FROM THE VAULT: Corey Poirier Talks About Finding Your Passion and Overcoming Public Speaking Fears
Jun 26, 2024
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Renowned speaker and author Corey Poirier shares insights on finding passion, overcoming public speaking fears, and transitioning from stand-up comedy to keynote speaking. He discusses the inspiration behind his book 'The Enlightened Passenger' and the importance of passion in one's work. Corey provides practical advice on conquering speaking fears with baby steps and offers a 90-day program for success. His experiences serve as a valuable guide for pursuing dreams and discovering passions.
Discovering passion can lead to a transformative career journey from stand-up comedy to impactful speaking.
Overcoming public speaking fears involves incremental steps, supportive environments, and accountability partners.
Corey Poirier's parable-style book 'The Enlightened Passenger' offers layers of personal growth and spirituality.
Deep dives
Unique Journey into Speaking Through Comedy
The speaker's journey into the world of speaking was unique, starting with a workshop on stand-up comedy in 2002. Initially invited to watch comics perform, it turned out they were the comics. This experience propelled the speaker into performing over 700 stand-up shows. While comedy had its highlights, the transition to speaking was fueled by the desire to impact and inspire, as opposed to the erratic audience responses in comedy clubs.
Challenges and Revelations from Stand-up Comedy
The challenges faced in stand-up comedy included the road life and minimal pay, leading the speaker to produce their own comedy shows for better compensation. The unpredictability of audience reactions, influenced by alcohol in comedy clubs, contrasted with the supportive environment of corporate speaking engagements. The mixed bag of responses, ranging from make-or-break reactions in club comedy to the uplifting corporate audience, highlighted the different dynamics of each setting.
Discovering Impact through Speaking and Comedy
The journey from comedy to speaking uncovered a desire to impact audiences positively. While comedy provided moments of escape and laughter, the shift to speaking allowed for a more purposeful connection with listeners. The speaker's unique experience illustrated the evolution from finding humor in stand-up to seeking deeper connections and transformative effects through the spoken word, showcasing a transition from entertaining to inspiring.
Discovering Passion Through Personal Experiences
The speaker recounts a personal journey of transitioning from stand-up comedy to public speaking after discovering a deep passion for captivating audiences. They highlight the pivotal role of passion in professional fulfillment, emphasizing that finding one's true calling can lead to a noticeable transformation in both personal satisfaction and professional success. By sharing experiences of personal growth and encountering inquiries from others seeking guidance, the speaker underscores the significance of discovering and cultivating passion for a fulfilling career.
Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking Through Gradual Exposure
The episode delves into the common fear of public speaking, positioning it as a prevalent challenge that often eclipses other fears. Strategies for addressing this fear involve incremental steps, such as gaining stage experience through platforms like Toastmasters, gradually building comfort with speaking in front of small groups. By advocating for supportive environments and gradual exposure to public speaking scenarios, the episode emphasizes the importance of taking baby steps, seeking comfort on stage, and enlisting accountability partners to navigate and conquer the fear of speaking.
In this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Corey Poirier, a renowned speaker and author for a special double episode. We discuss the inspiration behind writing a parable-style book (like his book "The Enlightened Passenger", the importance of passion in one's work, and the unique challenges of stand-up comedy. Corey shares his journey of discovering his passion for speaking and teaching others how to find their own passion, providing listeners with practical advice and insights along the way.
We also revisit Corey's previous appearance on the show, where he shares the critical steps to overcoming public speaking fears, including Corey's 90-day program that offers weekly video trainings, a supportive social media community, and expert Q&A sessions. Corey emphasizes the significance of taking baby steps in conquering these fears and launching a successful speaking career.
As we wrap up the conversation, Corey leaves us with actionable steps to help listeners embark on their own journey of discovering and pursuing their passions. His insights and experiences serve as a valuable guide for anyone looking to overcome their fears and achieve their dreams.
Key Discussion Points
The inspiration behind Corey Poirier's parable-style book "The Enlightened Passenger" and its layered approach to personal growth and spirituality.
Corey's journey from stand-up comedy to keynote speaking, highlighting the transformative impact of following one's passion.
The role of passion in one's work and how Corey discovered his through stand-up comedy and speaking.
Practical advice for overcoming public speaking fears, including stage training programs like Toastmasters and Dale Carnegie.
The importance of taking baby steps to build confidence in public speaking and how Corey's 90-day program supports this process.
Corey shares insights on finding one's passion, starting with a pen and paper exercise to reflect on what one would do if money weren't an issue.
Tips for avoiding distractions during the passion-finding process, such as turning off notifications and moving your phone away.
This episode with Corey Poirier is packed with valuable insights and practical advice on finding and pursuing your passion, overcoming public speaking fears, and achieving personal growth. Whether you're looking to make a career change or simply want to conquer your fears, Corey's journey and expertise offer a wealth of inspiration and guidance.
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