy might be your secret weapon. In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Head – comedy director, author, and speaking coach – to explore what stand-up comedians know about human connection, timing, and bouncing back from awkwardness that the rest of us can use in real life. We dive into powerful tools from the world ... -
Conversations That Get You Hired — with Midlife Career Change Coach Josh Peck 26.05.2025 1ó 3pWhat do you do when the work that once lit you up now leaves you cold? If you're in midlife or a career cul-de-sac and wondering what next, this episode is for you. Midlife Career Change Coach, Josh Peck, joins us to unpack the real conversations that help people move from stuck to clear, and from disempowered to energised. His methods help bring you and your career back into alignment. In this illuminating conversation, we talk about fear, identity, money, confidence, and how ... -
How to Negotiate Like a Hostage Negotiator - with Scott Walker. 12.05.2025 1óWhat do negotiating with kidnappers and talking to your teenager have in common? Everything! In this episode, we sit down with Scott Walker, one of the world’s most experienced kidnap-for-ransom and crisis negotiators, to explore what high-stakes hostage negotiation can teach us about everyday conversations. With over 300 successful cases under his belt, Scott now trains leaders at Apple, Amazon, the UN, and beyond. Whether you're negotiating a deal, a deadline, or dinner, Scot... -
What to Say When You're Wrong 28.04.2025 1óTurn Missteps into Meaningful Conversations with Dr. Victoria Stakelum We all hate being wrong. It feels uncomfortable, sometimes even threatening. But what if being wrong wasn’t something to fear but an opportunity for connection, learning, and deeper conversations? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Stakelum, a psychologist and NLP Master Coach, joins us again to unpack the complexity of wrongness - why it triggers such strong emotions, how societal norms shape our ideas of right ... -
Mind Reading For Beginners 14.04.2025 59pHow to Read the Room and Communicate Better at Work with Dr. Victoria Stakelum Ever wish you could read minds in meetings or knew what someone else was thinking? While telepathy might be out of reach, understanding emotions, body language, and unspoken cues is a skill you can develop - and it can completely transform your workplace interactions. In this episode, Dr. Victoria Stakelum, a psychologist and subconscious mind specialist, reveals the science of mind reading - or rath... -
The Secret Power of Listening 31.03.2025 54pHow Listening Can Transform Your Conversations with Jessica Ball We like to think we’re good listeners—but are we really? Too often, we drift in and out of conversations, half-hearing what’s being said while planning what to say next. So how do we shift from passive hearing to deep, intentional listening - the kind that transforms relationships, builds trust, and even changes lives? In this episode, we’re joined again by Jessica Ball, a meetings facilitator who knows that liste... -
Breaking Free From Groupthink 17.03.2025 58pHow to Speak Up and Be Heard in Any Group with Dr. Victoria Stakelum Ever felt silenced in a meeting, outnumbered in a discussion, or too intimidated to challenge the status quo? You’re not alone. Groupthink is a deeply ingrained survival instinct - we’re wired to stick with the herd, even when we disagree. But what if staying silent means the wrong decision gets made? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Stakelum, a psychologist and NLP Master Coach, helps us understand why speaking ... -
Mastering the Meeting Minefield 03.03.2025 1ó 4pHow to Have Better Group Conversations with Jessica Ball We’ve all been there—the meeting that starts with good intentions but quickly spirals into chaos. Packed agendas, dominant voices, awkward silences, and a creeping sense that nothing is actually getting done. So how do we fix it? In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Ball, an expert meetings facilitator who has worked with organizations like the UN and Cambridge University to design meetings that are inclusive, effecti...
