Body Talk

Trust and Clear Communication in the Financial World

Conversations about money often come with pressure. People worry about getting it wrong, asking the wrong question, or not fully understanding what’s being explained. In those moments, clarity and trust matter just as much as expertise. In this episode of the Body Talk podcast, Alina is joined by Chenji Meng, Wealth Manager at Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth, to explore the role of trust and clear communication in the financial world. Chenji describes his work as financial therapy, focusing not just on numbers, but on the emotions, behaviours and beliefs that shape financial decisions. We talk about what great communication looks like in high-stakes conversations, how leaders can make complex financial ideas easier to understand, and why empathy and listening are just as important as technical expertise. This conversation is for anyone curious about how trust is built through communication, particularly in professional and financial settings. It offers a thoughtful look at how clarity, empathy, and presence shape decision-making, and why the human side of communication matters, especially when the stakes are high.

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Communication Lessons from a Film Producer

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to navigate the fast-paced world of film production? In this episode of the Body Talk Podcast, Alina chats with Chevonne O’Shaughnessy, a film producer and co-founder of American Cinema International, to explore her fascinating career in the industry. Chevonne shares how an unexpected turn in her life led her into the film world, starting from scratch and learning the ropes as she went. From building strong relationships to mastering negotiation skills, she explains the communication strategies crucial to her success, especially when standing her ground with intimidating agents or finding win-win solutions in high-stakes situations. Chevonne also talks about how she's adapted to industry shifts over the decades, including the rise of AI, and the success of ACI’s YouTube channel, bringing her work to new audiences. Listen in to hear Chevonne’s incredible story and her lessons on resilience, communication and staying ahead of the curve. 989/5000 Thumbnail

The Traitors - what can we learn about communication from the hit BBC series?

The BBC series The Traitors is the ultimate murder/mystery game which has gripped audiences not just here in the UK but around the world. The show follows a group of strangers who are brought together to compete in a series of challenges. But what they don't know is that some of them have been chosen as traitors by the producers, and their task is to deceive and sabotage the others without getting caught. The remaining contestants must work together to uncover the traitors and eliminate them from the game, ultimately hoping to win up to £120,000. Originally created in the Netherlands, The Traitors combines elements of reality TV, game shows, and whodunnit mysteries. As the contestants battle it out in challenges, alliances are formed and broken, secrets are revealed, and tensions rise throughout the castle. We're fascinated with the programme as it highlights so many areas which we talk about in our training. From body language (what are their non-verbal cues revealing?) to their communication skills (does being defensive mark them out as traitors when they're not?) If you're a fan of the show, or if you're just interested in how human behaviour can change when we're under pressure, have a listen to the latest Body Talk podcast with Richard and Alina. We talk about the stress signals the contestants are showing, why the traitors were slipping under the radar at first, how the contestants built trust but so easily destroyed it and why certain personality types were misunderstood.

Resilience, storytelling and creative peacebuilding

In this episode of the Body Talk podcast, we're talking about resilience, storytelling, and creative peacebuilding with a remarkable guest. Honey Al Sayed founded Honey&, a leading agency focused on human development and the visionary behind MAP – Media and Arts for Peace. Honey presented "Good Morning Syria" for seven years, captivating over 7 million listeners. But her path hasn't always been smooth. Displaced by war multiple times, Honey's journey is marked by resilience, determination, and commitment to improving the world. In 2012, Honey relocated to the United States, where she became a sought-after speaker at academic institutions across the US and Europe, all while advocating for women's leadership, youth empowerment, and the transformative role of media and arts in building lasting peace. We delve into Honey's incredible life journey and explore key themes that have shaped her path: Staying resilient after being displaced: Discover how Honey has turned adversity into a source of strength. Experience as a broadcaster: The power of storytelling through the eyes of a seasoned broadcaster. Pivoting through different roles: How Honey transitioned between diverse roles and industries. Creative peacebuilding: Using media and the arts to foster peace and understanding.

Working Through Conflict and Difficult Conversations

Do you ever feel tense and anxious when an important or difficult conversation arises? Do you then find it hard to express your thoughts and feelings? If this sounds familiar, Talib Fisher’s insights on working through conflict can help you understand how to approach disagreements and conflict at work and in your personal life. Talib is a therapist specialising in relational and trauma resolutions. In this episode of the Body Talk podcast, he shares his experiences of integrating understandings from Eastern and Western philosophies to help us find areas of opportunity in the way we communicate, our emotional intelligence and how we can be more empathic.

Speak With Confidence: Strategies from a Voice Expert

This episode of the Body Talk podcast is all about the power of your voice and how it can make or break your message. We've all experienced those moments when someone walks into a room and effortlessly captures everyone's attention with their voice. But how do they do it? And why do some people struggle to get their message across, even if they're saying all the right things? To answer these questions, Alina spoke to voice expert Emmanuella Grace. Emmanuella has a background in performance and psychology and is a coach, speaker, and facilitator in the mental, physical, and creative skills to speak up and communicate with clarity, confidence, and poise. In this episode, Emmanuella shares her insights on how to use your voice in the world of business and covers everything from speed and pitch to mindset and vocal fry.

Lift your Impact with Richard Newman

Here’s a special episode in our podcast series where the founder of Body Talk and this podcast series, Richard Newman, chats to Alina about his new book – Lift Your Impact! Richard has been running his own LIFT podcast alongside this series for well over a year and, at the same time, has been working on the book to support it. LIFT is all about getting yourself in a great place so you can lift yourself and others. The book is aimed at people from all walks of life who want to live a more purposeful and fulfilling life, leaving a legacy they are proud of. We talked about the hero’s journey, taking risks, mindset, influence and much more! Use this link if you’d like to pre-order your copy of the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1265086141?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KCPGRTKQ5PP209G02YD0 You can also book your place at our inspiring LIFT Retreat. For two decades, we have delivered professional development at Body Talk. Last year we launched personal development with the LIFT retreat to help you overcome challenges and lift your life. Use this link for more information and to book and use code LIFT950 for a huge discount! https://liftyourimpact.com/

How To Nail Your Next Interview or Salary Negotation

Is 2023 the year you look to gain a promotion or find a new role? Perhaps you've been putting off that discussion about a salary increase. All of these situations require you to be at the top of your communication game because we all know interviews and salary negotiations can be a little uncomfortable and sometimes intimidating. Someone who has a wealth of insight into these areas is Don Gatewood. Don has led several non-profit initiatives in Detroit and Washington DC over the last 23 years. He’s led large teams, program operations, strategic planning, accounting, communications, compliance regulations as well fundraising for several organizations including American Red Cross and Goodwill Industries. Don is also the co-founder and CEO of The Initiative Baltimore; a Professional Leadership Consultant, and the host of the podcast-- Leadership and Professional Development. In this episode of the Body Talk podcast, Don lends his expertise to best practices for job interviews and salary negotiations, staying resilient through challenging times, and also his experience as a distinguished toastmaster.

Leadership - Help Your Team and Yourself Thrive

In this episode of the Body Talk podcast, we’re talking about leadership and ways that you can flourish in a senior role and inspire your team. For anyone who is on the leadership path or has been on that journey, we know it’s tough. There are constant hurdles to overcome, not least from the pressures we put on ourselves. Susan Brady is the Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Chair for Women and Leadership at Simmons University in Boston and the first Chief Executive Officer of The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership. The Institute develops the mindset and skills of leaders at all stages of life to foster gender parity and cultures of inclusion. Susan is a relationship expert and leadership well-being coach; she educates leaders and executives globally on fostering self-awareness to get the best out of themselves and others. She is also a speaker and author - having written three books on leadership. Her most recent, Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership, was released in April 2022 and landed on the best-seller list in the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today. We explore how women can thrive in leadership roles, how you can foster a culture of belonging and inclusion and what to do when your inner critic starts to take over.

From Neurodiversity To Neuroinclusion

There's lots of talk these days about neurodiversity, and for good reason. As our understanding of the brain grows, we're beginning to see just how complex and varied it can be. But what does that mean for the workplace? How can businesses embrace neurodiversity and create an environment where everyone can thrive? Neurodiversity is the term used to describe the natural diversity of brain function and wiring. It includes conditions like ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and dyslexia. Many businesses are now beginning to understand that neurodiversity can be a source of strength, creativity, and innovation, but there's still more to be done to fully include people who are neurodiverse in the workforce. John Boileau has been with the NHS for 20 years with a background in transformation and change. He currently works for The NHS Transformation Unit, which works in partnership with other NHS organisations to transform health and care outcomes for people and communities. Over the past two years, John has led programmes of work related to neurodiversity, in addition to being diagnosed with ADHD himself. His professional and personal experience has inspired him to set up a business talking to organisations about neuroinclusivity, and we asked John to come on the Body Talk podcast so he could share his insights. Listen in to discover what neurodiversity is, why it's important for employers and businesses and how a greater awareness can help your business and team thrive.

Staying Resilient in Difficult Times

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a test of resilience for everyone. Loved ones have been lost, lives have been changed, and businesses have gone under. The global economy continues to be in flux, with rising inflation and energy bills putting pressure on finances. Many of us have had to grapple with the impact of the pandemic, and now there is the potential for further hardships and uncertainty ahead. But it is possible for businesses and individuals to weather this storm and come out stronger on the other side. The key is resilience. What does resilience mean? Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity and bounce back quickly from difficulties. It’s about having a positive mindset, being adaptable and finding ways to keep going when times are tough. In this episode of the Body Talk podcast, Richard and Alina discuss how we can build resilience during challenging times. Richard also shares his personal story of how he kept what had always been a face-to-face training business afloat during lockdown and how the experience made himself and the company stronger.

Improve Your Speaking Voice

Your voice is a powerful tool – you can use it to motivate and inspire change in others. When we use our voice well in business, it can help us to connect with our audience and to get our message across with clarity and confidence. All sounds good, right? But many people don’t like the sound of their own voice. They might speak quietly, quickly, too high, or maybe monotone. If you're not confident about your voice, or you simply want to improve how you sound when speaking to an audience, this podcast is for you. Our guest in this episode of the Body Talk podcast is David Tyler. David is a communication expert, speaker, and voice-over talent based in Montreal, Canada. He has decades of experience in TV & radio broadcasting and voice-over and has been helping companies communicate their ideas for over 30 years. Whether you're a business professional, a teacher, an entrepreneur or someone who wants to improve your speaking voice, we discuss techniques and tips to help improve the sound of your voice so that you can feel more confident and get your message across more effectively.

Conquering Imposter Syndrome

At the age of 55, David Stone was a successful, internationally known marketing consultant pulling down a healthy six-figures. He was also living in his car. Not the “living in his car” as in the road warrior who keeps Hertz in business, but literally, every night pulling into the same highway rest stop, grabbing the pillow out of the back seat, and spending the night with his leg wrapped over the gearshift. How he got to this situation can be summed up in a few words: Anxiety. Self-doubt. Imposter Syndrome. He had literally worried his way into homelessness. With that massive wake-up call, he set out to reinvent his life into one defined by fearlessness, joy, and genuine success. He has learned how to completely remove anxiety, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome from his life, and he lives every day, confidently reaching for more goals and rewards that he knows he can achieve. In this latest episode of the Body Talk podcast, David chats to Alina Jenkins about how imposter syndrome affects more people than you think – particularly left-brainers – and ways we can begin to remove limiting self-belief. They discuss: • Deconstructing fear into the harmless mental habit that it really is • Finding the REAL source of fears and doubts, then letting it go • Opting out of anxiety, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome • Replace the useless, negative self-talk with new, powerful mental habits

Media Training : Why It's Important For Your Business

Media skills are more important than ever in today's business world. Effectively communicating with the media can make or break a company's reputation. Good media skills can help build positive relationships with the media, resulting in more favourable coverage. They can also help to avoid potential PR disasters. By training employees on how to handle media inquiries, companies can ensure that their message is always communicated effectively. In a rapidly changing world, media skills are essential for any business that wants to stay ahead of the competition. In the latest Body Talk podcast, Alina talks to the newest member of the Body Talk team, Georgie Palmer about her background in journalism and media training and why it can be a valuable skill in business.

The Secret To Success: Overcoming Self-Sabotage

You may be familiar with the idea of self-sabotaging behaviours that can keep us trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and self-defeat. But what exactly is self-sabotage, and why do we do it? Self-sabotage can be defined as any behaviour or thought pattern that stands in the way of our success or happiness. Often, it is driven by our inner critic, the part of us that tells us we're not good enough, we don't deserve happiness, or we'll never achieve our goals. For some of us, self-sabotage may also be a form of imposter syndrome, where we believe that we're only deserving of success if we're perfect. Whatever the reason for our self-sabotaging behaviours, they can significantly impact our lives. If we're constantly second-guessing ourselves or putting off our dreams, it's impossible to live a fulfilling life. Thankfully, there are ways to overcome self-sabotage. With self-awareness and some effort, we can learn to silence our inner critic and move forward with confidence. In this latest podcast, Alina Jenkins talks to fellow Body Talk colleague Charlie Evans. Charlie has a background in performance on both TV and stage and she’s also a psychotherapist, helping many clients overcome chronic self-sabotage. We discuss: - Why the self-sabotage mechanism kicks in - The different types of self-sabotage - Strategies to stop it from happening - The connection between self-sabotage and imposter syndrome

How To Have Better Hybrid Meetings

We've all had to adapt to different ways of working in the last few years. Initially, it was mastering the tech behind virtual communication and more recently this has expanded to hybrid interactions. It's been a tricky transition for many and there remains some discomfort around the idea of what hybrid is or isn't. Workers are disengaged or feel disconnected and there's a common complaint that ideas are not being heard because people feel excluded from the conversation. So, we thought how can we do this better? Dr Nicola Millard is Principal Innovation Partner at BT where she's had a long and varied career. She came from the world of Applied Psychology and Computer Science in which she has a PhD and she's been involved in a number of firsts at BT, including implementing AI in their customer call centres and also their experiment around home working. She's an award-winning presenter and has appeared on two Ted talks, countless panels at conferences and when she has time sometimes she appears on the BBC. In this latest podcast from Body Talk, we look at how we can work better in a hybrid world and still maintain that important social connection in a semi-remote environment.

How To Be More Assertive

Do you have great ideas but struggle to get yourself heard? Or perhaps you say yes when you mean no? It could be you find it hard to assert yourself, and many of us find this a challenge. Yet, being more assertive can help you become a better communicator, reduce stress, and increase your confidence. Body Talk trainer Katy Lewis has been helping clients be more assertive for many years, and she shares some easy techniques to be more self-assured and decisive both at work and at home.

Improve Your Body Language And Communication Skills

Richard Newman is the CEO of Body Talk and is an award-winning expert in Leadership Communication and Storytelling. He's taught body language techniques and communication skills for over 21 years, helping over 100,000 people worldwide improve their personal impact. He began his research and teaching in 1995 by living in a Tibetan monastery in India, teaching English. He then studied professional acting in London for three years. In this episode of the podcast, he explains why his early struggles with confidence inspired him to start the company and how anyone can improve their impact in business or their personal life by making simple changes to their body language.

How To Approach Conflict Resolution In Business

Conflict resolution and the art of negotiation - situations which many of us avoid or even fear! Yet conflict is a healthy part of communication, especially in business. It shows your staff and colleagues you care about their needs. The ability to negotiate and resolve conflict can bring many positive changes, from stronger leadership and better decision making to building rapport and having more meaningful conversations. So, what is conflict resolution, and what are some of the strategies we can adopt to be more effective at it? Chris White and Martin Richards have spent most of their careers as hostage and crisis negotiators. Their work has taken them worldwide, where they have seen first-hand the best and worst of human behaviour. Resolving these difficult and often dangerous situations takes a certain skill set, which we can also apply to conflict in business. In this episode of the Body Talk Podcast, Chris and Martin share some of their techniques for dealing with difficult conversations, hostile staff, and crises situations.

Build A Deeper Connection With Your Clients Through Storytellin

In this episode, Alina Jenkins talks to psychologist Dr Peter Hughes. Peter is the co-founder of leading digital marketing agency Cognition, and he’s appeared on TV many times, including Addicted to Pleasure with Brian Cox, the Secrets of Superbrands and the BBC’s One Show. He’s also an author and has recently been shortlisted for the 2021 business book awards for 65 Roses and a Trunki, Defying the Odds in Life and Business. He explains why it's so important to use storytelling in business and how it can help build better relationships with your clients.