This Moved Me

Lauren Pibworth of Pibworth Consulting Agency for Speakers is joining me on the show today! She is a gem - and a powerhouse for speakers, helping you do all the behind-the-scenes work to help you find your audience and speak to more people - which is really the point of all this work we're doing! It was a delight to have her on the show - hope you enjoy!

Harris III - magician, producer, creative guru - and the man behind the now practically infamous STORY Gathering that I continually rave about here on the show. Yes, that's right - I went straight to the source to hear about how it all came to life - and how to create something both uncommon and universally moving - a challenging feat. I've had so many guests on the show that were inspired by my experience at Story - Jason Jaggard, Brad Montague, and now Harris. Hank Fortener - a favorite with my listeners - was also there last year. And it was first introduced to me by my guest Lindsay O'Connor who read some of Story's marketing materials for her This Moved Me Moment, and I gasped with awe for the beauty of the writing. That's what I'm talking about: beauty, creativity, risk, identity, community. These themes swirl in and around the STORY crew, and it makes for an experience that will nourish your soul and challenge us to do work that really matters. You guys - I realize that much of this sounds like a c

Rick Altman - founder of Better Presenting and the Presentation Summit Conference - joined me on the show to talk about how we can make better presentations with better slide decks. What an important mission! As he said, hating PowerPoint is a badge of honor for so many people - but Rick's knowledge of PowerPoint has given him a chance to see the benefits of such a powerful tool, as well how we normal humans (read: not design or software experts) can use it well - in order to serve our audience and our goals. Rick is a passionate advocate - and brings that passion and joy into this conversation. Enjoy!

This week I hit my 150th episode. WHA??? (I know, I feel the same way.) Almost three years ago, I ventured into this endeavor sure that I had something to offer - but NO IDEA really how to do that, or if it would work, or how much work it would be. Turns out it was a LOT of work - and that I love it way more than I ever thought I would! This Moved Me has challenged me to show up, and take a risk. (A muscle all of us speakers need to flex as much as we can.) And that sometimes people dig what I do! And sometimes, they don't. And that has to be ok if I'm going to do this. At the end of every one of my Mini Moved Me episodes for the last year or so, I have included a little something for those who stick with me to the end: a tiny little outtake - me, messing up somehow. There may be 3 people out there who hear them - but it's not really about that. It's about practicing the art of showing up, ANYWAY.

I had the awesome privilege to go and see the TED Conference Opening Session/Event on Monday night. Well, ok - I wasn't THERE. I was watching from a movie theater. Pretty much by myself. It was still amazing to be there and see how it's all pulled together. Unbeknownst to many people, it is not just a litany of individual talks - it really is an event. At the end, the amazing Chris Anderson (author and TED Conference curator and overall guru of life) asked for feedback from the millions of people watching online. I was one of those people - and I am all about feedback! So, I took him up on his offer. This is the feedback I sent to Chris: Keep breaking the mold. Get the speakers off stage. Move towards integration rather than memorization. These are some big ideas! Take a listen to the show to dig in with me. AND, if you're interested in joining me for a course on INTEGRATION vs. MEMORIZATION, shoot me an email. :) I am working on it.

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’re facing a speaking truth that most people know – but we don’t often talk about: If we want to be transformative, there are no shortcuts!  Che

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’re facing a speaking truth that most people know – but we don’t often talk about: Audiences are Generous! - IF we are generous with them.  Check

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're facing a speaking truth that most people know - but we don't often talk about: Speaking Brings Us to the Truth of Ourselves. Uff-da! Check out

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 continue the series with Speaking Truth #4: Stories are the Pathway to Empathy. Check out the other posts/episodes in this series: Speaking Trut

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!)