
Gigi Presents
Your heart is tap dancing in your ears. Your breath is out of sync. Your stomach is churning. Welcome to Gigi Rosenberg's podcast where she interviews great speakers to find out how they calm down, rehearse and connect with their audience with clarity, authority and warmth.
Quivery voice? She's got the cure. Reading off PowerPoint slides? She'll wean you. Can't end on time? She'll get you moving like a Derby thoroughbred. There's nothing you do at the podium or on Zoom that she hasn't seen before. Join Gigi and her talented guests to listen and learn how great speakers do it.
Latest episodes

Jun 30, 2025 • 47min
"Public Speaking Lessons From a Comedian" with Gary Simons
How do comedians keep their cool when they hear the host say “You’re Up Next!”? Why is honesty the fastest way to find comedy? How do you recover when the joke doesn’t land? How do comedians memorize their material and then deliver it like they’re just chatting with a friend? In the latest episode of “Gigi Presents” meet Gary Simons, who is now a regular at New York City’s Comedy Cellar. He has many great answers to the above questions that will help you to master the secrets of calming down, sounding conversational and finding the funny in any presentation whether you’re presenting to the board of directors or your team back at the office. For more Gary Simons on YouTube: http://bit.ly/4k2g0gXFor more Gary Simons on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyfromconnecticut/Watch the full episode: http://bit.ly/3FYgpmQWatch the trailer: http://bit.ly/4nupoguGet Gigi’s best public speaking tips delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to "Extraordinary Speaking" at: gigirosenberg.com/tips.

May 14, 2025 • 23min
Be the Calm in the Storm
Maintaining calmness is essential for successful public speaking. Strategies are shared on managing nerves and preparing the environment for a positive experience. Focusing on a core message and understanding your audience can help overcome presentation anxiety. Preparation and practice are highlighted as key elements for impactful delivery. Relaxed speakers can foster a more receptive audience, making your message more effective than ever.

Apr 15, 2025 • 44min
"No, You Don't Have Imposter Syndrome" with Shari Dunn
Many of my clients think they have "imposter syndrome" — a nagging feeling that they're not enough. Not enough of an expert or a—fill in the blank—and maybe they never will be. Do you think you might have imposter syndrome? Well, think again, and listen or watch this latest episode of “Gigi Presents” with Shari Dunn, CEO, speaker, attorney, journalist and most recently author of the HarperCollins book Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work. In this lively conversation, Shari and Gigi discuss the fallacy of imposter syndrome, a psychological trick that may help you create a container of calm on the stage, and how mishaps can actually help you connect with your audience.Watch the full episode: https://bit.ly/4ilXvDtBuy Shari Dunn’s book, Qualified: http://bit.ly/42AMLLHVisit Shari Dunn: https://thesharidunn.com/Get Gigi’s best public speaking tips delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to "Extraordinary Speaking" at: gigirosenberg.com/tips.

Feb 25, 2025 • 56min
"Bringing Your Big Self to the Stage" with Dr. Amy Climer
Dr. Amy Climer, an author and TEDx speaker, shares her expertise on creativity and public speaking. She discusses how to transform shy individuals into engaging presenters and introduces her innovative Climer Cards, designed to enhance collaboration. Amy emphasizes shifting audiences from passive listeners to active participants. The conversation also highlights effective strategies for online engagement and her new book, which guides leaders in fostering creativity within teams. With personal anecdotes, she offers invaluable insights into navigating the creative process and public speaking challenges.

Feb 1, 2025 • 24min
"All Eyes On You" Helps Calm Stage Fright (For All Ages) with Susi Schaefer
Susi Schaefer, an author and illustrator from the Austrian Alps, shares her journey in creating the beautifully illustrated book "All Eyes on You" that tackles performance anxiety. She discusses the common challenges children face when dealing with stage fright and offers practical strategies for overcoming it. Susi emphasizes using child-friendly language to explain these feelings and shares techniques like visualization and humor to help ease anxiety. This engaging conversation highlights the importance of equipping kids with the tools needed to flourish in public speaking.

Jan 6, 2025 • 53min
"How to Pitch Your Big Idea to the World" with Bradley Tusk
How do you pitch your big idea to the world? Especially if it’s an “impossible idea” that has lots of skeptics and hecklers? Take a lesson from VC investor, philanthropist and political strategist Bradley Tusk in this lively conversation that covers: how to craft a pitch, what language grabs an audience, and why to avoid using big words. Bradley reveals the qualities that make a pitch irresistible and Gigi asks Bradley to teach a New York lesson in how to interrupt in a way that sparks more conversation. Come learn from the author of the recently published book, Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy, and learn how being vulnerable is the ultimate expression of confidence.
Buy Bradley Tusk’s latest book, Vote With Your Phone, wherever books are sold or at: ptknitwear.com
For more on Bradley Tusk: bradleytusk.com
Get Gigi’s best public speaking tips delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to "Extraordinary Speaking" at: gigirosenberg.com/tips.

Nov 19, 2024 • 55min
"Calm Your Nerves and Your Public Speaking Anxiety" with Deb Dana
In this enlightening conversation, Deb Dana, a licensed clinical social worker and Polyvagal Theory expert, shares insights on managing public speaking anxiety. She discusses befriending your nervous system to find calm amidst nerves, emphasizing the importance of preparation and audience connection. Deb highlights transformative hosting experiences, the power of sighing to ground oneself, and recognizing 'glimmers'—small moments that uplift. This journey of self-discovery can empower individuals to navigate anxiety effectively and embrace their authentic speaking voice.

Sep 27, 2024 • 22min
Q&A Best Practices: How to Lead a Question and Answer Session
Feeling anxious about Q&A sessions? Discover key strategies to master the art of engagement and control the room during spontaneous questions. Learn how to prepare for unexpected inquiries while maintaining your authority. Gigi shares personal anecdotes to illustrate challenges and effective techniques, making the process less daunting. Plus, catch a sneak peek at her upcoming book on public speaking!

Apr 26, 2024 • 36min
"Telling Personal Stories from the Stage" with Linda Cohen
In this engaging talk, Linda Cohen, a professional speaker and author known as the "Kindness Catalyst," shares her journey of transforming kindness into a thriving career. She dives into the power of authenticity and storytelling in public speaking, emphasizing how small acts of kindness can have a big impact. Linda recounts her memorable TEDx talk featuring a humorous toilet paper story and offers valuable advice for aspiring speakers. Plus, she reveals her love for Earl Grey tea and how it ties into creating connections and enhancing audience engagement.

11 snips
Feb 16, 2024 • 1h
"Rediscover Your Presence" with Patsy Rodenburg
Learn how to rediscover your presence and calm pre-show stagefright with Patsy Rodenburg. Discover Shakespeare's public speaking tips, the public speaker's daily warm-up, and Patsy's 3 circles of energy. Explore ways to re-engage lost audiences and hear about Patsy's work coaching business figures and actors.