
Teach the Geek Podcast - public speaking for technical professionals
In STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)? Struggle with public speaking? Then you're in the right place! I'm Neil Thompson, engineer and speaker. This is the place to get tips to improve your public speaking, and also hear from others with STEM backgrounds who saw the benefit of public speaking in their careers and the steps they took to get better at it. Think you or someone you know would make a great guest? Email me at hello@teachthegeek.com.
Latest episodes

Jul 16, 2025 • 28min
EP 368: Sig Muller - The World's Best
Sig Muller - The World's BestSig Muller, founder of Be the World’s Best, offers keynote speaking, executive coaching and team workshops to help people find their focus, remove barriers, and spark their greatness. I’m curious to learn how his Engineering background shaped his career path, what made him decide to found Be the World’s Best, and everything in between. To get in touch with Sig, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/sigmuller/.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

Jul 9, 2025 • 28min
EP. 367: Michelle Doerr - Wildlife Biologist and Ecopsychologist
Michelle Doerr - Wildlife Biologist and EcopsychologistMichelle Doerr is president of Anavah Consulting. With a background as a wildlife biologist and experience in ecopsychology, she designs workshops and coaching that foster healing, growth, and a culture of thriving. I’m keen to learn more about the motivation to found her consultancy, the works he does with clients, and the ways that speaking has benefited her. To get in touch with Michelle, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleldoerr/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.com.Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

Jul 2, 2025 • 28min
EP. 366 - Derek Crager: The Pocket Mentor
Derek Crager: The Pocket MentorDerek Crager is the founder of Practical Ai and creator of Pocket Mentor, a voice-based AI that teaches, troubleshoots, and trains your team through a simple phone call. I’m curious to learn more about the motivation to start Practical AI. From what I’ve learned about Derek so far, like myself, he’s an advocate for effective communication. I’m keen to find out where that interest came from, too. To get in touch with Derek, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/amazonleadership/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

Jun 25, 2025 • 25min
EP. 365 - Gabriela Coe: Engineer and Podcaster
Gabriela Coe: Engineer and PodcasterGabriela Coe is an engineer, podcaster. Her podcast, Keys to the Future, is about her interviews with STEM professionals to learn more about their STEM journeys. I’m keen to learn more about how she ended up in her current field, why she started her podcast, and how being an effective communicator has worked for her along the way.To get in touch with Gabriela, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-coe.--TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.com Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

Jun 18, 2025 • 29min
EP. 364 - Karen Roth: Innovation and Diversity Advocate
Karen Roth: Innovation and Diversity AdvocateKaren Roth is a nationally recognized leader in defense innovation and technology strategy. With deep expertise in STEM, partnership building, and strategic planning, she brings a passion for accelerating innovation and empowering diverse talent in tech. I’m keen to learn more about how she ended up in her current field, how she came to advocating for innovation and talent in tech, and how being an effective communicator has worked for her along the way.To get in touch with Karen, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-roth-swe.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.com Follow @teachthegeek (Twitter) and @_teachthegeek_ (IG) Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

Jun 11, 2025 • 30min
EP. 363 - Chaitali Narla: Founder, CTO and Coach
Chaitali Narla: Founder, CTO and CoachChaitali Narla is a founder, CTO and coach. Speaking with those who leave corporate to start their own thing is always a treat, so I’m keen to learn more about her time in corporate, her motivation to start her own ventures, and the ways speaking has benefited her. To get in touch with Chaitali, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaitalinarla.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

Jun 4, 2025 • 29min
EP. 362 - Tania Will Jeppesen: The Prepared Leader
Tania Will Jeppesen: The Prepared LeaderTania Will Jeppesen is the founder of the Prepared Leader, offering consulting and speaking services on leadership development. Because she had an illustrious career in operations. I’m interested to learn more about her motivation to start her company, her previous roles in corporate, and the ways in which speaking has benefited her. To get in touch with Tania, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniawilljeppesen.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.com.Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

May 28, 2025 • 15min
EP. 361 - HR and TD, This One's for You!
I made this episode especially for those in HR and TD (talent development) departments. This episode is about why strong communication skills are essential to technical professionals and how HR/TD can play a key role in developing those skills. TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com)Working with technical professionals so they can present more effectively, especially in front of non-technical audiences. Get public speaking tips at http://teachthegeek.com/tips.

May 21, 2025 • 12min
EP. 360 - How to Encourage Participation in Lunch & Learns
Lunch & learns can be a great way for technical professionals to practice their speaking skills. Why would they participate in them? Why would others show up to be attendees? In this solo episode, I go over ways to encourage participation in lunch & learns so everyone benefits from them. What do you think? Did I come up with some compelling reasons?__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com)Working with technical professionals so they can present more effectively, especially in front of non-technical audiencesGet public speaking tips at http://teachthegeek.com/tips.

May 14, 2025 • 29min
EP. 359 - Shubham Gupta: The Analytical Speaker
Shubham Gupta: The Analytical SpeakerShubham Gupta is an analytics and business intelligence leader who, as part of his work, communicates analytics and AI insights to non-technical audiences. He’s worked in a number of industries, including telecom, healthcare, and insurance. I’m curious to learn more about why he chose his field of expertise, and why speaking to non-technical audiences became of importance to him. To get in touch with Shubham, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubham-gupta-hbs.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.com.Follow @teachthegeek (Twitter) and @_teachthegeek_ (IG) Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips