This Moved Me

Welcome to the Speaking Truths series! Have you listened to Speaking Truth #1 and #2 yet? Go for it! Over the last two decades I've worked with too many speakers who hold themselves back by myths and ideas that are not grounded in truth. So, I decided to create a manifesto of sorts! The 7 Empowering Speaking Truths of Public Speaking. (If you haven't yet downloaded the pdf, do that now. If you want in on the more intensive and free email course on the subject that has added resources, reflection questions and some random goodies - you can sign up for that here!) And Today is Speaking Truth #3! - On Being an Un-Speaker!

Welcome to the Speaking Truths series! If you missed out on Speaking Truth #1 - you can find it here. Over the last two decades I've worked with too many speakers who hold themselves back by myths and ideas that are not grounded in truth. So, I decided to create a manifesto of sorts! The 7 Empowering Speaking Truths of Public Speaking. (If you haven't yet downloaded the pdf, do that now. If you want in on the more intensive and free email course on the subject that has added resources, reflection questions and some random goodies - you can sign up for that here!) Today we continue with Speaking Truth #2: Perfection Kills Connection! Let's do this.

Welcome to the Speaking Truths series! Regardless of how capable or skilled or experienced or savvy we are, too many of us struggle to fully embrace the power and importance of sharing our voice. We need to stand up - speak up - grounded in our authentic and courageous and clear voice. Even in that business meeting. Even in that workshop you've done a zillion times. Especially in that TED talk. But over the last two decades I've worked with too many speakers who hold themselves back by myths and ideas that are not grounded in truth. So, I decided to create a manifesto of sorts! The 7 Empowering Speaking Truths of Public Speaking. (If you haven't yet downloaded the pdf, do that now. If you want in on the more intensive and free email course on the subject that has added resources, reflection questions and some random goodies - you can sign up for that here!) Today we start with Speaking Truth #1: Audience + Authenticity = Connection (And the point is connection!).

Brad Montague - creator of Kid President, creative genius, Founder of the Montague Workshop, and an overall wonderful human! As the creator of Kid President, Brad brought a message of hope and joy to life with his brother-in-law, Robbie. Together they created a "joy rebellion" that has inspired millions  - and which compelled him up on stage, continuing to create videos and stories that bring light and joy into the world. I had the great pleasure of seeing Brad up on stage at the STORY Gathering last year - and since then we've been trying to arrange a conversation. It finally happened! And I couldn't be more excited to share with you a glimpse into Brad's kindness, insight and purpose - and his message for all of us: If we can bring purpose and intention to our creative work - it works magic. Such a joy to have you on the show, Brad! To all: enjoy.

It is maybe the best thing I've ever seen, ever. I think there’s a reason why so many people (like, 23 million! - and counting) have enjoyed this video: because it is real life ramming up against these facades we create for the sake of our image. I’m guessing this is not how Mr. Expert (real name, Professor Robert Kelly, bless his heart) expected to be ‘put on the map.’ But here he is! And, to his and his wife’s credit, they are embracing it. And I love them for it. LOVE THEM. But I keep thinking... If that had been me, what would I have done?

How do you choose the right presentation coach for you? It's a personal process - so the connection should be personal, too. Here are 3 key questions to ask yourself to help you find the right one for you! 

Jason Freeman - a writer, public speaker and Bravery Coach. His love of self and openness are some of the many superpowers he has as a speaker. He talks a lot about how the self-imposed limitations in our minds may prevent us from creating extraordinary lives. Jason himself has had to overcome hurdles in his mind, including not allowing his speech impediment to prevent him from using his voice to share his message. It's such a pleasure and honor to know you, Jason!

Ryan Hildebrandt –  a TEDx founder, creator, podcaster, traveler and a total adventure seeker. I love that he has a zeal for learning and creating new things. As someone who has founded and organized several TEDx events, he has reviewed numerous applications. He knows what works and doesn't work. Many speakers dream of giving a TED talk, but a lot of them don't know what makes an effective speaker application, or if their idea really is strong enough. Ryan talks about all these things and more!

Introducing: TMM Quick Coaching! Quick, personalized coaching to help you take your talk to the next level. 

"Sally, you talk about getting the content into you body. Sounds nice, but I have no idea what you mean by that. How do I do that?" We are not writers - we are SPEAKERS. Speakers take the written word and become it. Can you tell a speaker who really wishes she was just writing it, and you were just reading it? Yeah - not too compelling. The process of moving the content from something that is just bouncing around in your head to something that is living in your BODY takes two things:

Jan Schultink - founder and CEO of SlideMagic - is a former McKinsey consultant who is now an internationally recognized designer. Jan understands both business and design, and he uses his expertise to help people develop their content and design their slides. Speakers, Jan's insight is invaluable if you want to create effective, well-designed presentation slides that can engage Movers, Jan's insight is invaluable if you want to create effective, well-designed presentation slides that can engage an audience!  (And of course we do!)

Happy Martin Luther King Day! This man, from an early age, taught me that words can move the world. HE moved the world. And today - especially now, in this age that feels like we're reeling backward in some ways - I want to highlight what we as speakers can learn from MLK and pay homage to him through his incredible speech, "I Have a Dream."  And so, I couldn't think of a better speech to start the  TMM Talk Club with. The idea behind the TMM Talk Club is to analyze a speech - pull it apart a bit - and think through what the key elements are so that we can learn from them, and bring more of these ideas into our own work.  [More on the TMM Talk Club soon!] So what did MLK do especially well?  These three things:

Jason Jaggard - a coach, speaker, social innovator for cultural change and CEO/Founder of Spark Good and consultant with Novus Global. I got the chance to see Jason speak at Story2016 in Nashville this fall, and he was excellent. Funny, insightful, bold. I was so inspired by what I heard that I went to his breakout session - which BLEW MY MIND. I literally wrote a billion things on my notes (well, ok, not a *billion*, but close). I still think about his ideas and insights and try to apply them to my work and life. While I was sitting in the audience of his talk and his breakout session, I thought to myself again and again, speakers need these same mindsets.  In fact, we ALL do. Anyone doing creative work that yearns to influence requires something big in us as creators. What do we need? Well, take a listen!

"I know I need to cut some of my talk… but I hate to lose any of this material. It’s ALL important to me! How do you decide what to cut?" I say a lot in my workshops and with my clients that you know you’re getting to the good stuff when it really hurts to edit your talk. “Edit until it hurts.” Ok, it hurts! It hurts! Now what? Listen in!

Happy New Year! One of my favorite ways to end the year is to ask the simple question, "What's something that's moved you this year?" This year I asked the question to my family as we gathered together at my parents' cabin in Wisconsin.  (They really had very little choice in the matter - thanks, Fam!) The responses varied - from the simple to the sweet to the sad and complicated. Another year in the books - and another chance to reflect.

Today is a This Moved Me Mash-Up! I'm bringing together two performers who have lived out their talents in very different ways, but who share a connection to the field of persuasion and public speaking. One is a mime turned entrepreneur who leads trainings on organizational and business development. One is an actor turned coach who started a business training actors. WHAT?! I know. So I thought it would be fun to bring these two together for our first-ever TMM Mash-up.

“Sally, I hate Q&A’s! Help!” Haha, I thought this would be a good one to start with on my Q & A episode. Ok - I hear this one a lot. I know, I know - it’s improv vs. your scripted scene. It’s unpredictable, can be scary - and oh my goodness, what if I get challenged?? Here are a few things that might help:

Once upon a time, there was a savvy business woman. She tried to write a talk, but the words wouldn't come. Every time she sat down to write her talk, it didn't work! What to do, What to do? Well - listen up: 

Angela Lussier is an award-winning speaker, founder of Speaking School for Women, author of three books, speech coach and host of Claim the Stage podcast. Recently, I had the pleasure to be a guest on her podcast (Episode 23 called "Hairy Authenticity" - I know, I love the title too!). Angela's mantra is "Stop waiting. Start creating." She inspires her listeners to take the most important, often-feared, first step towards their calling, and to keep going. Angela, I am thankful for this very important, timely conversation with you! We have a great opportunity and responsibility to use our voice and empower other women to do the same.

Harriet Turk is a speaker, trainer, and consultant who has a wealth of experience working with teens and adults. Her strength lies in her desire to teach and speak from the heart. Harriet meets her audience on their level, thereby inspiring change.    Speakers, this is a thought-provoking interview that you don't want to miss! Harriet, this was such a fun and honest conversation.