This Moved Me

Stories are the birthplace of empathy, so it’s essential for us as speakers to wrestle with them, and do our best to master the art of storytelling. And many new speakers tell us ABOUT their story rather than actually tell us a story. It’s the difference between, “I really like ice cream, so went to the story to get some” – and “Last Wednesday it was so hot and humid that I a sudden wave of longing came over me for the wonderful min-chocolate-chip ice cream from the local ice cream shop down the street. So, I hopped on my bike and rode the two blocks to the store. I walked in – heard the lovely ding of the door, signaling a new customer – and said to the lady behind the counter, “Please tell me you have some Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream left!”   The specificity of a particular moment is what draws us in and makes it matter.

On this week’s This Moved Me, I got to chat with the awesome Jenny Evans, founder of PowerHouse Performance Coaching - and author, speaker, and expert on both fitness and resilience training. She has spoken in front of thousands, all over the world - and lucky for me, I've been one of those audience members! The thing about Jenny is she doesn't just do your typical corporate training thing. She pushes the boundaries - and that's exactly why she is such an engaging and dynamic speaker and person. Read more here: http://www.thismovedme.com/052-jenny-evans-on-pushing-our-and-our-audiences-boundaries/    

On this week’s short and sweet Mini Moved Me, I talk about the "so what” of what we say. Digging down past the obvious to the next layer will help you find the new meaning, and avoid the easy answers. 

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with the famous TED-speaker, Julian Treasure. Julian’s 5 TED talks have accumulated over 20 million views worldwide! Obviously, Julian’s passion of talking about how we speak – how we listen – and how we create sound that people WANT to listen to – resonates! I was so thrilled to get some of his time to share his expertise with you.   In the show we talked about:  Julian’s story – how he started helping people create their brands through sound The experience of speaking at TED How to help your audience hear you The power of filters The importance – and difference between – preparation and practice When authenticity turns to artifice   TMM MOMENTS: Julian: The experience of seeing a student of his grow and improve, in one short day. When we commit ourselves to making a difference, it often comes back to us!   Sally: My husband and I went to Universal studios, and I got to see Hogwarts castle. It reminded me of the power of literature, and the connection we build with these

On this week’s Mini Moved Me, I talk about the necessary evil that we speakers just love to hate: rehearsal. 

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Jane Leyden Cavanaugh – speaker, improviser, comedian – and spiritual guide. Yes, that’s right – Jane is a hilarious prophet. So, we dove in to talk about the important connection between the truth and the funny.   In the show we talked about:  Jane’s time at the Groundlings – learning what funny really is When she finds the true in the funny – building her prophetic voice The importance of vulnerability in this work The power of imagery – inspired by Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak And the realization that we have to find our wisdom and insight by doing the work ourselves.   TMM MOMENTS: Jane: This powerful quote by George Bernard Shaw: “This is the true joy in life – being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a might one; being thoroughly worn out before you are throw on to scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances.”   This quote has inspired Jane’s purpose to speak with a prophetic voice – a

On this week’s Mini Moved Me, I’m shedding some light on moving away from perfectionism - which sometimes creates distance between the audience and speaker. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be polished!

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Malcom Chapman – speaker, Bush Fellow and community leader on the power of our speaking opportunities to move our community and really make a difference. Though we had some challenging audio - I decided to still share because the content of the conversation was so great. My apologies for the static - bare with me on this one! - and enjoy!   In the show we talked about:  Malcom’s Story The Bush Fellowship – and how we serve Malcom’s biggest challenges The power of family and our stories   TMM MOMENTS: Malcom: An ELCA Youth Gathering, where he experienced a Pastor preaching to console himself. The power of that story, and the vulnerability in that – Malcom felt like he knows him now.   (We also gave a shout-out to President Obama’s Eulogy after the Charleston shooting. https://youtu.be/RK7tYOVd0Hs)   Sally: This hilarious and stupid video about the impact of Helium Beer. Just TRY and watch this without laughing!   (https://youtu.be/3V9QHBgrPNY)

This week, I’m talking about a concept introduced to me by Jane Leyden Cavanaugh - your personal “pearl button": the thing that stays constant and true in us, regardless of what we are wearing or saying – and how valuable this can be to us as speakers!

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Aly Wallberg – speaker, communications coach, teacher and business professional – about the power of rhetoric to learn about ourselves, each other and the world.   NOTES: Aly Wallberg and I connected through her short and lively Ignite Minneapolis Talk where she analyzed Sarah Palin's Lipstick on a Pitbull convention speech. I loved the talk and thought Aly was brilliant and funny. So of course I had to have her on the show!    Aly is a speaker, communications coach and generally smart human who brings her expertise to her work in the corporate world, as well. It was so fun to connect with a person who has a similar passion and excitement about words and the impact they can have.   In the show we talked about:  The process of creating a somewhat controversial talk The role that studying rhetoric can have in the every day work world And the loftier benefits of studying rhetorical appeals - knowing ourselves and each other more powerfully   TMM MOMENT: ALY: The podcas

On this week’s Mini Moved Me, I talk about the importance of identifying and developing your origin story.

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Bryan Skavnak – golf pro, author and speaker from The Happiest Golfer – about the connection between golf and speaking. There is one! Who knew!? (Not me.)

On this week’s Mini Moved Me, I talk about the bridging the gap between audience member and speaker with the little moments that make us human.

Dr. Nick Morgan – speechwriter, consultant, academic, political influencer (etc.!) – took some time to talk with me about his push for authenticity and emotional grounding in the arenas that seem most intolerant of it. I’m a big fan of his work at Public Words, and I know you will be, too! 

Lindsey O’Connor – speaker, writer, journalist, radio host and delightful human– shares with me how the experiences of her life have changed and evolved her presentation style, stories and purpose in sharing her message, and herself. 

Dan Misener – creator of the podcast and live event, “Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids” – talks with me about the power of sharing the stories from our past. If you haven’t had a chance to hear GRTTWaK, it’s well worth the listen! It made me laugh – it made me cry – and it made me think. And why is that? Well, as Dan says – the past informs the now. Sharing it – and hearing it. (You can read this post on the website here.)

Paul Angone – speaker, blogger and creator of “All Groan Up” - and author of the several books about the challenge of coming down from the huge expectations we have for ourselves as 20-somethings – shares with me the secret to resonance with your audience… which is embracing the very real possibility of embarrassment.  (You can read this post on the website here.)

Nate Eklund – educator, consultant with Eklund Consulting, speaker, teacher (plus, musician and actor!) – shares his insight about the importance of keeping your content fresh… like his favorite band Phish does.

Graeme Blackman is the co-founder and President of Lumos, an organization aimed at giving voice to the next generation, helping them articulate their brightest selves.  Now, at Lumos, Graeme helps high school students to become more compelling presenters, more articulate conversationalists and more confident storytellers.

Today's Mini Moved Me is about the concept of holding "the con." Not a "con-man" - or even that Star Trek villain. No, it's about who is steering your presentation ship.