Social Skills Mastery

Susan Callender
  • 4.8 (44)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Social Skills Mastery Podcast is where High-Performance Social Confidence Coach and Corporate Trainer, Susan Callender helps professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs stand out in competitive and often high-stakes situations, by raising social capital and using the power of polished people skills to make an impact. Weekly content encompasses what to do, what to say, how to maneuver tricky situations and get it right the first time.

  1. 2D AGO

    271. What High Achievers Did to Transform That You're Not Doing Yet

    After years of working with analytically minded professionals in STEM, finance, and high-stakes corporate environments, Susan has noticed a clear pattern: the clients who get fast, lasting results aren't just doing mindset work, they're doing something more. In this episode, she breaks down the specific behaviors, habits, and reading practices that separate the people who transform from the people who stay stuck, and lays out exactly what you can start doing this week to close the gap.   In This Episode •Why mindset work alone won't get you where you want to go — and what has to accompany it •The pattern Susan keeps seeing in clients who transform quickly vs. those who stay stuck •How your physical habits are directly shaping your social presence and confidence •The neuroscience behind why exercise changes how you show up in high-stakes conversations •Why discomfort isn't in the way of your growth — it is the path •The reading list of high achievers who took their transformation seriously •A specific three-part challenge to start this week   Key Takeaway Confidence is not something you find — it's something you build. And it's built the same way high achievers build everything else: through early mornings, intentional physical habits, voracious reading, and the repeated practice of doing hard things on purpose.   Books Mentioned in This Episode •The 5 AM Club — Robin Sharma •Atomic Habits — James Clear •The Compound Effect — Darren Hardy •High Performance Habits — Brendon Burchard •The Laws of Human Nature — Robert Greene •Mastery — Robert Greene •Extreme Ownership — Jocko Willink **  Don't even know where to begin in improving your people skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? The School of Social Mastery Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    27 min

  2. MAR 6

    270. The Judgement Trap: What Other People's Opinions Are Costing You

    If you're a high-achieving professional who has ever held back in a meeting, sat on a great idea, or quietly talked yourself out of something important because of what someone else might think, this episode is for you. We break down the three distinct ways other people's opinions quietly run our behaviors, why analytically-minded professionals are especially vulnerable to this pattern, and what it's actually costing you in your career and your life. You'll hear real stories from professionals just like you: the biotech researcher who made herself invisible, the private equity principal who stayed stuck, the wealth management SVP who rarely posted on LinkedIn, and what shifted when they finally stopped letting imaginary judgments make their decisions for them.   **  Don't even know where to begin in improving your people skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? The 7 Biggest Mistakes Accomplished Professionals Make [and how to fix them]  Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    22 min

  3. FEB 27

    269. Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, and Managing Social Anxiety w/ Kristine Ovsepian

    You're intelligent. You're capable. You're prepared. So why does your body still react under pressure? In this episode of the Social Skills Mastery Podcast, I sit down with certified hypnotherapist Kristine Ovsepian to explore the physiological side of anxiety and whether tools like hypnotherapy and breathwork can reduce the internal friction that keeps high-achieving professionals from speaking up and stepping forward. We discuss what hypnotherapy actually is (and isn't), how it works neurologically, whether it can help with social anxiety and fear of visibility, and how trauma and stress responses shape professional performance. We also break down breathwork in practical terms and explore when hypnotherapy is a smart complement to coaching. If you've normalized the tension before meetings, the racing thoughts before presentations, or the quiet avoidance of leadership visibility,  this episode will challenge you to reconsider whether that friction is necessary. In This Episode, We Discuss: What hypnotherapy actually is and how it differs from stage hypnosis What happens in the brain and nervous system during hypnosis Whether hypnotherapy can reduce social anxiety and fear of public speaking How trauma (big or small) can shape adult anxiety patterns What breathwork is and how it affects emotional regulation When hypnotherapy is appropriate — and when it isn't   As a clinical hypnotherapist with a Master's in Psychology, Kristine Ovsepian blends science and spirit to support deep healing and transformation. Through hypnotherapy, breathwork, past life regression, quantum healing, NLP, EFT, and manifestation coaching, she helps her clients to reconnect with their inner wisdom and divine power. Guided by love, intuition, and purpose, she holds space for her clients to awaken, release what no longer serves them, and step fully into their highest path.   Website: www.journeystoheal.com   Instagram:  @journeystoheal   Facebook   LinkedIn       Yelp    ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Confidence on Cue: a powerful 5-minute audio that resets your mind before any meeting, presentation, or social interaction. Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    33 min

  4. FEB 14

    268. Compare and Despair: Break the Cycle That's Blocking Your Success

    You're scrolling LinkedIn and see a colleague got promoted. Someone else just keynoted at the conference you've been dreaming about speaking at. Another peer seems to effortlessly command every room they walk into, and that familiar knot starts forming in your stomach that makes you feel like you're falling behind." What if that singular thought pattern is the exact thing blocking you from the success, influence, and visibility you actually want? In this episode, I'm diving into what I call "compare and despair", the sneaky habit of using other people's success against yourself. If you're brilliant at the technical work but struggle with visibility and influence, this conversation is for you. What You'll Learn Why comparison is eroding your confidence and executive presence (even if you don't realize you're doing it) The principle that completely reframes how you see other people's success The difference between comparison that inspires you vs. comparison that destroys you How jealousy is actually showing you what you want (and what to do about it) Three questions to ask yourself every time you catch yourself comparing  ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Confidence on Cue: a powerful 5-minute audio that resets your mind before any meeting, presentation, or social interaction. Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    31 min

  5. FEB 6

    267. The Powerful Framework That Turns Nervousness into Professional Presence

    The promotion went to someone less qualified. The VP never learned about your game-changing idea. That strategic relationship never happened. Not because you weren't capable, but because when the moment came to step forward, you stayed silent. In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact mental framework that separates people who demonstrate social bravado from people who play it safe. You'll discover why what you've been calling "risk" is actually strategic positioning, and how to reframe high-stakes professional moments so they feel like preparation, not danger. You'll learn: The reframe that transforms nervousness into confident action Why "playing it safe" is actually the riskiest career move you can make The Social Bravado Framework to use before any high-stakes interaction Three real-world scenarios with exact thought patterns to adopt How to build social bravado progressively (without jumping into the deep end) The physiology hack that changes your confidence in 2 minutes  **  Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Confidence on Cue: a powerful 5-minute audio that resets your mind before any meeting, presentation, or social interaction. Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    29 min

  6. JAN 30

    266. Rewire Your Self-Talk for Instant Social & Interpersonal Success

    In this episode, we're dissecting the constant conversations happening in your head, and how it's shaping the way you show up in meetings, at dinners and events, and everyday workplace interactions. Because here's the truth: Your inner dialogue becomes your outer presence. If your self-talk sounds like: "I'll never get the job" "I never know what to say" "I hope I don't mess this up" "Other people are naturally better at this" …then no amount of communication tips or confidence hacks will fully stick. Today, you'll learn how to identify the subtle phrases that are reinforcing a socially hesitant identity and how to replace them with thoughts that align with the confident, respected, and socially at-ease professional you're becoming.   **  Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Confidence on Cue: a powerful 5-minute audio that resets your mind before any meeting, presentation, or social interaction. Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    22 min

  7. JAN 22

    265. Stop Trying to Win with People: Reprogram Your Social Identity

    Have you ever watched someone walk into a room and it's like everything they touch turns to gold—promotions, opportunities, influence, connection, and wondered how it's even possible? In this episode, we break down the real reason some people seem to "win" socially without effort: they're not trying harder… they're operating from a different identity. Social success isn't created through willpower or forcing yourself to perform—it's created through subconscious programming, beliefs, and an internal "thermostat" that determines what feels automatic and normal for you. You'll learn why trying is the fast track to social exhaustion, why your brain resists behavior that conflicts with identity, and how to reprogram your social operating system so confidence, connection, and presence become effortless. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why people who succeed socially aren't "trying" to succeed (and why that matters) The identity-based reason social skills can feel exhausting and inconsistent How your subconscious runs your interpersonal habits on autopilot Why small talk isn't the problem—your beliefs about it are How to model socially successful people without pretending to be them The "thermostat" concept: how to raise your default level of confidence and ease If you're smart, capable, and successful in your work—but still feel like you're "hit or miss" with people—this episode will help you understand why… and how to change it permanently. **  Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Confidence on Cue: a powerful 5-minute audio that resets your mind before any meeting, presentation, or social interaction. Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    26 min

  8. JAN 16

    264. Devin Marks: How TED-Style Tools Can Improve Any Message, Anywhere

    When you're ready to become a bona fide thought leader in your zone of genius, Devin D. Marks will uplevel your public speaking game.  DEVIN is the nation's #1 (and world's first) TED-style speaking coach. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of short-talk speakers — including Harvard's Dr. Robert Waldinger for his all-time TOP 10 TEDx Talk (50 million views). The result: 100s of millions of views for clients. He helps coaches, authors, and experts spread world-changing ideas. Devin was also the most downloaded episode from this podcast in 2020, and you can find that episode here.   Devin's Gift to You - The Message Temple. Use this framework to shape any talk or message. Coupon Code for 100% off "TheMT-25"   **  Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Confidence on Cue: a powerful 5-minute audio that resets your mind before any meeting, presentation, or social interaction. Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com  LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

    33 min
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4.8
out of 5
44 Ratings

About

The Social Skills Mastery Podcast is where High-Performance Social Confidence Coach and Corporate Trainer, Susan Callender helps professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs stand out in competitive and often high-stakes situations, by raising social capital and using the power of polished people skills to make an impact. Weekly content encompasses what to do, what to say, how to maneuver tricky situations and get it right the first time.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Callender
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Social Skills Mastery 2022
  • Show Website
    Social Skills Mastery

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