Communicast: A Communication Skills Podcast

Scott D'Amico
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Dec 16, 2025 • 36min

The Silent Strength: Why Listening Is the Most Underrated Communication Skill

Today, I’m joined by Sairan Aqrawi—a business strategist, certified coach, and engineer with extensive experience leading complex infrastructure projects. Sairan brings a unique perspective on the role of communication in both technical fields and personal transformation.In this episode, Sairan shares how she transitioned from a successful engineering career into coaching and business strategy, and why active listening—not talking—is the true marker of great communicators. We explore the hidden strengths of introverts, the impact of empathy on team leadership, and how to build real human connection in an increasingly AI-driven world.Sairan also breaks down the importance of clarity, the balance between IQ and EQ, and how leaders can better understand what actually motivates their team members. Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Sairan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sairan-aqrawi-m-sc-993bb61a3/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Dec 2, 2025 • 32min

High-Stakes Conversations: Communication Skills from a Secret Service Veteran

Today, I’m joined by Brad Beeler, a former Secret Service agent, behavioral interviewer, and author with more than two decades of experience navigating some of the most intense and complex human interactions imaginable.In this episode, Brad shares powerful lessons from his time in the field—how calm, curiosity, and non-judgment can make or break communication. He unpacks why the best communicators aren't always the loudest, how to use body language to build trust, and why your tone, timing, and setting matter more than you think.We also discuss his FEEL framework for connection, the art of listening without interrupting, and the importance of creating psychological safety—at work, at home, and in life.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Brad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbeeler1865/► Learn more about Brad’s work and book: https://bradleybeeler.com/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Nov 18, 2025 • 37min

You Have to Be Bad Before You Can Be Good

Today, I’m joined by Jared Greer, a business coach, leadership expert, and operational leader with a unique path from sales to private equity.In this episode, Jared shares how communication became the throughline in his career—from waiting tables and knocking on doors to coaching executives and guiding companies through change.We delve into why empathy is underrated in business, how simplifying your message increases impact, and the four-step framework he uses to persuade with clarity and confidence.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Jared: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredjgreer/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Nov 4, 2025 • 32min

Yes Energy: How to Speak Your Truth Without Burning Bridges

Today, I’m joined by Amy Armstrong, a conflict resolution coach and founder of the Center for Family Resolution.In this episode, Amy shares how she went from chronic people-pleaser to courageous truth-teller—and how you can too.We talk about the power of “Yes Energy,” how to set boundaries without being brutal, and the surprising difference between just using communication skills and truly embodying them.You’ll also learn about the levels of listening and how to create the right “green light” moments for tough conversations at work and at home.This is a rich conversation filled with practical tips, personal insight, and a message we all need: you can speak up and still be kind.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachamyarmstrong/► Learn more about Amy’s work: https://www.thecenterforfamilyresolution.com/► 3 Self-Mastery Tools for High Octane Moment: https://grow.thecenterforfamilyresolution.com/high-octane-moments.html ► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Oct 21, 2025 • 31min

Leadership Is in the Nanoseconds

Today, I’m joined by Susanne Biro, an executive coach with over 24 years of experience working closely with CEOs and senior leaders at some of the world’s largest organizations.In this episode, Susanne shares powerful insights about self-mastery, psychological safety, and how leadership often happens in the nanoseconds between stimulus and response.You’ll also hear about her Self Inquiry Tool—SIT—a simple yet profound framework to help you better understand and manage your inner world, so you can show up more effectively as a leader.This is one of those conversations that blends heart and strategy, with clear takeaways for anyone looking to grow their impact.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Susanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-biro-executivecoach/► Learn more about Susanne: https://www.susannebiro.com► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Oct 7, 2025 • 34min

Inside-Out Communication: Why Great Conversations Start Within

Today, I’m joined by Kayvon Kay, founder of The Sales Connection which scales and manages premier sales teams for online businesses. Over the past five years, his organization has delivered over $375 million in outcomes, booked 200,000+ sales calls, and trained more than 10,000 sales reps. What’s perhaps most striking is that Kayvon’s journey began with being “written off” in school due to learning disabilities—yet today he helps others master communication and influence in high-stakes environments.In this episode, we dig into what true communication really means. Kayvon shares how listening, presence, emotional alignment, and even pausing can shift how people hear you. He also reveals why how you make people feel is just as important as what you say, and how internal work becomes the foundation for external impact.Get ready for practical, mindset-shifting insights you can use right away. Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Kayvon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayvonkay/► Learn more about Kayvon: https://www.kayvon.com/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Sep 23, 2025 • 35min

The Last 8%: How Tough Conversations Define Leadership

Today, I’m joined by Bill Benjamin, partner at the Institute for Health and Human Potential, a speaker, author, and expert in emotional intelligence and leadership under pressure. With a background in mathematics and computer science, Bill’s journey into the world of leadership and communication began when he realized that technical excellence doesn’t automatically translate into people leadership.In this episode, we explore the concept of the “Last 8%”—the critical, often avoided moments in tough conversations that define relationships, trust, and leadership effectiveness. Bill shares brain-based strategies for emotional self-regulation, why so many leaders either avoid or overreact in difficult conversations, and how the SOS framework—Stop, Oxygenate, Seek information—can help anyone communicate more skillfully under pressure.This episode is filled with practical insights for anyone who wants to lead with courage, communicate with clarity, and build a culture of honest dialogue.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-benjamin-12b671/► Check out the HBR case study: https://hbr.org/2025/09/the-secret-to-building-a-high-performing-team► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com 
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Sep 9, 2025 • 36min

Pause Before You Speak: The Power of Responding Versus Reacting

Today, I’m joined by Saahil Metha, a global entrepreneur, peak-performance coach, and author of Break Free. Saahil has lived and led across continents—from engineering and investment banking to diamond trading, hospitality, and now coaching business leaders to scale their personal and professional summits.In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection of clarity, courage, and communication. Saahil shares how fear and experimentation shaped his career, why clarity is the cornerstone of confident communication, and how to avoid miscommunication in today’s cross-cultural, multi-generational workplace.This episode is packed with real-world insights you can immediately apply.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Saahil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saahilmehta/► Learn more about Saahil’s work: https://www.saahilmehta.com/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Aug 26, 2025 • 33min

Listening in Layers

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Camille Preston, a business psychologist, executive coach, and founder of AIM Leadership. Camille has spent the past two decades helping leaders and organizations navigate complexity with clarity, presence, and purpose. She’s the author of several books, including her latest, Living Real, which explores how to redefine success, presence, and happiness.  In this episode, we discuss what it means to communicate with depth, how energy and presence shape your message, and why truly great communicators listen in layers. Camille shares insights from her work with executive teams, including the dangers of “rage-based leadership,” the thinning of workplace relationships, and the importance of creating space for authentic conversations.Whether you’re coaching leaders, managing teams, or working to deepen your impact, you’ll walk away with thoughtful strategies for becoming a more grounded and effective communicator.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Camille: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillepreston/► Learn more about AIM Leadership: https://aimleadership.com/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
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Aug 12, 2025 • 34min

Data + Storytelling = Clarity

Today, I’m joined by Jennifer Dulski, Founder and CEO of Rising Team. With leadership experience at some of the world’s most influential tech companies—Yahoo!, Google, Facebook, and Change.org—and now teaching at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Jen brings a unique blend of operational excellence, empathy, and communication mastery.In this episode, we explore how listening unlocks leadership, why personalization is key to delivering feedback, and how to balance humanity and AI in today’s workplace. Jen also shares her signature framework for clear communication—anchored in data and storytelling.  Whether you’re a new leader, a seasoned executive, or someone navigating the evolving landscape of work, you’ll take away practical ideas to sharpen your communication and expand your impact.Let’s dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Jen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdulski/► Learn more about Rising Team: https://risingteam.com/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com 

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