“Open STRONG!” This is Darren’s advice in Part 3 of this series as he and Mark explain the ‘WHY’ and the ‘HOW’ behind an unforgettable presentation’s opening. This episode covers Step #4: CREATE YOUR STRONG OPENING SNIPPETS: • Set the stage with your introduction • Your opening sets up your premise • The opening sets the trajectory of the listeners’ experience • Open strong • Explore various opening options • Use effective opening words • Be concise and precise • Avoid platitudes until after you...
Jul 03, 2025•26 min•Ep. 306
In Part 2 of this series, Darren and Mark discuss the importance …and the benefits…of having a world-class presentation structure. This episode covers Step #3: STRUCTURE THIS! SNIPPETS: • The ‘Tell them, tell them, tell them’ structure is rudimentary and limited • The ‘Tell a story make a point’ structure lacks cohesiveness • Good structure gives your audience clarity and gives you confidence • The Fripp Speech Model provides the perfect structure • Solid structure makes your content digestible ...
Jun 26, 2025•19 min•Ep. 305
An unforgettable presentation requires an unforgettable process. Today Mark and Darren begin breaking down their 7-Step speech process, laid out in their book DELIVER UNFORGETTABLE PRESENTATIONS. This episode covers STEP #1: FINDING YOUR CONTENT, and STEP #2: CLARITY, CLARITY, CLARITY! SNIPPETS: • You need an unforgettable process • It’s your responsibility to give your audience next steps • FIND CONTENT from your own life and experience • Don’t undervalue your expertise • Start with what you kn...
Jun 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 304
In Part 2 of their conversation about the Top Ten Mistakes, Darren and Mark talk with Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis about mistakes #5 through #1 in the countdown. SNIPPETS: • Identify the guide/guru/compass, which may not be a human • The hero should not solve their own problem • It isn’t just about what changed, but about how the character grew • Give your audience time and room to reflect on the character’s development • Give the hero a time limit to reach their goal • Create...
Jun 12, 2025•23 min•Ep. 303
Over the years Darren and Mark have made…and seen…several mistakes . Today they’re joined by Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis as they discuss the mistakes they see most often…even after 30+ years of coaching. This episode feature mistakes #10 through #6 in the countdown. Avoiding these will help you to be unforgettable on the platform. SNIPPETS: • Avoid ending on Q & A or with a ‘THANK YOU’ slide • Circle back to your opening and end with impact • Can your audience see themsel...
Jun 05, 2025•19 min•Ep. 302
At some point in your speaking career, you will have to travel… sometimes overseas…and it’s important to be prepared. Proper preparation includes getting ready for your presentation, and more. Darren and Mark break down their preparation process and provide tools to help any speaker prepare for their unforgettable presentation. SNIPPETS: • Prepare tech tools for your presentation • Prepare to be present • Create a TRAVEL CHECKLIST • Bring travel adapters/chargers • Pack for at least one extra da...
May 29, 2025•28 min•Ep. 301
Perhaps you’ve seen a poor introduction, or a well-written one poorly delivered . In this episode, Mark and Darren give insight into the power of a video introduction and share two examples to show how a good video introduction can help you to be unforgettable. SNIPPETS: • A good video intro connects your audience to you • It connects your audience to your subject • Keep the content simple • Include still photos • It tells a story in itself • It’s a teaser to create curiosity • Include royalty-f...
May 22, 2025•21 min•Ep. 300
LinkedIn has become the business ‘go-to’ platform , but many users haven’t been using it properly. Today, Mark and Darren talk with LinkedIn expert Richard Bliss about the mistakes and best practices for maximizing LinkedIn to accelerate your business. SNIPPETS: • LinkedIn is a business platform • Don’t use LinkedIn like social media platforms • Social media activities are counterproductive on LinkedIn • Emojis can interfere with the intent of your content • Emojis have different meanings to dif...
May 15, 2025•31 min•Ep. 299
Webster’s Dictionary defines The 11th Hour as “the latest possible time before it’s too late.” Today Darren and Mark give examples of 11th hour speaking situations and offer advice on how to be unforgettable by performing professionally at the 11th hour. SNIPPETS: • We are paid to make 11th hour decisions • True professionals perform at the 11th hour • Be aware that meeting planners often face 11th hour challenges • Build relationships by serving others in their 11th hour • Be aware that people ...
May 08, 2025•25 min•Ep. 298
When reviewing their speech recordings, speakers often look for what DIDN’T go well. Today, Mark and Darren invite you to focus on the positive, and to look first for what LANDED. This will help you to identify your strengths, and approach areas for improvement with a positive mindset. SNIPPETS: • Find the magic moments • Determine what worked • Identify the times you connected • Gauge audience reaction • We can’t see our best while we are on the stage • Look for times when you say something dif...
May 01, 2025•14 min•Ep. 297
Have you considered re-writing one of your previous stories? In today’s episode , Darren and Mark encourage you to examine your previous presentations with the goal of improving, enhancing, and re-writing. A re-write can elevate your content, enhance your performance, and most importantly amplify your impact. SNIPPETS: • Great speeches aren’t written; they’re re-written • Revisit previous presentations • Watch videos of your speeches • Review with a critical eye • Identify what you did well, and...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min•Ep. 296
How do you find a balance between narration and dialog? NARRA-LOG! Like one of Mark and Darren’s clients, you may think, “That sounds like a NARROW LOG!” Today our co-hosts talk about bridging the gap between too much narration/not enough dialog…and vice versa…using that ‘narrow log.’ They give guidance on using both techniques effectively to build your unforgettable presentation. SNIPPETS: • Find the right balance between narration and dialog • Look for key emotional shifts in your story • You ...
Apr 17, 2025•20 min•Ep. 295
Darren and Mark encourage their clients to review their scripts and ask, “How can I say this better with fewer words?” Today they discuss how having a better mindset can transform your presentation, improve your business, and make you unforgettable. SNIPPETS: • Ask: What can I make, say, or do better? • Re-evaluate your presentations, programs, and processes • Revisit your digital footprint • Cut superfluous content • Consider the audience’s mindset • Do a debrief • Random comments can provide b...
Apr 10, 2025•26 min•Ep. 294
At some point, you may feel stuck in your business, doing the same thing over and over , without any measurable progress. Today Mark and Darren have an off-the-cuff discussion about ways to get breakthroughs on your path to becoming unforgettable. SNIPPETS: • Reach your ‘enough is enough’ point • Revisit your habits • Adopt a new perspective • Seek qualified help • Find a mentor • Be humble and sincere • Be a sponge • Join a mastermind • Say ‘Yes’ when a pro offers to help • Apply their advice •...
Apr 03, 2025•21 min•Ep. 293
We all want to get booked but we often lack the skills and knowledge to land the gig…on the best terms. Speaker bureau executive Jennifer Lier sits down with Darren and Mark to reveal the obstacles that keep you from getting booked, and the ‘must haves’ that will get you gigs and make you unforgettable. SNIPPETS: • YOU are your company, brand, and product • It’s hard for you to negotiate your own gigs • Let your bureau be your advocate • Bureaus will not seek you out • Bureaus look for speakers ...
Mar 27, 2025•41 min•Ep. 292
To get more business, your prospects need to know you exist. Today, Mark and Darren talk with Hall-Of-Fame speaker and million-dollar business growth innovator Ford Saeks Ford offers practical, business building wisdom to help you get found, get seen, and get business. SNIPPETS: • Be great on stage • Master your craft • Google yourself to see what your prospects see • Have a solid digital footprint • Use LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok • Content is a commodity • Don’t tie your identity to a deliver...
Mar 20, 2025•29 min•Ep. 291
Your headshot is a critical component in your marketing material. So how do you look your best, and BE your best on camera? Darren and Mark get answers from Las Vegas-based celebrity photographer Jerry Metellus as they talk about the how and why of an unforgettable profile photo. SNIPPETS: • Amplify what already is • Don’t be trapped in an image of what you think you should be • Remember who you are • Don’t become fake in front of the lens • Maintain a positive demeanor • When sitting for a phot...
Mar 13, 2025•32 min•Ep. 290
A media interview is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your expertise and serve a broader audience. How can you get the opportunity, and what should you do to maximize that opportunity? In today’s episode, Mark and Darren talk with speaker, author and coach Pilar Ortiz, former TV reporter, news anchor, producer and director. Pilar gives sage advice for handling media interviews, staying top of mind with the media. SNIPPETS: • Say ‘yes’ to the opportunity • Prepare bullet points and practice ou...
Mar 06, 2025•46 min•Ep. 289
Your voice is your instrument, so how do you keep it in top shape? Today, Darren and Mark sit down with Millian Quinteros, a voiceover artist, audio producer, podcast consultant, and voice care/maintenance coach. Using his own story of struggling with vocal issues, Millian explains some common voice-care mistakes, and offers practical advice to help you keep your instrument well-tuned. SNIPPETS: • The voice is the symphony of the heart • Your voice tells people who you are • Treat your voice lik...
Feb 27, 2025•42 min•Ep. 288
Mark says, “One man’s mundane is another man’s magnificent.” We sometimes fail to see the magnificence in our stories because we’re too close to them. Today Darren and Mark explain why we may be too close, and suggest ways to broaden our perspective SNIPPETS: • Start with a big block of clay • We can be so close that we can’t identify the magnificent in our story • Video-record yourself telling your story • Present to a test audience • Look at your story from the audience’s perspective • Learn w...
Feb 20, 2025•20 min•Ep. 287
What can be the motivation to go ‘all in’ as you prepare to deliver your next presentation? Mark and Darren look at the motivation for preparation and explain the value of a presentation walkthrough…with a live audience. SNIPPETS: • When hour ego is at stake, you put in more work • Put your rehearsal on the calendar, preferably 2 weeks out • Work with a coach • Walkthrough with your peer group as your audience • Rehearse as if it’s game day • Record yourself • Walkthrough with those who have bee...
Feb 13, 2025•20 min•Ep. 286
What is a ‘back pocket speech?’ When do you need it? How do you use it? All good questions! Darren and Mark provide answers…and ideas for making your ‘back pocket speech’ unforgettable. SNIPPETS: • It’s not if…but when you have to fill in for another speaker • Be prepared • Make the meeting planner look good, and build your reputation • Make it a habit at a conference to offer to speak if a speaker doesn’t show up • Ask yourself, “What more can I provide?” • Create awareness. If they aren’t awar...
Feb 06, 2025•17 min•Ep. 285
Sometimes speeches sound…well…speechy! Darren and Mark challenge you to examine your content and offer advice for ensuring that your authenticity shines through in every presentation. SNIPPETS: • Be conversational • Create a transcription • Use tools like Microsoft Word’s DICTATE feature • You can’t edit what you don’t write down • Write for the eye, not for the eye • Bullet-point your ideas • Use keywords • Avoid ‘cop-speak’ • Don’t over-complicate • Be natural...
Jan 30, 2025•18 min•Ep. 284
Our senses can play a significant part in giving our audience an unforgettable experience. Today, Mark and Darren talk about the power of the sense of smell and share how you can use it effectively in your stories. SNIPPETS: • Use V.A.K.S. • Use smell as you relive your experiences • Smell can create a visceral audience response • Use smell to transport yourself to the scene first • Then use smell to transport your audience to the scene • Physically show your response to an odor, scent, or aroma...
Jan 23, 2025•16 min•Ep. 283
Delivering presentations every week is challenging…no doubt about it. Delivering to the same audience every week magnifies that challenge. How can you be unforgettable in those circumstances? Today Lee Coate provides Mark and Darren with the techniques that help him to consistently communicate unforgettably. SNIPPETS: • Communication is more than structure and what’s on the page • Develop your own voice and style • Communication is a by-product of an individual’s character • Don’t be an actor • ...
Jan 16, 2025•41 min•Ep. 282
Your audience wants to know that you ‘get’ them. Today Mark and Darren examine ways to connect with your audience, identify their challenges, and help solve their problems. SNIPPETS: • Audiences appreciate your genuine interest in them • Ask different individuals in your client’s organization • Look for challenges, frustrations, and pet peeves • Identify common concerns • Bridge the gap between your content and their world • If possible, attend events a day early and be observant • Before your p...
Jan 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 281
Can you ‘up your game’ in 2025 make it your best year yet? Darren and Mark offer solid suggestions for upgrading your program, your presentation, and your presence in the marketplace. Applying these principles and practices will put you firmly on the path to being unforgettable...and making this YOUR BEST YEAR YET! SNIPPETS: • It’s YOUR RESPONSIBILITY • Assess your presentation and your business with the goal to improve • Consider upgrading your speech title • Revisit your content (open/close, s...
Jan 01, 2025•26 min•Ep. 280
What does it take to deliver an extremely sensitive and emotional story, and why would you do it in the first place? Darren and Mark get answers from ‘serial entrepreneur’ CEO Smoke Wallin as he explains why he shared his sensitive story to 2,000 CEOs. His answers will provide guidance and wisdom for anyone who is ready to tell their unforgettable sensitive story. SNIPPETS: • Share your story to help others • Think it through and compose your talk with sensitivity to your audience • Don’t shock ...
Dec 26, 2024•49 min•Ep. 279
Confidence. Every presenter needs it, especially when facing an unresponsive audience or dealing with the unexpected. In today’s episode, Mark and Darren provide strategies for building your confidence and delivering your unforgettable presentation. SNIPPETS: • Confidence is critical • Not every audience responds emotionally and supportively • Confidence doesn’t come by accident • Prepare well • Internalize your content • Test your material in a low-risk environment like Toastmasters • Ego is a ...
Dec 19, 2024•21 min•Ep. 278
Your audience can hear your story, but can they SEE it? Today Mark and Darren explore ways that you can prompt your audience to go beyond just hearing your story, to experiencing it...right at the beginning. These simple techniques will help your audience to see your unforgettable story. SNIPPETS: • Telling your story is like creating a painting • Share 2 or 3 details about the setting • Let the audience paint the picture • Let the audience see one visual and one emotional character detail • Non...
Dec 12, 2024•19 min•Ep. 277
