The Art of Communication

We're taking a short break ... A milestone moment calls for thoughtful reflection. After producing over 50 episodes and reaching more than one million downloads, we're taking a strategic pause to reimagine The Art of Communication podcast for you.Since launching our journey exploring the nuances of communication, we've been overwhelmed by your enthusiastic response. This podcast has grown beyond our expectations, creating a community of listeners passionate about improving how they connect with others. We want to maintain high standards, which is why we're stepping back during spring and summer 2025 to refresh our approach.In the meantime, we encourage you to explore any episodes you might have missed. And please, share your favorites with friends who might enjoy these conversations! We're excited about crafting something even more valuable when we return with a super modern take on communication lessons learned. You can connect with us directly via robinkermode.com with any ideas or feedback you have – we'd love to hear from you!

The Power of Silence.Silence isn't just the absence of sound - it's a secret weapon in communication. Whether you're delivering a speech, truly listening, or having a heartfelt conversation, knowing how to embrace silence can transform the way you connect with others.In this episode, Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen dive into the power of silence, exploring how mastering it can deepen your relationships, boost your confidence, and sharpen your communication skills. Tune in for another fun and insightful chat as they uncover why sometimes, saying nothing says it all.

The Importance of Energy. How important is energy when engaging an audience? What is the right level of energy? And how can we change our energy levels?Discover how physical and mental preparation can help you channel that "sweet spot" of energy for different situations — from meeting rooms to large gatherings.Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss how different types of energy can change our communication style in another fun episode of this podcast series.

Being Natural on Video.How can you appear natural in front of a camera, whether you're a shooting social media video or filming a company message for your team? We look at why authenticity and a conversational tone are crucial, even in formal settings, and learn practical tips for sound and lighting to produce a flattering and natural feel. Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for another fun podcast episode as they unravel the secrets to producing authentic and engaging videos.

Executive Presence - Leadership Beyond Charisma.What is executive presence? And can you learn it?It's a crucial but often misunderstood quality in effective leadership. Discover how true executive presence builds a sense of security and respect rather than fear. We discuss real life examples, from Rafael Nadal to Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk and find the core elements that make up genuine executive presence. We look at how we can all become leaders with executive presence that our teams truly want to follow.Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for another fun podcast episode as they discuss some of the secrets to boosting your executive presence.

The Importance of Memory in Communication.Why can you vividly remember some pitches and presentations while others fade away? We look at the role memory plays in effective communication. Is it better to memorize your speeches fully or rely on notes? And do specific memories help your storytelling to be more engaging and authentic?Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for another fun podcast episode as they discuss some of the secrets to boosting your memory and unlocking the power of memory in your communication.

Asking for Money: The Art of Fundraising.Many people feel that asking for money is hard. They say it can be difficult and embarrassing. From fundraising for charitable causes to funding business ventures, we discuss some of the communication secrets to asking for money.Whether you're raising for personal causes, charities, or business investments, join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for another episode of this fun podcast. 

The Power of Saying 'Thank You'.Discover how the simple act of saying 'Thank you' can radiate through your day, influencing not just your mood but those around you. We explore how this simple act can shape relationships, professional dynamics, and even the way we interact with technology. We discuss the mindset of gratitude, from the joy of beginning each day with a grateful heart to how the unexpected impact of appreciation in leadership can rejuvenate spirits and strengthen bonds. We celebrate and revere the compelling power of those two little words.Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for another episode of this fun podcast.

The Top Five Frequently Asked Communication Questions:  AI, Confidence, Cross-Culture Communication, Humour and Using Notes.How will AI and ChatGPT impact communication? How can we regain our confidence when we feel we've lost it? How can we speak to people in cross-cultural settings? How can we inject humour into our communication, especially if we feel we are just not funny? And should we feel bad about using notes when giving a speech or a presentation?Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss The Top Five Frequently Asked Communication Questions in another fun episode of this podcast. 

The Three Spaces of Communication: The Physical Space, The Space of the Senses, and the Virtual Space.How close should you sit or stand to someone? We explore the subtle art of Proxemics and its role in building trust. We explore cross-cultural variations and The Vertical Space that shapes  our classrooms and boardrooms.The Space of the Senses looks at all the personal senses, from your co-worker's strong-smelling office lunch to the volume levels required to be heard and to connect. And then we look at the Virtual Space and how we can easily feel that space being invaded online.Once we understand both these tangible and intangible shared spaces we can learn to build our human connection. We recorded this episode in the studio of our great friend Carlos Santana in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. He has such a great energy and it was a pleasure to record in his studio once again. Thanks Carlos!  https://prosantana.com.mx/Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for another fun episode of this podcast. 

The Art of Gift-Giving: Unwrapping the Emotions Behind Our Presents.Gift-giving is more than just handing over a wrapped present; it's a symbol of communication and connection. How can a simple gesture, like a bowl of homemade muffins, speak louder than the most lavish of presents? We look at the unspoken rules of giving. Can the pressure to pick out the perfect gift make us lose sight of what truly matters? And do we give out of obligation or from the heart? Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for another fun podcast episode that celebrates the true spirit of giving and what we are communicating when we give.

Mastering your Tone of Voice: ChatGTP vs Humans?How important is your tone of voice in both spoken and written communication?  What can happen if you get your tone wrong?  AI understands that the tone of what you say really matters and it can suggest different tones for you. Let's make sure that we hit the right tone every time.Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss these and other questions about the importance of getting your tone right in another episode of this fun podcast series. 

How to become a really good Listener.We listen all the time, of course, but do we truly listen? Or do we just let things waft over us?  How important is active listening? And how can we learn to become really good listeners? Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss these and other questions around the importance of listening well in another episode of this fun podcast series. 

The Inner Voices in Our Head.All of us have inner voices in our heads - some of us have them louder than others. From the little demon that says we're not good enough to the imagined conversations we wish we could have instead of the ones that we have to have.Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss some interesting ways to listen to the inner voices in our heads so that they don't derail us unucessarily!  

To Rehearse or Not to Rehearse? It can feel odd rehearsing a speech or a presentation. Especially if you are rehearsing on your own. To some, rehearsing makes them feel safe and comfortable. To others, it can make them feel just plain awkward. But it would be foolish not to rehearse when the outcome of your pitch or presentation is really important. So how should we rehearse? How long should we rehearse for? And is there a correct way to rehearse? Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss some interesting ways to make sure that when you do rehearse, you rehearse in the right way knowing that you'll do yourself proud on the big day!  

How to Behave When You Meet One of Your Heroes.  It can feel awkward meeting one of your heroes - whether they're a movie star, an author, a public figure or an important person from your past. What do you say? How do you behave naturally? And is it OK to ask for a selfie? It's all a bit of a minefield. Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss some interesting ways to make sure that if you do meet one of your heroes, you feel you've behaved well and done yourself proud!  

How to be a Great Host at Home and at Work.We've all been to great events, whether it was a party or a video conference call. It was probably great because it was hosted well. What makes a great host? Can you learn to be a better host? What are the basics?Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss some interesting ways to become a great host in another fun episode of this podcast. 

Introduce Yourself in Any Situation.How can we best introduce ourselves in any situation, confidently and calmly?  How can we come across as being impressive without being arrogant? Should we give our job title? Or underplay our success and be a little humble? We do it every day, but there are many factors to keep in mind when introducing ourselves.Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss some interesting ways to introduce ourselves in another fun episode of this podcast. 

Final preparations.So, your big day has finally arrived. It may be a speech, a presentation, an important meeting, or a job interview. How should we prepare ourselves so we feel relaxed and confident?  How do we deal with any last-minute nerves? And are there specific things we should look out for so we don't get derailed?Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss some interesting and fun ways to help us feel confident and make sure we do ourselves proud on the big day.

Communication's Secret Weapon - Poetry.Reciting a poem can feel a little scary but it needn't be that way. How can we become more confident in using poetry in our speeches and in our everyday life? Poetry can build our connection with our audience and boost our communication power.  Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss some interesting ways to help us all feel confident when reciting poetry.

Keeping it Fresh. How can you deliver the same message over and over again and still keep it fresh? From presentations to pitches, from Town Halls to talks, it can be a real challenge. And, of course, actors face this problem every day when on stage or filming take after take. Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they find some interesting ways to keep it fresh in another fun episode. 

The Communication Expert Series: Shirley McGrath, one of Australia's most successful theatre producers.In this episode, Robin talks to  Australian theatre producer, Shirley McGrath. Previously she was an actor, singer, and dancer. The so-called triple threat. Now she's an international theatre producer, having produced shows on Broadway, in London, across Asia, and in her homeland Australia. I've heard it said, unofficially, that she is one of the ‘best dressed and most frightening women in theatre'!Join Robin and Shirley for this fun episode.

First Impressions. How important is it for us to make a good first impression? How harshly do we judge other people on the first impression they make on us?  And is it possible to reverse a bad first impression?  Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for the 30th episode of this fun podcast. 

And now it's time for Q + A.So your presentation has gone well. But what happens afterwards if someone asks you a difficult question you don't the the answer to? Or nobody asks you a question at all?  And how do you stop someone from talking too much and taking over the Q + A session entirely?  Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss these and other questions in another fun episode. 

The Delicate Etiquette of Food at Work.Is it acceptable to eat on a Zoom call, to slurp spicy foods at your desk or to crunch crisps in a business meeting? And what about formal lunches with clients or your boss?  Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they tackle the delicate etiquette of food at work in another fun episode. 

Socially Awkward Moments.You know those socially awkward moments, when you just want the floor to open up so you can disappear. You're at a party and you forget someone's name. And then you have to introduce them to someone else. Whose name you also can't remember.  You bump into your ex, and you have to meet their glamorous new partner. You're in a restaurant and you discover you've left your wallet at home.  Then there's the awkward silence in a lift ...Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they tackle these and other awkward social moments, that we have all had,  in another fun episode. 

The Communication Expert Series: Gustav Fouche, one of London's top celebrity hairstylists.In this episode, Robin talks to one of London's most sought-after celebrity hairstylists, Gustav Fauche. From his stunning salon in Notting Hill, he's created looks for red-carpet events, TV commercials, and magazine covers. As well as looking after actors like Kate Hudson, singers like LeAnn Rimes ... and ordinary people like Robin! How much does hair affect our confidence? How can we deal with a bad hair day, especially if we have a hot date? And what should we do with our hair when we go for an important job interview? These and other questions are answered in this fun episode.

Going blank. What happens when you're giving a speech or going for a job interview and your mind goes blank? It's a horrible feeling. You can't even remember your own name! How can we prepare ourselves so this doesn't happen and how do we deal with it when it does? Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen as they discuss these and other questions in another fun episode. 

Difficult Conversations.We all have to have them. Most of us dread them and some of us put them off. How can we make them less difficult and less awkward? Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen answer these and other 'difficult' questions. The conclusion? More voice, less emoji! Join them for another fun episode. 

Successful Job Interviews.In this episode, we look at how to be successful at a job interview. What should we say? Or not say? And how should we say it? How do we sell ourselves without looking desperate?  How can we stay calm and relaxed? And can anyone become a successful interviewee? Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen answer these and other questions. Join them for another fun episode.  

The Power of Storytelling.In this episode, we look at storytelling. Why do we love stories and why do they help make our messages more memorable?  What's the best way to tell a story? Is there a magic formula? And can anyone tell a story? Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen answer these and other questions. Join them for another fun episode. 

Random Acts of Kindness.In this episode, we look at why kindness, and especially random acts of kindness, help us connect with other human beings and communicate successfully with them. What can leaders do to build a 'kinder' culture?  Is kindness important and relevant for companies at this time? Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen answer these and other questions. Join them for this heartwarming episode. 

The Communication Expert Series: Josh Salzmann, legendary fitness guru and founder of Super A. Robin Kermode talks to Josh Salzmann, legendary fitness guru. Josh has been a fitness instructor for over 40 years. He is a published author and popular media commentator working with senior executives and leading entrepreneurs, members of the Royal family, sports personalities and actors such as Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Pierce Brosnan. Together with John Cleese, Sir Paul McCartney and ... me! He is co-founder of Super A (supera.uk)

Wedding Speeches.Whether you're speaking at a wedding in person or remotely via Zoom, you probably want your speech to be emotional and you might want it to be funny, but you definitely don't want it to ruin the big day. So how can you make sure your speech lands well with the happy couple and goes down a treat? Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for this special edition of The Art of Communication podcast on Wedding Speeches.

How to tell a joke.Can anyone be funny? What about timing?  What if no one laughs?! When should you tell a joke? Should you laugh at your own jokes?! Is it best to tell jokes or funny stories?  In this episode, we take a look at how to tell jokes and funny stories. Join Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen for this fun episode.

Adapting your Style. Communication has dramatically adapted over the last year. How can we take advantage of this to make sure that our message lands with every audience, every time? Why might we need to adapt our communication style anyway? In which circumstances? In which ways? And how? In this episode, Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen discuss the subtleties of adapting your style.

What is Confidence?Almost all of us will feel a lack of confidence at some stage in our lives. It's a real and very human worry.  Animals don't seem to have this doubt. It's unlikely that a leopard gets up in the morning asking, 'Am I a good leopard or a bad leopard?' Unless they sense an immediate threat, they just go, 'I'm a leopard!' Join us for this fun episode where we discuss what confidence looks and sounds like from a human point of view. And how we can start to build our confidence - even when we might not totally feel it?!

The Communication Expert Series: The Very Rev. Peter Elliott, former Rector of Christ Church Cathedral and Dean of New Westminster.In this episode, Robin Kermode talks with The Very Rev. Peter Elliott, former Rector of Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver and Dean of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada. Peter is a wonderful speaker and he shares his thoughts about confidence, engaging an audience, and how to speak with authenticity and humanity. 

Pitch Perfect.  How you can make a pitch work for you so that it lands with your audience, every time - whether you are speaking face to face or via video conference? It's about the structure and the delivery. It's about making your client or your customer feel important. And it starts by making your pitch 'not sound like a pitch'!

The Communication Expert Series: Gitikka Ganju Dhar, India's most awarded live event host.In this episode, Robin Kermode talks with Gitikka Ganju Dhar, India's most awarded TV and live event host. She's an actor, orator, TV Anchor, Moderator, Voice Over artist, Live events MC, and now India's most in-demand Virtual MC.  She has shared platforms with Prime Ministers and Heads of State, she has received the Best TV Host for her award-winning TV cookery show and has hosted literally thousands of live events across the globe. Her awards include Live Artist of the Decade at the WOW Awards Asia, Best Live Host India, Best Female Anchor India and has been named by India Today as one of the top 100 Nation Builders in India. 

Sell by not selling.  No-one likes being 'sold' to. In this episode, we look at how to sell without selling. Or rather how to sell without looking like we're selling. We should always be helping someone solve a need or a problem they have. That way we ask questions, we build trust and we sell without selling.

The Communication Expert Series: Joanna Trollope CBE, Best Selling Author.Robin Kermode talks to best selling author Joanna Trollope CBE. She's written 22 contemporary novels, 11 historical novels and an edited collection of poetry. Four of her novels became TV series. She has been translated into over 20 languages, sold almost 9 million books and was awarded the OBE in ‘96 and the CBE last year.

The Communication Expert Series: Philip Mould OBE, Art Expert and BBC TV presenter.Robin Kermode speaks with art expert and BBC broadcaster, Philip Mould OBE. His TV series, Fake or Fortune, is the BBC's most-watched arts programme. He talks about how art communicates to him and how he communicates art on the world stage. 

The Communication Expert Series: JoAnne Good, Award Winning BBC Radio Presenter.  Robin Kermode talks to JoAnne Good, award winning BBC Radio presenter, about how you connect and communicate on the radio. This is part of our Communication Expert series.

The Human Voice.  Many people say they don't like to sound of their own voice. They wish it was stronger, deeper and had more impact. We all can learn to develop our voice in just one week. Here Robin gives us some simple tips to make a real difference to our voice. 

How to Ace a Video Call.   Many of us will be working from home and might well be using video conferencing for the first time. Here, Robin Kermode and Sian Hansen discuss how to ace a video call. It might well be a new skill for us but if we're going to have to use this medium to communicate - let's try to be really good at it! 

Stand and Deliver.  In this episode, we look at how you can stand on stage, looking and feeling confident, so that your audience listens to what you have to say. We look at how you stand and 'own' the stage so that you look and feel comfortable up there. And what to do with your hands!

Creating Chemistry on a First Date!   In this episode, we look at the perils of a first date and how to read if your date is 'into you' - or not! What's the best venue? Should you arrive fashionably late? What should we wear? How should we behave on a date? And how do you know if you should go for a second date?! These and many other questions are answered here!

Don't Let Your Nerves Derail You!   In this episode, we discuss why we get nervous in various situations . Whether we're going for a job interview, running a meeting, pitching, presenting, persuading, or standing on the stage and giving a keynote speech we can all learn to deal with nerves. Robin gives some specific exercises to help deal with those nerves. Some of them are a bit odd but they do work! This is a fun and useful discussion.

Don't You Just Love Networking?!  Many people say they hate networking events. The idea of walking into a room full of people they don't know fills them with terror. But here Robin explains how we can all learn to get good at these events and even come to love them! Yes ... seriously!

Can you teach Charisma?   In this episode, we look at that elusive quality Charisma. What is it? Can you teach it? And how you can get more of it! There are times when we want to walk into a room and for other people to feel we have presence. Can you teach Charisma? Yes, it really can be learned - we show you how!