Are You Standing in the 'Pit of Despair'?
Here’s a peeve of mine. I go to an event. There’s a stage of sorts, whether it be a real stage or just a zone where the people are going to speak. We get settled in our spots to watch the talking, and the talker comes out into the space. And then… They stand somewhere terrible.
Your Essential Public Speaking Travel Pack
If you’ve got a speech coming up, here are the 4 essential things to have in your back pocket.
Quarterly Reflection 🍁
I’ve been in a period of inward reflection since - gee, about March 13, 2020. And while I’ve been creating lots of content and certainly haven’t been quiet around the internets, I haven’t felt very “external.” But that’s been shifting. I’ve felt a lot of the little seeds I planted (some of which got put in the soil decades ago) starting to sprout, reaching up towards the light and warmth and looking around to see: who else is here?
45 Seconds to Shine: What the Emmys Can Teach Us About Public Speaking
Emmy night lessons: no one loves to hear about how you didn’t prepare, and no one wants to watch you fumble from that choice either. But over-preparing has its traps, too. Let’s dish on what went down.
Seeking creativity? Stop looking for it.
I’ve been more creative and fulfilled, more present, and more inspired recently than I have for a long time. And I’ve “worked” less than I maybe ever have. Check out the results of my recent experiment.
The Myth of the Starving Artist
Forget the “starving artist” myth—financial stress kills creativity! Though “Rent” would have us believe otherwise, the bohemian struggle isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Turns out, financial literacy is the real key to thriving as a creative.
How to Talk When No One’s There
Do you ever feel awkward talking to the camera when no one’s in the room with you? It can feel like you're speaking into a void rather than engaging with an audience. Fear not! This theater-inspired tip will make all the difference.
Your Brain’s Hidden Superpower
Discover how neuroplasticity, your brain's superpower, can transform your public speaking and networking skills. Learn to reprogram your mind to associate speaking with excitement instead of anxiety. Tune into this podcast episode of From Your Center to embrace change and boost your confidence and charisma! 🧠✨
It’s Good to Talk to Strangers
What if the key to becoming a confident public speaker is chatting with the grocery store checker you usually try desperately to ignore? Turning mundane errands into mini speaking practice sessions is a tool you can use any time you leave your house. Ready to transform your public speaking skills? Read on to discover the secret of turning snacks into small talk.
When Barbie met Aristotle: the storytelling structure that actually works
What do Barbie and Aristotle have in common? Turns out… a whole lot. Let’s break down how paying attention to storytelling structure can transform your communication strategy and captivate your audience in a whole new way.
How to Make Thank You Calls (without freaking out)
Unpopular opinion: the thank you call is likely more important to your organization than the donation was in the first place.
Once upon a time when I was the Executive Artistic Director of a theater company, a very well-meaning older gentleman sent (by real mail!) a check for $50 during our end-of-year campaign…. Read on to hear how we turned that $50 into thousands.
How to Rock Your EOY Appeal
If you’re on staff at a nonprofit or you sit on a board, this time of year is often about preparing an end-of-fiscal-year appeal. This 4-minute video explains why personal storytelling is the most effective tool in your fundraising toolkit.