28. Silence, Storytelling & Influence: The Science of Oracy With Charles Byrne

Do your words create clarity—or more noise? In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO/ marathoner Michelle O’Brien sit down with Charles Byrne, Director General of the English-Speaking Union, to unpack oracy—the science and soul of speaking and listening well—and how it reduces decision fatigue, sharpens cognitive clarity, and elevates real-world influence.

You’ll learn how presence, breath, and active listening change the brain’s decision systems, why silence is a performance tool, and what practical oracy drills you can use today to cut through cognitive overload—at work, in leadership, in high-stakes conversations, and at home.

What You'll Learn:

• Why oracy is as crucial as literacy and numeracy for modern leadership

• How active listening improves judgment and reduces costly miscommunication

• The link between cognitive overload, poor decisions, and weakened team dynamics

• Why silence and breath reset the brain and boost clarity under pressure

• Storytelling as a trust and influence multiplier

• Simple, repeatable oracy exercises to apply before your next big conversation
  

Charles Byrne — Director General, English-Speaking Union (ESU). A cross-sector leader and oracy champion dedicated to empowering people through speaking and listening. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesbbyrne/

ESU: https://www.esu.org/our-staff/charles-byrne/

00:00 Introduction

05:04 The Impact of Poor Communication on Decision-Making

09:48 Generational Shifts in Communication Skills

14:57 The Importance of Listening and Silence

19:58 Navigating Difficult Decisions in Leadership

27:31 Navigating Job Redundancies and Personal Impact

30:27 Cognitive Overload and Decision-Making Strategies

32:59 The Power of Decision Lists

36:12 Understanding Mental Load in Decision-Making

39:09 The Importance of Communication and Connection

44:11 Mindfulness and Presence in Decision-Making

decision fatigue, cognitive overload, oracy, communication skills, active listening, public speaking, leadership, neuroscience, peak performance, mental clarity, focus, productivity, storytelling, mindfulness, biohacking, gaming, esports, business, athletics, academics, cognitive function, brain optimization, stress management, habit formation

Decisions That Count helps you master the science of decision-making to overcome decision fatigue and reach peak performance. Hosted by Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien, we translate neuroscience into actionable strategies for focus, mental clarity, productivity, mindfulness, biohacking, and resilience—across gaming, business, athletics, academics, and everyday life.

Hosts:

Dr. Shawn Watson – Neuroscientist & Founder Michelle O’Brien – Marketer, Mum, Marathon Runner👇 Let’s Continue the Conversation What resonated most with you? Have you experienced decision fatigue in your role? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you manage high-pressure choices.

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💡 If you found this episode helpful, like, comment, and subscribe. Share it with someone who could use a reset on how they make decisions. Let’s build better brains together—one choice at a time.

Your decisions shape your life. Make every decision count.

#DecisionFatigue #Resilience #Perseverance #DecisionMaking #Neuroscience #PeakPerformance #MentalStrength #Mindfulness #Coaching #OvercomingAdversity