“Business is a dance between the practical and the creative,” says today’s guest. Mark and Darren sit down Grammy-Nominated musician, Freddie Ravel who toured with Brazilian master Sergio Mendes, directed the legendary band Earth, Wind and Fire. Hear his story of how performing for Dr. Deepak Chopra lead him to become an internationally acclaimed Keynote…
“Your last words LINGER.” So says Hall of Fame speaking legend Patricia Fripp. You may have delivered a presentation containing hilarious humor, powerful stories, and relatable characters. But do your last words include an ASK for your audience? Darren and Mark unpack the critical role your ask can play, and reveal ways in which a…
Do your first words FASCINATE, or FRUSTRATE? Your opening lines can make or break your presentation, and your audience will either tune in, or check out. Darren and Mark offer a number of opening techniques which, when used well, will engage your audience immediately, and help to make your talk UNFORGETTABLE!
Perhaps you’re thinking about working with a Speaker Bureau. What do they need from you? In what ways can you help them to help you? How can you forge and nurture a mutually beneficial relationship? Mark & Darren get answers from former Las Vegas entertainer, speaker spouse, and speaker bureau executive Jennifer Joseph Lier. Find…
What does it take to be successful in one speaking market, then to radically change lanes and become equally successful in a completely different market? Darren and Mark get the answers from Emmy-winning Hall-Of-Fame Speaker Mark Scharenbroich, as he dispenses almost 40 years of wisdom and experience in this humorous heart-to-heart. Learn how awareness of…
Be honest. You’ve seen them. PowerPoint slides with images taken from a Google search. Clip-art that has been on the Internet for years. Stock photography that looks very familiar. Now be REALLY honest. Perhaps you’ve USED a few. Here’s the harsh truth: Clip-art is to your slides what knock-knock jokes are to your presentation. In…
Special Edition Episode for Speech Contestants: You were SURE that you won the contest. You were set to ‘WOW’ your audience. You were confident that you would ‘ace’ your presentation. But you lost. You forgot your lines. Your speech fell flat. How do you pick yourself up? Mark & Darren get answers from fellow World…
During his journey ‘from pothead to pastor’ as he put it, Manley Miller discovered the power of AUDIENCE CONNECTION, and has been committed to becoming a master connector. “I’m always exploring – how do I connect?”, he says during this frank, in-depth conversation with Darren and Mark. He also reveals his meticulous process of writing,…
Picture this: All your life you feel awkward, and out of place. You make the commitment to develop your speaking skills. You decide to become an expert communicator. You determine to be an influencer. You are only 10 years old. What? How does those decisions even cross your mind at such a young age? This…
Conflict makes a story interesting and suspenseful. It also engages the audience, especially if they identify with the conflicted character. But how can you use conflict effectively? Darren and Mark discuss the role of conflict, and they offer 3 keys to using conflict successfully. In this episode, find out how well-managed conflict can help to…
From 14-year-old sports commentator, to movie reviewer, to being hired by Arnold Schwarzenegger to speak at the White House, Scott McKain has had a distinctive career. What steps did he take? What did he learn? How does he continue to be distinctive? Mark and Darren have a heart-to-heart with Scott, gleaning nuggets about crafting unforgettable…
One of the strengths of every presentation is the MAIN CHARACTER in a story. But how do you get the audience to SEE, FEEL & HEAR them? And how important is the ‘supporting cast’? How pivotal can THEY be if they are portrayed well? Darren and Mark take a in-depth look at techniques for ‘becoming’…