217. Don’t Just Speak, Perform! with Michael Port

Speaking is the fast path to demonstrating your credibility. Speaking is also how you share your expertise - on stages, on podcasts, on videos, and even on TV. Yet, surprisingly, many subject matter experts and entrepreneurs are either uncomfortable or unskilled at presenting in front of an audience. And often the speech gets worse the larger the audience. It’s uncanny how an audience of ten thousand can cause knees to knock and voices to quiver.

The good news is, great speakers are made, not born. Becoming a great speaker takes practice, yes. Yet it is a skill that can be honed over time. And no matter how good you are at it, you should hone it. I myself feel I have a ways to go, even though I've given thousands of presentations around the world. I’ve honed my craft over the last two and a half decades, but my biggest breakthrough in speaking came about this year, while attending a course called Heroic Public Speaking grad program. And the instructor? Today’s guest, Michael Port.

Michael earned his MFA in acting from NYU 25 years ago, then began working in TV, film, and theater. Now, he teaches non-actors what actors know about how to give better performances both onstage and off.

Michael is the author of eight books, including Book Yourself Solid and Steal the Show. They've been translated into 29 languages and been on the bestseller lists of the NY Times and Wall Street Journal, among others. His clients include Disney, Best Buy, Guardian, Olympians, Navy Seals, FBI agents, Astronauts, and thousands of others who care deeply about making a difference in the world.

This jam-packed conversation not only covers how to have an outstanding stage presence your audience will never forget, but also how you can become a better, more authentic, and present communicator both in business and in life.

On with the show!