Public Speaking for Fun & Profit | with Colin Ryan

The Trust Toolkit helps professionals become better influential communicators who get results.

In this episode, host Colin Ryan shares what happened when his presentation remote died mid-speech, in front of 100 people, during a talk about... public speaking. What could've been a disaster became one of the most talked-about moments of the day, and a masterclass in what really builds trust with clients, teams, and audiences.

In this ep...

In this episode of The Trust Toolkit, Colin Ryan explores a simple but uncomfortable truth: you deserve to disappoint others.

Inspired by a powerful audience moment in his keynote at a leadership summit for financial professionals, Colin talks about the impossible standards many high performers carry, the pressure to never let anyone down, and why self-trust begins with making peace with being imperfect.

Through honest stories, humo...

We all mess up with clients. The difference between advisors who lose trust and those who deepen it often comes down to what happens in the moments after the mistake.

In this episode, Colin shares a relatable, personal story about a family miscommunication — and how he almost responded with the exact wrong kind of apology.

Colin breaks down three ways to respond when you get something wrong: the reaction that damages trust, the...

Colin Ryan has spent his entire career telling stories—and not in the vague, “everyone’s a storyteller” kind of way. He’s performed on The Moth, NPR, and PBS, and had his work featured in Reader’s Digest "The Best Stories in America" Collection.

But his real work has lived in the business world—where storytelling has recently become trendy… and often misunderstood.

In this episode, Col...

I'm doubling down on the success of this podcast's first focus: public speaking, networking, pitching, and selling.

I'm going to focus on the element beneath all of that: trust.

I’ve given roughly 1,000 speeches, often talking about money, a subject most people don’t openly discuss. And I know I’m doing my job well when something shifts in the room.

People open up.
They engage.
They become a little more honest,...

In this episode, Colin Ryan explores why trust is the real differentiator for financial professionals in today’s skeptical environment. Drawing on his experiences with accountants, advisors, students, and industry leaders, Colin delves into the historical baggage that plagues the financial services industry -- from movie-inspired stereotypes to past misconducts -- and the challenges that make honest financial conversations di...

🎙️ What can five years of stand-up comedy teach you about storytelling? A lot !

In this episode, Colin deconstructs his stand-up comedy journey to show you how to craft stories that don't just inform, but truly connect.

He'll reveal key ways comedians turn everyday moments into unforgettable narratives—and how you can too.

You’ll learn:

The Relatability Hack: How even a mundane moment can become everyone’s shared tru...

Networking can feel like an anxiety-inducing performance, but what if it didn’t have to? In this episode of Memorable Public Speaking, we dive into a real conversation with a client who struggles with overthinking, self-doubt, and the fear of making a bad impression while networking.

Their words: “I’m usually kind of thinking like, what do I say? What do I say? What do I say?” If that sounds familiar, you&rsq...

In this value-packed episode, storytelling expert Colin Ryan pulls back the curtain on 2 powerful techniques that took a real client’s keynote story to new heights. You’ll learn how to craft an irresistible hook that grabs your audience's attention from the very first line. Plus, learn the secret to infusing your narratives with genuine emotional stakes that forge deep connections. Whether you're looking to level up you...

Ever been tempted to “wing it” when speaking? Think again. While improvisation can seem natural and authentic, it’s also a risky move that can leave you stumbling, rambling, or losing your audience entirely.

In this episode, Colin explores three major reasons why speaking off-the-cuff can derail your talk—and what to do instead to feel prepared and confident. You’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls, ...

In this episode, I tackle a question from a listener: How can I share serious stories while keeping my presentation positive and NOT losing the audience? So I tested out an answer: drawing from my personal experiences crafting a powerful story about navigating the American healthcare system around my own health challenges (see what I mean? SERIOUS!), I share three key strategies to create emotional balance in your talks and keep it...

In this episode of "Memorable Public Speaking and Storytelling," Colin shares a personal experience from a recent storytelling event where everything seemed to go wrong—yet the crowd loved it. Drawing lessons from that night, Colin reveals two powerful tips for any speaker: 1) Pay close attention to your environment—it can fuel your connection with the audience. 2) Embrace imperfection—allow yourself to make mista...

In this episode we dive into the art of using humor effectively in your presentations. Humor can turn a dry, forgettable talk into something memorable and engaging, but it’s a tool that requires balance. Colin walks you through why humor is such a powerful connection tool, how to craft jokes and funny stories, and—most importantly—how to avoid offending your audience. We’ll cover practical tips on testing hu...

🎤 **Feeling Nervous About Networking? You're Not Alone!**

At its core, networking is about making that first connection and seeing if there's a vibe, mutual interest, or curiosity. But what if you don't feel confident? What if you're in your head about it? 🤔

Here's a truth: everyone feels awkward sometimes. I've been the confident networker and the one wanting to go home.

Recently I found a way to go from nervous-wallflower to...

You will never more of your audience's attention than you do in the first 30 seconds. There are all kinds of fun and creative things you can do to hook them immediately, keep them engaged, and get them to say Yes. Unfortunately, the real-life tips in this video things are NOT intuitive, NO ONE does them automatically, and they take a little bit of creativity. The great news? They WILL increase your rate of success in pitches, pres...

A true story to remind you that we’re all pretending!

Key Ideas:

• What will be your next “15 feet of courage?”
• Public speaking is not about being perfect, it’s about creating a connection with your audience.
• The skill of connection belongs in our work, on our teams, in our relationships and in our relationship with ourselves.
• Next time you speak, don’t focus on getting every word right. Focus...

Did you know that MOST people are used to NEVER being listened to. There's a reason for this: most of us never took a class or training on HOW to listen well. Well I took a 2-day listening training, and I'll sum it up for you in a few minutes (saving you a lot of time, you're welcome!)As you become a better listener, your world and your career opens up in a really remarkable ways, you learn a lot more, and you make other people fee...

For me, doing stand-up comedy 10 years was a great tool to be a better communicator. And it also taught me a trick that's great for you to help boost your confidence.

I call it "open mic-ing." Whether the thing that's intimidating you is public speaking, speaking up in meetings, raising your profile, or recording yourself on video to send with emails, this trick will help you get more comfortable FAST!

This will help you say yes to...

Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a deep struggle with depression and suicidal tendencies throughout his life? I did not. I want to share this with you, including an amazing clip from his final speech, and share what I've learned about how our mental health challenges make us better leaders and public speakers!

From the episode: "As a leader, in your life there are people who you lead, people who you serve, people w...