Elite Business Connector Podcast

Bryan Buckley
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

If you're in the people business then this podcast is for you. Learn how to develop and master business social skills. This podcast has both content-driven and interview-driven episodes to keep the podcast creative. High energy, fast-paced, and practical.

  1. 6d ago

    The Trap of the Small Talk Triangle and How to Escape It - 041

    Most business conversations get stuck in what Bryan Buckley calls the small talk triangle: three corners that feel like connection but guarantee none happens. In this episode, Bryan breaks down why small talk fails, the three traps to watch for, and the one simple exit that turns surface level chat into real business connection. If you want your 1st 5 minutes to actually count, this episode shows you how. Main Topics Covered Why small talk feels safe but rarely builds real connectionThe origin and purpose of small talk (and why the instinct isn't broken)The three corners of the small talk triangle: the Script, the Surroundings, and the ScoreWhy people stay stuck in shallow conversations, even when they know betterThe one exit that turns small talk into a real business conversationTimestamps 0:00 - The Bermuda Triangle Of Conversation 1:34 - Why People Secretly Hate Small Talk 4:32 - Small Talk Has A Purpose 6:29 - Corner One The Script Reflex 7:16 - Corner Two Safe Surroundings Talk 8:38 - The Free Small Talk Resource 9:32 - Corner Three The Scoreboard Trap 12:02 - The One Exit Go Deeper 14:32 - Next Week Preview And Closing CTAs DOWNLOAD FREE CHEAT SHEET: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

  2. Aug 6

    Stop Answering. Start Asking. J.R. Briggs on the Skill That Changes Every Conversation - 040

    Most people think they ask enough questions. They don't. In this episode, Bryan sits down with J.R. Briggs, author of The Art of Asking Better Questions, to unpack why curiosity, not information, builds real trust. Listeners walk away with a practical framework for turning small talk into meaningful connection, in business and in life. Why people ask far fewer real questions than they think, especially in the first five minutesThe four essentials of a great question: wisdom, curiosity, humility, courageThe four levels of questions and how trust determines which one to askDiminishers vs. illuminators, and how to choose to be one over the otherShift responses vs. support responses in everyday conversationPractical tools for asking better follow up questions, including the WAY question and 2QM Timestamps: 0:00 - Why Questions Matter More Than Talk 2:12 - Meet Dr. J.R. Briggs 4:10 - The Origin Story Behind The Book 7:32 - Why People Avoid Asking Questions 9:50 - Questions As Hospitality And Trust 12:12 - Diminishers Vs Illuminators 16:10 - Four Essentials Of Better Questions 17:29 - The Four Levels Of Questions 21:09 - Moving Beyond Small Talk Fast 26:42 - Listening Skills That Make Questions Work 28:28 - Shift Responses Vs Support Responses 33:04 - Leading With Questions Without Power Plays 37:14 - Practical Ways To Grow Your Question Skills 43:12 - Using AI To Audit Your Questions 45:06 - Rapid Fire Conversation Habits 49:06 - When To Ask Versus Stay Silent 50:18 - Where To Find J.R. And His Work 52:05 - Free Resource And Closing Challenge Featured Guest J.R. Briggs is a leadership coach, consultant, and speaker. He leads Kairos Partnerships, where he works with organizations on coaching, consulting, and speaking, and hosts the Resilient Leaders Podcast. Learn more at jrbriggs.com or kairospartnerships.org. Featured Book The Art of Asking Better Questions by J.R. Briggs. Available anywhere books are sold, or through IVPress.com. DOWNLOAD FREE CHEAT SHEET: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

  3. Jul 30

    Book Breakdown - Revealing: "What a Behavioral Scientist Says About Revealing in the 1st 5 Minutes" - 039

    Most people worry about oversharing, but Harvard Business School professor Leslie John's research says the real danger is saying too little. In this episode, Bryan breaks down her book, "Revealing," and shows how too little information (TLI) quietly stalls conversations, weakens trust, and keeps relationships shallow. You'll walk away with five practical insights for turning surface level small talk into real connection, starting in the first five minutes. Main topics covered: What TLI (too little information) is and why it's the silent killer of business conversationsHow disclosure decisions happen automatically, and how to catch them in the momentWhy reciprocity has to work like a dance, not a monologueHow asking a genuine follow up question builds trust and likabilityWhy leaders who reveal a little more earn more respect, not lessThree action items to apply strategic disclosure this weekTimestamps 0:00 - The Real Problem Is What You Withhold 1:13 - Why The First Five Minutes Matter 3:53 - TLI, Too Little Information Explained 5:50 - Insight One: Notice Disclosure Forks 7:55 - Insight Two: The Silent Conversation Killer 10:29 - Insight Three: Reciprocity Must Be A Dance 14:00 - Break And Free Book Breakdown Resource 15:09 - Insight Four: Questions Unlock Disclosure 18:58 - Insight Five: Leaders Go First 22:22 - Strategic Disclosure And Key Takeaways 24:49 - Three Action Items For This Week 26:09 - Next Episode Preview And Closing Book Featured: Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing DOWNLOAD FREE CHEAT SHEET: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

  4. Jul 23

    The Most Avoided Two-Letter Word in Business and Why Elite Connectors Go For it (Interview with Andrea Waltz) - 038

    In this episode, Bryan Buckley sits down with Andrea Waltz, co-creator of "Go for No," to unpack why the word "no" terrifies most people in business — and why top connectors chase it instead of avoiding it. Andrea shares the mindset shifts, personal stories, and practical habits that turn rejection into momentum. Listeners walk away with a fresh, fear-free approach to conversations, follow-ups, and building real connection. Main Topics Covered Why fear of rejection blocks meaningful connectionThe "Go for No" mindset and how it flips traditional sales thinkingSetting "no goals" to drive consistent actionHandling silence, follow-ups, and awkward moments with confidenceBalancing "yes energy" with "no awareness" in everyday conversationsTimestamps 0:00 – The Word That Runs Business 1:16 – Why Fear Blocks Connection 4:49 – Biology Versus Starting Conversations 6:11 – The Go For No Mindset 8:20 – The Suit Sale That Changed Everything 11:44 – Stop Giving Yourself The No 16:05 – Silence After Follow Up Attempts 22:33 – Ask Clear Questions For Clarity 27:16 – Handling No In Hospitality Moments 29:57 – No Goals That Drive Behavior 36:48 – Yes Energy Plus No Awareness 39:37 – Rapid Fire Conversation Habits 43:25 – Practice It And Next Steps Featured Guest Andrea Waltz is the co-author of the bestselling book Go for No!, which has sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide. For over 20 years, she has helped entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and business leaders rethink rejection, failure, and persistence. Andrea is a speaker, trainer, and self-publishing advocate who has built a successful business entirely on the word "NO". Book Featured Go for No! Yes is the Destination, No is How You Get There by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz — a fable-style guide that teaches readers to embrace rejection as a necessary step toward success, encouraging a shift from fearing "no" to actively pursuing it. Download Free Cheat Sheet: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

  5. Jul 16

    The Last Minute - Think Problem - 037

    Most business conversations fall apart in the final minute, right when connection turns into a pitch. In this episode, Bryan Buckley breaks down "the last minute" of his 1st 5 Minutes framework, showing why diagnosing the real problem matters more than rushing to a solution. Listeners walk away with practical questions and a two-step approach to build trust and close with confidence, not pressure. Why the last minute determines trust or a hard sellThe prescription pad vs. stethoscope mindset shiftThree pitfalls that derail the last minuteBridge questions that uncover the real problemThe two-step approach: repeat, then transitionTimestamps 0:00 - The Doctor Who Never Listens 1:49 - The Last Minute Think Problem 3:56 - The Pivot From Rapport To Business 7:16 - Three Pitfalls That Kill Trust 9:40 - Connection Self-Evaluation Challenge 10:39 - Humility And Perspective Create Clarity 13:13 - Repeat The Problem Then Transition 16:18 - Three Action Items For Next Call 19:07 - Next Guest Tease And Final CTAs  Download Free Cheat Sheet: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

  6. Jul 9

    From NBA to Business: Alan Stein Jr.’s Blueprint for Elite Performance

    In this episode, Bryan Buckley sits down with elite performance coach Alan Stein Jr., who trained NBA legends like Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry, to unpack what separates the best from the rest. Alan shares why mastering the fundamentals — not chasing flash — is the real secret to sustained success, and how the habits built in "unseen hours" translate directly into business and life. A must-listen for anyone chasing high performance without burning out. Why the world's best performers stay obsessed with the basicsHow to build confidence and humility at the same timeUsing self-awareness as your personal "GPS"Turning comparison into motivation instead of self-sabotageEmbracing vulnerability, accountability, and mistakesAdopting a "next play" mentality after setbacksStaying present and focused on what's in front of youCommunication habits that build genuine connection Timestamps 0:00 – Elite Habits In The Unseen Hours 1:24 – Meet Alan Stein Jr 4:09 – Why Sports Lessons Fit Business 5:36 – The Controllables Of High Performers 7:51 – Kobe Bryant And Basic Drills 11:39 – Self-Awareness As Your GPS 16:15 – Comparison Without Self-Sabotage 19:47 – Vulnerability, Accountability, And Fresh Mistakes 27:10 – Building A Next Play Mentality 33:28 – Presence And Being Where Your Feet Are 39:30 – Rapid Fire Communication Truths 44:22 – Resources, Subscribing, And Sharing Featured Guest Alan Stein Jr. is a former NBA performance coach turned keynote speaker and author, known for training elite players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry. He now helps individuals and organizations apply the same principles of discipline, consistency, and mental toughness to business and everyday life. Website: AlanSteinJr.comSocial: @AlanSteinJr on LinkedIn, Instagram, and XDownload Free Cheat Sheet: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

  7. Jul 2

    Book Breakdown - Question Your Question-Asking Ability: The ASK Method Meets the 1st 5 Minutes - 035

    How many questions do you actually ask in the 1st 5 minutes of a business conversation? In this episode, Bryan Buckley breaks down Jeff Wetzler's book ASK and maps its five-step method directly onto the 1st 5 Minutes framework, revealing why most professionals ask just one throwaway question — and how to fix it. If you want people to trust you faster and open up sooner, this episode gives you the playbook. Timestamps 0:00 – The One-Question Wake Up Call3:20 – Why Asking Guides The Conversation5:12 – Step One: Choose Curiosity8:43 – Step Two: Create Safety12:46 – Grab The Ask Field Guide13:59 – Step Three: Questions That Go Deeper17:23 – Step Four: Listen To Learn20:49 – Step Five: Reflect And Reconnect24:04 – The Hard Truth And The Edge26:49 – Three Actions To Practice TodayFeatured Book: Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life Download Free Cheat Sheet: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

  8. Jun 25

    Interview Mashup Session One - 034

    In this special mashup episode, Bryan curates the best moments from five recent expert guests into one high-impact conversation on business communication and connection. You will hear twice from each guest, covering everything from name memory and pre-meeting prep to authentic curiosity and trust-building in the first five minutes. Perfect for newcomers and returning listeners alike. Topics Covered  The Time Check and why assuming someone has time to talk damages your reputation How sales leaders use memory and personal details to build team community The Five Before Five pre-meeting prep strategy A simple name memory technique that works in under 20 seconds Reading the room and leading with authentic curiosity Nonverbal and verbal trust-building cues in the first five minutes Why speaking fear is a self-focus problem and how to fix it Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction and Episode Format 2:10 - Chris Fenning [The Time Check and Why "Do You Have a Minute?" Hurts You] 5:56 -  Dr. Garland and Dorothy Vance [Memory, Community, and Building Team Trust] 9:58 - Ashley Siller [The Five Before Five and Name Memory Techniques] 15:02 - Keith Lewis [Reading the Room and Authentic Curiosity] 18:35 - Dr. Brenda Buckley Hughes [Trust, Nonverbals, and Overcoming Speaking Fear] 22:21 - Closing Thoughts Featured Guests Chris Fenning - Episode  024: How to Gain Clarity When the Business Conversation BeginsDr. Garland and Dorothy Vance - Episode 026: The 7 Issues Holding Sales Leaders BackAshley Siller - Episode 028: Why This AT&T VP Still Works on Her 1st 5 MinutesKeith Lewis - Episode 30: What a Mascot Turned Executive Coach Knows That Most Leaders Don'tDr. Brenda Buckley Hughes - Episode 32: What a PhD in Communication Says Great Connectors Do DifferentlyDownload the free cheat sheet: here. Resources to Use: The System Elite Connectors Use to Remember Names If you’re serious about improving your business communication skills, I created a step-by-step system you can download right now — absolutely free. 👉 Grab it here:  30 Connection Questions for Stronger Business Conversations This is a proven question set to improve every conversation in the 1st 5 minutes. 👉 Grab it here:  Buy the 1st 5 Minutes Book: 1st 5 Minutes Book Follow Me on Social Media: LinkedInInstagramYouTube

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out of 5
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About

If you're in the people business then this podcast is for you. Learn how to develop and master business social skills. This podcast has both content-driven and interview-driven episodes to keep the podcast creative. High energy, fast-paced, and practical.

Information

  • Creator
    Bryan Buckley
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Elite Business Connector Podcast
  • Show Website
    Elite Business Connector Podcast