You may have noticed how erratic my episodes have been over the past couple of months. I apologize for that, but there is a good reason for it!   In early July, I’m sitting on the sofa, feeling as if I’m getting the flu — sweaty, lethargic, just feeling a bit off. However, within a few minutes, my Apple Watch confirms that I’m experiencing A-Fib and suggests I go to the hospital immediately.   When I arrive, things move quickly. I’m immediately brought into a small room and hooked up to an EKG. In no time at all, the nurse turns to another. “Donna.” Donna takes one look at my EKG and turns to a doctor. “Mike.” Mike doesn’t hesitate, telling them where to bring me and what to do. A team of doctors and nurses are waiting for me. They stabilize me, and several hours later, I’m heading up to a room.   The next day starts with a coronary catheterization. “A 30-year-old would like to have your arteries,” the doctor tells me. “They’re in excellent condition.” “So I’ve got nothing to worry about,” I think. I couldn’t be more wrong.   The next day brings a few more tests, and the doctor shares the results. “You have aortic stenosis. In fact, the valve is barely functioning and must be replaced within the next few days. We don’t do that here, so you have a choice of which hospital to go to.   It doesn’t take long for Jeanne and me to decide on Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston — one of the top cardiac hospitals in the country and only an hour from our home in Rhode Island. The next morning, I am, as the Dropkick Murphy’s song goes, shipping up to Boston … for open heart surgery. What a way to spend my 65th birthday.   Over the next couple of days, I meet with my surgeon several times. Dr. Kim De la Cruz, the section chief and an aortic specialist, has a wonderful bedside manner and a hearty, reassuring laugh. I am confident and ready.   Everything goes well during the surgery, and it looks like I’ll be home in five or six days. But my heart has other ideas. Liking the attention from the nurses, doctors, and the rest of the staff, it decides to act up so I can continue to enjoy the pampering for a while longer.   Over the next two weeks, I have another operation (although not nearly as invasive) and two procedures, including one where they chemically stop my heart and restart it within seconds … while I’m awake. The doctor overseeing that procedure said it would be excruciating, and she was not lying!   I spend almost the month of July in the hospital. In some ways, it seems like I was there for several months; in others, it seems to have flown by. Thankfully, other than follow-ups, it’s all in the past.   I realize that I’m extremely fortunate. Dr. De la Cruz said that of the thousands of aortic valves he’s worked on, mine is in the top 10 — if not the top five — of the most calcified. It seems I could have had — and probably should have had — a serious, if not fatal, heart attack.   Now I’m recuperating, and at a faster pace than expected. But it’s still going to be a while before I’m back to my full workload. So something has to give. And since my favorite part of being a speaking coach is working with my clients, then, for now, as much as I enjoy my podcast, I am going to stop it. Someday, it may be back. But in the meantime, I’d like to thank my guests for making this such a helpful, entertaining podcast. And, of course, I’d like to thank you for listening.    If you’d like to check out my multi-award-winning book, The Captivating Speaker, it’s available on Amazon. Just click here. If you want to work directly with me, go to PeterGeorgePublicSpeaking.com and click on the link to schedule a free consultation.

John Henny, with decades of experience helping voice users, shares techniques to strengthen communication skills, build confidence, and eliminate strain. Highlights include the importance of resonance, emotional connection, melody, and variation in captivating listeners. Learn about rhythm, accents, vocal health, and infusing passion. Discover the impact of a compelling speaking voice on personal growth.

You hear and read them all the time, things like build a personal brand, identify your niche, and craft your signature talk. But how do you go about doing these? In this episode, Kelly Charles-Collins gives you the answers so you can position yourself as the go-to expert in your field. As a result, you have a greater opportunity to secure corporate training contracts and paid speaking engagements.    As a Keynote & Award-Winning TEDx Speaker, Retired Trial Attorney and Law Firm Partner, Speaker, Mentor, and Author, Kelly is a sought-after authority in courageous conversations, unconscious bias, and women’s empowerment.    A transformative speaker, Kelly’s media features include ABC, NBC, CBS, Time.com, Forbes, Fast Company, Authority Magazine, Women’s Wear Daily, and more. She’s the author of Conversations Change Things.   Resources - KellyCharlesCollins.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://bit.ly/440Ut0J

Understanding and honoring the powerful psychology of the speaker-audience relationship helps you improve your communication skills and professional and personal interactions. But how do you do this? Well, in this episode, Steve Multer gives you the keys to adding value, passion, and connection in any outbound marketing message. Remember … a number without a story that gives that number meaning is easily ignored and quickly forgotten. Yet, when you learn to tell a better story, you’ll instantly serve your listeners and yourself more successfully, strategically, and organically.    Steve is a veteran corporate storyteller, speaker coach, team trainer, and market messaging strategist for some of the world's leading brands including Cisco, Splunk, Fujifilm, HP, Siemens, NTT Data, Bayer, Xerox, and Panasonic. He has guided more than 2,500 professionals to deliver value, passion, and connection in on-stage and on-camera presentations. His new book, Nothing Gets Sold Until the Story Gets Told: Corporate Storytelling for Career Success and Value-Driven Marketing, was released in January.

Are you a professional speaker? Or, perhaps, you’re ready to move into the world of speaking at the professional level. If you’re in either situation, then you probably realize the value of promoting yourself as a professional. Yet, if you want to grow your speaking business, you need to know how to promote yourself effectively and consistently. You’re in luck! In this episode, you hear Steve Lowell share his insights on how to effectively drive business through speaking without resorting to manipulative selling tactics. You also get to explore the concepts of creating a signature talk that defines you to your audiences and the importance of being known for something specific.   Takeaways - The effectiveness of non-manipulative speaking - Apprehension towards high-pressure sales tactics from speakers - Building trust with the audience - Importance of focusing on solving the audience's problem - The value of a Signature Talk - Being known for something - Importance of being recognized and branding oneself - The desired outcomes of a keynote - Developing a process to challenge commonly taught ideas - Becoming a category of one - Challenging one's own creations - Providing unique experiences for the audience - The task of promoting oneself as a speaker - Going deeper to promote as a problem solver - Asking questions to generate new perspectives for oneself   Resources - SteveLowell.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://bit.ly/440Ut0J

If you’re having difficulty differentiating yourself from other speakers and meeting planners can’t distinguish you, then you definitely want to listen to this episode featuring Scott McKain. He discusses the importance of standing out and becoming distinctive in your field and shares valuable insights on accomplishing this.   Scott has achieved the Certified Public Speaker designation from the National Speakers Association and has been inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. He is the best-selling author of Iconic, the soon-to-be-released The Ultimate Customer Experience, and other popular business books.   Takeaways - The importance of distinction in speaking - Finding unique ways to communicate effectively - Making speeches personal and valuable to the audience - The shift from lectures to personal talks and conversations with the audience - The importance of repeat and referral business for successful speaking engagements - The value of connecting with the audience - The importance of personal stories in speaking - The benefits of practicing and coaching - The power of storytelling - The advantage of having a signature story - Having a differentiating factor that sets you apart - Being remembered beyond a good speech   Resources - ScottMcKain.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC

Is PR part of your promotional mix? Or do you believe it’s a tool used only by larger companies with larger bank accounts? Then listen in as Brandi Sims shares with you how PR can be part of your mix and how it will benefit you no matter the size of your company.   Takeaways - The Difference between Marketing, PR and Advertising - PR is not just for big brands - The Importance of PR in Small Businesses - PR Agency: An Extension of Your Team - Understanding Different PR Roles for Your Business - Managing Crisis: The Importance of Expert Help   Resources - BrandincPR.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC

Experienced speaker Chandler Walker shares tips on engaging the audience with humor and culture references. He explores challenging the audience, speaking authentically, and structuring engaging speeches. Key takeaways include using emotional storytelling and challenging beliefs to leave a lasting impact.

Are you an empowered public speaker, or do you shy away from the challenges that speaking presents even though you know they are necessary for growth? Then listen in as my guest, Victoria Rader, helps you focus on your message instead of yourself and explains how using "what if?" scenarios enables you to shift your attention to the possibility of success.   Victoria is a transformational speaker and founder of YU2SHINE. She empowers coaches, entrepreneurs, and people who seek personal development to grow in all areas of their lives through the proven formula of success. As a result, they have more peace, purpose, and prosperity.   Takeaways - How to know if you are meant to be a public speaker - The difference between scared and sacred - A way to overcome your fear of public speaking - The main qualities of being a good public speaker - Where you should start to prepare to be a public speaker - A solidnumber one go to technique?   Resources - YU2SHINE.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC

Are you still trying to get over your nervousness or maybe even dealing with limited beliefs? Well, maybe it's time to try Emotional Freedom Techniques, commonly known as EFT or Tapping. Listen in as my guest Lauren Fonvielle explains how tapping can help you reduce your anxiety, overcome limiting beliefs, and help you accomplish what you're striving to do.    Lauren is an integrative energy practitioner specializing in EFT tapping to help entrepreneurs reduce stress and increase profits. She guides her clients on a journey of self-healing to break through obstacles, whether they're physical, mental, or emotional, that keep them stuck in life and in business.   Takeaways - How EFT reduces the amount of stress hormone — cortisol — and helps clear the energy meridians that move through the body - How tapping  helps acknowledge emotions for a different perspective and outcome - The importance of acknowledging and feeling emotions rather than avoiding them to move forward in a positive way - How EFT tapping addresses physical sensations and memories associated with past experiences to release emotions and change thinking patterns - What sessions with a therapist look like - Where tapping can be employed   Resources - MindShiftWithLauren.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC