
How Can I Say This...
The “How Can I Say This…” podcast offers tips and advice for interpersonal communications challenges, such as difficult conversations, conflict, giving and receiving feedback, negotiating, and other situations where what you say and how you say it makes all the difference.Your host is Beth Buelow, PCC, founder of ZOPA Consulting and author of “The Introvert Entrepreneur: Amplify Your Strengths and Create Success on Your Own Terms.” Beth’s credentialed professional coach and trained mediator. She loves finding the “Zone of Possible Agreement” (ZOPA!) in any situation that comes her way. She hosted The Introvert Entrepreneur Podcast from 2010-2018.In every episode of "How Can I Say This...", you’ll find ideas about how to handle your communication conundrums; tips on feeling more confident and comfortable with conflict; opportunities to learn from real-life situations through questions shared by listeners; and ultimately, gain skills and techniques for dealing with sticky situations at work and home. Of course, we can’t be all talk and no action; each show will end with an invitation to try a particular technique or approach that came up in the episode.Episodes will feature a mixture of commentary, listener questions, and expert guest interviews and contributions. The scope of conversation will evolve over time… we’re open to seeing where this goes. Thanks for joining us on the journey! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

May 14, 2021 • 44min
Claiming Space with Eliza VanCort
As the vintage advertising for Virginia Slims cigarettes told women, you’ve come a long way, baby. Women have carved out a bigger seat at the table over the past 70 years. But we still have challenges when it comes to our voices being heard.Our question this episode: How can women claim their space through confident communication that also builds relationship? My guest is Eliza VanCort, author of “A Woman's Guide to Claiming Space: Stand Tall. Raise Your Voice. Be Heard.” This is an episode for women AND men who want to support the women in their lives!Hosted by Beth Buelow, PCC. More info and archives at www.howcanisaythis.com. Your ratings, reviews, and shares are appreciated. Thanks so much for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 30, 2021 • 32min
Pausing and People Pleasing with Alan Heymann
In this podcast, Alan Heymann and the host discuss the barriers to handling conflict and provide simple but powerful ways to overcome them. They touch on the impact of people pleasing tendencies, the role of coaches in creating a safe environment, the importance of determining worth and using credibility, and the power of intentional silence in de-escalating conflicts. They also explore the power to choose our response in challenging situations.

Apr 16, 2021 • 37min
The Language of DEI with Arlene Koth
Whether we’re aware of it or not, the past year has introduced most everyone to a new language. Words that we used in one context, such as equality, equity, diversity, belonging, and systems, are now taking on new meaning and are being used in new contexts. It’s not always easy to keep up, but for the sake of courageous conversations, it’s important we try. Our question this episode: how do we talk respectfully and directly about matters of race and privilege when we’re still learning the vocabulary?My guest today is Arlene Koth, Founder of OPC Consulting. Arlene has over two decades of HR management and organizational planning experience, nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience, and 15 years of C-suite/executive leadership experience. How Can I Say This… is hosted by Beth L. Buelow, PCC. More info and archives at howcanisaythis.com. Thank you for listening! Your shares, reviews and ratings are welcome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 2021 • 17min
How to Talk to Strangers (Listener Question)
Discover the significance of engaging in conversations with strangers, cultural differences in responding to 'how are you?', strategies for initiating deeper conversations, the liberating experience of talking to strangers, the power of reaching out and micro interactions.

Feb 22, 2021 • 15min
How are you? as a gateway to connection
Exploring the complexities of the question 'How are you?' and its significance in relationships. Navigating the dilemma of answering honestly while considering factors like the pandemic and communication medium. Emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and being truthful with loved ones. Reflecting on the vulnerability of connecting through support and reaching out to neighbors. Tips for responding to 'How are you?' in a personal way that respects boundaries.

Feb 5, 2021 • 18min
Calming Your Nerves (Listener Question)
Learn strategies to handle stress in difficult conversations; normalize stress and improve relationships; manage anxiety and focus on intentions; how to calm nerves and embrace vulnerability; encouraging questions and engagement.

Jan 9, 2021 • 12min
Acknowledging the Good in the Bad
How can I say this? When you have a day like January 6, 2021 in the United States, it’s hard to know what to say. It left many of us speechless, then enraged, mortified, and confused. When societal norms are violated in such a violent manner, words often escape us. And then we become unable to see the people we feel have violated us as our fellow human beings. We also can refuse to acknowledge those who do the right thing after long doing what we’ve felt is the wrong thing. Our question this episode: how can we keep our hearts and minds open when we feel cynical about another person’s sincerity?Hosted by Beth Buelow. Thanks for listening! More episodes on your podcast platform of choice or at howcanisaythis.com. Your shares, ratings and subscribes are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 31, 2020 • 16min
The Art of Letting Go
While every year has its ups and downs, 2020 will go down as an especially interesting year for lots of reasons. Our everyday vocabulary expanded to include words previously only used by doctors, lawyers, and politicians. And the conversations we’ve had with friends, family, and colleagues have challenged our understanding of what we thought was true. Sometimes, the new understanding leads to a re-evaluation of the relationship, or even a decision to call it quits. Our question this episode: how do we know when it’s time to let go of a relationship?Read a transcript of this episode at howcanisaythis.com. I look forward to more learning together in the coming year. If you enjoy what you hear, subscribe so you don't miss an episode, and share with friends, family and colleagues. Reviews are always welcome! Thanks for listening, and Happy 2021!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 23, 2020 • 27min
How to have meaningful virtual conversations with Jennifer Britton
For those of us that grew up with a rotary telephone glued to the wall and no answering machine, the idea of being connected 24/7 everywhere we go still has a bit of novelty to it. I still sometimes marvel that while I walk my dog or go on errands, I’m basically carrying the world in my pocket. That convenience can lead to complacency, which can compromise our approach to conversations that happen over and through advanced technology. Our question this episode: how can we make sure technology doesn’t interview with real connection?My guest is Jennifer Britton. Jennifer is passionate about working with teams and organizations around leadership, teamwork and performance issues, specializing in remote work, and virtual teams. Author of Effective Virtual Conversations and four other books. She is an award-winning program designer in the areas of coaching and mentoring. Co-host - Remote Pathways podcast. Master Virtual Facilitator and trainer of others in virtual facilitation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 28, 2020 • 33min
Talking about Race at Work with Kwame Christian
Awkward, emotional, uncomfortable. This is how many of us feel when we try to talk about race. But we need to know how to have these conversations if we’re going to make progress toward a more equitable and high-functioning society. Negotiation expert Kwame Christian joins me to give us some starting points on how to talk about race, particularly in a work environment. This episode is also available on YouTube! Listen AND watch the conversation here: https://youtu.be/1ewGfsSCpVA Kwame Christian: http://americannegotiationinstitute.com Podcast: http://howcanisaythis.com Beth Buelow: http://bethbuelow.com Thanks for listening and watching the first HCIST video! You can learn more about the podcast, access past episodes, submit a listener question, and learn how to leave a rating or review, all at howcanisaythis.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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