Debugging Human Communication

In this episode, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen speaks with Aviv Weizmann, Head of EMEA Marketing at Aerospike, about what it really takes to communicate value in the tech world. One of the strongest ideas in this episode is simple: If you do not learn to tell the story of your work, others may never fully see its impact. Drawing on years of experience in companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta and now Aerospike, Aviv shares practical insights on storytelling, audience awareness, personal branding, and authenticity. Together, they discuss why great work is not always enough on its own, why tech professionals need to learn how to frame their impact, and how communication can help people get recognition, clarity, and a stronger professional presence. Tune in to a thoughtful, practical episode for developers, product people, marketers, and anyone who wants their work to resonate more clearly 📣 Tune in and join the conversation!

In this episode of Debugging Human Communication, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen sits down with Shai Cohen, Director of R&D and Core Group Lead at Optibus, to explore what it actually means to make an R&D environment feel safe, while staying highly professional and performance-driven. If you work in R&D and are a developer, tech lead, or manager, this conversation will give you language and practices you can use immediately to communicate more effectively! Tune in and join the conversation!

Most engineering teams are great at debugging code. But when the “bug” is human, like misalignment, friction, or feedback, we often default to silence, assumptions, or escalation. In this episode, @Shani Horowitz-Rozen speaks with @Shai Cohen, Director of Engineering and Core Group Lead at Optibus, about what it takes to build something rare in R&D: a safe place without lowering the bar. They talk about: Why active listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills in engineering What Shai does differently in 1:1s with teammembers Why strong teams don’t “avoid” feedback, they normalize it What communication skills does Shai look for when hiring new developers Where AI helps and what it can’t replace. If you lead engineers (or want to), this episode is a practical reminder:  psychological safety is not a soft value, it’s your execution infrastructure. 🎧 Listen here:     @dafniel Magen #develeap #podcast #communication      

If your work is solid but your message doesn’t travel, this episode will help. In this episode, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen speaks with Robyn (Jackson) Malone, CEO & Chief Partner Officer, RJ Communications, about what makes messages land, especially when the topic is complex, regulated, or high-stakes. You’ll learn: Why audience insight beats “better wording” How to find the why behind choices and decisions How to communicate with rigor and relevance: facts + meaning How to think about AI in communications: competitive advantage comes from how you use it

Terms like “urgent”, “OK”, “interesting”, or “quick sync” can be interpreted differently across teams. The result is predictable: misalignment, slower decisions, and avoidable rework. This episode of Debugging Human Communication was inspired by a real moment in Paris - when, for Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen, a “simple” issue turned into a surprisingly accurate lesson in how people define respect through process. Listen to this episode to learn how to use AI to test how a message is likely to be received across different cultural contexts, before hitting send and turning misunderstandings into friction.

In this episode of Debugging Human Communication, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen talks with Joshua Altman, Managing Director at Beltway Media in Washington, D.C. Joshua works with leaders, companies, and campaigns that can’t afford to just “post more” – they need communication that changes minds, builds trust, and drives decisions. Together, they unpack: Why “communicate strategically, not voluminously” should be every leader’s mantra The journey from story → narrative → brand (and why skipping steps backfires) Joshua’s simple lens for designing messages: what people read, see, hear, and experience The myth of the “natural communicator” – and what serious practice actually looks like How corporate communications became a core business function, not a PR add-on If you’re a founder, VP, or team lead who feels the pressure to “be out there more” but also wants your communication to actually do something, this conversation will give you language, structure, and a calmer way to think about your voice.

Most people think great communication is about knowing exactly what to say. In this episode, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen looks at the other side of the conversation: the quiet moments between the words. Why does it feel so frustrating when someone jumps in and finishes your sentence “for you”? What actually happens in your brain – and in your colleague’s – during those few seconds of silence after you speak? If you’re a leader, engineer, or team member who spends a lot of time in meetings, this episode will help you rethink what it really means to “communicate well” at work.

If you’ve ever pitched your startup and felt the room just… didn’t get it - this episode is for you. Because sometimes, the biggest risk to your startup isn’t the tech - it’s how you talk about it. In this episode, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen sits down with Yaakov Diminsky, CEO of Road2, an innovation hub helping early-stage startups across Israel’s north. With deep experience mentoring founders in deep-tech and AI, Yaakov brings sharp, real-world insights into the role of communication in startup success — and failure. You’ll hear: Why “no” is a gift — if you know how to listen How to avoid building something no one wants What honest mentorship really sounds like And why early-stage founders should focus less on pitch decks and more on clarity Yaakov has worked with more startups than most people pitch to. His advice is direct, honest, and grounded in real experience. 🎧 Listen now — because in early-stage startups, communication is execution.  

What if one small sentence could shift the tone of a meeting, ease tension with a colleague, or make your team lean in? In this episode of Debugging Human Communication, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen reveals how tiny acts of communication can give you more influence, more trust, and more confidence — without needing to be brilliant or “on” all the time. Hit play and see how much impact you can have with less effort.

What happens when a product expert walks into a startup and asks, “What are we building and why?” and gets five different answers? In this episode, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen speaks with Yaniv Yaakubovich, a product consultant and former Googler, about how communication shapes everything in product management, from customer insights and team alignment to decision-making and leadership trust. Whether you’re a product manager, startup founder, or just obsessed with how teams work, this episode will give you tools and stories that hit close to home.

What if your best moment wasn't a happy accident? In this episode, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen tackles the fear many of us carry: the fear of shining once… and never again. She explores how to move from one-time wins to repeatable communication impact you’ll easily recreate.  Producer and editor: Dafniel Magen. Brought to you by Develeap.

We’re excited to speak with Liat Persiko, a senior executive at Takeda, leading the business unit for Oncology, PDT, Transplant, and Rare Diseases. In this episode, Liat and Shani unpack the complexities of communication in the pharmaceutical industry, where regulation, internal alignment, and cross-cultural dynamics meet. From her role in Israel, working closely with Takeda’s leadership teams in Europe and Japan, Liat shares real-life examples and sharp insights that reveal how strong communication builds clarity, trust, and results - even in the most complex environments: This is one of those episodes where every answer holds a gem. Don’t miss it.

Is success all about talent? Or is there something else at play?  In this episode of Debugging Human Communication, Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen debunks the myth of natural talent and explores how anyone can create impact through communication.  Whether you're an executive, a leader, or just looking to level up, this episode will challenge what you think you know about talent—and inspire you to take action. Big thanks to @Dafniel Magen for the stellar editing and production!

We’re excited to host Dikla Sahar, R&D Group Manager at @Microsoft! In this episode, Dikla speaks with our Shani Horowitz-Rozen about approaching communication within her team to foster trust and collaboration, how she solves the challenges of remote work communication while maintaining an open communication channel, and what she looks for in candidates’ communication skills during job interviews. Tune in and join the conversation!

Ever felt like you're missing something in job interviews? You're asking all the right questions but still not finding the right people? Well, maybe it's time to flip the script. Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen dives into the art of asking the right questions in job interviews – but this time, it's all about YOU, the interviewer. On the excellent editing and production: Dafniel Magen

We’re thrilled to have @Ilia Zhidkov, VP of Computational Technologies, and @Silvia Shaked, VP of Experimental Technologies from @Evogene joining us on the show! In this episode Shani Horowitz-Rozen, Ilia and Silvia dive into essential communication skills for managers and VPs working closely together: -  Ilia and Silvia’s top tips for connecting with their teams - Building trust with your team members - Communicating organizational decisions effectively - Ilia’s unexpected interview question for potential team members Hit play now and transform the way you connect with your team!

Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen unveils the secrets of how to communicate better in your next job interview: ask the right questions to impress your interviewer and turn your flaws into strengths. And why the interview is not all about you (and why that's a good thing!). Listen now and transform your interview game! On the excellent editing and production: Dafniel Magen

We’re excited to host Yosefa Shulman, R&D Director at Radware! Yosefa speaks with our Shani Horowitz-Rozen about communication skills for Directors and shares her leadership secrets for fostering effective communication and collaboration within large, distributed teams. Yosefa manages over 40 developers in 4 groups and is sharing her experience in communicating priorities and the “big picture,” maintaining the “open and direct” approach, and embracing feedback. Tune in and join the conversation!

In this. Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen flips the script on Jerry Maguire's famous line, “Show me the money!” and argues that while financial success is great, what LinkedIn really needs is your expertise! So, Show us your expertise! 📣 Join us as we explore: 💡Overcoming the fear of hitting "publish" (perfection is just an illusion!) 💡Identifying your unique "superpower" at work 💡Quieting your inner critic and embracing positive self-talk ️ Big thanks to @Dafniel Magen for the stellar editing and production!

Do you ever find it scary to admit you don't know something in DevOps? Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen tackles our knowledge gaps head-on with @Idan Korkidi, Develeap's DevOps Bootcamp manager and mentor! Here's what you'll learn: 💡How to overcome the fear of admitting you don't know something (say goodbye to interview shame!) 💡How to create a supportive environment where asking for help is encouraged. 💡What to answer in a job interview when you’re being asked about a technology you haven’t learned yet, and show your qualities and confidence!  And remember, being a DevOps pro isn't about having all the answers; it's about knowing how to find them.

Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen explores the etiquette of small talk in confined spaces & how it can actually benefit you.  Plus, she gives tips on how to start your small talk and excel in the art of conversation. On the editing and production side: The talented @Dafniel Magen

🎧This Week on Debugging Human Communication Podcast: We’re excited to host @Noga Horowitz, Team Leader at NetApp! In this episode Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen and Noga speak about communication skills for developers, and especially team leaders: -How to gain trust with your team members? -How to encourage a culture of feedback in your team? -How to communicate when merging two teams? -And what is most important for Noga when interviewing full-stack developers? This is a conversation that starts with glitters and transforms into hard-core, actionable tips for managing development teams. Tune in and start communicating with your team like never before!

In the 3rd episode of Debugging Human Communication, Dr. shani Horowitz-Rozen dives deep into the architecture of communication to identify communication roadblocks that can prevent your message from becoming clear and effective. Tune in to learn practical tips on how to make sure your message lands well in your next presentation or job interview: Noise - the silent communication roadblock: Learn how accents, culture, and even word choice can create misunderstandings. One-word answer: We all fall into this trap! Discover how to fill the gap and create a clear, successful picture for your audience. Beyond knowledge: It's not just what you know. It's how you explain it! Listen now & become a communication pro!  On the editing and production side: The talented @Dafniel Magen

User feedback? Management buy-in? This episode has you covered. Dr. Shani Horowitz-Rozen dives deep with Roman Levin, Head of Product at EasyPlant by Mixtiles, on cracking the code for better communication in the product realm. Roman shares his communication strategies and practical tips for product managers: Which questions to ask your users to receive genuine feedback? How do we engage with diverse audiences, from engineers and stakeholders to customers? How do you turn technical concepts into captivating stories? This episode is worth listening to for everyone who wants to create rapport with their users, receive genuine feedback, and improve their communication with cross-functional teams. Read more about Roman’s product craft: https://www.product-craft.com/

It's a new era for the tech industry. Strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability are no longer just nice-to-haves, they're essential for success.   In the first episode (yay!) of Debugging Human Communication, Shani Horowitz-Rozen explores why communication is crucial to success in tech. Discover how communication skills can boost your career and build stronger connections. Stop buffering and start connecting! On the editing and production side: The talented Dafniel Magen