The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

Have you ever finished speaking and thought...
"I'm not sure I really got to the point."

Or perhaps you've listened to someone else and found yourself wondering:
"Where on earth is this going?"

Rambling might be great if you're out for a Sunday walk...
It's not so good when you're trying to hold an audience's attention.

In this episode, I share the simple three-step structure I use in talks, podcasts, videos, pitches and panel discussions to stop myself wandering off down rabbit holes.

It's helped me become more...

Most speakers spend far more time preparing their message than preparing to understand the people they're speaking to.

And that can be an expensive mistake.

In this episode, I'm joined by Michelle Mills-Porter, better known as The People Reader, to explore what it really means to understand human behaviour and why it's one of the most overlooked skills in speaking.

We talk about the difference between communication and behaviour, how to understand audiences before you ever step on stage, why clients often have a very different problem from the one they think they're...

Great speakers don't just rehearse what they're going to say. They rehearse how they want their audience to experience it.

Yet mention choreography to many speakers and you'll often hear the same concern...
"I don't want to look rehearsed."

In this episode, I explain why that's one of the biggest myths in public speaking, and how thinking more like an actor or performer can dramatically increase your impact without making you sound scripted.

I'll share the four principles I use with my coaching clients to choreograph talks, show you why every movement...

Let's be honest...

Most of us think moderating a panel is just introducing the speakers, asking a few questions and making sure nobody waffles on for too long.

Turns out... it's a little more complicated than that.

Xenia Wickett has moderated conversations with some of the most influential people in the world, CEOs and senior policymakers including people like Elon Musk and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Xenia has spent her career working at the highest levels of international affairs, advising governments and businesses, and moderating conversations.

In this episode she shares...

Many speakers think that the sexiest part of their story for the audience is the before and after.

They're wrong.

The most valuable bit is often missed entirely or not given the space it deserves in your talk.

In this episode, I'm covering what that missing part is, what leaving it out is costing you and why you might feel resistance to including it in your signature story.

If you've ever felt your story isn't quite landing with your audience, or not getting you the results you want when you speak...

Most speakers spend years learning strategies.

How to find speaking gigs. How to craft a keynote. How to market themselves. How to build a speaking business.

But what if one of the most important strategies isn't something anyone can teach you?

In this episode, I'm joined by intuition coach Jenny Carrell to explore the role intuition plays in making better decisions, recognising the right opportunities and understanding the beliefs that quietly shape the speaking career you create.

Whether you're naturally sceptical or already curious about intuition and manifestation, this conversation goes...

Have you ever listened to a speaker share a deeply personal story ... and instead of feeling moved, you felt worried about them, a bit awkward and like the life had been sucked out of you?

On the other side of the coin, you might have been in the room with a speaker who share the most harrowing story and yet when they've finished you feel moved, uplifted and energised.

So what's the difference?

In this episode, I explore what I believe is the secret to sharing emotional stories that create connection rather than...

You've spent loads of time and energy landing a gig.

You deliver a fab talk.

You meet a few people and get some compliments.

Then you leave... relying on your talk to land you more opportunities.

Jonathan Dunnett believes that's a huge waste of your time.

With a background in competitive intelligence Jonathan has worked with organisations to leverage data and insight to gain the edge in the market place. Today, utilises his skills and experience working as a Speaker Growth Strategist. He partners with Speakers to help them...

If you're using speaking to grow your business, at some point someone is going to ask for your speaker reel.

And yet… most speaker reels completely miss the point.

Many speakers think a reel is simply a montage of clips stitched together with dramatic music and audience shots.

But event planners aren't just looking at footage.

They're asking themselves:

"Can I picture this person on my stage?"

In this episode, I'm joined by Emmy-winning editor and speaker reel strategist Max Partain to unpack what actually makes a sp...

Why do so many change initiatives fail to create real buy-in… even when the strategy makes complete sense?

In this episode, I'm unpacking something I call 'The Altitude Gap' — the psychological disconnect that often happens between leaders communicating change and the employees expected to live through it.

Drawing on my experience in HR, leadership communication, direct marketing and storytelling, I explore why logic alone rarely moves people, how organisations accidentally create resistance, and why many change programmes struggle long before implementation even begins.

I'll share:

A lot of speakers think their job starts when they walk on stage.

But what if a huge chunk of your impact, and your future bookings, are being created long before that moment… and long after it ends?

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by former Disney leader and customer experience expert Vance Morris to explore what happens when speakers start thinking differently about customer experience.

Because as a speaker, you have more "customers" than you think.

They're:

There are a lot of brilliant speakers out there.

But not all of them get recognised booked. Not all of them get recognised. And not all of them get the opportunities they're capable of.

So what's the difference?

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by Elliot Kay, organiser of the Speaker Awards, to take a look behind the scenes of the awards and at what's really going on in the speaking industry right now.

Because Elliot doesn't just see one speaker…

He sees hundreds.

He...

Most speakers don't have a pricing problem.

They have a value communication problem.

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by pricing expert and speaker David Abbott, creator of the Platypus Pricing Process, to unpack why pricing feels so uncomfortable — and what to do about it.

Because whether you're pitching a keynote, a workshop, or a programme… If your price isn't landing, it's rarely about the number.

It's about how it's being framed, understood, and perceived.

In this conversation, David shares practical insights to help you move beyo...

You can have a brilliant idea. A powerful story. A message that genuinely matters.

But if your pace is off?

Your audience either can't keep up… or they've already checked out.

In this solo episode of The Speaking Club, I'm diving into one of the most overlooked, and most powerful, elements of delivery - pace.

Pace isn't just about slowing down.

It's about control ... it's about emphasis, and it's about giving your audience the time they need to actually think, feel and respond to what you're saying.

If...

In a world where everyone is "networking", why do some people effortlessly build powerful relationships while others struggle to be seen or remembered?

My guest today, Lirone Glikman, has spent more than a decade studying and teaching the art of global relationship-building. She's worked across 28 countries, advises leaders and organisations worldwide, and is the bestselling author of The Super Connector's Playbook.

Lirone believes the most successful people in business aren't the loudest or the most visible — they're the ones who know how to build genuine, strategic relationships that open doors.

And if you're a...

Most speakers start their talks by explaining what they're going to say.

Unfortunately, that's exactly why audiences stop listening.

In this quick tip episode of The Speaking Club, Sarah Archer shares why the obvious opening weakens your talk and how creating curiosity from the first sentence can dramatically increase audience engagement.

You'll learn why unanswered questions create attention, how to avoid the most common opening mistake, and how a small shift in your first line can make audiences lean in rather than switch off.

If you want stronger engagement, better audience...

Navigating a world where change is happening at break neck speed and uncertainty is the new norm, finding clarity, calm and purpose in the chaos can seem like a daunting task. But my guest, Carlo Mahfouz, is here to guide us through that landscape with his insights from his book, "Reality Check."

As an engineer turned thought leader, Carlo's journey highlights the powerful combination of analytical thinking and emotional awareness. We discuss how his own relationship with ambiguity shifted, leading him to explore the deeper questions that can drive meaningful change within ourselves (and our wider society!)<...

In this Quick Tip episode, I'm exploring something that can either elevate your speaking game or trip you up - speaker archetypes.

Here's some of the ones you might have come across...

Storyteller. Teacher. Provocateur. Authority.

But if you've ever found yourself feeling slightly "off" on stage, even when your content is good, this episode might explain why.

In this episode, I'm exploring the pressure, (often at the heart of some speaking coaching systems), to pick and swap styles as you move through your talk.

We'll look at why...

Sue is an award-winning non-fiction publisher and founder of The Right Book Company. She is a passionate advocate for helping business professionals transform their ideas into impactful books.

For business speakers who create a book, doors open wider, their platform expands and their light shines more brightly than they could ever have dreamed.

As a speaker herself, Sue has spent the last 20 years sharing her knowledge with the business community and beyond. Sue is also a Fellow of the Professional Speakers Association.

In this episode, Sue shares insights from her journey into publishing...

Sarah Fox is a lawyer transforming the way people do business. After decades dealing with huge deals in the construction sector, she realised that long, complex and bad contracts were costing time, money, deals and relationships.

Sarah advocates for short, simple contracts starting with just 500 words.

She inspires people across industries to streamline deals and enhance customer relations with contracts that represent their values, embed trust, and keep everyone protected.

In this show Sarah will be sharing how speakers can create simpler contracts that can build bigger speaking businesses.

What you'll...

In this quick tip episode, I'm letting you in on one of the most overlooked — but totally game-changing — parts of any talk: the segue.

It's that moment between a killer story and your next point where everything suddenly feels… awkward.

Where the energy drops, the audience blinks, and you find yourself muttering: "Anyway… moving on."

Yeah. That bit.

Whether you're telling a personal story, landing a teaching point, or sliding into your call-to-action — how you move between moments can make or break your talk.

Inside my weekly Skills Lab, my clients...

Chris Voss was the FBI's lead international hostage negotiator… but these days, he's helping CEOs, speakers, and sales pros negotiate million-pound deals, win high-stakes conversations, and get results — without pushing, pitching, or people-pleasing.

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by the author of Never Split the Difference to explore how you can use his real-world-tested negotiation techniques to build trust fast, shift resistant clients into action, and speak with more power and presence.

And yes — I even used one of his own tactics to get him to say "yes" to coming on the sh...

I first came across Adele Bates when I was judging the Storytelling category at the Speaker Awards—and her talk really stood out and grabbed my attention.

It was powerful, authentic, challenging and captivating.

She didn't just tell the story. She performed it. Her talk built drama and connected emotionally to the audience, leading you to see a new perspective.

Based on that performance and the fact that she went on to win the award for best storyteller, I knew I had to get her on the show.

Not only did I...

Nicola S. Morgan is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and author who helps individuals and organisations transform chaos into calm, and emotional strain into sustainable strength. With a background in education and behavioural change, she specialises in resilience, emotional wellbeing, and effective behaviour strategies—skills she's delivered to thousands of professionals across schools, public services, and corporate teams.

Nicola's powerful storytelling and practical frameworks have earned her accolades, including Best TEDx Talk 2024 at the Speaker Awards, where her talk resonated deeply with audiences navigating stress and uncertainty.

She's not just a speaker—she's walked the talk. From...

"Just breathe" is one of the most common pieces of advice given to speakers and performers who feel anxious about stepping onto the stage (be that online or in person) — but what if the way you're breathing is actually making things worse?

Breathing might seem like an automatic function, but the truth is, most of us are doing it wrong… and it's costing us calm, clarity, and confidence.

My guest, Manny Rodriguez, learned this the hard way.

After enlisting in the Army at 28, Manny suffered a back injury that led to years of heav...

"Finding your voice" might sound like a personal development cliché, but for speakers and leaders, it's the secret weapon that too many overlook.

As a speaker your voice is your most important tool and mastering how to use it to its fullest effect is one of the most impactful things you can do.

This isn't just about sounding 'nice', your voice is also a signal to your audience about your confidence, clarity, and credibility (…or lack of!).

My guest, Bailey Massey, is a speech therapist turned voice and dialect coach who's helped everyone fro...

In this quick tip episode, I'm lifting the lid on how a speaking judge thinks and giving you the good, the bad and the ugly based on judging 55 speaker award entries … in one sitting (yes, I needed snacks!)

I was honoured to be a judge for the Speaker Awards again this year, covering Best Storyteller and Best TEDx categories — and I want to share what I saw behind the scenes, to help you sharpen your own speaking game.

This isn't just fluff, it's truth. You're gonna' walk away with tips to help you avoid the mist...

The business world is changing fast. AI is reshaping how customers search, buy, and connect — but most companies are still stuck in old habits, missing the human magic that actually builds loyalty.

At the same time, too many businesses are confusing efficiency with excellence. They're chasing five-star reviews that may not mean what they think they do, and ticking boxes while their customers quietly drift away.

My guest today, Steven Van Belleghem, has spent over a decade helping companies level up their customer experience — and he's here to show you how to stay relevant when "good...

Let's be honest — most speakers spend a lot of time crafting their talk, but when it comes to what they wear on stage? That's often a rushed afterthought… or a full-blown panic. Are you second-guessing whether your outfit actually helps or hinders your message?

Ever watched back your talk and thought, "What was I thinking with that jacket?"

Or maybe you've stuck to the same 'safe' outfit for years, even though it doesn't really feel like you anymore? Well, this episode is for you. Because how you show up visually matters. Not in a "fashion week...

I see so many business authors and experts set out to use speaking to have more impact, step firmly into the thought leadership space, and monetise their message, only to get frustrated when they struggle to get the results that they want.

Some struggle just getting their talk together, unable to work out which bits of their book 'baby' to put in and leave out.

Others manage to create a talk, only for it to fall flat when they share it on stage.

What's often the cause of these issues - and how...

Ever feel like your message gets lost in a sea of jargon?

Do you struggle to turn complex ideas into stories that actually land?

Or maybe you're great in a room full of people, but put a camera in front of you and suddenly you forget how to be yourself?

If any of that sounds familiar, you're in the right place!

In this episode, I'm chatting with Loreta Tarozaite.

Loreta is a former TV journalist turned executive presence and video storytelling coach. She's been behind the camera, on screen...

My guest today is Heather Lillico. I was so inspired by an article I read from Heather on the Tiny Buddha website, where she outed herself as a nutritionist who out of the limelight was actually struggling with an eating disorder, that I was curious to find out more.

What I discovered is that her journey of managing and mastering anxiety is not only inspiring, but could really help those of you who are struggling to manage anxiety around speaking.

I know so many speakers and aspiring speakers struggle with this and it can really...

In this quick tip episode, I'm tackling something that holds many speakers back —decision-making. Whether you're using speaking to market your business, win clients, or land paid gigs, hesitation can cost you big time. Every day you wait, someone else is taking the stage.

In this episode, I cover:

If you've been stuck in indecision, or not getting the results you want then listen up.

Enjoy!

If yo...

I saw Lee Warren speak at the Professional Speaking Association summit and he was one of the star turns of the event. The theme was standing out, and his talk was aimed at helping speakers to do exactly that, for the right reasons.

Lee was a magician by night and a sales director by day before he fell into professional speaking. That was 15 years ago and he has been speaking consistently since then using his background in sales, performance, and psychology to help audiences at global brands to become more compelling, confident and connected.

He...

Many experts and authors that reach out to me are frustrated that they are struggling to build a following.

They often compare themselves to others and think they aren't connecting with people because of their persona, or their style, but that's not it.

There is a reason that others, often less qualified, are reaching and engaging more people and in this show, I'm going to share what that is with you.

In this show I'm covering:

The road to making speaking a sustainable business is littered with people who quit because the journey was so much tougher than they ever anticipated.

There are lots of people dangling the golden carrot of gigs worth thousands, and becoming a six figure speaker … and it is absolutely possible, but those who make it are a fraction of those that start out.

One of those few, is my guest today, Arel Moodie.

Arel is a best-selling author and professional speaker who has spoken in 48 states and 5 countries to over 750,000 people.

He is...

What should come first, your book or your talk?

That's one of the questions I posed to Azul Terronez, book coach to some of the best known thought leaders around.

Azul is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and book coach who specializes in helping leaders write and publish books that elevate their brand. As the CEO of the six-figure company Authors Who Lead, he has enabled Wall Street CEOs and health and wellness gurus to sell tens of thousands of books. When he's not hosting his podcast, Authors Who Lead, he's...

I want to share something that I know will get you more speaking gigs and ramp up your confidence for outreach.

It's relevant for live events, podcasts and any other type of

It's very simple yet so many people struggle to execute on it, but hopefully this episode will give you inspiration and some concrete steps to take to implement this in 2025.

In this show I'm covering:

One of the questions I get asked most is how do I get booked consistently for paid speaking gigs. I have my views on this from a speaker and speaking coach perspective, but I wanted to get a view from someone with another angle.

That's why I invited Seth Dechtman onto the show. Seth works with event planners for some of the biggest organisations and conferences. He knows exactly what they are looking for, and he has a network of some of the highest paid speakers in the world. He offers the gold standard in service to...

"I've been booked to do a fireside chat at a conference, have you got any tips?"

This is a question I got a few weeks ago from one of my Green Room clients, and she actually had the event this week.

In response I shared with her some tactics she could use before and during the event to ensure she influenced the direction of the conversation to where she could share her message effectively and make the most of the opportunity.

This is something that you need to consider for any interview format...