This Moved Me

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. 

Vikas Narula is an entrepreneur, influencer, and owner of Keyhubs. He has perspectives on life that helps others see things that are most important. We talked about how speakers can overcome the disconnect between themselves and their audience by understanding the power of influence and connection. We shared our thoughts on the importance of creative expression and the core concepts that transform speakers to influencers. Vikas, thank you for sharing such compelling and optimistic insights!

David C. Mann is an acclaimed speaker, award-winning theater artist, and presentation coach. David has a way of grabbing and holding his audience's attention with his honesty, energy and humor. It is evident from his interactions and presentations that he has a great understanding of human intricacies. He helps people overcome the hurdles in their mind, guides them in practical ways to find their "inner human" and inspires them to keep telling their story. David, thanks for bringing so much of yourself to this interview.

Joshua Johnson is a geocacher, YouTuber (as the Geocaching Vlogger) and speaker. Since his first YouTube video in 2011, Josh's curiosity has taken him around the world in pursuit of geocaches and meaningful connections. His contagious, playful attitude has earned him a respectful spot in the ever-growing, evolving, sometimes scary world of YouTube. He creates and delivers niche content in a way that resonates with his audience.   In this episode, I dig into Josh's mind to learn how he embraces the risks, challenges and unique opportunities of YouTube, while being his authentic, spirited and joyful self!

I don't know about you, but I'm not an especially techy person. I've had to learn to muddle through because part-and-parcel to being a speaker is having some technical know-how, or you'll find yourself up a creek without a paddle. If you know what I mean. How on earth do we present without a technical glitch?    

Scott C. Jones - comedian, TV host, writer - and now a speaker! - has joined me on the show as a budding speaker with a wide performance background. Scott's story is powerful. He's been in front of the TV camera for years; and after a health setback, he's found himself recreating his presence, and his story. We talk about risk, our stories, saying yes, learning from our work, the craft of expressing ourselves - and the wonderful ways we find ourselves in this arena. Scott, I'm a fan! Thanks for reaching out - and for sharing your story with us!

Aside from "Starting with an A" and "Leggo-ing Your Ego" and "Investing in the Relationship" - you need to be sure that feedback is both honest AND helpful. It's a simple filter, that asks just a little more of both the feedback give and the feedback receiver. 

John Zimmer - lawyer, Toastmasters master, speaker, improviser and communications coach - joined me for a conversation about how we can bring the art of communication to ANY opportunity you have. Whether you're in a courtroom, or giving a TED talk, doing improv, sitting in an interview, or standing in front of your coworkers for a meeting - these skills are essential to moving your audience. I love John's breadth of experience - and how he brings these skills to so many arenas. As he says, "The more ways you can speak, the better the speaker you can become." (Check out John's amazing website with tons of speech analysis - and, his wonderful TEDx talk!)

Simply put - you cannot grow through feedback unless you have a relationship with each other. Without a relationship, there might be some food for thought given and perhaps integrated - but likely discarded. Trust. It's what's for feedback dinner.      

In May, I participated in a Listen To Your Mother event. Have you heard of Listen To Your Mother? You may have heard my interview with LTYM founder Ann Imig from last fall, or perhaps you've been in the audience of one of the 41 shows that takes place throughout the country. Or, maybe you've run across the LTYM YouTube channel, with their hundreds of talks from the last 7 years! Or the book. And even with all that, if you haven't heard of LTYM, now you know. And now you've gotta get yourself to one of these events! in this episode I talk with three people who took part in this spring's Twin Cities show - Junita Flowers, Vikki Reich and Liz Sjaastad. Enjoy!

We most often think of asking people who are receiving feedback to let go of their egos... See it as a gift... do not defend or explain yourself... Not getting defensive in the midst of receiving feedback can be a Herculean effort sometimes - depending on who is giving it. It is an incredibly human and vulnerable moment.   And here's the thing. It should be a vulnerable moment for the feedback giver, too.    (And, I personally think sometimes there's helpful information in the explanation if the person is truly open to what you're saying.)    Can you approach this conversation with curiosity? Without all the answers? interested in how the other person might be interested in solving the problems that you see or that you are experiencing? Assuming the other person's best interests are at the forefront?    And I know, I know - sometimes the other person's best interests AREN'T at the heart of things. I've been there. When I first started coaching, I was so focused on proving myself, I took the speaker down to sh

Vanessa Van Edwards - scientist and speaker - joined me for a conversation about how to present yourself... or, as I almost titled this episode: How Not to Be Awkward. Why is Vanessa the expert on this topic? As a "recovering awkward person" herself, she approached the soft skills of presenting, love, and influence - studying it like she studies science. And through that she has been able to bring to light some key lessons for all of us on the science of influence, charisma and presenting ourselves with confidence and credibility.