“Look for those events in your life that brought you pain…and go deeper into the pain. Audiences will identify…and connect with your vulnerability.” These words from Michael Hauge, Hollywood Script Consultant to the stars, are the basis for a frank heart-to-heart as Mark and Darren talk about mining your life to find the GOLD. It’s…
“Having fun allows me to do what I love without any great pressure.” says Olympic double gold medalist Ester Ledecka of the Czech Republic. As presenters, we work hard on our craft and do our best to shine on stage. Sometimes our focus is so lasered, we forget to have FUN. In this episode, Darren…
How can we improve as communicators daily? Former prosecutor David Henderson, civil rights attorney, Toastmaster, and educator has answers. He has been published in Newsweek & the Washington Post, and appeared on MSNBC & CNN. David, Mark & Darren talk about showing emotion, becoming a better writer, and overcoming the fear of being authentic in…
Where can you continue to find fresh material every day? Every month? Every year? For more than 55 YEARS? Legendary speaker, ‘Grandma Gone Viral’ with 97million YouTube views, and Hall of Fame humorist Jeanne Robertson reveals her secrets in this lively discussion with Darren and Mark. Jeanne shares how to train your ears to find…
“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…
So you want to give a TED or TEDx talk. What do event organizers and TEDs coaches look for? What are the DOs and DON’Ts of a successful talk? Darren and Mark chat with experienced TEDx coaches Cathey Armillas and Mike Davis as they pull back the curtain and give the answers to those questions…
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…