Episodes

June 15, 2025

The Hidden Scale Behind All Communication

🔍 Episode Summary: Have you ever gotten lost in the clouds of abstract language—or buried under too much detail? Welcome to the Ladder of Abstraction. In this episode, Chris and Patrick explore how this powerful concept shape...

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June 9, 2025

Four Rules for Clear Communication

🔍 Episode Summary: You know those conversations where someone gives you an answer that’s technically correct… but still leaves you confused, misled, or frustrated? In this episode, Chris and Patrick introduce four unwritten r...

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May 29, 2025

How to Set Boundaries Without Being a Jerk

🔍 Episode Summary: Setting boundaries is essential—but for many people, it feels uncomfortable, guilt-inducing, or downright scary. In this episode, Chris and Patrick unpack the art of boundary-setting in a way that’s honest,...

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May 23, 2025

How to Prepare for High-Stakes Conversations

Some conversations change the course of your life—and you don’t always see them coming. But when you do know in advance that a conversation could be high stakes, what do you do with that knowledge? In this episode, Chris and ...

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April 26, 2025

Going Deeper — In Conversations and Relationships

In a world of curated highlight reels and shallow small talk, real connection can feel like a lost art. In this episode, Chris and Patrick argue that deep, meaningful connection requires us to be a little messy, a little vuln...

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April 11, 2025

How to Give Feedback (Without Making it Weird)

🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of Making Yourself Clear, Chris and Patrick take on one of the most misunderstood and misused tools in communication: feedback. They begin by rejecting the outdated “compliment sandwich” and...

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April 5, 2025

Apologies That Don't Suck

In this episode, Chris and Patrick dive deep into the art of genuine apologies. They explore why most apologies fail, the anatomy of a real apology, and how to avoid common pitfalls when apologizing. The hosts emphasize that ...

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March 14, 2025

The Five Levels of Listening

In this episode, we explore the five levels of listening and how they impact communication, relationships, and personal growth. The discussion covers the importance of deep listening, common barriers, and techniques to enhanc...

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Feb. 7, 2025

How to Keep Friends and Influence People

Chris and Patrick explore strategies for discussing heated topics with people you strongly disagree with. They emphasize the importance of understanding why you want to have such conversations, preparing for emotional trigger...

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Feb. 1, 2025

Don't Agree to Disagree. Here's What to Do Instead.

Chris and Patrick discuss the pitfalls of the suggestion "let's agree to disagree" in arguments, highlighting that it often leaves one or more parties feeling unheard and frustrated. They emphasize the need for mutual underst...

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