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The Blog

Straight Talk From Someone Who's Been There

On addiction, gambling, confidence and facing the media, from Mark Aiston.

When Saying Hello Takes Courage #introvertconnection #meaningfulconnections #quietcommunity #shynesssupport #socialconfidence Nov 07, 2026

Picture an ordinary evening. Someone sits on the edge of their bed, dressed and ready for a gathering. They have checked the address and worked out where to park. Then the questions begin. Who will I ...

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A Community for Quiet People. Would You Like to Be Part of It? #introvertconnection #markaiston #quietcommunity #socialconfidence meaningfulconnections Nov 05, 2026

You want to meet people, but walking into a room full of strangers feels difficult. You think about going to an event, then decide to stay home. Afterwards, you wish you had gone. If this sounds famil...

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You Don’t Have to Be Loud to Be Someone Worth Knowing #communicationskills #networkingforintroverts #introvertconfidence #meaningfulconnections #socialconfidence Nov 05, 2026

You get home from a gathering and begin reviewing the evening. The introduction you hesitated over. The story you started, then cut short. The person you wanted to approach before they left. Somewhere...

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Why “No Comment” Is a Risky Answer in a Media Interview Nov 04, 2026

Why “No Comment” Is a Risky Answer in a Media Interview

 When a journalist asks a difficult question, “no comment” might feel like the safest response. It gives you a moment to escape an uncomfortabl...

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You Belong in the Room. An Introvert’s Guide to Enjoying Events #communicationskills #enjoyevents #introvertconfidence #networkingforintroverts #meaningfulconnections #socialconfidence Nov 04, 2026

Walking into an event where you know few people often brings a familiar worry. Who will you talk to? What will you say? If you are an introvert, the thought of introductions might leave you wanting to...

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When Someone You Love Is Struggling With Addiction #addictionrecovery #familysupport #compassionateconversations #supportinglovedones Nov 03, 2026

When someone you love is struggling with addiction, you often rehearse conversations they never hear. You lie awake searching for the right words.

You pick up the phone, then put it down. You want t...

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You Don’t Need to Be the Loudest Person in the Room #unmaskedcourse #confidenceforintroverts #communicationskills #networkingtips #socialconfidence introverttraining socialevents Nov 02, 2026

I spent around 40 years working in television and radio. I presented sport, interviewed thousands of people and spoke to large audiences. Yet walking into a networking event often left me uncomfor

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The Dangers of Gambling Go Beyond Money Nov 02, 2026

Gambling harm often develops quietly. Money set aside for bills gets spent. Savings shrink. Financial pressure grows. The impact reaches beyond your bank balance, affecting sleep, work and emotional w...

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How to Handle the Media During a Company Crisis #crisis #crisismanagement #mediacrisis #mediatraining #reputationmanagement Oct 28, 2026

When a crisis affects your company, respond quickly and acknowledge what has happened. Gather the facts, identify who is affected and appoint one spokesperson to speak with the media. If you are still...

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Why Media Interview Preparation Matters for Your Business interview techniques key messages media interview preparation media training public speaking Oct 26, 2026

Why Media Interview Preparation Matters for Your Business

A media interview gives you an opportunity to share your knowledge, explain your business and reach a wider audience. It also puts your commu...

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Media Interview Tips: Why You Should Never Bag Your Competition interview skills media interview fails media interviews media skills media training Oct 18, 2026

 

Why You Should Never Bag Your Competition in a Media Interview

When a journalist asks about your competitors, it can feel like a chance to score points. It’s tempting to point out where they fa...

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Networking Tips for Introverts: What 40 Years on TV Taught Me About Walking Into a Room confidence introverts networking unmasked Oct 16, 2026

I spent around 40 years in television and radio, presenting sport, hosting programs and interviewing thousands of people. You'd think walking into a room full of strangers would be easy for me. It was...

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