Stories are critical components of every speaker’s arsenal and I encourage my coaching clients to mine their lives and experiences to uncover stories from their past. That process can be laborious and intimidating…especially to presenters who don’t think that their lives are interesting. I’ve even encountered speakers who told intriguing, dramatic stories, only to learn…
The lights go out in the middle of your presentation. Your tech fails right before you start. You have 15 minutes to deliver your 1-hour speech. Your audience inexplicably gives you blank stares during your entire presentation. Darren and Mark connect with Certified World Class Speaking Coach Mike Davis, and Hall of fame speaker Jim…
“If you want to be an unforgettable speaker, you have to be an unforgettable person.” This acorn of wisdom is one of many that Hall Of Fame Speaker Jim Cathcart reveals as he chats with Darren and Mark. He also shares timeless strategies for audience engagement, story-telling and subject matter mastery…necessary skills that will help…
He started out with nothing, had multiple failures, and even slept in his car! Today, Brian Tracy is a speaking LEGEND! He sits down with Mark and Darren sharing his experiences and wisdom learned at ‘the school of example’, including the two KEY QUESTIONS every speaker must ask and answer after every presentation. Listen, and…
In 1972, the Academy Award-winning crime drama ‘The Godfather’ was released, chronicling the lives of the Corleones, an organized crime family. Early in the film we meet Michael, the youngest son of the family patriarch Don Vito Corleone. Michael is a war hero, and he who wants NOTHING to do with ‘the family business’. After…
Since 1993, the National Speakers Association (NSA) has recognized those who have influenced the speaking profession in a significant way with the Master of Influence Award. In 2021, that honor was given to Toastmasters International. How are the organizations different? How can they complement each other? Mark and Darren answer these questions and more as…
“My stories are now UNFORGETTABLE!”, says Denise Marek, award-winning speaker and author, eight months after being coached by Mark and Darren LIVE on Episode 65. She shares her amazing results after incorporating their recommendations, explains how her speaking and writing have improved, and proves that qualified coaching can make you unforgettable.
In this episode, Darren and Mark work with Maureen Zappala on the opening story in her keynote. They help her to more deeply embrace the significance of clarifying context, re-living the emotion of the moment, escalating conflict in a story, and using callbacks to make the message sticky. These potent adjustments will help her, and…
Have you ever felt like you’ve stopped making progress? Or that you should toss a story because you don’t think it works? Using case stories from a few of their coaching clients, Darren and Mark offer encouragement and insight about the ‘mile markers’ on YOUR speaker’s journey. They also unpack three principles to keep you…
To be unforgettable we must be willing to do what most presenters won’t, even when it is painful. Today Mark and Darren unpack three ‘must-do’ habits that are often overlooked. Adopting and practicing these habits will help you to continuously elevate your level of performance and become unforgettable.
You probably have stories that you have told over and over. How could you possibly make them better? Darren and Mark reveal a three-step ‘makeover’ process to help you identify and clarify the shifts in your stories, give your audience a deeper understanding your characters, and make your presentation unforgettable.
As the world slowly emerges from the pandemic, in-person events are opening up. But between virtual and in-person, there’s the HYBRID event, where some attend in person, and others attend virtually. Join Mark and Darren as they discuss 5 things you need to know to deliver an unforgettable presentation at every hybrid event.