The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

I have a weird background that mixes a long corporate career with speaking, stand-up comedy, theatre, content marketing and coaching. Over the past eight years I’ve been drawing on that unique blend of experience to teach and coach people to connect with and captivate audiences through storytelling and humour. Throughout that time, I’ve learnt what works best to get results for people and now I’ve captured that success path in my 10-step Story Led Speaking system. In this show, not only am I going to share those 10 steps with you, but I’m also going to signpost you to previous podcast episodes that are relevant for each step. This system includes the four core ingredients you need to become a sensational speaker and the six-stage process that you must go through every time to get consistent and powerful results with your public speaking. So, whether you’re looking to motivate, educate, sell, pitch, or get stakeholders to buy in I promise this episode is going to be golden for you! Enjoy! What this episode covers: The secret to unlocking creativity even if you are a left-brainer. The four core ingredients you need to become a sensational public speaker. The 6-stage process for getting results in your speaking every time. Where to get the low down on the core four from previous episodes. Thanks for listening! Resources: To find out more about my Story Led Speaking Program click the link below. https://www.thespeakingclub.com/speakingcourse https://www.storyledmarketing.co.uk/podcast https://www.standoutpitch.com Mindset Mastery: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/001 Story Mastery: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/005 https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/007 https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/009 Performance Tools: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/038 https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/047 Humour 101: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/019 https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/028 Leaving a review: http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/itunes http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/stitcher https://www.imore.com/how-rate-or-review-podcast-your-iphone-or-ipad To share your thoughts: leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. See you next time.

Katherine Brooke-Mackenzie helps people feel well again using alternative therapies, but particularly colon-hydrotherapy. She has spent a large part of the last 15 years happily taking people’s crap. Based on what she has seen she believes that many of us are living with discomfort, pain and shame because we don’t feel like we can talk about what’s wrong…and she is on a mission to change that. In this episode we discover the personal challenges and epiphanies that led Katherine to what she does today. She explains why we need to be paying attention to the connection between our minds and our bodies and she shares some great tips for improving our gut health. We are also talking about Katherine’s public speaking, and how after years of trying she has finally overcome the fear and found her voice. She is sharing about what she does to engage people in a topic that is not normally discussed in polite society. What we talk about: The connection between our mental welfare, realising our potential and the crap we carry around with us. Myths about poo The factors that influence a healthy gut 3 top tips for a healthy poo The anxiety Katherine had around public speaking and how she overcame it The importance of having a structure, frameworks and stories How important it is to value your experience Why it’s so important to trust yourself and the preparation you’ve done. How humour can help with taboo topics. Why you need the loo before a big talk. The impact of getting the confidence to speak publicly in other areas of Katherine’s life How our thoughts influence our world. Resources* All things Katherine: https://www.thehealthygutclinic.co.uk https://www.talkingaboutthebrownstuff.com https://www.facebook.com/talkingaboutthebrownstuff/ LinkedIN Other Resources: The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton https://www.standoutpitch.com https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://www.thespeakingclub.com/speakingcourse Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:                                                  leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link for the books, I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Most of us that speak in public have a relatively high level of expertise in the topic we’re presenting on…and that is how it should be. But therein lies a risk and an issue that has turned many potentially scintillating talks into snooze fests.  Depending on our experience as a speaker, the context in which we’re speaking and our own level of insecurities, there is sometimes an overwhelming desire to ‘prove’ ourselves and show how much we know. (Trust me I’ve been there before!) The trouble is that this is often at the expense of engaging our audience and getting our message across.  Here I’m going to share my three top tips to help you avoid the ‘expert’ trap, so that you land your message and create light bulb moments for your audience. Enjoy! What this episode covers: The shift in thinking that will transform your speaking Why common sense is ignored and what to use instead How to keep your audience attentive all the way through How to simplify your message and create light bulb moments The antidote to boring big data  Thanks for listening! Resources: Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath https://www.storyledmarketing.co.uk/podcast https://www.standoutpitch.com https://www.thespeakingclub.com/speakingcourse   Leaving a review: http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/itunes http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/stitcher https://www.imore.com/how-rate-or-review-podcast-your-iphone-or-ipad   To share your thoughts leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. See you next time.

It has taken Anthony Taylor a number of years and false starts to find his path and purpose. Like many of us he was lost for decades looking for fulfillment in status and financial reward, until he discovered contentment for him was helping people develop the mental toughness and resilience to achieve their goals. In this show he is sharing his journey, alongside his suggestions for building resilience and developing the personal tools to cope with whatever life throws at us. He is also sharing his experience of stepping up to the next level in public speaking and how he changed his game in order to serve his audience better and increase the impact of his message. If you want to become a better public speaker this show has lots to offer you. What we talk about: Why building resilience has never been more important Emotional snapping, what’s causing it and how to avoid it. The power of knowing your worth and your values The difference between role performance and identity What ‘self-mastery’ is and why you should work towards it Anthony’s top three tips for building resilience The difference between delivering workshops and delivering keynotes How digging deeper into your target audience beliefs can magnetise your talk How to focus and captivate your audience at the start of your talk The power of picking a niche for your speaking and business   Resources* All things Anthony: https://www.threefifty9.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonytaylor2 Other Resources: Maverick by Ricardo Semler Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:                                                  leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link for the books I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Helen Langford has a very nice voice, and you may even have heard it before as she does get about a bit! Having trained to be an actor, she switched to voiceover work when she discovered that not only did she like it but people liked her voice. Working mostly for corporate clients, including companies like Nestle Royal Mail, Boots, Highways England, and Cambridge English. Every day she tells stories, explains tricky concepts, promotes brilliant ideas and gets to be somebody new! In this show I asked her to share her story and some voice tips to help public speakers bring their talks to life. So listen to the show to discover Helen’s secrets for increasing engagement and utilizing one of the most powerful tools in your public speaker’s kit. What we talk about: Why it’s important to record yourself as a public speaker. The power of the pause and why it should be one of your go to voice tools. How to avoid the droning voice. Why your voice is never fully dressed without a smile The difference between pitch and tone Why you should warmup your voice before you speak Simple vocal warmup exercises you can do at the side of the stage. The power of ‘now’ and how it can fuel our success. Resources* All things Helen: https://www.helenlangfordvoiceovers.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensvoice/ Other Resources: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:                                                  leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link for the books I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)  

There are two reasons I created this podcast episode. Firstly, I heard a story from an influencer that really pushed my buttons. This story made me realise that a lot of organisations and coaches who teach and influence public speaking may be failing to share a vital ingredient for success…and I don’t want you as a Speaking Club listener to miss this out. That’s why in this show, I’m going to share what I believe is the primary thing to focus on and develop on your journey to becoming a sensational speaker and why. The second reason for this show is that during the course of coaching my students to develop their talk and speaking skills, we always cover their talk title and coming up with the right one can be a struggle for them. Because the talk title is linked closely to the first reason for the show, I’m going to give you some tips on how to make it sexy and explain why you should! Enjoy! What we’re going to cover: What is not important for speaking success. The most important thing to understand to become a successful speaker Why successful speaking is about changing beliefs. The three triggers for getting people to pay attention and take action The five principles of a great talk title  Enjoy! Thanks for listening! Resources: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/thespeakingclub/062 https://www.storyledmarketing.co.uk/podcast https://www.standoutpitch.com https://www.thespeakingclub.com/speakingcourse Leaving a review: http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/itunes http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/stitcher https://www.imore.com/how-rate-or-review-podcast-your-iphone-or-ipad To share your thoughts: Leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. See you next time.

This show happened because a listener reached out to me and told me about the difference The Speaking Club had made to her life in just one month. Engineer and confirmed techie Karin Layton hated public speaking with a passion. She had massive anxiety, which resulted in shaking and sweating when she was forced to speak at all in her job. She described the thought of speaking as a waking nightmare. But Karin was forced to have a heart to heart with herself when she entered a competition to get funding for her invention and realized that without becoming a better public speaker, she was going to fail miserably. So, she decided to do something about it and looked for a podcast to help her. She discovered the Speaking Club and binge listened to all the episodes, following the processes, putting the learning into action and fighting against all her instincts in relation to the content. Listen to the show to discover the key lessons she learned, how her public speaking changed and what happened when she took a leap of faith and tried things a new way. What we talk about: What motivated Karin to face her fear about public speaking. How confidence can be cultivated. How facts and technical details can get in the way of the message. What Karin did differently to prepare for her presentation. Why episode 011 wound Karin up. How stories and metaphors can work in a technical presentation. Why you’ve got to kill your darlings. The inverted rehearsal bell curve that leads to a high impact presentation. How amazing it can feel when you know that your message has landed. The one thing that helped Karin the most. How personal stories can set you apart. Why being yourself and likeable is so valuable as a speaker. Resources* All things Karin: https://www.mimicid.com https://www.facebook.com/karinklayton Other Resources: Life of Pi by Jann Martel Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:                                                  leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link for the books I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

There is something that gets in the way of a lot of speakers having as much impact as they would like. This thing is stopping them from delivering their message with power, authority, passion and personality. I know this because I’ve had the same issue…I couldn’t stop trying to be ‘perfect’.   In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain in the hope that seeing my challenges and mistakes will help you either pat yourself on the back if you don’t have them…or see that it’s not just you, and there is a way to overcome them.    Without us being our most uninhibited, authentic and present selves when we talk, our message is going to be diluted. To achieve this state, we need to ‘let go’, but that is often easier said than done. Letting go has been very hard for me and in this show, I am sharing what was underneath it all and the new strategies and beliefs I used to find myself.   Enjoy!   What this episode covers: What was underneath my resistance to letting go of perfection. What speakers can learn from the top 1% of tennis players. What can make the difference between a good speaker and a great one. Why we need to learn the map not the words. How the search for significance will trip us up. The leap of faith that will lead to success.   Thanks for listening! Resources https://www.storyledmarketing.co.uk/podcast https://www.standoutpitch.com https://www.thespeakingclub.com/speakingcourse   Leaving a review: http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/itunes http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/stitcher https://www.imore.com/how-rate-or-review-podcast-your-iphone-or-ipad   To share your thoughts: leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.   See you next time.

Regardless of whether you’re a motivational speaker who wants to inspire people to take action, an educational speaker that wants the audience to think in new ways, a corporate leader who wants their employees to buy into change, or someone who uses speaking to sell their products or services… to achieve your goals you need to understand how to reach people and how to influence them.   In most scenarios when we speak, we will be trying to convince people to take a different view of their life, their business, their health or something else. To do this we will need to overcome the beliefs that our audience is likely to be holding about the topic, themselves and a myriad of other things, that get in the way of them seeing new possibilities.   To overcome these beliefs, you have to engage your audience in a way that shows them that what you’re offering is possible and possible for them. In this episode I will be sharing the most powerful tool public speakers have in their arsenal for changing beliefs, which can in turn change people’s lives.   Enjoy!   What this episode covers: What might get in the way of your message landing. What you need to think when you are preparing your talk if you want to have maximum impact. Where objections come from and how to overcome them. How our beliefs get shaped. The most powerful tool a speaker has for changing beliefs. The real business that speakers are in.   Thanks for listening! Resources https://www.storyledmarketing.co.uk/podcast https://www.standoutpitch.com https://www.thespeakingclub.com/speakingcourse   Leaving a review: http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/itunes http://www.saraharcher.co.uk/stitcher https://www.imore.com/how-rate-or-review-podcast-your-iphone-or-ipad   To share your thoughts: leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.   See you next time.

Jesse Brisendine was on track to have a good life when tragedy and loss shook his world. Feelings of grief and guilt overpowered him, stifling his passion and purpose and snuffing out his natural positivity and optimism. In this podcast he shares how he found his way back towards the light, and how he now uses his story and experience to touch and transforms the lives of others, through his coaching, writing and speaking, and the global movement he has started.   There is gold sprinkled throughout this podcast for helping you manage life, loss, achieve your goals and become a great speaker.   I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.   What we talk about: The fear of not being enough and not being lovable. How stories can connect us across cultures and continents The impact of loss and what we make it mean about us. The epiphany Jesse had that led to him starting a movement thathas rippled across seven continents. The concept of being intentional with happiness. The power of accountability. What Jesse did to achieve the 1000 things in a year challenge. The one thing that was most important to Jesse out of the 1000 things he did. International Sunrise on Sunset Day How Jesse's experiences helped him to become a greater asset and teammate to his clients. The two greatest powers and adversaries’ we humans have. How Jesse helped the actor Paul Walker overcome the challenges of working in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. What’s possible if we put action behind our dreams. Why speaking is the greatest platform to connect and inspire change. Why real communication is not about how good you are with words, but being vulnerable and holding the space. How we should find our voice and direct it towards something meaningful. Why and how Jesse let go of scripted perfection as a speaker to focus on developing his authenticity and impact. Why it's important to prepare in order to achieve impact.   Resources*   All things Jesse: https://jessebrisendine.com Facebook / Twitter / Instagram - @jessebrisendine 1000 Challenge Facebook Ouch My Heart is Broken by Jesse Brisendine ‘Grief is Not a Life Sentence’ – Jesse’s TEDx Talk   Other Resources: The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:                                                  leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link for the books I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)