{"podcast":{"title":"CLOSER with Rachel Lim","slug":"closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501","podcast_index_feed_id":6348501,"rss_url":"https://rss2.flightcast.com/cdzgxanz9eqfjcxk8fpnb69q.xml","website_url":"https://rachreflects.com","image_url":"https://files.flightcast.com/workspaces/izhpu8x38h1htdiizi8fxncu/01M2J0M6N9W4RJDRFQCCKKTD4D/closerwithrachellim_podcast_thumbnail.jpg","author":"Rachel Lim","episode_count":83,"summary":"CLOSER with Rachel Lim is about the conversations beneath the surface. Rachel sits down with people who fascinate her to explore not just what they’ve done, but what has shaped who they are: the experiences, relationships, contradictions, failures, beliefs and questions that have made them who they are today. Alongside long-form conversations are personal reflections from Rachel on what she is learning, unlearning and seeing differently in her own life. There may not always be a clear answer.. but perhaps the point is to come away seeing someone differently, seeing ourselves differently, and feeling a little closer. To ourselves. To each other. To what matters.","last_synced_at":"2026-09-16T10:20:04.562106+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501"},"episode":{"title":"#39: Don’t Just Lead — Communicate With Intention. Wes Kao Shows You How","slug":"39-don-t-just-lead-communicate-with-intention-wes-kao-shows-you-how","published_at":"2025-04-01T23:50:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501/39-don-t-just-lead-communicate-with-intention-wes-kao-shows-you-how","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501","url":"https://episode.flightcast.com/p450lt30lsseoys0ssk1e4od.mp3","audio_url":"https://episode.flightcast.com/p450lt30lsseoys0ssk1e4od.mp3","summary":"In this powerful episode, Wes Kao; co-founder of Maven and pioneer of cohort-based learning, joins us to explore what separates good leaders from great ones, and why intentional communication is at the heart of it all. We dive into everything from how to sharpen your judgment and make faster, better decisions, to why concise communication isn't just efficient, it's essential. Wes unpacks her signature concept of “avoiding negative inception” and shows how certain well-meaning phrases can actually sabotage your message and plant doubt. We also talk about how to turn worries into action, why owning your strengths is a quiet superpower, and what it looks like to challenge your own thoughts with intention. Wes shares her biggest leadership challenge to date, and how she learned to balance transparency with confidence, especially when leading through uncertainty. If you're a leader, creator, or communicator of any kind, this conversation is packed with tactical wisdom that will shift how you speak, lead, and show up. Topics we cover: The communication traps even smart leaders fall into What it means to “incept negative ideas” and how to avoid it Why saying less can help you lead more effectively The underrated power of self-awareness and reframing How to personalise your communication to truly connect Tune in and learn how to lead not just with vision, but with voice. 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Wes Kao’s Passion for Education 02:08 Good vs Great Leadership: What Sets Them Apart? 04:12 How to Sharpen Your Judgement and Make Better Decisions 08:28 The Importance of Concise Communication 10:24 Stop Incepting Negative Ideas: How to Protect Your Message 14:41 Turning Your Worries Into Action 18:54 The Beauty of Owning Your Strengths 22:53 Saying ‘No’ to Unproductive Struggles 26:3…","meta_description":"In this powerful episode, Wes Kao; co-founder of Maven and pioneer of cohort-based learning, joins us to explore what separates good leaders from great on…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2246,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501/episodes/39-don-t-just-lead-communicate-with-intention-wes-kao-shows-you-how/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/closer-with-rachel-lim-6348501/39-don-t-just-lead-communicate-with-intention-wes-kao-shows-you-how.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}