Just Saying - The BRIEF Lab

Hosted by Joe McCormack

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Episodes

420

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

The point of this podcast is to help you become an effective and efficient communicator. The topics that we discuss tackle many of the most pressing issues that people face in a world flooded by information, interruptions and distractions. The promise is that you and your ideas can stand out consistently. Hope you enjoy. [ Just Saying ]

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 8, 202615 min

Ep. 396 – Six PowerPoint Presentation Pivots

The best presentation is always a conversation. It should never fall flat because of a lame format or feel like a performance where people clap at the end. In this episode, I provide six different ways to mix up your approach without fearing you will mess it up. With more options, you will confidently handle presentations, so they always have power and a point. The post Ep. 396 – Six PowerPoint Presentation Pivots appeared first on Just Saying.

May 25, 202612 min

Ep. 395 – Let people talk (stop finishing their sentences)

Imagine being in a conversation that is clearly one-sided and you feel the irresistible inclination to interrupt them so you can say something. Though this may even be justifiable, it hurts people when we cut them off mid-sentence. In this week’s episode, I give some practical advice to handle these tempting moments with patience and presence. The post Ep. 395 – Let people talk (stop finishing their sentences) appeared first on Just Saying.

May 11, 202611 min

Ep. 394 – Be a gossip for good

It’s easy for people to talk badly about others when they aren’t there. Though nobody likes a gossip, many of us like to gossip. In this episode, I propose doing the opposite and speaking well of people that aren’t present to counter this negative urge. The post Ep. 394 – Be a gossip for good appeared first on Just Saying.

April 27, 2026Episode 39315 min

Ep. 393 – Is your identity at risk with AI?

If AI does the hard work for us, will it kill the development of our professional identity? A recent article in Harvard Business Review (“AI is changing how we learn at work”) got me thinking that there are some real risks to keep in mind. The post Ep. 393 – Is your identity at risk with AI? appeared first on Just Saying.

April 13, 202614 min

Ep. 392 – Say the most important thing first

It’s tough to be direct. Being a clear and concise communicator hinges on your ability to start strong and never bury your lead. Speaking in headlines, can ensure that your bottom line up front (BLUF) never sinks to the bottom line at the bottom (BLAB). The post Ep. 392 – Say the most important thing first appeared first on Just Saying.

March 30, 202612 min

Ep. 391 – How to make a boring topic interesting

We all face moments where we need to teach, brief, or explain topics that are dry, technical, tedious or simply boring. In this episode, I lay out several simple tactics to breathe life into a dying subject to be sure something always gets through. The post Ep. 391 – How to make a boring topic interesting appeared first on Just Saying.

March 15, 202615 min

Ep. 390 – Getting people to admit they have a problem

Stop trying to convince people they have issues, challenges and problems. It doesn’t work. What’s more effective is a principle of quiet influence based on gaining their permission to discuss and illuminate areas for improvement. They can then make what I call “the admission” by willingly and deliberately admitting what needs to be fixed. The post Ep. 390 – Getting people to admit they have a problem appeared first on Just Saying.

March 2, 202615 min

Ep. 389 – Why you need to avoid context camping

There’s a tendency for communicators to bury listeners in a mound of context. By spending too much time setting up the story, an audience can get lost before the storyline even starts. Though background information can be essential, we can never grow too fond of context that they lose interest. The post Ep. 389 – Why you need to avoid context camping appeared first on Just Saying.

February 16, 202614 min

Ep. 388 – SPEAR: a new verbal method to sharpen your point

What’s your method to prepare before you speak? Most people don’t have one and are left thinking while they’re talking. We feel the pain as they struggle to get to the point. In this episode, I propose a five-step approach called S.P.E.A.R. which may help you sharpen the point you want to make way before you try to make it. The post Ep. 388 – SPEAR: a new verbal method to sharpen your point appeared first on Just Saying.

February 2, 202614 min

Ep. 387 – Reimagining your next offsite

Getting away as a team is often critical, but that time is often squandered. In this episode, I provide six different considerations to help you get more out of your time away. It’s more than picking a fancy destination, but planning the duration, desired outcome and agenda for maximum effect. The post Ep. 387 – Reimagining your next offsite appeared first on Just Saying.