Public Speaking with Peter George

Recently, a client and I were discussing how you can change the entire meaning of a sentence simply by choosing which word or words you emphasize. Some people call this hitting or punching a word.   In this short episode, you'll hear an exercise that not only illustrates how this works but also one you can use to practice hitting the appropriate words so you accurately convey your intended meaning. 

I don’t know about you, but if I were asked to list the various ways the body is involved in public speaking, I would include stance, movement, gestures, heart rate, and even sweating. And to be honest, the rib cage would be far down on that list, if it were on it at all.   In this episode, Dr. Amy Novotny shares why the often-neglected rib cage should be higher on that list and how it helps you when you deliver presentations in meetings and on stage.

When I started coaching, I realized that many of the things my mother taught me about interacting with others were spot on.    From her point of view, she was teaching me about respect. However, she couldn't have known that she was also teaching me about one of the most valuable aspects of presentation skills — engagement.    Listen in, and catch the top 10 things my mom taught me about public speaking.

Richard Strauss said, “The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but it is the most difficult to play.”     He was so right. Think about the numerous aspects of the human voice that you can manipulate, including pitch, rate, tone, and volume. Add to this that, just like any fine instrument, you need to care for it.     With so much to know and do, it’s no wonder that so many speakers pay little attention to their voices and use them well.     In this episode, Alana McKenzie helps you treat your voice as an instrument, prevent vocal pain or exhaustion, and create authentic and compelling emotion in your speaking.

Are you an introvert? Great! Because too many people believe you need to be an extrovert to enjoy or excel at public speaking. Thankfully, this isn’t the case. In fact, if you are an introvert, you have several advantages.    In this short episode, you’re going to learn about three of these advantages and the benefits they provide.   Perhaps you can be inspired by these famous people who are self-proclaimed introverts. - Warren Buffett - Elon Musk - Barack Obama - Clint Eastwood - Micheal Jordan - Lady Gaga - Mahatma Gandhi - Julia Roberts - Meryl Streep - Tom Hanks - Christina Aguilera - Elton John - Beyoncé - Abraham Lincoln - Issac Newton - Albert Einstein - Bill Gates - Steven Spielberg - Eleanor Roosevelt - Mark Zuckerberg - Larry Page - JK Rowling - Charles Darwin - Dr. Seuss - Steve Wozniak

Speaking on stage and writing a book are often seen as two entirely different disciplines ... and with good reason. But is it really that cut and dry? In this episode, prolific speaker and author, Geralyn Gendreau compares and contrasts speaking and writing, based on her own experiences. Tune in and discover if you have a speech (or book) in you, and if you do, how to find your voice and clarify your message.

Do you watch any of the home renovation shows? My wife and I do. And it didn't take watching very many shows to realize that there was going to be a surprise – a problem – in every episode, no matter which shows we were watching. But, of course, this makes sense since stories, to be interesting, need challenges or conflicts. The surprise I like most is when the hosts discover there are problems with the house's foundation. Then, all structural work comes to a screeching halt because all they do structurally is at risk until the foundation is solid. This situation is a near-perfect metaphor for developing a talk. Your presentation is likely to have problems without establishing a solid foundation, just like a house built on an unreliable foundation. Listen in and discover how you can build a strong foundation for your talks.

In this episode, we take a departure from our usual discussions about speaking and talk about happiness. Why? Well, for two reasons. One reason is that, to me, speaking and happiness go hand-in-hand. The other reason is that when I learned about Mike Duffy and his mission in life, I wanted to interview him so he could share his message with you.

Which word in the English language do you believe is the most powerful? Of course, if you're like most people, you'll say it's "please." Now, answer this question, please. Which word in the English language do you believe is the most powerful when it comes to speaking in public? Listen in, and you'll learn how this simple word helps you and your talks connect more effectively with your individual audience members.

If you want to know how effective a public speaker you really are, then you should present to students and young adults. As one of my clients who routinely speaks to students likes to say, “You have to know what you’re doing because kids will eat you alive.” But he’s quick to add that presenting to young people can be one of the more exhilarating experiences you could have, and if you do it well, you live to do it again. In this episode, Ryan Sweat shares with you his expertise when it comes to speaking, including with the teens and young adults of Gen Z.