The Art of Communication

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. 

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. 

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.

How to ace a Q + A session.
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. 

How much can our Hair affect our Confidence?
In this episode, Robin talks to one of London's most sought-after celebrity hairstylists, Gustav Fouche. 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.