Hardcore Soft Skills Podcast

In this episode we begin a series focused on providing actionable advice you can use to cultivate essential skills.  In this episode we review:  - Why do we use the term "soft" skills? - What are the most effective way ways to learn soft skills? - Find out how "soft" skills were intended to be trained in military organizations.  For more resources, subscribe to the newsletter via https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  

In this episode, learn about how to become unruly with Lauren Wittenberg Weiner is the author of Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your Success. Lauren found success in the field of military contracting by changing the rules of the game. She started WWC Global when she could not get a job as a military spouse stationed overseas. Over the course of almost 20 years, she and her team built the company to almost $100 million in annual revenue before the company was acquired in 2022.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/ 

This episode originally aired in December 2022.    If you are a regular listener of this podcast you know that beyond the learning you do for your work related skills to get you in the door, the "soft" skills are the ones that will truly make you succeed. Especially transitioning careers or planning the way ahead, honing your "soft" skills is extremely important.  Thinking of that interest in advancing in your career, or switching gears, here are 5 skills you need to practice and some advice on how to get started on each.     For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/ 

This episode was originally aired in 2022. Today we talk about Body Language with an expert who has been voted as a number one body language expert. Mark Bowden (https://truthplane.com/home/people/mark-bowden/  )  is a bestselling author who has been featured in CNN, CBS, the Dr. Phil Show, and many others to share his expertise on body language and human behavior.  Our conversation today focused on what is really involved with developing your ability to understand body language and that of others. After this episode you will have taken a very important steps on your journey to understand body language for your advantage at work and life.  For bonus materials and updates, subscribe to the newsletter via the website https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  Connect with Yadi via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/  

This episode originaly aired on January 2023.  If hearing the expression "let's have a meeting" makes you cringe, you are not alone. Why? Because you and I have been part of some terrible, terrible meetings. Meetings which should have been an email, long meetings where only one person is talking, meeting that seem to go and on…  Should we ban meetings altogether? Not at all. In this episode I share the top reasons why your meetings suck and how to fix them.  Please leave me a review via your favorite podcast app and sign up for my newsletter for more resources via hardcoresoftskills podcast.com.  

Branding is not for products. You need branding regardless of what you do. This is the topic today with my guest Mike Kim. He is a consultant, speaker, and coach, teaching the principles of personal branding to executives, experts, and employees. He is the co-author of the book, alongide Andy Storch, of the book Own Your Brand, Own Your Career and also wrote You Are The Brand.   Today we speak about key advice to define your brand, losing the fear of posting content and preparing for job interviews.  For bonus materials of this and other episodes, subscribe via the website https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/ 

This episode was originally aired on September 2023.  In this episode, we will review the 8 steps for change management from John Kotter.  If you want to receive more information, subscribe to my newsletter via https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/ 

In this live episode I am joined by Sarah Baldeo. She is an AI Neuroscientist, bestselling author, TED speaker, and innovation advisor. For nearly two decades she has worked at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, helping Fortune 100 companies, governments, and universities prepare for the future of the human mind.She is also the author of 100 Ways to Future-Proof Your Brain in the Age of AI (June 2025). In this episode we discussed the myths about AI, impacts to our brain, and how to train our brains to prepare for the pace of technology.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/  

In this episode we talk about Negotiation. You will learn 5 steps I learned at Harvard University to become a better negotiatior.  For bonus materials of this and other episodes, subscribe via the website https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/    or email me at yadi@hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com

How do you assume a position of leadership effectively? What happens if you feel the odds are against you? In this epsiode you will learn tools to master how to assume a position of power at work.  Dr. Sheila Gujrathi is a leader in biotech and a passionate advocate for equity across industries. She has founded and lead numerous biotech companies that brought life-changing treatments to patients.  She is the athor of the book The Mirror Effect: A Transformative Approach to Growth for the Next Generation of Female Leaders.    For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/