Conversations That Count

David Shaft
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What separates the people who make it from those who almost did? Conversations That Count with David Shaft pulls back the curtain on the habits, pivots, and hard-won lessons behind real success — in business, leadership, and life. Each episode delivers honest conversations with top performers, founders, and industry leaders who share what actually moved the needle — and what they'd do differently. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. Visit ctcpodcast.media for full episodes, show notes, and resources.

  1. Halloween Icon Sandy Johnson on the One Conversation That Can Change Everything

    -2 ДН.

    Halloween Icon Sandy Johnson on the One Conversation That Can Change Everything

    What if the most powerful communication skill you have is simply showing up for someone when it matters most? Sandy Johnson, the actress who brought Judith Meyers to life in John Carpenter's Halloween, proves exactly that. Sandy Johnson has been a fixture in horror culture since 1978 and never stopped working. She is currently filming multiple independent projects including Para Dolia, The Executioner, Black Sheep, and the upcoming Halloween Shark, all while juggling conventions, fan appearances, and working with an acting coach to sharpen her craft. In this episode, recorded live at GalaxyCon Nightmare Weekend in Chicago, Sandy sits down with David Shaft to talk about the mentors who shaped her, the advice she would give her younger self, and the two-hour phone call that reminded her why communication is the most human thing we do. In this conversation, you will learn: How Sandy finds coaches and mentors through organic connection rather than formal searches, and why that approach builds the deepest professional relationships Why the willingness to be vulnerable in a conversation is not a weakness but the most powerful communication move you can make How a single two-hour phone call with a grieving fan reminded Sandy that showing up fully in a conversation is the greatest gift you can give another person Follow Sandy Johnson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicornsandyj/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sandy-Johnson-Actress-61572085745072/ Website: https://www.unicornsandyj.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bWAR-6hQHnM Website: https://ctcpodcast.media Conversations That Count is a communication skills podcast hosted by David Shaft. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for conversations that help you communicate with more clarity, confidence, and impact. Grab the free Communication Playbook: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    14 мин.
  2. What Conversations That Count Is and Why It Was Built for You

    -4 ДН.

    What Conversations That Count Is and Why It Was Built for You

    This communication skills podcast exists for one reason: to help you close the gap between what you mean and what people actually hear. Conversations That Count is hosted by David Shaft, a Presidents Club Banker, director, and Detroit native who has spent years studying what separates the professionals who get overlooked from the ones who command every room they walk into. The answer is always communication. Every Tuesday and Thursday, David sits down with artists, entrepreneurs, executives, and culture makers to examine the one move that changed everything for them. Whether you are a founder building a brand on Woodward, an executive leading a team through change, or a creative who needs the world to finally pay attention, this show gives you something actionable every single episode. What you will get from Conversations That Count: Real conversations with real leaders about how they communicate their value, their vision, and their story Tactical takeaways at the end of every episode called the Try This Tomorrow challenge, so you can apply what you learn immediately A front row seat to the communication strategies behind some of the most compelling careers and businesses being built today Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RjdJ9pyguA0 Website: https://ctcpodcast.media New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Grab the free Communication Playbook: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    1 мин.
  3. Detroit Artist Nappi Devi on Staying Local, Building Community, and Making Music That Matters

    25 ФЕВР.

    Detroit Artist Nappi Devi on Staying Local, Building Community, and Making Music That Matters

    Nappi Devi lives five minutes from the stage and still showed up like he was headlining a national tour. That energy is exactly why Detroit keeps pulling him back in. Nappi Devi is a Detroit based artist, performer, and creative who just dropped a new single and music video called "Ight Bet!" with an EP on the way. He works with producers, musicians, and videographers all across the city because keeping the local creative ecosystem alive is part of how he builds. In this special Indie Fest segment of Conversations That Count, David catches up with Nappi Devi right before his live set to talk about how he ended up on the bill, what it means to stay rooted in your city while growing your craft, and why connecting with people in your community is the most underrated career development move an artist or professional can make. What you'll learn in this episode: Why networking through genuine relationships, not cold outreach, is how Nappi Devi keeps landing stages and building creative partnerships across Detroit How he balances new releases with live performance strategy, dropping a single the same day he performs to keep momentum going The power of staying local and investing in your city's talent instead of chasing opportunities somewhere else, and how that approach keeps opening doors Connect with Nappi Devi: Instagram: https://instagram.com/nappidevi Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nappidevi Facebook: https://facebook.com/NAPPIdevi Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nappi-devi/1475305936 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/61BB3hPh8PHMagEw1pftW4 Stream "Ight Bet!" on all platforms now. EP dropping October 10th. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8TRphgQBp34 Visit: https://ctcpodcast.media New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Follow on Spotify so you never miss an episode. Free Communication Playbook, 10 frameworks and scripts to communicate like a pro: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    6 мин.
  4. From the Alleyway to the Louvre: How Author Jean Belcher Wrote His Way Out

    11 ФЕВР.

    From the Alleyway to the Louvre: How Author Jean Belcher Wrote His Way Out

    Jean Belcher grew up in an alleyway in Binghamton, New York with a family of 10 and believed he would be dead by 30. Instead, he wrote a novel that is now in Detroit Public Schools, Detroit libraries, and earning five star reviews on Amazon. Jean Belcher, writing under the pen name JL James, is the author of "The Other Side of Color: Prejudice Is Not Always an Outside Affair," a novel exploring prejudice within the same ethnicity through the eyes of a light skinned boy named Frankie navigating two worlds. Jean is also a songwriter, businessman, and lifelong storyteller whose work has been recognized by Governor Whitmer and embraced by academia across Michigan. In this episode of Conversations That Count, David sits down with Jean to hear the full story behind the book, the music, and the philosophy that drives a man who turned a burning story in his belly into a published body of work while holding down a day job for decades. What you'll learn in this episode: The hedgehog concept for career fulfillment: find your skill, love what you do, and make money at it, and why most professionals are missing at least one of those three How Jean went from shoveling snow and shining shoes to self publishing a novel, and the sales and communication skills that made it possible Why the most powerful stories come from your own personal "alleyway" and how telling them authentically can open doors you never expected Get the book: "The Other Side of Color" by JL James on Amazon and Barnes and Noble Watch "Soft Pillows" music video: YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn under JL James Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConversationsThatCount-CTC Visit: https://ctcpodcast.media New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Follow on Spotify so you never miss an episode. Free Communication Playbook, 10 frameworks and scripts to communicate like a pro: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    45 мин.
  5. Women Don't Cheat and Other Dating Truths: Savanna, Hailey, and Adrianna Get Honest

    23.07.2025

    Women Don't Cheat and Other Dating Truths: Savanna, Hailey, and Adrianna Get Honest

    Three women walk onto a music video set and end up having the most honest conversation about dating, money, cheating, and what they actually want from men that most people are too afraid to say out loud. Savanna is a model and recording artist whose new single "Girls Just Wanna Have Fund$" was the spark for this conversation. Hailey is studying Health and Human Services at the University of Michigan Dearborn. Adrianna owns HTV Ipsy, a custom clothing and esthetics business in downtown Detroit. Together, they hold nothing back. In this episode of Conversations That Count, David sits down with all three right after filming Savanna's music video to talk about why women are outpacing men in education and careers, what that means for modern relationships, and why the standards conversation is really a communication skills conversation disguised as a dating debate. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the way you communicate your value in a relationship mirrors exactly how you communicate your value at work, and how raising your standards in one raises the bar in the other The real reasons men and women cheat, broken down honestly from three very different female perspectives, and what it reveals about insecurity, scarcity, and emotional intelligence How to stop settling by writing down the 10 traits you want in a partner and becoming those things yourself first Connect with the guests: Savanna: https://instagram.com/iamsavannas Hailey: https://instagram.com/haileyalamo Adrianna: https://instagram.com/follow_adrianna Stream "Girls Just Wanna Have Fund$" on all platforms now. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TBZaFC7oVh0 Visit: https://ctcpodcast.media New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Follow on Spotify so you never miss an episode. Free Communication Playbook, 10 frameworks and scripts to communicate like a pro: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    1 ч. 16 мин.
  6. Self Taught Cosplayer to Convention Judge | How Astra Void Communicates Her Value at 24

    02.07.2025

    Self Taught Cosplayer to Convention Judge | How Astra Void Communicates Her Value at 24

    Title: Self Taught Cosplayer to Convention Judge | How Astra Void Communicates Her Value at 24 Description: What communication skills does it take to turn a self taught hobby into a professional career before age 25? Cosplayer, makeup artist, and GalaxyCon contracted guest Astra Void shares how she did exactly that. Astra Void started cosplaying at 12 years old with zero formal training. Over the next decade, she taught herself sewing, foam fabrication, wig styling, LED wiring, and professional makeup artistry. Now at 24, she holds a contract with GalaxyCon, guest judges cosplay contests across the country, and co hosts the Heroes of Cosplay Sanctuary podcast. In this episode, recorded live at GalaxyCon Nightmare Weekend in Chicago, Astra sits down with David Shaft to talk about the communication and leadership lessons behind building a creative career on your own terms. In this conversation, you will learn: How Astra earned professional credibility in rooms full of people twice her age by letting her work communicate for her Why setting boundaries around online safety is a critical communication skill for any public facing creator How self advocacy and knowing when to say no shaped her path from college student to full time creative professional Follow Astra Void: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astravoidcosplay/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AstravoidCosplay Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/astravoidcosplay TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astravoidcosplay X: https://x.com/AstraVoidCos Heroes of Cosplay Sanctuary Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BApX2BjjTG6VtRL0RhhT6 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heroesofcosplaysanctuary6695 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TNv3UNct6mQ Website: https://ctcpodcast.media Conversations That Count is a communication skills podcast hosted by David Shaft. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for conversations that help you communicate with more clarity, confidence, and impact. Grab the free Communication Playbook: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    33 мин.
  7. Engineer Turned Mechanic Teaches Women to Take Control | Patrice Banks on Communication and Confidence

    25.06.2025

    Engineer Turned Mechanic Teaches Women to Take Control | Patrice Banks on Communication and Confidence

    What happens when a woman engineer realizes she still calls a guy every time her car breaks down? Patrice Banks, CEO and Founder of Girls Auto Clinic, turned that frustration into a movement empowering women through automotive education. Patrice spent years as an engineer at DuPont before discovering that women are the number one customer in the auto industry, spending $200 billion a year on vehicle purchases and repairs, yet almost no company was speaking directly to them. She went back to school, learned to work on cars, and built Girls Auto Clinic: a full service repair center staffed by women mechanics with a nail salon where customers get a free manicure with every service. Her book, Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, is published by Simon and Schuster and belongs in every glove box in America. In this episode, Patrice sits down with David Shaft to talk about why clear communication builds trust, how explaining things simply is the mark of a true professional, and what it takes to lead in an industry that never expected you. In this conversation, you will learn: Why the ability to explain something simply is the most underrated communication skill in any profession and how it applies far beyond the auto shop How Patrice uses relatable analogies and plain language to educate women who have never been taught about cars, and why that approach builds trust and loyalty What the Primary Care Technician concept teaches about long term professional relationships, clear expectations, and confident decision making Follow Patrice Banks and Girls Auto Clinic: Website: https://www.girlsautoclinic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsautoclinic/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsautoclinic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricedbanks/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Auto-Clinic-Glove-Guide/dp/1501144111 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cB787F3O5xo Website: https://ctcpodcast.media Conversations That Count is a communication skills podcast hosted by David Shaft. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for conversations that help you communicate with more clarity, confidence, and impact. Grab the free Communication Playbook: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    20 мин.
  8. From Political Media to Cosplay: How Ashton Blaise Found Her Authentic Voice

    28.05.2025

    From Political Media to Cosplay: How Ashton Blaise Found Her Authentic Voice

    Ashton Blaise spent her twenties building the perfect career in political media only to realize she was living someone else's version of success. Then she burned it all down and found herself through cosplay. Ashton Blaise is a cosplayer, pinup artist, streamer, and content creator who left careers in conservative media, liberal media, and crypto marketing before discovering that the things she loved as a kid were the key to her happiest and most authentic life. In this episode of Conversations That Count, recorded live at Nightmare Weekend in Chicago, David sits down with Ashton to talk about what happens when you stop performing for other people and start communicating who you really are. Whether it is a career pivot, a creative leap, or just the courage to say "this isn't me," this conversation will hit home for anyone who has ever felt stuck playing a role. What you'll learn in this episode: Why your twenties are spent establishing yourself but your thirties are about rediscovering what made you happy as a kid, and how that shift changes everything about the way you communicate and lead How Ashton handled the negativity when she walked away from political media and what she learned about staying authentic when people want to keep you in a box The simple reflection exercise that can reconnect you with your most genuine self and unlock confidence you forgot you had Connect with Ashton Blaise: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ashtonblaise Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KOMFoHff-y8 Visit: https://ctcpodcast.media New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Follow on Spotify so you never miss an episode. Free Communication Playbook, 10 frameworks and scripts to communicate like a pro: https://conversations-that-count.kit.com/e7fa86a708

    16 мин.
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What separates the people who make it from those who almost did? Conversations That Count with David Shaft pulls back the curtain on the habits, pivots, and hard-won lessons behind real success — in business, leadership, and life. Each episode delivers honest conversations with top performers, founders, and industry leaders who share what actually moved the needle — and what they'd do differently. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. Visit ctcpodcast.media for full episodes, show notes, and resources.

Информация

  • Автор
    David Shaft
  • Годы выхода
    2 тыс.
  • Выпуски
    27
  • Ограничения
    С ненормативной лексикой
  • Авторские права
    © 2026 David Shaft
  • Сайт подкаста
    Conversations That Count