The Speaker's Edge

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, discover the vital concept of "selling the problem" before ever presenting a solution. Speaker coach Roddy Galbraith shares how understanding and highlighting a client's pain points can create genuine interest in resolving their issues. You'll gain strategies for helping an audience recognize not only that a problem exists, but also the significance and potential pain associated with ignoring it. Learn how to approach sales and service as a partnership so potential clients are fully informed and empowered to make sales choices.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith explores the crucial role of personal stories in powerful public speaking and how they create lasting impact. He shares actionable techniques for collecting, refining, and organizing stories, drawing inspiration from John Maxwell's masterful approach. Roddy Galbraith also shares where AI can support speakers—especially in cataloging, structuring, and preparing presentations—while warning against other tempting uses of AI. Listeners gain practical strategies for harnessing both the human element and new technology to master their message and inspire any audience.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith sits down with 4 successful speakers to share the best speaking advice from their journeys. The guests highlight the importance of regular practice, embracing feedback, and moving quickly from script to live presentation to build true confidence. They provide practical tips for connecting authentically with any audience and explain how overcoming the fear of imperfection leads to lasting progress. Listeners will gain actionable strategies for refining their messages, unlocking new speaking opportunities, and growing as communicators both on and off the stage.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith and sales trainer Chris Johnson share practical sales strategies for speakers and communicators who struggle with selling. They cover how to handle objections, clarify value, and confidently ask for the business. Chris introduces his CARE model for addressing objections and explains the importance of believing in your product to truly connect with prospects. You'll gain actionable tips to improve your sales presentations, reframe rejection, and better communicate the benefits you offer.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith and HR expert Reanette Etzler explore proven strategies for landing a new job, securing a pay raise, and earning a promotion within an organization. They offer practical tips on standing out in interviews, including thorough company research and mastering the art of storytelling. You'll also discover the importance of connection, preparation, and positioning yourself as a leader ready for increased responsibility. Listeners walk away with actionable advice to grow their careers and communicate their value effectively.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith and guest Kelly Merbler share how speakers can grow by running impactful events. Listeners will gain insights into the value of starting small, leveraging established event frameworks like Live2Lead, and curating both live and recorded content to fit their audience's needs. Discover the importance of working behind the scenes, including understanding event production and building strong relationships with technical teams. You'll also hear practical advice for aspiring speakers looking to build credibility, develop their skills, and create memorable experiences for their audiences.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith and guest Momo Krasnoff explore the experience of speaking on stage at the International Maxwell Conference and the power of storytelling in connecting with audiences. They highlight the importance of preparation, authenticity, and balancing theatricality with genuine communication so that speakers can truly impact listeners. Momo shares insights from a journey that blends acting and public speaking to show how to refine stories that resonate with diverse audiences. You'll discover practical advice for your speaking journey, from selecting the right stories to building strong audience connections and using every opportunity to grow as a communicator.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, host Roddy Galbraith reveals how John Maxwell crafts impactful keynotes using carefully selected building blocks like personal stories, statistics, and teaching moments. He explores why John spends more than half of his keynote time sharing relatable and memorable experiences and shows you how to tune into everyday stories, refine your delivery, and bring teachings to life through real-life examples. The episode equips aspiring speakers with actionable strategies to create engaging, memorable presentations that truly resonate with audiences.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith explores the principle of emotional responsibility and how mastering this skill can transform both your mindset and approach to public speaking. He shares stories and practical examples illustrating how our feelings are shaped by learned experiences and how we can reprogram our responses to fear and anxiety. You'll learn about the process of systematic desensitization and how you can use it to step into discomfort as a path to personal growth. If you're interested in overcoming emotional barriers, this episode will prepare you to use speaking as a safe space to build confidence and resilience.

Visit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith continues his deep dive into PowerPoint with seven strategies for how speakers can use the tool effectively. He shares insights on keeping you, the speaker—not the slides—at the center of the audience's attention, while using visuals to support key points. You'll learn actionable tips for making authentic connections with the audience, mastering slide transitions, and preparing for technical challenges with confidence. This episode equips speakers with a clear roadmap to deliver more engaging and memorable presentations every time they take the stage.