Elite Business Connector Podcast

Bryan Buckley
  • 4.8 (18)
  • 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. 5d ago ·  Video

    The Interviewer's Edge: How Suzy Kolber Applies Pro Sports Prep to the 1st 5 Minutes - 048

    In this episode, Bryan Buckley sits down with Suzy Kolber, who spent nearly 30 years at ESPN as an anchor, sideline reporter, and one of the most trusted interviewers in sports. From prepping NFL Draft prospects to saving a live broadcast when the No. 1 pick wasn't in his seat, Suzy shows how preparation creates the freedom to listen, connect, and pivot under pressure. It's a masterclass in winning the first five minutes of any sales meeting, client call, or networking conversation, because trust always comes before business. How pre-work turns a quick interview into a personal momentMaking Zoom small talk feel meaningfulLocked-in listening and why the best follow-up is often just "why?"Why taking notes signals respect, not weaknessStaying calm when a conversation goes off scriptConnecting before selling, and Suzy's reinvention after ESPNTimestamps:  00:00 – Why This Interview Matters  02:34 – Chicago Sports Stories And Walter Payton  06:08 – Life After ESPN And A New Door  11:00 – Draft Prep That Makes Moments Personal  17:02 – Zoom Small Talk With Real Substance  20:14 – The Originals And The Power Of Unconventional  25:53 – The Interviewing Rules ESPN Taught Her  32:52 – Listening Under Pressure And Taking Notes  37:24 – Staying Calm When Things Go Off Script  42:40 – Reinvention, LinkedIn, And Finding Sponsors  48:32 – Rapid Fire Questions And Favorite Prompts  53:19 – Trust First Then Business Follows  54:42 – Free Cheat Sheet And Closing Message  Featured Guest Suzy Kolber is an award-winning sports broadcaster who spent nearly 30 years at ESPN as an anchor, NFL sideline reporter, and interviewer, including covering the NFL Draft. A trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, she played organized football at age 10 and built a career known for thorough preparation, sharp listening, and earning the trust of the athletes and coaches she covered. Today, she hosts The Originals with Suzy Kolber on Scripps Sports. The show features conversations with people who followed their passion in unconventional ways, including Jesse Cole, Jon Gruden, Hilary Knight, Diana Flores, Steve Young, and Lisa Salters. New episodes air Tuesdays at 8/7c, and the full season is available on the Scripps YouTube channel. Watch Suzy's New Show: The Originals with Suzy Kolber In The Originals, Suzy sits down with people who followed their passion in unconventional ways and found success on their own terms.  New episodes air Tuesdays at 8/7c on Scripps Sports, available on every major streaming platform. All six episodes will also be on the Scripps YouTube channel once the season wraps. 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. Sep 24 ·  Video

    Book Breakdown: Humor, Seriously - 047

    In this episode, Bryan Buckley does another Book Breakdown, this time on Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. Most professionals think being serious shows competence, but the research says the opposite: humor works as a Click Accelerator that makes you seem more confident, competent and trustworthy in the 1st 5 Minutes™. You don't need to be a comedian: you just need to find the funny and create a smile. Main Topics Covered  The Humor Cliff and why we stop laughing at work Four Deadly Humor Myths the research disproves The Four Humor Styles and how to find yours Finding the funny through truth, surprise and misdirection Timing, one-liners and signature stories How to avoid humor that backfires Timestamps 00:00 – Laugh Audit And The Humor Cliff 05:40 – Research That Busts Humor Myths 10:12 – Free Levity Self-Evaluation Tool 11:21 – Identify Your Humor Style 16:06 – Find The Funny With Truth 18:58 – Timing, One-Liners, And Stories 25:12 – Avoid Inappropriate Jokes And Take Action  Featured Book: Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas 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. Sep 17 ·  Video

    Interview Mashup: Session Two (with Joshua Bandoch, Andrea Waltz, Alan Stein, Jr & J.R. Briggs)-046

    In this episode, we've mashed up the best moments from four powerhouse conversations — Alan Stein Jr. on mastering the basics and navigating life's "next plays," Andrea Waltz on reframing rejection and following up without fear, J.R. Briggs on asking better questions, and Joshua Bandoch on the real mechanics of persuasion. Together they reveal a common thread: real influence starts with self-awareness, curiosity, and genuine listening — not talking. A great refresher if you've heard the full episodes, or a perfect entry point if you haven't. Main topics covered: Why mastering the basics beats chasing flash (Alan Stein Jr.)Using a "next play" mindset for setbacks and life transitionsOvercoming the fear of hearing "no" in sales and conversationTurning silence and follow-ups into opportunities (Andrea Waltz)The four levels and four essentials of asking better questions (J.R. Briggs)Being a "diminisher" vs. an "illuminator" in conversationsWhy listening — not talking — drives real persuasion (Joshua Bandoch) Timestamps: 0:00 — A Highlight Reel Masterclass Setup 2:03 — Kobe Bryant And The Basics 5:42 — Self-Awareness As Your GPS 10:36 — Next Play For Life Transitions 14:51 — Stop Rejecting Yourself First 19:56 — Silence, Follow-Up, No For Now 32:46 — The First Five Newsletter Break 33:59 — Why We Avoid Asking Questions 36:25 — Hospitality, Loneliness, Trust Building 38:40 — Diminishers Versus Illuminators 41:44 — Four Essentials Of Great Questions 46:37 — Escaping Small Talk With Follow-Ups 49:04 — Persuasion Starts With Listening 53:12 — Let Hot Talkers Overshare 55:41 — Humble Leadership That Wins Buy-In 57:50 — Downloads, Video Option, Closing Featured Guests: Joshua BandochAndrea WaltzAlan Stein, Jr.J.R. BriggsDOWNLOAD 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. Sep 10 ·  Video

    Read the Room - The Power of OQ - 045

    How many times have you heard someone say "read the room" without ever being told how to actually do it? In this episode, Bryan Buckley breaks down OQ (Observational Intelligence), the second core skill inside the Think Personal pillar of his 1st 5 Minutes Framework. You'll learn why every conversation runs through a frame (Mirror or Window), the real difference between being there and being present, and the four things elite connectors notice before they ever open their mouth.  Main Topics Covered: The Mirror vs the Window: the two default frames every conversation runs through Being There vs Being Present, and why presence is what actually keeps you connected OQ (Observational Intelligence): the mental magnifying glass behind reading a room The 4 categories of OQ: Wearing, Carrying, Showing, and Sharing Acknowledge then Ask: turning observation into genuine conversation Locked-In Listening: catching the openings people give you without realizing it Two-Front Honesty on why this skill takes practice, and how to avoid it feeling like interrogationTimestamps: 0:00 — Why Reading The Room Matters 1:29 — The First Five Minutes Framework 2:34 — The Mirror Frame And Self Focus 4:05 — The Window Frame And Curiosity 4:46 — Being There Versus Being Present 5:39 — OQ And Acknowledge Then Ask 6:39 — Wearing And Carrying Clues 9:42 — Free Newsletter Announcement 10:57 — Showing The Story In Their Space 12:52 — Sharing And Locked In Listening 15:58 — Recap Plus Three Action Items 18:32 — Next Episode Plus How To Connect Join the Newsletter: here. 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. Sep 3 ·  Video

    How Gen Z Builds Trust and Closes Deals: A Multi-Generational Conversation (Interview with Kole Buckley & Jackson Hannah) - 044

    What if the "Gen Z can't connect in person" stereotype is just plain wrong? In this episode, Bryan Buckley sits down with two 20-something sales professionals, his son Kole Buckley and longtime family friend Jackson Hannah, for a candid multi-generational conversation on trust, communication, and closing deals. Kole works in student housing leasing, where prospects come to him. Jackson works outbound tech sales, making 75 to 80 cold calls a day. Together they break down how they build rapport fast, earn credibility with clients twice their age, and apply Bryan's 1st 5 Minutes framework in two completely different sales environments. Main Topics Covered Whether the Gen Z connection stereotype holds up or is just lazy thinkingMoving from a transactional conversation to a transformational oneReading a room and building rapport with zero background informationCold calling tactics, code switching, and standing out from the competitionAsking strong follow-up questions instead of stopping at oneA simple technique for locking in someone's name early in a conversationBuilding credibility with clients and parents twice your ageWhat older leaders can do to coach and give feedback to younger employees Timestamps: 00:00 — The Gen Z Connection Assumption 01:28 — The First Five Minutes Framework 02:40 — Meet Two Gen Z Sellers 04:35 — Screen Generation or Lazy Stereotype 08:05 — Leasing Versus Tech Sales Reality 14:10 — Rapport Without a Pre-Read 20:45 — Stand Out With Extra Effort 27:05 — Open-Ended Questions and Listening 33:40 — Credibility With Older Decision Makers 36:55 — What Gen Z Wants From Leaders 38:10 — Rapid Fire Skills and Takeaways 40:35 — Closing Thoughts and How to Connect Featured Guests: Kole Buckley (student leasing agent, Young America) and Jackson Hannah (senior business development rep, Proven 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

  6. Aug 27 ·  Video

    You're Not Listening: The Silent Reason Your 1st 5 Minutes Fall Flat (Book Breakdown) - 043

    Most people think they're listening, but Bryan Buckley breaks down Kate Murphy's book You're Not Listening to show why hearing and listening aren't the same thing. Using six research-backed insights, from brainwave synchrony to improv comedy, Bryan connects each one to his 1st 5 Minutes framework. Listeners walk away with practical, science-backed ways to build real connection in every business conversation. Main Topics Covered Why people feel unheard and the most common bad listener habitsThe neuroscience of brainwave synchrony in great conversationsImprov comedy's "never block" rule and staying presentHandling silence, distraction, and shift vs. support responsesThree action items to apply immediatelyTimestamps: 0:00 - Why People Feel Unheard 2:52 - The Most Common Bad Listener Moves 4:22 - Brainwave Sync And True Understanding 6:35 - Improv Rules For Staying Present 10:50 - Take The Connection Self Assessment 12:11 - Silence, Distraction, Support Responses 19:38 - Rapid Recap And Three Action Items 22:56 - Next Episode Preview And Closing Book Featured You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Mattersby Kate Murphy: draws on neuroscience, improv training, and interviews (including a former CIA interrogator) to explore why real listening has become rare, and how to reclaim it in everyday conversation.DOWNLOAD 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

  7. Aug 20 ·  Video

    The Persuasion Mistake Even Smart Executives Make (Ted Speaker Explains) - Interview with Joshua Bandoch - 042

    In this episode, TED speaker and persuasion expert Josh Bandoch joins Bryan Buckley to unpack why most of what we think we know about persuasion is wrong. Drawing on his TED Talk and new book, How to Get What You Want, Josh explains that true persuasion isn't about winning arguments or getting others to think like you — it's "shared action" built on putting the other person first, listening more than you speak, and understanding the emotional wiring behind every decision. Listeners will come away with practical, research-backed tools for building authentic connection and turning everyday conversations — in sales, customer experience, or leadership — into genuine win-wins. Topics covered: Redefining persuasion: why it's not about "winning" or convincing others to think like youThe "me first" trap and how flipping to a "them first" mindset builds real connectionWhy we feel first and reason second — and what that means for how you communicateHow to use feeling-based questions to uncover honest, unfiltered answersThe "Persuasion Genius" mindset and the Five Wiring Principles behind itApplying persuasion in sales, customer experience, and leadershipTurning tense or "hot" conversations into productive ones through listeningWhy vision, story, and positivity are more persuasive than logic aloneTimestamps 0:00 - Why Logic Alone Fails 0:42 - Show Setup And Guest Intro 3:23 - Persuasion As Shared Action 6:20 - Put Them First With Listening 12:13 - Feel First Then Reason 16:55 - Ask Priorities In Negotiations 24:56 - Customer Experience And Naming Hesitation 35:42 - Leadership With Vision And Stories 41:14 - Rapid Fire And Final Takeaways Featured Guest Josh Bandoch is a TED speaker, author, and persuasion expert whose career spans academia, fundraising, public policy advocacy, and speechwriting. His TED Talk, How to Be More Persuasive, explores the cognitive wiring behind effective persuasion, and his mission is to help people break through the "glass ceilings" that hold them back from turning good ideas into real influence. Featured Book How to Get What You Want: The Art and Science of Persuasion by Josh Bandoch — released April 2026, this book expands on the insights from his TED Talk, diving deeper into the neuroscience and psychology of persuasion and offering practical tools for building genuine, lasting influence. Download Free 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. Aug 13 ·  Video

    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

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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

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
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Elite Business Connector Podcast
  • Show Website
    Elite Business Connector Podcast

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