I vividly remember the day after Christmas 2022. Not because I was relaxing, but because I was at my laptop, updating my university courses and diving headfirst into AI tools for my business and podcast. ChatGPT had just launched, and I knew instantly: this was different. This wasn’t just another tech trend; this was a transformation. In this episode, I share the talk I recently delivered at the ElleX Summit, where I wove together history, technology, and the urgent need for women’s voices in AI...
Jul 07, 2025•12 min•Ep. 434
Ever wish you had an extra set of hands - or better yet, an AI assistant - to take care of all those repetitive tasks in your business? In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to share the exact AI-powered workflows I’ve built and now rely on every week at Speaking Your Brand. From automating my podcast production (yes, even these show notes!) to cloning my voice for a brand-new companion podcast, you’ll get a sense at what’s possible - and what's already working. I walk you through re...
Jun 30, 2025•30 min•Ep. 433
AI isn’t just on the horizon - it’s already here, reshaping how we work, connect, and show up in our businesses, no matter what industry you’re in. In this episode, I share how AI has fundamentally changed how I run Speaking Your Brand, well beyond using tools like ChatGPT (though I use that too!). I walk you through 4 powerful questions, originally posed by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, that I’ve been reflecting on deeply and that can help you rethink your own services, content, and visibili...
Jun 23, 2025•22 min•Ep. 432
You’ve packed your presentation with data, insights, and value — but your audience isn’t responding the way you hoped. If you’ve ever looked out and seen glazed-over eyes… or walked off stage and didn’t get the results you wanted, this episode is for you. As a former software developer and technology strategist who has presented at countless conferences and meetups, I’ve learned what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to making technical or detail-heavy presentations land with impact. If y...
Jun 16, 2025•25 min•Ep. 431
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to create, practice for, and deliver a powerful TED-style talk - especially one that’s only 8 minutes long? In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach at Speaking Your Brand, as we take you behind the scenes of our recent TED-style speaking experience. We were invited to be part of a live event called ElleX, hosted by a women’s entrepreneurship group at a local college. We had only one week to prepare our full talks for the audi...
Jun 09, 2025•26 min•Ep. 430
Have you ever walked away from a presentation thinking, “That was… fine,” but not truly moved, inspired, or motivated? Here’s the truth: Most presenters mean well - they want to share valuable information - but they miss what truly makes a talk stick with the audience. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a recent presentation I gave at a local AI meetup that got amazing feedback - not because I taught all the things, but because I did these 3 key things instead. You’ll learn: What m...
Jun 02, 2025•16 min•Ep. 429
If I take a look at your slide deck or presentation outline and I can’t tell that the content is yours (vs. another speaker on your topic), you’re in danger of being a commodity speaker. Commodity speakers are undifferentiated and interchangeable. It will be harder for you to attract higher-profile speaking engagements, raise your speaking fees, and generate quality leads at your presentations. What you want instead is for your content to position you as a thought leader. You will have a much bi...
May 26, 2025•50 min
As speakers and entrepreneurs, we often focus on the facts, data, and tactics we want to share – but what about the emotional connection? In this episode, I talk about the power of finding the emotional heart of your message and why it’s essential for creating talks that resonate deeply with your audience and leave a lasting impact. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the emotional heart of your message is critical for building trust and connection How mirror neurons make our brains wired for emp...
May 19, 2025•17 min
Have you ever imagined standing on a TEDx stage, spotlight on you, sharing a bold, transformative idea that resonates deeply with your audience? TEDx talks are powerful platforms, not just for delivering information, but for sparking new perspectives, challenging assumptions, and inspiring change. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it takes to land a TEDx talk, based on my experience selecting speakers for TEDx events and coaching clients to develop their big ideas. Whether yo...
May 12, 2025•18 min
Have you ever wondered what truly makes a “signature talk”… well, signature? In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what a signature talk actually is (and what it isn’t), why most presentations fall flat, and how you can create a talk that not only connects with your audience — but also works for you as a speaker and thought leader. This episode is especially for you if you’ve ever felt stuck in what I call “the expert trap” - where you think you have to cram in as much information and training...
May 05, 2025•16 min
I’ve been there. Heart pounding, mouth dry, butterflies swirling - even after years of speaking on stages and on live TV. In this episode, I share some of my hardest speaking moments (including my worst ever speaking experience) and the surprising reasons we feel nervous before we speak, even when we know our stuff inside and out. You’ll learn: The 3 big reasons we get nervous (it’s not just about being unprepared!) How our physiology plays a bigger role than we realize — and how to work with it...
Apr 28, 2025•19 min
Are you getting paid - or at least generating leads - from your speaking engagements? Whether you’re speaking on stages, at conferences, or to community groups, your talks can (and should!) work for you, either by bringing in leads and clients or by earning you a speaker fee. But here's what I often hear: “I don’t want to make a sales pitch in my presentation.” “I’m not sure how to tell the audience what I actually do.” “I tried once, and it didn’t work, so I gave up.” In this episode, I share s...
Apr 21, 2025•29 min
Do you feel like hitting pause when everything around you feels uncertain? Whether it's the economy, politics, AI, or just the general state of flux we're all living in, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You’re not alone - I’ve been feeling it too. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk candidly about what we've been noticing in ourselves, our clients, and the conversations we're having behind the scenes here at Speaking Your Brand. Spoiler alert: pausing too long or i...
Apr 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 428
What does it really look like to lead with courage, advocate for yourself (and others), and embrace vulnerability as a strength? In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Mary Beth Plank-Mezo, who is the Vice President of Staff and Cultural Development at Full Sail University and has been with the university for an incredible 36 years. Her leadership has touched so many across the campus — and I know firsthand how impactful she’s been. We recorded this conversation live in studio at Fu...
Apr 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 427
Are you unintentionally overwhelming your audience with too much information? In this episode, I dive into one of the most common mistakes I see smart, experienced professionals make in their presentations: overloading them with information. I know it’s tempting - after all, we want to provide value. But here’s the truth: real impact doesn’t come from how much you teach, but from how much you transform . In this episode, you’ll learn: Why more information isn’t always better (and can actually be...
Apr 02, 2025•16 min
Have you ever had an idea that tugged at you, asking to be brought to life? In this episode, I share why I believe so strongly that you are the exact messenger for your idea and your audience. Not someone else. You. Yes, your topic may be similar to what others are talking about. But ,your idea , your lens , your story , and your experiences are what make it yours . And your audience? They’re waiting for you to say it in the way only you can. We dig into: The difference between having a topic ve...
Mar 27, 2025•26 min•Ep. 343
Have you ever wondered if you really need to add humor to your business presentations, keynotes, or conference talks? Maybe you think, I’m just here to share valuable information - why should I try to be funny? Well, in this episode, I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to show you exactly why humor isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a must-have. We’re diving into how to use humor effectively in your talks, without forcing corny jokes (unless that’s your thing!). From situational sto...
Mar 19, 2025•14 min•Ep. 426
I know you want to grow your business and brand and have a bigger impact as a thought leader. But, as high-achievers, there are beliefs we have that get us stuck in the expert trap. We believe that we need to teach/train to provide value; that training content is what our audience wants; and our identity is tied to seeing ourselves as the expert. These beliefs are what can hold you back from thought leadership and the impact and income you want to make. The problem is that your presentations and...
Mar 03, 2025•25 min•Ep. 382
Is there a story you’re reluctant to share? The one that still makes you cringe a little, that feels raw and vulnerable? That’s probably the exact story you should be telling - not just for your audience, but for yourself. In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Diaz, and we’re pulling back the curtain on our own stories - the ones we’ve hesitated to share. We talk a lot about storytelling in public speaking, thought leadership, and keynotes, but let’s be honest: we often default to the safer stori...
Feb 24, 2025•15 min•Ep. 425
We hear all the time that we should “reinvent” ourselves to stay relevant. Or that we should ignore or dismiss aspects of our careers that no longer seem to “fit” with what we’re doing now. I’m not sure we can truly “reinvent” ourselves, nor should we. Instead, we should embrace how we evolve over time - and actually seek out ways to challenge ourselves to evolve! In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, joins me for a lively and insightful conversation about the difference between ...
Feb 03, 2025•15 min•Ep. 424
Are you feeling stuck or stagnant, bored and burnt out creating the same-old content? Or maybe you’re enjoying the content you’re creating and the topics you speak about, but you’ve hit a plateau. Your business isn’t growing, speaking opportunities aren’t growing, and most importantly you’re not growing. Your business and opportunities will only grow if you’re stretching and growing yourself. In order to do that, we have to break some rules; rules that make us feel safe, comfortable, and validat...
Dec 09, 2024•23 min•Ep. 423
Have you ever attended a keynote that truly wowed you—one that stood out, engaged the audience, and provided an unforgettable experience? Let’s face it, most keynotes do the job, but very few deliver that multidimensional magic. In today’s episode, I sit down with Julia Korn, the founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide and a recent client. We worked closely together to create her new keynote, from the content to the magic touches that made it a 10 out of 10. How did she do it? That’s what we’r...
Dec 02, 2024•36 min•Ep. 422
Have you ever wondered how you can improve your speaking skills and truly connect with your audience? I’m joined by Wendy McManus and Tara Lassiter, who recently attended our 1-day in-person speaking workshop in Orlando, Florida. They share their stories, lessons learned, and the transformations they experienced, all within a single day. We talk about: Why in-person workshops provide a unique opportunity to grow as a speaker. The power of immediate feedback and how it helps you identify habits y...
Nov 25, 2024•28 min•Ep. 421
Today’s episode it’s all about finding and developing your Big Idea for your thought leadership and public speaking. Ideas are incredibly powerful; they can live on for years, centuries, even millennia. Ideas spark movements for political and social change. Ideas help us as humans understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us Your idea doesn’t have to be something people have never heard of before; that’s unlikely as most things have been talked about before - and that’s ok! As a spe...
Nov 18, 2024•22 min•Ep. 420
In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz speaks with Michelle Massman, a longtime entrepreneur and graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, who shares her journey from “stuck” to “unstoppable” through storytelling and public speaking. You’ll hear Michelle’s candid stories—from launching unexpected ventures like The Culinary Studio to her partnership with a music group—that reveal her resilience and passion for following her intuition. As Diane and Michelle discuss the power of sharing ...
Nov 11, 2024•40 min•Ep. 419
The election clearly did not go the way many of us wanted. I was on the TV news once again on Election Night and the morning after. The outcome wasn't the shock it was in 2016, but it's profoundly disappointing. Join me and Diane Diaz for this conversation on our thoughts and how we’re moving forward (recorded on Wednesday, November 6 at 11 am EST). We too are sad and frustrated but we also want to remind you of the power of your voice and your community. It's easy to jump to the conclusion that...
Nov 06, 2024•23 min•Ep. 418
We’re diving into what makes a personal brand truly transformational. If you’re working to build a brand that’s memorable and impactful, whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking to expand your influence, this episode is for you. In this episode, I share three essential elements that go into creating a transformational personal brand: being remembered, relevant, and relational I’ll walk you through how to identify what makes you unique, why staying in tune with trends matters,...
Nov 04, 2024•17 min•Ep. 417
As an entrepreneur or professional, you know the power of having a clear and compelling brand voice that resonates with your audience. You want your message to attract the right clients, opportunities, and partners - but knowing how to express your authentic self can feel like a challenge. Many women struggle with feeling like they need to fit a mold: too professional, not bold enough, or maybe even too much. The fear of sounding "wrong" or "inauthentic" holds many of us back from fully stepping...
Oct 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 416
If you’ve ever wondered how to land those coveted speaking and panel spots at events, this episode is for you! I’m thrilled to have Johanna (Jo) Murillo join me to share her insider knowledge on how event organizers and producers choose speakers and panelists. Jo is an event producer extraordinaire based in Orlando, Florida, where I live. She runs Wow Brand Studios, a full-service agency specializing in event production, brand strategy, and helping business owners stand out through powerful visu...
Oct 21, 2024•33 min•Ep. 415
In your presentations and keynotes, you want to take your audience on a journey of discovery, sharing with them your personal insights and stories along the way. One of the best ways to do this is to frame your content as stages, lessons, or a framework, such as an alliteration or acronym. Want to see what this looks like in an actual talk? You’ll hear three of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads, Wendy McManus, Nelly Some, and Heather Burright, deliver a 10-minute version of the signature t...
Oct 14, 2024•52 min•Ep. 414
