

Pocket Sized Pep Talks
Rob Jolles
Join professional speaker and five-time bestselling author Rob Jolles as he takes the mic to host Pocket-Sized Pep Talks! This dynamic show delivers concise, impactful messages designed to inform, entertain, inspire, and motivate. Through thought-provoking interviews with fascinating guests and Rob’s own unique commentary, listeners gain valuable insights for both personal and professional growth. Engaging conversations and thoughtful questions keep audiences coming back for more, because sometimes, the best advice comes in small but powerful doses.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 6min
The Art of Being Believed
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk you'll learn:- Why self-belief sets the foundation for being believed by others- How your imperfections can actually build trust, not diminish it- What “tuning” your message with pitch, pace, and pause can do- How to step into the mindset and body language of believability

Aug 20, 2025 • 7min
United Breaks Guitars… and Commitments
You'll learn:Why consistency matters more than clever policyWhat not to say when dealing with a disappointed customerHow small failures can lead to big losses in customer trust

Aug 13, 2025 • 6min
The Failure of Business Models And How to Prevent It
Did you hear that? A shiny new Business Model is making the rounds complete with a clever acronym and bold promises of transformation. But before you chase it down, you might want to pump the brakes.
In this quick, six-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll unpack the predictable rise and fall of business models, and why most don’t fail because of bad design; they fail because of weak implementation. I’ll also share a model of my own (yes, it even spells something!) to help you protect your investment, build a real cultural shift, and make sure the model you choose actually sticks.

Aug 6, 2025 • 7min
Finding the Tune That Makes Your Words Matter
We’re often told to “find the right words” if we want to make an impact. But what if the words aren’t the problem?
In this quick, six-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll share with you the surprising origin of my book Why People Don’t Believe You. It's a journey that started not in a boardroom, but in a church basement with a group of job seekers. Along the way, he explores a lesson many communicators and creators learn the hard way: that being believable is about how you say something, not just what you say, and that trying to create something “for everyone” usually ends up helping no one.

Aug 4, 2025 • 46min
Obstacles to Opportunity: Transforming Business Challenges into Triumphs
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:What inspired Pat to write Obstacles to Opportunity and why now.We all learn lessons on our journeys, and some we learn the hard way. Pat shares leadership lessons you learned the hard way.Pat's 3Cs Process and how it leads to more decisive action.A byproduct of growth is often chaos. Pat discusses the first thing a leader should do to prepare, or react to it.One particular leader's story from the book that still sticks with Pat and what can we learn from it.One challenge most leaders underestimate and why it catches them off guard.We all define success our own way. Pat provides his definition of success Pat concludes by telling listeners one last thing from this book that we should implement; today!To learn more about this guest:GUEST EMAIL Pat@PatAlacqua.comGUEST WEBSITE:PatAlacqua.comSOCIAL MEDIA:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patalacqua/

Jul 30, 2025 • 5min
Why Outcome Isn't Everything: A Lesson From A Fisherman
We often judge success by what shows up in the bucket; trophies, numbers, deals closed. But what if fulfillment comes from something far less measurable… and far more personal?
In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll share a lesson from an unlikely teacher: a fisherman on the banks of the Potomac. It’s a story about redefining success, not by what others expect to see, but by the joy we feel simply doing what we love.

Jul 28, 2025 • 41min
Beyond Fear: The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:Confidence is a skill, not a trait. Simone walks us through the REAL Method and how it came to life.How to feel ready to go, and respect yourself when you don’t feel confident. How to embrace failure and use it to build confidence. A classic myth about high achievers, and confidence.One small, doable action someone can take today to start building REAL confidence?Why small, everyday choices—not grand gestures—can change someone's world around them.For listeners who struggle to see their own value, one simple way to start sharing your story; the messy parts and all!To Learn More About This Guest:https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerSimoneKnegoLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/simoneknegoYouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@her_unshakeable_confidenceYour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/her-unshakeable-confidence-podcast/id1667058474Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/simoneknego/

Jul 23, 2025 • 4min
How to Keep Audience Questions from Knocking You Off Track
Audience questions are usually a welcome sign—they show interest, engagement, and curiosity. But sometimes, even a well-meaning question can throw a presentation off track… and it’s rarely about the content.
What if the real problem isn’t what they ask, but when they ask it?
In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll show you how to handle mid-presentation questions without losing control of your message. You’ll learn a simple, classic technique to keep your talk on course while still honoring your audience’s curiosity.

Jul 21, 2025 • 40min
Position, Plan, Win: The Strategic Side of Sales
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:As former President and CEO of Huthwiate, John's interesting connection to the company and Neil Rackham.John's shaping of Pipeliner’s strategic direction and some of the changes he's noticed in the 11 years he's been there? In Winning the Battle for Sales, some of the key lessons drawn from some of history’s greatest military victories. Many people think social selling is just about posting on LinkedIn, but John's argument that it’s much deeper than that. A classic common mistake people make when trying to “sell socially,” and how can they fix itWhat excites John most about where sales technology is heading—and what should sales leaders should be paying attention to now.To Learn More About This Guest:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngolden/ pipelinersales.com (Company)salespop.net (Blog)youtube.com/c/SalesPOP (Sales POP! YouTube Channel)john.golden@pipelinersales.com

Jul 16, 2025 • 5min
Beyond “Tell’em”: Why the Classic Presentation Formula Falls Short
Have you ever been told the golden rule of presentations is to “Tell ‘em what you’re gonna tell ‘em, tell ‘em, then tell ‘em what you told ‘em”?
It sounds solid, and it can work... but it’s been riding on its reputation since high school speech class.
What if that model, in its simplicity, has been holding your presentations back? What if what you really need is a better blueprint for engaging your audience, keeping their attention, and sticking the landing?
In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll take that old-school model, shake it up, and show you what truly separates forgettable presentations from the ones that win trust, drive action, and leave a lasting impression.