Tough conversations don’t have to end in conflict, silence, or regret. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber introduces the EARS+ framework.

A simple, emotionally intelligent tool that helps you stay calm, connected, and clear when the pressure is on. You’ll discover how to shift from defensiveness to curiosity, build trust in high-stakes moments, and walk away with stronger relationships instead of strained ones.

Whether it’s at work, at home, or anywhere emotions run high, the EARS+ framework gives you a step-by-step way to handle necessary conversations with less stress and more connection.

If you’ve ever thought “here we go again” before a tough talk, this episode will give you a better way forward.

Assumptions are one of the fastest ways to erode trust and misread people’s intentions. In this episode, Sandy Gerber shows you how to stop letting assumptions run the show and start leading with clarity. You’ll learn the Assumption Auction to catch the stories your brain invents, the Assumption Antidote Question to reset in seconds, and three practical EQ tools: - EQ Switch™ - Honest Questions™ -Emotional Magnets™ to transform silence, tone, and uncertainty into real connection. You’ll walk away with:

• A simple reset question to stop overthinking in its tracks
• Tools to turn “they didn’t reply” into clarity instead of conflict
• A quick team exercise to expose hidden assumptions and build trust
• A faster, calmer way to respond instead of react

If you want fewer misunderstandings and stronger connections at work and at home, this is your episode.

Want a fast-track guide to expressing yourself clearly, confidently, and without creating unnecessary conflict? In this recap episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber distills the best of the three-part Self-Expression mini-series into one 9-minute self-expression communication skills masterclass. You’ll get a practical overview of three proven tools:

1. Mirror Check-In™ – A quick body language alignment check to make sure your facial expressions, tone, and posture match your intended message, preventing mixed signals before you even speak.
2. 3Cs Conversation Filter™ + Emotional Magnets™ – A two-step process to ensure your words are clear, calm, constructive, and framed in a way that motivates the listener to engage.
3. EQ Switch™ + Honest Sandwich™ – A regulation and structure combo for delivering even the hardest truths without triggering defensiveness or regret.

In just one listen, you’ll learn how to:

• Stop body language from undermining your words.
• Choose words that match the listener’s motivations.
• Handle tough conversations with both honesty and empathy.

With real-world examples from leading a tense project meeting, to making a clear request at home, to framing a message for different personality types. Sandy shows how these tools work together to make your communication more magnetic. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a portable, repeatable self-expression system you can use in any situation, at work or at home, to build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and make your messages stick.

Tough conversations are part of leadership, but too often they leave both sides defensive and drained. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber shares how to handle necessary and tough conversations with emotional intelligence, clarity and empathy using the EQ Switch™ and Honest Sandwich™ tools. You’ll start with the EQ Switch™ - a four-step technique for regulating your emotions before you speak, so you can respond instead of react:

1. EQ Breath: 3-second inhale, 4-second quiet exhale.
2. Name the Emotion: “I feel frustrated,” “I feel concerned.”
3. Locate It in the Body: Notice where tension shows up physically.
4. Choose Your Response: Decide from a calmer state what to say next.

Once regulated, you’ll learn how to structure your message with the Honest Sandwich™:

1. Say What You Feel - Without blame.
2. Say What You Need - Specific and actionable.
3. Say What You Want to Happen Next - A clear, constructive step forward.

Through real workplace and at-home examples - including how one manager addressed repeated missed deadlines without triggering defensiveness, and a relatable “clothes on the floor” scenario. You’ll see how this approach gets better results than blunt criticism or avoidance. By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

• Why emotional regulation must come before honesty in high-stakes conversations.
• How to use a simple structure to express tough feedback without burning bridges.
• How these tools work in both professional and personal settings.

This isn’t about sugarcoating the truth. It’s about delivering it in a way that the other person can actually hear and act on while protecting the relationship. If you want to replace avoidance or blow-ups with productive, trust-building conversations, this episode gives you the roadmap.

Miscommunication in leadership kills momentum, damages trust, and leaves everyone frustrated. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber shares a proven way to stop miscommunication before it starts - the 3Cs Conversation Filter™ - plus how to tailor your words to what truly motivates your listener using Emotional Magnets™. If you’ve ever blurted something out, hinted at what you wanted, or buried your main point in so much detail that people tuned out, you’re not alone. Sandy walks you through a simple, three-question filter you can run every message through before you miscommunicate in leadership, speak or hit send:

1. Am I Clear? Will they understand exactly what I mean?
2. Am I Calm? Is my tone steady or reactive?
3. Is It Constructive? Will this build trust and move things forward?

Once your message passes the 3Cs test, you’ll learn how to apply Emotional Magnets™  - the four motivators that drive how people listen and act: Safety, Achievement, Value, and Experience. Sandy shows you how to frame the same information four different ways so it resonates with each type, whether you’re talking to a team member, a client, or your boss. You’ll hear practical examples of leaders using this approach to turn resistance into buy-in, including how one manager reframed a request for an Achievement-driven team and transformed the mood of the room. By the end of the episode, you’ll know:

• How to quickly check if your message is clear, calm, and constructive.
• How to identify someone’s Emotional Magnet™ and adjust your words so they actually hear your point.
• Why skipping these steps leads to defensiveness, confusion, or disengagement.

This isn’t about manipulating people - it’s about making your communication land in a way that builds trust and gets results. Whether you lead a team, manage clients, or navigate challenging workplace conversations, the 3Cs + Emotional Magnets™ combo will help you stop miscommunicating in leadership to deliver your message effectively the first time.

If you’re a leader, your face is talking - whether you realize it or not. In this episode of the Magnetic Communication Podcast, Sandy Gerber reveals body language for leaders. How your facial expressions, tone, and body language send messages before you even speak  - and how the Mirror Check-In™ can help you make sure those messages build trust, not tension. You’ll learn why body language for leaders matters more than ever in meetings, presentations, and even quick hallway conversations. Sandy explains how micro-expressions, eyebrow raises, crossed arms, and other subtle Connection Cues™ can either invite collaboration or shut it down instantly. Through relatable stories, like the “Eyebrow Macarena” manager whose expressions said more than her words, you’ll see how easy it is for emotional “leakage” to undermine your credibility. You’ll also discover how the Mirror Check-In™ gives you a quick, three-question tool to align your non-verbal signals with your intended message, whether you’re walking into a boardroom, logging onto Zoom, or greeting your family after work. This episode isn’t about faking your emotions. It’s about aligning your body language with your true intent so people believe what you say. You’ll walk away knowing:

• Why people believe what they see more than what they hear.
• The non-verbal mistakes leaders make that erode trust.
• How to do a Mirror Check-In™ in under 10 seconds anywhere.
• Real-life examples of leaders transforming tense situations just by adjusting their posture, expression, or tone.

If you want to increase trust, engagement, and influence, this episode is your starting point. Perfect for executives, managers, and anyone in leadership who wants to stop sending mixed messages and start communicating with confidence.