176: Master the Room Without Saying a Word with Brian Galke

In this fascinating episode of Heartbeat for Hire, host Lyndsay Dowd sits down with Brian Galke, a communication strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of Subtle Skills, to explore the science of face reading, body language, and connection in an increasingly digital world.

Known as The Decoding Detective, Brian reveals how understanding facial features can unlock deeper human connection and more effective communication — whether you're in leadership, sales, or just trying to better understand the people around you.

From overcoming social anxiety to managing a $40M book of business, Brian's journey proves that anyone can learn to decode others and communicate with confidence. He breaks down the subtle cues that reveal how people process information, make decisions, and prefer to be spoken to — and how applying these tools can make you more influential, authentic, and connected.

📌 Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: The Importance of Human Connection and AI

00:25 – Episode Teasers: Reading Faces, Influence, and Confidence

00:54 – Meet Brian Galke, The Decoding Detective

01:54 – Overcoming Social Anxiety and Finding His Mentor

02:38 – The Skeptic's Challenge: Debunking Face Reading

04:44 – The Disarming Accuracy of Facial Decoding

06:37 – The Lost Art: Face Reading in English Universities

07:09 – How Decoding Works in Sales and Leadership

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