Conversations That Count

David Shaft
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MANAGEMENT

Most professionals spend 80% of their workday communicating — and almost none have a system for getting better at it. Conversations That Count changes that. Hosted by David Shaft — President's Club Banker at Rocket Mortgage, Dale Carnegie graduate, and Detroit storyteller — CTC delivers real conversations with executives, industry leaders, and everyday professionals who break down the communication skills that actually move careers forward. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Professional multi-camera video production on YouTube. Full audio on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. What you'll learn: • Workplace communication: better meetings, tougher feedback, and difficult conversations that don't blow up relationships • Public speaking and presentations: how to open strong, handle Q&A, and keep any room engaged • Professional networking: small talk that leads somewhere, LinkedIn outreach that gets replies, follow-up that builds real relationships • Storytelling: how to tell your story in 60 seconds and communicate with impact in any room • Leadership communication: negotiation, influence, and the Dale Carnegie principles that still work today CTC is syndicated on the Mission Matters Network and features professionals across automotive, finance, tech, healthcare, and Detroit's growing entrepreneurship scene — because great communication looks different in every industry. Whether you're a mid-career professional chasing a promotion, a manager who needs to run better meetings, or anyone who wants to communicate with more confidence, credibility, and impact — this show was built for you. Free resource: Download the free Communication Playbook — 10 frameworks, scripts, and exercises to help you communicate like a pro. Get it at: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube — and never miss an episode. Stories That Stick. Skills That Scale.

  1. The Power Of No With Candy Shaw

    1D AGO

    The Power Of No With Candy Shaw

    The power of no can change your life. Candy Shaw, known industry-wide as The Balay Lama, owns Jamison Shaw Hairdressers, a 50 chair salon in Buckhead, Atlanta. She founded The Academy at Jamison Shaw and built Sunlights, the professional balayage product line that became a cult favorite the moment it launched. She's been at the chair 45 years, was named NAHA 2025 Educator of the Year, and her father was the first American to win the Marcel Iron World Championship in 1960. In this conversation we unpack the most underused two-letter word in the English language and why saying it might be the most important skill you ever build. Candy's framing isn't just for hairdressers. The lessons here apply to anyone trying to build a career without burning out. We talk about why the industry has a talent shortage instead of a labor shortage, why most people apologize for what they do instead of owning it, what to do when you have too many tabs open in your brain, why your partner decides your future or your past, and why chasing the dollar guarantees you'll miss it. In this episode:— Why Candy's father Jamison Shaw called himself a "consultant" for years because he was embarrassed to admit he was a hairdresser— The story of him sawing scissors down in his garage to copy a tool he'd seen but couldn't buy— Why she has a talent shortage, not a labor shortage, and why every industry feels this right now— The almost-partnership her body warned her about before her head did— Why "no doesn't mean never" and how that reframe changes everything— The two ears and one mouth principle that keeps her inspired— Why your partner decides your future or your past, in business and in life Try This Tomorrow: Ask yourself what your true passion is. Then commit 10 hours next week to perfecting it. Just 10 hours. Block them on your calendar. Notice what changes. Connect with Candy Shaw:Instagram: (00:00) - Hook (00:55) - Conversation Starts (05:09) - Why We Have A Talent Shortage, Not A Labor Shortage (05:34) - Candy's Story And The Marcel Iron Legacy (06:53) - Stop Apologizing For Your Craft (14:53) - Sleep, Silence, And Closing The Tabs (18:47) - Be Your Own CEO And Protect Your Joy (20:03) - The Power Of No: Candy's Story (25:48) - Two Ears, One Mouth, And The Push Gas Pump Brakes Rule (30:04) - Chase What You Love, Not The Dollar (30:58) - Major Time With Major People (32:20) - Try This Tomorrow

    37 min
  2. 8 Career Frameworks From Danny Mcdermed | Solo Recap

    6D AGO

    8 Career Frameworks From Danny Mcdermed | Solo Recap

    8 career frameworks from my conversation with Danny Mcdermed — biomedical engineer and singer songwriter from Chicago. Balance isn't standing still. A day job is a creative weapon. If you stay small enough, long enough, you'll be big enough soon enough. This solo recap breaks down the eight tactical takeaways every working professional can use. Danny's career story is unusual. He has a demanding biomedical engineering job AND a serious music career, and instead of treating one as the day job and the other as the dream, he uses each to fuel the other. The frameworks in this episode are how he does it. The thread running through all eight: most career advice optimizes for speed. Danny optimizes for the quality of every rep he takes. In this recap:— Why balance is controlled movement under pressure, not standing still— The trapeze artist comparison that reframes how to think about doing it all— How Danny used engineering structure to learn to write music— The Michael Jackson and Prince story on capturing ideas in the moment— John Mayer's 10,000 ticket math from his Berklee speech— Why staying small long enough is how you eventually get big Try This Tomorrow: If you aspire to something, define it, write it, do it. Pick one specific career outcome you want. Write down the exact math required to make it real (how many people, how much, when). Imagination becomes traction the moment it gets specific. Watch the full Danny Mcdermed interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/41EIKC_Km8QFollow Danny: https://www.instagram.com/dannymcdermed/ CONNECT WITH CTC:Website: https://ctcpodcast.mediaFree Communication Playbook: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbookLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davidshaft New episodes Tuesday and Thursday at 5 AM EST. 58+ conversations on communication, leadership, and professional development.

    13 min
  3. A Biomedical Engineer Explained Why Anyone Can Make It in Music | Danny McDermed

    APR 28

    A Biomedical Engineer Explained Why Anyone Can Make It in Music | Danny McDermed

    Danny McDermott has a master's in biomedical engineering and a day job as an engineer. He just explained why that is the exact reason his music career is going to work, and why anyone listening can do the same thing. In this episode, David Shaft sits down with Danny McDermott, a singer songwriter from the Chicago area who is building a music career using the same discipline, systems thinking, and long-term vision that got him through an engineering program. What you will learn: Why balance is not standing still. It is walking a tightrope. And how to communicate that to yourself when life feels unstable. The 4-thing framework Danny uses to build a music career that anyone can replicate: music, legal, branding, marketing. How having a day job gives you the power to say no, and why that is a communication superpower. The Michael Jackson rule about inspiration, and why Prince was the threat that kept him writing. Why Harrison Ford was a carpenter before Han Solo, and what that means for your creative timeline. How to define your dream concretely and communicate what success actually looks like. The Harrison Ford carpenter story and why sticking around long enough is the strategy nobody talks about. The Rick Rubin insight on starters vs finishers and how it changes the way you approach any creative work. Try This Tomorrow: Two steps. First, define your dream concretely. What specifically is it? Second, define what success looks like for that dream. What does it entail, what does the math look like? Write it down. Free Communication Playbook: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook Follow Conversations That Count on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 AM EST. Website: https://ctcpodcast.media LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davidshaft

    1h 3m
  4. 8 Communication Frameworks From a Self-Taught Athlete Who Reached Millions | Dom Lewis Solo Summary

    APR 23

    8 Communication Frameworks From a Self-Taught Athlete Who Reached Millions | Dom Lewis Solo Summary

    Dom Lewis taught himself to flip on concrete at four years old. He trained for twelve years before he ever stepped inside a gym. One sentence from a stranger changed his entire trajectory. Here are eight communication frameworks from his story. In this solo summary episode, David Shaft breaks down eight communication lessons from his conversation with Dom Lewis (@domitrick), a self-taught gymnast and content creator who went from a trailer park in Michigan to reaching millions of people worldwide. What you will learn: Why you might be one sentence away from changing someone's life and how to make that sentence count. The self-taught coaching advantage that formally trained experts cannot replicate. How Dom handles hate comments with emotional intelligence instead of defensiveness. Why he does not call his audience "fans" and what that reveals about authentic digital communication. The difference between credibility from doing and credibility from talking. How community starts in person before it ever scales online. Why flying from New Orleans to Michigan every month communicates more than any caption ever could. What happens when you stop being afraid of something you have never actually tried. Try This Tomorrow: Do something physical you have always wanted to try this week. Find a local class or club. It does not have to be gymnastics. Just move your body in a way that scares you a little. Free Communication Playbook: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook Follow Conversations That Count on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 AM EST. Website: https://ctcpodcast.media LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davidshaft

    13 min
  5. He Taught Himself to Flip at 4 and Now Millions Watch Him | Dom Lewis

    APR 21

    He Taught Himself to Flip at 4 and Now Millions Watch Him | Dom Lewis

    Dom Lewis started flipping on concrete and grass at four years old. He taught himself for twelve years before he ever stepped inside a gym. Now millions of people watch him do skills no one else in the world has done, and one sentence from a stranger changed everything. In this episode, David Shaft sits down with Dom Lewis (@domitrick) at All American Flames Gymnastics in Michigan to talk about resilience, authenticity, self-taught mastery, and the communication moves that took him from a trailer park to a global platform. What you will learn: Why being self-taught gave Dom a coaching advantage that formally trained athletes do not have. The one sentence from John Rothberg that shifted Dom from impacting hundreds to reaching millions. How Dom handles hate comments with emotional intelligence instead of defensiveness. Why he does not call his audience "fans" and what that says about how he communicates online. The difference between credibility from doing and credibility from talking. How community starts in person and scales digitally. Why Dom flies from New Orleans to Michigan every month and what that commitment communicates. Try This Tomorrow: Do something physical you have always wanted to try this week. Find a local class or club. It does not have to be gymnastics. Just move your body in a way that scares you a little. Free Communication Playbook: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook Follow Conversations That Count on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 AM EST. Website: https://ctcpodcast.media LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davidshaft

    53 min
  6. 3 Competitors Built 1 Product That Changed RV Travel Forever | Mark Fecker & Steven Loving

    APR 16

    3 Competitors Built 1 Product That Changed RV Travel Forever | Mark Fecker & Steven Loving

    Three companies walked into a room that should have been a competition. They walked out with one product that changed how families travel with their pets, stay connected on the road, and never lose a day of vacation to a broken part. In this episode, David Shaft sits down with Mark Fecker (CEO of Robo) and Steven Loving (Core Wireless) at Auto Tech 2025 in Novi, Michigan to unpack the communication strategy behind Winnebago Connect. What you will learn: Why listening before you design prevents the most expensive communication mistake in product development. The Google and Nest footprint strategy and how it applies to every professional relationship you build. How vulnerability became a leadership tool when field testing failures hit. The Tuckman model (forming, storming, norming, performing) and why real teams never skip the storm. Why 60 to 70 percent of RV owners travel with pets and how that insight became a flagship feature. The communication move that turned three competitors into one team. Try This Tomorrow: Sit in your client’s seat for three to four hours this week. Picture your perfect customer. What is their day actually like? What would you build for them if you stopped thinking about your product first? Free Communication Playbook: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook Follow Conversations That Count on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 AM EST. Website: https://ctcpodcast.media LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/davidshaft

    37 min
  7. How to Build Trust Across Companies: The Three Leaders Behind Winnebago Connect

    APR 14

    How to Build Trust Across Companies: The Three Leaders Behind Winnebago Connect

    In this episode of Conversations That Count, David Shaft sits down with Mark Fecker, CEO of Robo, and Steven Loving, Core Wireless, to discuss the Winnebago Connect partnership and what it takes to build trust across companies. Mark and Steven share the story behind how Robo and Core Wireless came together to create a groundbreaking solution for the RV industry. They dive deep into the communication strategies that made this partnership successful, the importance of putting the customer first, and how authentic leadership creates stronger business relationships. Key highlights include: — The power of vulnerability in executive communication — How to navigate partnerships with different company cultures — Real customer stories that shaped the product development — The communication moves that turned a bold vision into reality — Building teams that embrace both collaboration and individual accountability Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in how great communication creates great partnerships. Try This Tomorrow: Identify one cross-company partnership opportunity in your world and have a real conversation about what you both need to succeed together. Subscribe to Conversations That Count on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Free Communication Playbook — 10 frameworks and scripts to communicate like a pro: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook

    37 min
  8. Halloween Icon Sandy Johnson on the One Conversation That Can Change Everything

    APR 9

    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://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Most professionals spend 80% of their workday communicating — and almost none have a system for getting better at it. Conversations That Count changes that. Hosted by David Shaft — President's Club Banker at Rocket Mortgage, Dale Carnegie graduate, and Detroit storyteller — CTC delivers real conversations with executives, industry leaders, and everyday professionals who break down the communication skills that actually move careers forward. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Professional multi-camera video production on YouTube. Full audio on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. What you'll learn: • Workplace communication: better meetings, tougher feedback, and difficult conversations that don't blow up relationships • Public speaking and presentations: how to open strong, handle Q&A, and keep any room engaged • Professional networking: small talk that leads somewhere, LinkedIn outreach that gets replies, follow-up that builds real relationships • Storytelling: how to tell your story in 60 seconds and communicate with impact in any room • Leadership communication: negotiation, influence, and the Dale Carnegie principles that still work today CTC is syndicated on the Mission Matters Network and features professionals across automotive, finance, tech, healthcare, and Detroit's growing entrepreneurship scene — because great communication looks different in every industry. Whether you're a mid-career professional chasing a promotion, a manager who needs to run better meetings, or anyone who wants to communicate with more confidence, credibility, and impact — this show was built for you. Free resource: Download the free Communication Playbook — 10 frameworks, scripts, and exercises to help you communicate like a pro. Get it at: https://ctcpodcast.media/free-playbook Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube — and never miss an episode. Stories That Stick. Skills That Scale.

Information

  • Creator
    David Shaft
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 David Shaft
  • Show Website
    Conversations That Count