Speak Up. Stand Out. Be Remembered

14 snips

Jun 10, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Bill McGowan, founder of Clarity Media Group and an Emmy-winning journalist, shares his secrets to impactful communication. He highlights the art of storytelling and the importance of preparation in making memorable presentations. Bill discusses how humor can enhance audience connection and emphasizes empathy as a vital communication skill. He also tackles effective strategies for navigating meetings and how to stand out in a distraction-filled world. A must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their communication game!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Journalism Shaped Storytelling Skills

Bill McGowan learned to tell compelling stories quickly during his broadcast journalism career.
This has greatly benefited his coaching in public speaking and presentations.

ADVICE

Slow Down with Minimalist Slides

If your audience seems disengaged, slow down instead of speeding up.
Use minimalist slides to control how much you explain per slide and maintain interest.

ADVICE

Use Drumroll Lines Regularly

Every 30 seconds, do something to reignite audience interest during your presentation.
Use a "drumroll line" to signal something important is coming and regain attention.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Speak Up. Stand Out. Be Remembered.

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Bill McGowan, Founder & CEO of Clarity Media Group, Journalist, and Bestselling Author

Summary

On this episode of At Work in America, Steve and Trish sit down with Bill McGowan, founder of Clarity Media Group and author of Speak Memorably, to uncover the secrets to powerful communication and unforgettable presentations.

From mastering storytelling and weaving in humor to the art of preparation, Bill shares real-world strategies to connect with any audience, whether you're speaking on stage or through a screen. Drawing from his rich background in journalism and executive coaching, he reveals why the best communicators are remembered. In a world buzzing with distractions, this episode is your guide to standing out, being clear, and making your message stick.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Communication Skills

06:26 Engaging Your Audience: Techniques and Tips

12:37 Crafting Memorable Presentations

15:25 The Role of Empathy in Communication

23:40 Effective Communication in Meetings

26:50 The Importance of Preparation

35:01 Using Humor and Analogies

43:46 Communication Skills in the Age of AI

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

HR is about to change for good with the power of Human Intelligence.

By combining AI and the rich data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence answers HR’s most demanding needs…

…unlocking insights and capabilities that redefine talent management, cultural transformation, and employee engagement — ultimately elevating performance and, above all, people.

The future of HR has arrived. Will you – and your company – be a part of it?

Learn about Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com and join their force for good.

This episode of At Work in America is sponsored by Paychex, one of the leading providers of HR, payroll, retirement, and insurance solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Are you ready to crush the year ahead? The 2025 Priorities for Business Leaders Report from our friends at Paychex is here, and it's packed with insights from 600 companies on how to drive growth and get ahead.

This isn't your average data dump — it includes actionable strategies on everything from attracting new hires to improving employee retention, managing HR compliance, and leveraging technology to stay competitive.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and tackle 2025 with confidence, download the report today at paychex.com/awia.

It’s free, it’s insightful, and it might just give you the edge you need.