The Opposite of Small Talk
Self-Improvement
About
A podcast for curious people who know that there is no one right answer for how to live your best life. Finding new ideas about how to improve, and trying them out, is important! Join Danielle McCombs and Kristy Olinger, friends with similar mindsets and different perspectives, as they share the big and small ideas that changed them and test out new things in the ongoing trial and error of life. It's short, fun, and easy to listen to… and it's the opposite of small talk.
Episodes
- 217. Big Time Insights with Laura Vanderkam
Laura Vanderkam, bestselling author, joins the hosts to discuss and challenge conventional wisdom around time management, introducing a mindset of viewing time as abundant rather than scarce.
- 216. Redefining Aging with Andrea Nakayama
Andrea Nakayama, a Functional Medicine Nutritionist, discusses how to redefine aging, addressing how society, diet, and beliefs influence the experience of getting older. She offers insights on reclaiming vitality and purpose at any age.
- 215. Entrepreneur to Corporate with Christine Amerman
Christine Amerman shares her experience transitioning from entrepreneurship to corporate real estate. The discussion covers the importance of curiosity, intuition, and resilience when navigating career changes and transforming one's relati…
- 214. Unlocking Self-Worth Secrets with Rich Sirop
In this episode, Rich Sirop, a transformational coach, shares how techniques can help transform fear into a force for growth by understanding self-worth. The discussion focuses on reclaiming personal power through intentional steps rather…
- 213. Big Talk with Kalina Silverman
Kalina Silverman discusses the Big Talk movement, sharing her journey of overcoming loneliness by engaging in deep conversations with strangers. The episode also highlights Kalina's new book, "Big Talk."
- 212. Strong Enough to be Kind with Shola Richards
Shola Richards discusses how kindness is connected to courage, boundaries, and intentional action. This episode challenges the idea that kindness is solely about being polite or agreeable.
- 211. The Surprising Power of Deep Conversations with Danielle & Kristy
In this episode, Danielle and Kristy explore personal growth, evolving identities, and the significance of deep, honest conversations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community and fostering meaningful connections.
- 210. Overcoming Sticky Floors with Erica Rooney
Erica Rooney joins the podcast to discuss "sticky floors," which are internal barriers to success. She shares her four-step SNAP method, designed to help overcome common issues like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and concern over others…
- 209. Being an Expert Generalist with Monique Lecomte
Monique Lecomte, author of "The Expert Generalist," is featured on this episode of The Opposite of Small Talk. She discusses how versatility can be a key to success.
- 208. Signature Episodes - Start Here
This episode guides new listeners to The Opposite of Small Talk by highlighting key "Signature Episodes." Danielle and Kristy explain how these selected episodes represent the podcast's focus on engaging and meaningful conversations.
- 207. A Guide to Thriving with Jon Rosemberg
This episode features Jon Rosemberg, author of "A Guide to Thriving," who discusses how to move from survival mode to thriving, particularly during the holiday season. He provides scientific research and storytelling to help listeners mana…
- 206. Researching Life After Death with Bob Ginsberg
Bob Ginsberg, co-founder of the Forever Family Foundation, discusses researching life after death. He shares his work on validating mediums, which began after the loss of his daughter.
- 205. Meaningful Strategic Partnerships with Madeline Reeves
Madeline Reeves, Founder & CEO of Fearless Foundry, joins Danielle and Kristy to discuss meaningful strategic partnerships. She shares ways to create deeper professional connections and offers tips for effective networking.
- 204. From Homelessness to Hope with David Ambroz
David Ambroz, author of "A Place Called Home: A Memoir," shares his story of homelessness and resilience, advocating for collective responsibility to address child poverty and homelessness. He discusses taking action and making a differenc…
- 203. The Sneakiness of Grief with Lisa Keefauver
Danielle and Kristy welcome Lisa Keefauver, author of "Grief is a Sneaky Bitch," to discuss the complexities of grief and navigating loss. They explore grief as a multifaceted experience impacting identity, relationships, and overall well-…
- 202. The Need for Rest with Maegan Megginson
In this episode, Maegan Megginson joins the podcast to discuss the concept of rest. She explores what it means to be deeply rested and the differences between various forms of breaks like vacations, retreats, and sabbaticals.
- 201. Workload vs. Thought Load with Liane Davey
This episode of The Opposite of Small Talk features Liane Davey, an organizational psychologist. She discusses the difference between workload and thought load, and how managing thought load can help prevent burnout.
- 200. Milestone Episode, a little reflection and a sneak peek into the future of TOOST
Danielle and Kristy celebrate the 200th episode of The Opposite of Small Talk. They reflect on the podcast and discuss its future.
- 199. Simple Daily Habits for Mental Fitness with Lindsey Wilson
Lindsey Wilson, also known as The Sports Hypnotist, shares insights on mental fitness and performance habits. She discusses her experience working with athletes at various levels, from youth to professional, in fields such as the NFL, WNBA…
- 198. Special Series: Summer Camp, Episode 4 – Danielle McCombs with Kerry Dobson
In this episode, Danielle McCombs and Kerry Dobson conclude their Summer Camp series on solopreneurship. They discuss a new collaborative endeavor they are developing for solopreneurs.
- 197. Special Series: Summer Camp, Episode 3 – Danielle McCombs with Kerry Dobson
In this episode, Danielle McCombs and Kerry Dobson discuss the positive aspects of solopreneurship. They cover topics such as working with preferred colleagues, flexible scheduling, and pursuing beloved work.
- 196. Special Series: Summer Camp, Episode 2 – Danielle McCombs with Kerry Dobson
In this episode of The Opposite of Small Talk, Danielle McCombs and Kerry Dobson discuss their experiences transitioning from corporate roles to solopreneurship. They cover topics such as work/life balance, setting boundaries, and adapting…
- 195. Special Series: Summer Camp – Danielle McCombs with Kerry Dobson
In this episode, Danielle McCombs introduces a special four-part series called "Summer Camp", exploring solopreneurship. She is joined by Kerry Dobson to discuss this topic in depth, covering real talk, lessons learned, and dispelling myth…
- 194. Boredom, Creativity, and Breaking the Rules with Terri Trespicio
Terri Trespicio joins Danielle and Kristy to discuss boredom, creativity, and breaking rules. The conversation covers her book "Unfollow Your Passion" and personal insights on embracing boredom, comfort zones, and personal discovery. Danie…
- 193. Creating Possibility Out of Adversity with Daria Burke
In this episode, author Daria Burke shares reflections from her memoir "Of My Own Making," discussing her journey, post-traumatic growth, the importance of healing, and sharing personal experiences to inspire others. She offers insights in…
- Friendship Series #3: The Other Significant Others, with Rhaina Cohen
This episode of The Opposite of Small Talk features a discussion with journalist and author Rhaina Cohen about her book, "The Other Significant Others." The conversation covers friendship stories and the inspiration behind Cohen's work.
- Friendship Series #2: Better Friendships, with Danielle Bayard Jackson
This episode of The Opposite of Small Talk features Danielle Bayard Jackson, who discusses topics such as tough love in friendships, sustaining friendships, and the reasonable number of friends a person can maintain.
- Friendship Series #1: How to Make Friends
This episode, a rebroadcast from February 2020, features Danielle sharing advice and practical strategies for making new friends, particularly after moving to a new city.
- 192. Charisma and Magnetic Leadership with Milam Miller
Milam Miller discusses charisma and magnetic leadership, explaining that charisma is a skill that can be developed. He shares practical strategies for genuine connection, meaningful interactions, and impactful communication.
- 191. Unscripted Pivots with Danielle Sprouls, Esq.
Danielle Sprouls, Esq. shares her journey from commercial real estate to coaching. She discusses making the decision to "pivot," facing fears, and personal and professional growth, drawing from her book "WTF: Women That Flourish."
- 190. #Danielle - Coaches Corner: JL Heather
In this episode of Coaches Corner, JL Heather, an organizational transformation coach, sits down with Danielle to discuss innovation and creativity. Danielle also provides information about her life coaching services.
- 189. Using Language and Mindset with Rebecca Bonnington
Rebecca Bonnington, a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) expert, discusses how language and mindset can transform personal and professional experiences. She demonstrates practical NLP techniques, including changing emotional states and und…
- 188. Managing Up with Melody Wilding
Melody Wilding joins "The Opposite of Small Talk" to discuss her book "Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge." She shares insights on navigating workplace relationships and communication strategies from her book.
- 187. Learning Self-Compassion with Tara Cousineau, Ph.D.
In this episode, Dr. Tara Cousineau, a clinical psychologist and author, discusses strategies for managing inner critics and reframing perfectionistic tendencies. She shares insights into recognizing and addressing the pursuit of perfectio…
- 186. #Kristy The Um Episode
This episode of The Opposite of Small Talk addresses the use of filler words. It covers why people use them, how to identify individual filler words, and methods for reducing their use to improve communication clarity.
- 185. New Ways to Network with Rosalind Chow, Ph.D.
This episode features Rosalind Chow, Ph.D., who discusses networking through sponsorship. She explains the distinctions between mentorship and sponsorship, and how sponsorship can enhance inclusivity in professional environments.
- 184. How to be a Grownup with Raffi Grinberg
This episode of The Opposite of Small Talk features Raffi Grinberg, who shares insights on essential life skills for recent graduates. The discussion covers practical skills beneficial beyond the classroom, aligning with themes from his ne…
- 183. Reach for Wild Courage with Jenny Wood
In this episode, Jenny Wood, author of "Wild Courage," discusses confronting societal labels like "weird" or "reckless" to achieve your aspirations. She shares insights from her book on transforming perceived negative traits into strengths…
- 182. #Danielle - Coaches Corner: Suzanne Campi with Danielle McCombs
Suzanne Campi, a life transition coach, joins Danielle McCombs on Coaches Corner to discuss retirement. Danielle McCombs offers life coaching services.
- 181. Menopause with Susan A. Miele, PhD
This episode features Dr. Susan A. Miele, who shares her personal story and information on menopause. The discussion covers navigating the stages of menopause in both personal and professional life.
- 180. The Pink Tax with Janine Rogan
Janine Rogan joins the podcast to discuss the "pink tax," which refers to the price difference in products marketed towards women versus men. The conversation also covers the overall wage gap in society and strategies for wealth building.
- 179. The Evolving Landscape of DEI with Elena Joy Thurston
Elena Joy Thurston, an HR consultant, discusses the evolving landscape of DEI, its challenges and opportunities, and shares her personal journey of deconstructing internalized biases. She emphasizes the need to move away from an "us vs. th…
- 178. Rethinking Professional Development with Gemma Toner
Gemma Toner, founder and CEO of Tone Network, discusses rethinking professional development. She explores how both employees and employers can benefit from a focus on professional growth and success.
- 177. #Danielle - Coaches Corner: Shabnam Golmohammadi with Danielle McCombs
Shabnam Golmohammadi, a Silicon Valley career and leadership coach, joins Danielle to discuss women in the workplace.
- 176. Bold Risks with Anne Marie Anderson
Anne Marie Anderson, a three-time Emmy Award winning broadcaster, discusses the concept of taking bold risks to achieve goals. She identifies four common barriers to risk-taking and emphasizes the significance of having an encouraging netw…
- 175. #Kristy 3 Easy Frameworks for Work Conversations
Kristy shares her top 3 frameworks for making work conversations easier. These frameworks are designed to help corporate professionals improve communication skills during meetings and extemporaneous speaking situations.
- 174. Competing With Yourself with Jake Thompson
In this episode, Jake Thompson, an entrepreneur, author, performance coach, and motivational speaker, discusses the topic of competing with yourself. He shares insights on goal setting, commitment, and making small, intentional changes to…
- 173. #Danielle - Coaches Corner: Molly Kittle with Danielle McCombs
Molly Kittle, a coach, consultant, and performing artist, joins Danielle McCombs on "The Opposite of Small Talk" to discuss conscious creative leadership. Kittle brings a background in experimental theater, business strategy, and behaviora…
- 172. Anniversary Show; talking big, adult friendship, authenticity, and connection
This 5-year anniversary episode of The Opposite of Small Talk features discussions on adult friendship, authenticity, and connection with past podcast guests. The episode was recorded live on October 19th, 2024, at The Comedy Studio in Cam…
- 171. Futures Building with Ilana Lipsett
This episode features Ilana Lipsett, a professional futurist and participatory futures design strategist. She discusses making future imaging tangible, future building strategies, and how looking towards possible futures can help with stre…