Musicians care for their instruments by cleaning and tuning them. As speakers, how should we care for our instrument…our voice? Today Mark and Darren get ‘voice tuning’ lessons from award-winning entertainer, comedian, coach, and speaker Kevin Burke, who holds the Guinness World Record for the most theatrical performances in 50 days. Listen as Kevin guides…
What does it take to be ‘at the top of your game’ on LIVE television and radio every day, as well as being unforgettable in a variety of speaking situations? Darren and Mark get answers from professional speaker, sports broadcaster, and TV personality Chris Broussard, known globally for his incisive coverage and analysis of the…
Speaking at a hybrid event can be exciting, rewarding, and challenging. Imagine HOSTING one…especially after not having done so in three years! Mark and Darren share a few of the mistakes they made, and the lessons they learned hosting GAME CHANGERS 2022 – ALL IN, their first LIVE event in three years. As you continue…
For as long as he can remember, author, entrepreneur and Hall Of Fame speaker Michael Aun has been breaking unwritten rules. Decades before the now-common conference closing video montage, he created his ‘visual extravaganza’ for his audiences using 35mm photos. He was the first Toastmasters International Speech Contestant to NOT speak at the lectern. And…
We use emojis every day in our digital communication. But what if you used emojis in your stories? Listen as Darren and Mark offer concrete ideas for using emojis as tools to enhance the experience that you give to your audience. Emojis can play a key role in clarifying your stories, making your characters more…
What are some of your recent GAME CHANGERS that have helped you to grow? Today Mark and Darren talk about some of the decisions they have made, the actions they have taken, and the tools they have utilized to ‘change the game’ for their businesses. They also share wisdom from some of the partners upon…
Today Darren and Mark talk about a unique way to brand yourself and stand out. NAME-ISMS are words or phrases that YOU coin and create, which become instant identifiers. Darren created ‘DARREN-TEED’ for his personal guarantee, and Mark uses ‘FORGETORY’ to encourage his audiences to release debilitating memories that hold us back. Listen as they…
What exactly is your ‘personal brand’? Mark and Darren get the answer from Rory Vaden, author, Hall of Fame speaker, and co-founder of the Brand Builders Group. With a frank and direct approach, Rory emphasizes the value of completely surrendering to a work ethic and clarifying your message. He also shares how leaning into your…
In this episode, Mark and Darren help veteran wedding officiant Maria Romano…who has performed over 3,000 wedding ceremonies…to dig for ‘gold’ in a new story, not yet told in public. They show her how eliciting emotion, depicting vivid characters, using dialogue, and uncovering meaningful ‘moments’ can elevate the impact of her presentation, and make it…
You tell your ‘signature story’ and you’re confident that your audience will get your message…or will they? Today Mark and Darren explore how a story may send a message that can differ significantly from the one that we intend. They also offer solid suggestions for discovering and using the different messages effectively, to make your…
It’s that time of year again. Toastmasters the world over are entering the International Speech Contest in the hope of becoming the next World Champion of Public Speaking. No doubt many of the hopefuls are competing for the first time, uncertain about the road ahead. Believe me, I understand completely. In 1994 I entered my…
Hybrid presentations became popular in the early 2020s, and they are here to stay. Darren and Mark have been using the hybrid model for several years and in this episode, they define the model and explain its challenges. They also offer four key strategies for mastering hybrid programs…keys that will help you deliver your unforgettable…