Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

We believe that every presentation, whether internal or external, at a conference or at a board meeting, has the power to shift how your audience views a topic and the positive changes that can come as a result.

It’s not just about delivering information – it’s about shifting perspectives, sparking new ideas, and inspiring action.

This episode is the audio from a live show we did with two of o...

The key to a powerful presentation isn’t just telling stories – it’s uncovering the lessons within them.

When you share a personal experience or an impactful moment, you’re not just recounting events; you’re inviting your audience to see the world through your eyes, to feel what you felt, and to learn from what you lived. 

Your stories become more than just a narrative – they can spark change ...

What if you could go from a completely blank page - or in this case, a blank poster board - to mapping out and practicing your signature talk… all in just one day?

That’s exactly what happened at our recent in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando, and in this episode, you’ll hear directly from three of the incredible women who participated: Lesline Pittman, Monica Mitchell, and Dr. Emma Jones.

I vividly remember the day after Christmas 2022. Not because I was relaxing, but because I was at my laptop, updating my university courses and diving headfirst into AI tools for my business and podcast. ChatGPT had just launched, and I knew instantly: this was different. This wasn’t just another tech trend; this was a transformation.

In this episode, I share the talk I recently delivered at the ElleX Summ...

Ever wish you had an extra set of hands - or better yet, an AI assistant - to take care of all those repetitive tasks in your business?

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to share the exact AI-powered workflows I’ve built and now rely on every week at Speaking Your Brand.

From automating my podcast production (yes, even these show notes!) to cloning my voice for a brand-new comp...

AI isn’t just on the horizon - it’s already here, reshaping how we work, connect, and show up in our businesses, no matter what industry you’re in.

In this episode, I share how AI has fundamentally changed how I run Speaking Your Brand, well beyond using tools like ChatGPT (though I use that too!). 

I walk you through 4 powerful questions, originally posed by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, t...

You’ve packed your presentation with data, insights, and value — but your audience isn’t responding the way you hoped.

If you’ve ever looked out and seen glazed-over eyes… or walked off stage and didn’t get the results you wanted, this episode is for you.

As a former software developer and technology strategist who has presented at countless conferences and meetups, I’ve learned what works — a...

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to create, practice for, and deliver a powerful TED-style talk - especially one that’s only 8 minutes long?

In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach at Speaking Your Brand, as we take you behind the scenes of our recent TED-style speaking experience.

We were invited to be part of a live event called ElleX, hosted by a women’...

Have you ever walked away from a presentation thinking, “That was… fine,” but not truly moved, inspired, or motivated?

Here’s the truth: Most presenters mean well - they want to share valuable information - but they miss what truly makes a talk stick with the audience.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a recent presentation I gave at a local AI meetup that got amazing feedback -...

If I take a look at your slide deck or presentation outline and I can’t tell that the content is yours (vs. another speaker on your topic), you’re in danger of being a commodity speaker.

Commodity speakers are undifferentiated and interchangeable.

It will be harder for you to attract higher-profile speaking engagements, raise your speaking fees, and generate quality leads at your presentations...

As speakers and entrepreneurs, we often focus on the facts, data, and tactics we want to share – but what about the emotional connection?

In this episode, I talk about the power of finding the emotional heart of your message and why it’s essential for creating talks that resonate deeply with your audience and leave a lasting impact.

Have you ever imagined standing on a TEDx stage, spotlight on you, sharing a bold, transformative idea that resonates deeply with your audience?

TEDx talks are powerful platforms, not just for delivering information, but for sparking new perspectives, challenging assumptions, and inspiring change.

In t...

Have you ever wondered what truly makes a “signature talk”… well, signature?

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what a signature talk actually is (and what it isn’t), why most presentations fall flat, and how you can create a talk that not only connects with your audience — but also works for you as a spe...

I’ve been there. Heart pounding, mouth dry, butterflies swirling - even after years of speaking on stages and on live TV.

In this episode, I share some of my hardest speaking moments (including my worst ever speaking experience) and the surprising reasons we feel nervous before we speak, even when we 

Are you getting paid - or at least generating leads - from your speaking engagements?

Whether you’re speaking on stages, at conferences, or to community groups, your talks can (and should!) work for you, either by bringing in leads and clients or by earning you a speaker fee.

But here's what I often he...

Do you feel like hitting pause when everything around you feels uncertain?

Whether it's the economy, politics, AI, or just the general state of flux we're all living in, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You’re not alone - I’ve been feeling it too.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk candidly about what we've been noticing in ourselves, our clients, and the conver...

What does it really look like to lead with courage, advocate for yourself (and others), and embrace vulnerability as a strength?

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Mary Beth Plank-Mezo, who is the Vice President of Staff and Cultural Development at Full Sail University and has been with the university for an incredible 36 years. Her leadership has touched so many across the campus — and I ...

Are you unintentionally overwhelming your audience with too much information?

In this episode, I dive into one of the most common mistakes I see smart, experienced professionals make in their presentations: overloading them with information.

I know it’s tempting - after all, we want to provide value. B...

Have you ever had an idea that tugged at you, asking to be brought to life?

In this episode, I share why I believe so strongly that you are the exact messenger for your idea and your audience. Not someone else. You.

Yes, your topic may be similar to what others are ...