PODCAST · business
Breaking Bad Communication
by Cathy Reilly
Tired of awkward silences and conversations that miss the mark? Welcome to Breaking Bad Communication, where we turn messy moments into meaningful connections.Hosted by Cathy Reilly, this show gives you the tools, confidence, and clarity to speak up, lead better, and handle tough conversations like a pro.From communication tricks that build trust to mindset shifts that spark influence, each episode delivers straight talk, practical strategies, and a little sass to help you show up stronger—personally and professionally.Because at Breaking Bad Communication, we don’t just talk—we transform how we connect.
Episodes
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Who Told You to Tone It Down?
Ever hold back an idea, downplay an accomplishment, or bite your tongue because you didn't want to sound bossy, arrogant, or like a know-it-all? Here's a question: When did owning your worth become something to apologize for? In this episode of Breaking Bad Communication, we're digging into why...
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Can I Give You Some Feedback?
Be honest. Did your stomach just tighten a little? Those five innocent words can send even the most confident among us straight into defense mode. But what if feedback isn’t something to fear? What if it’s the information we need to stop guessing and finally hit the target? In this episode of...
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Your Next Best Move Might Be Hiding in the Feedback
Your Next Best Move Might Be Hiding in the Feedback Feedback is everywhere, in what others tell us, what we notice about ourselves, and even in the emotions that show up along the way. But hearing it and knowing what to do with it are two very different things. In this episode, Avital Miller and…
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Your Inner Voice Is Showing
Your Inner Voice Is Showing The way you talk to yourself shapes how you show up, speak up, and step into what’s next. So what happens when doubt, overthinking, and uncertainty start running the conversation? Maybe it’s time to stop questioning whether everything around you will hold and start...
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Trust Me? Yeah, That’s Not Up to You.
Trust Me? Yeah, That’s Not Up to You. You can have the title, the experience, the best intentions, and all the right words, and still leave people wondering if they can count on you. Because trust isn’t built by what you believe about yourself. It’s built by what other people experience from you....
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The Secret Sauce to Success Isn’t What You Think
What if one of the most powerful strategies for growing your business has less to do with what you say and more to do with how well you listen? In this episode of Breaking Bad Communication, Cathy sits down with business coach and entrepreneur Kami Guildner for a conversation about asking better...
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Think You Can Spot a Liar?
Think You Can Spot a Liar? Think Again. We’ve been taught to look for the obvious signs, avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, nervous behavior, or a story that just feels a little off. But research shows that many of the things we associate with lying aren’t reliable indicators at all. In this…
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Think You Can Spot a Liar? Think Again.
Think you can spot a liar? You may want to think again. We’ve been taught to look for the obvious signs, avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, nervous behavior, or a story that just feels a little off. But research shows that many of the things we associate with lying aren’t reliable indicators at…
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The Swiss Cheese Effect: Infertility, Energy, and Becoming Whole Again
The Swiss Cheese Effect: Infertility, Energy, and Becoming Whole Again What if the difficult experiences, negative self-talk, grief, and words of others leave little holes in us, until we start feeling a lot like Swiss cheese? In this episode, Reiki Master Krista Igoe shares her Swiss cheese...
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What I Heard Wasn't What You Said
What I Heard Wasn't What You Said: Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, "That’s not what I meant" or "That’s not what I heard at all"? In this episode, we explore one of the biggest challenges in communication: the gap between what is said, what is meant, and what is actually...
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What Happened To Manners?
What happened to manners? After a recent trip to London, I couldn’t help but notice how often people said please, thank you, and treated others with simple respect, and honestly, it made me realize how much we’ve lost that in everyday communication here in the US. In this episode, we talk about…
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Your Future Has a Friend Group
Your Future Has a Friend Group - Your future is being shaped by the people around you, the conversations you normalize, and the energy you allow into your life. In this episode, we talk about why your environment matters more than you think, how communication patterns like negativity, gossip,...
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The Moment You Realize Your Voice Matters
Have you ever sat in a meeting, conversation, or relationship knowing you had a thought to share, but convinced yourself it probably wasn’t smart enough, important enough, or valuable enough to say out loud? In this episode, we talk about the courage it takes to use your voice before you fully...
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Say It Better: The Power of Framing Conversations
Rambling doesn’t mean you lack intelligence, it often means your brain is overloaded and your thoughts need structure. In this episode, you’ll learn The Bookend Method™, a simple communication framework that helps you organize your thoughts, speak with more clarity, and make your message easier…
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Stop Shrinking: You’re Not “Too Much”
Have you ever been told you’re too loud, too emotional, too much? In this episode, I talk about the hidden cost of shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable, and why so many of us learned to stay quiet long before we ever found our voice. I share a deeply personal story about silence,...
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Get Aligned or Get Stuck: The Leadership Shift
In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Domsch of Keystone Collective for a powerful conversation on leadership, team alignment, and the mindset shifts that actually drive productivity. We dig into what it really takes to get everyone on the same page, why mindset is often the root of...
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The Secret Sauce of Leadership
Everyone wants to be a great leader, but most are asking the wrong questions. In this episode, I answer what it really takes to be seen, heard, and followed. It’s not about title or authority, it’s about how you choose to show up every single day. If you want people to listen and follow, this is...
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Skip the Script: Why Real Conversations Close More Deals
Sales doesn’t improve when you memorize better lines. It improves when you become more curious. In this episode, I sit down with Bethany George from The Follow Up Boss to talk about why the best sales conversations happen when you skip the script and start asking better questions. Curiosity…
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Building Your Communication Toolkit
Building Your Communication Toolkit Communication isn’t just one skill, it’s a toolkit. In this episode, I sit down with expert Meg Bucaro to share practical tools that help you navigate conversations with more clarity and confidence. One powerful takeaway? Learning to focus on facts, not just...
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Communication is Currency and Paying Attention is the Investment Strategy
Communication isn’t just something you do. It’s currency. And it sets the standard for every relationship in your life, your marriage, your kids, your team, your friendships, even how you date. In this episode, I challenge you to stop just talking and start paying attention. Because it’s not just...
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Stop the Venting Spiral: How Good Listeners Set Better Boundaries
Stop the Venting Spiral: How Good Listeners Set Better Boundaries Being a good listener is a powerful leadership - until everyone starts venting to you and you’re left carrying conversations that aren’t yours to fix. If people trust you, confide in you, and unload on you, this episode is for you....
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Bridging the Gap: Why What You Say Isn’t What They Hear
Bridging the Gap: Why What You Say Isn’t What They Hear Most communication doesn’t fail because people don’t talk enough—it fails because what’s said isn’t what’s heard. And that gap? That’s where confusion, frustration, and conflict live. In this episode, I break down the three real steps to...
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Visible and Memorable: How to Be Known, Liked, and Trusted
We break down what really builds the know, like, and trust factor, why relatability matters more than perfection, and how to talk about yourself with clarity using a simple framework: who you are, what you do, and the outcome you create. If you want to show up confidently, be remembered, and...
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Breaking the Silence on Infertility and Pregnancy Loss
Infertility and loss is one of those conversations most people avoid because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. So we stay quiet, change the subject, or offer well-meaning words that miss the mark. And that silence? It hurts more than we realize. In this episode, I’m breaking that pattern.…
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You Don't Need a Big Story - Just a True One
So many people hold back from sharing their story because they think it’s not big enough, dramatic enough, or powerful enough. But here’s the truth: connection doesn’t come from the extraordinary—it comes from the honest. In this episode, I sit down with Nick Demos to talk about the real power of...
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From Conflict to Conversation: Be the Solution, Not the Noise
In this episode, I sit down with Ruth Kent, an expert who’s built her career on one powerful choice: being part of the solution, not the problem. Drawing from her work in dialogue, facilitation, and conflict transformation, Ruth shares how shifting from reacting to observing and witnessing...
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Why We’re So Bad at Grief and How to Show Up Better
Why We’re So Bad at Grief — And How to Show Up Better In this episode, I sit down with grief specialist Karen Jones to talk about something we all experience but almost nobody knows how to navigate—grief. Whether it’s the loss of a family member, a relationship, a pet, or even a version of...
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When You Grow, Not Everyone Claps so Accept the Upgrade Anyway
Growth is powerful — but let’s be honest, it’s not always pretty, and it’s definitely not always celebrated. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Gomez for a real conversation about what it truly takes to rise. We talk about why some people fall away when you start winning, how to separate...
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Stop the Spiral: How To Handle Venting Without Losing Your Cool
You know those conversations where someone storms in ready to vent—and suddenly you’re trapped in a spiral of stress that isn’t even yours? It happens fast. And before you know it, you’re emotionally drained and wondering how you got there. That’s where The Clarity Check-In™ comes in. In this...
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From Victim to Victor: Using Words to Build Your Legacy
Let’s be real—your words can either hold you hostage or set you free. In this episode, I sit down with the unstoppable Dorice Horenstein—speaker, author, and Positive Intelligence powerhouse—to talk about how to flip the script from self-doubt to self-advocacy. We dig into how your inner dialogue...
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Lessons in verbal turbulence - how to make words digestible for others
In this episode, I sit down with Wendy Watson of TBR Spiritual Health to talk about the power of filtering our words—not to silence ourselves, but to ensure what we say is heard, kind, and truly understood. We explore how intentional communication builds connection, reduces conflict, and reflects...
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3 Simple Tools to Improve Communication
3 Simple Tools to Improve Communication: Think you’re a good communicator? Let’s find out. Most people talk—but not everyone connects. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 P’s of communication that separate the forgettable from the unforgettable: Power, Pace, and Pause. You’ll learn how to...
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How to choose love and kindness every day
This week on Breaking Bad Communication, we’re celebrating one year of real talk, bold stories, and lessons that make life—and leadership—a little better. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a conversation about love and kindness? My guest, Dr. Roz, is on a mission to teach 8…
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Navigating Divorce, Abuse and New Beginnings
In this episode, I sit down with Tina Huggins—divorce coach, mediator, and fierce advocate for those navigating abuse and high-conflict relationships. With a background in law enforcement, a 5th-degree black belt, and decades of real-life experience, Tina shares how she helps people find clarity,...
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Creating Connection Through Your Story
Your story isn’t just something you’ve lived through—it’s the bridge that connects you to your audience. In this episode, Cathy sits down with story coach Leslie Capps to talk about how sharing your authentic journey builds trust, creates deeper connections, and becomes a powerful tool for…
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Slow down to speed up
After two months on the road—speaking, serving, showing up—I hit a wall. And maybe you’ve felt it too… that bone-deep exhaustion from doing all the things for everyone else. Here’s your reminder: you don’t have to earn rest—but you do have to honor it. In this episode, I’m pulling back the…
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PACE Yourself to Stop Losing Your Cool
You know that moment when your buttons get pushed and your brain goes into overdrive? Yeah, we’ve all been there. But reacting on impulse often leads to more damage than resolution. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple yet powerful tool to help you handle conflict without spiraling—PACE: Pause,...
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The Power of Focus with Dave Sanderson
In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dave Sanderson—survivor of the “Miracle on the Hudson” and a man who has turned adversity into purpose. We explore what it really means to focus—not just on what you want, but why you want it. From reframing the negative into fuel for something greater, to...
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Wait… What Did You Hear? 3 Steps to Real Communication
Wait… What Did You Hear? The 3 Steps to Real Communication Most communication breakdowns don’t happen because we said the wrong thing—they happen because we assume we were understood. That’s the trap. You say one thing, they hear another, and before you know it… you’re in a mess that could’ve…
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Rejection Reframed: How to Turn "No" into Your Next Step
Let’s face it—rejection stings. Whether it’s a missed opportunity, a passed-over pitch, or a flat-out “no,” it’s easy to let rejection mess with your confidence. But what if you could see it differently? In this episode, we’re flipping the script on rejection. I’m sharing 3 powerful ways to…
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Act It, Feel It, Be It: The Body Language of Confidence
Confidence isn’t something you wait to feel—it’s something you choose to embody. In this episode, I’m joined by confidence and success coach Vanessa Raymond, who shares how the way we carry ourselves physically sends powerful signals—not just to others, but to ourselves. Vanessa breaks down how...
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Wait—Did That Land? The Real Foundation of Communication
You think you said it clearly. They nodded. You moved on. But somewhere along the line... things got lost. Sound familiar? In this episode, we’re digging into the real reason communication breaks down—and it’s not just about what you said or what they heard. There’s a missing piece most people...
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The Silent Connection: Horses Teach Us To Own Our Impact
The Silent Connection: Horses Teach Us To Own Our Impact In this powerful episode, I sit down with Michelle Kaye of Operation Equine, to explore how horses do something extraordinary—they help humans heal and own their impact. Communication goes beyond words. It’s rooted in nonverbal…
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My Horse Said WHAT?! And Why I Listened
You might not expect life-changing communication lessons to come from a horse—but my BeauJo had a lot to say. And even without using words, he taught me more about leadership, presence, and connection than most people ever have. In this episode, I’m sharing the powerful and sometimes unexpected...
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Styled from the Inside Out: Dressing with Confidence by Owning Who You Are
Your style speaks before you do—make sure it’s saying the right thing. In this episode, I’m joined by style expert Nina Fountain, and we’re getting into the real truth about fashion—it’s not about trends or hype. It’s about identity. Your style is one of the first ways you communicate with the...
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What do our kids really hear?
What do our kids really hear? The way we talk to ourselves matters—because it doesn’t just stay in our heads. It becomes the tone we use, the words we choose, and the way we speak to our kids, whether we realize it or not. In this podcast, we explore how shifting your inner dialogue can transform...
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Are You Listening? A 3-Step Process for Better Communication
Are You Really Listening? Let’s be real—most people don’t actually listen. They’re too busy planning what to say next, zoning out, or waiting for their turn to talk. But great communication starts with great listening—and in this episode, expert Kathy Rushing is dropping a fabulous 3-step process...
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The Art of Asking for Help - 3 Strategic Steps to Stop Struggling Alone
The Art of Asking for Help: 3 Strategic Steps to Stop Struggling Alone Why is asking for help so dang hard? Whether it’s at work, at home, or in your personal life, so many of us hold back—worried about being a burden, looking weak, or feeling like we should be able to handle it all. But here’s…
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Owning Your Financial Power: Ask the Right Questions & Take Charge
Owning Your Financial Power: Ask the Right Questions & Take Charge For way too long, women have been told not to worry about money—just let someone else handle it, right? Well, let’s not forget that women in the U.S. couldn’t even open a bank account without a male co-signer until the 1974. That...
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The Power of Your Smile
The Power of Your Smile - Want to know one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for better communication? Your smile. It’s not just about looking friendly—it’s a game-changer in how people perceive you, how conversations unfold, and even how persuasive you are. In this episode, we’re diving…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Tired of awkward silences and conversations that miss the mark? Welcome to Breaking Bad Communication, where we turn messy moments into meaningful connections.Hosted by Cathy Reilly, this show gives you the tools, confidence, and clarity to speak up, lead better, and handle tough conversations like a pro.From communication tricks that build trust to mindset shifts that spark influence, each episode delivers straight talk, practical strategies, and a little sass to help you show up stronger—personally and professionally.Because at Breaking Bad Communication, we don’t just talk—we transform how we connect.
HOSTED BY
Cathy Reilly
CATEGORIES
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