I am hoping by now that everyone knows WHAT “storytelling” does for influencing and persuading audiences and WHY it works. Without citing any of the brain science that has been widely reported, it most simply triggers us to connect with what we don’t yet know and care about, with things we do know and care about. I spent […]
New Series: The Cultures of Storytelling Read More »
Our fourth quarter was a super interesting one, just like the first three of 2018. In short, it was a great year. In fact, our best ever. Thanks to all of our clients who trusted us to help them improve their TED-style presentations, storytelling competency and public speaking impact. While we coached and trained executives
Stepping out of the Lab: How to Translate Healthcare Insights for Your Audience Read More »
Wow, what a way to start the year. I didn’t take my own advice. Mid way through a recent assignment (an event featuring 5 different talks from the same company), I was told that I offended an executive by what I thought was a simple suggestion. The suggestion was, “Have you ever recorded yourself?” I
Feedback without a License Read More »
These are calls I’ve gotten recently from clients, concerned about performances of some of their key women. “She is fine when she’s one-on-one with colleagues, but as soon as she goes into a group meeting or presentation, she clams up. We know she has good communication skills, but she refuses to use them.” “During the
Is it really a presentation problem? Read More »
After the first TEDxColumbus event in 2009 at the Wexner Center, I remember thinking the day after: why aren’t I doing more of “THIS?” This being helping speakers architect their story and find their voice. And deliver what I am now calling “The Talk of Your Life.” It is what lead me to create ar.tic.u.la.tion
The journey to give a TEDx talk: A documentary. Read More »
So a few years ago I wrote this blog post on how I thought the Pecha Kucha (Japanese for Chit-Chat) was a fun format for an audience but a really tough one for a speaker. It dictates you deliver a talk with 20 slides on a timer for 20 seconds a slide. MXLLS So last summer when I
How Kit Kat led to TED, told ala Pecha Kucha. Read More »
At the InsideTED Session on Monday, six TEDx organizers (including myself, as you can see), were invited to share a few words about our TEDx experience. The one thing I didn’t get to say about it is, I always have FUN. I talked about how it inspired conversation, addressed a pent up curiosity in our
Live from TED2013: My inner geek had a blast. Read More »
As I was working on my goals for 2013, I got this email fromTodd Kleismit, Legislative Director at the Ohio Historical Society. He has been researching he esteemed Ohio Congressman William McCulloch, who, among other things, was instrumental in the civil rights movement. He was a friend of my dad’s back in the 50s and
The apple doesn’t fall far. Read More »
As we close out 2012, I have produced another ‘best clips’ video (you may remember the first one on opening hooks), this time, on great closings. As a speechwriter friend of mine told me once, the hardest part for her clients was “Getting into and getting out of the talk.” So here’s some inspiration to
Bringing closure to the year, and your talk. Read More »
Last weekend I assisted with prepping some of the speakers for TEDxSanDiego, a wonderful TEDx run by Jack Abbott, a longtime marketing executive in the area. Jack invited me to work with four specific speakers in preparing their talks and then to the rehearsal to help gently guide any other speakers in need of help. I
Live from San Diego Read More »
