The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

As speakers we are using stories to affect our audience. At the bare minimum a story will entertain. When you begin to infuse the story with emotions, fears and desires that your audience shares then it becomes engaging at the next level.  But if we truly want our audience to shift into action then our stories must show transformation, and this is the type of story that I teach speakers to use in their talks.  When I heard about Manda Scott’s new take on transformational storytelling for writers, I wanted to get her on the show to find out more.  Manda has had an interesting journey from veterinary surgeon, to best-selling novelist, to founder of the ‘Accidental Gods’ movement and podcast, and the Thrutopian genre of writing.  Her own story is fascinating and she shares some experiences she has had that you might find challenging, because they feel so far removed from ‘convention’.  There is so much value and importance in what she shares, and if you want to effect real change as a speaker, then this show is for you.  Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: Why we are not fixed to one path or purpose and how Manda discovered each new chapter of her life.  The concept of ‘accidental gods’ and what this means for each of us What the new ‘Thrutopian’ writing genre is and its power to make change a reality. How speakers can use the ‘Thrutopian’ approach to bring new possibilities into being. The importance of intuition and ways that we can get more in touch with our true self. Why fear is our biggest enemy. How we can connect better with each other and the world around us Manda’s view of the essential elements of a story that gets people into action The secret to writing a best selling book.   All things Manda: Website: https://mandascott.co.uk https://accidentalgods.life https://thrutopia.life https://narrativeark.net   https://mastodon.scot/@Eceni https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandascottauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/manda.scott.756 https://twitter.com/MandaScott   Books*: The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley   Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

This quick talk tip is in response to the question:  Can you teach me comic timing? In this show I’m covering: My definition of comic timing. The ingredients for great comic timing  Re-framing ‘the punchline’ Tips for building this skill Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)   Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:                                                   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.  

A few times people have singled out one interview of mine as a great example of someone using short stories brilliantly. That episode was 107, and it was with Greg Satell. Greg’s work has appeared in Harvard Business Review, Barron’s, Forbes, Inc and Fast Company, and he is considered one of the foremost experts on innovation today. Greg also speaks around the world on these topics and works with leading organisations too. What I wanted to do in this show, was firstly to give you a practical structure you can use yourself, and then to illustrate using examples from this interview with Greg, how you can utilise stories in different ways as a speaker, and indeed a writer to engage and inspire your audience.  I’ve put the link to the full interview with Greg in the show notes, and if you haven’t yet listened to that one, then I highly recommend you check it out next.  Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: A short story structure you can use  How to use a story to engage your audience with  complex and abstract concepts.  How to use a story to illustrate a problem and your solution.  How to use a string of story examples to dismantle a myth and shift perspective.  How to use a story to inspire action  The importance of ‘show’, rather than tell.  Why you need to grip the audience out of the gate   All things Greg: https://thespeakingclub.com/episodes/tsc/107 https://www.GregSatell.com Social media: @DigitalTonto Email: innovate@digitaltonto.com   Books*: Mapping Innovation by Greg Satell Casc ades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change by Greg Satell   Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts: Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: Leave an honest review at www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Great speakers do two things better than other people… They create content that is designed to connect with their audience where they are and engage them in new and compelling possibilities for the future; and They deliver it in a way that builds rapport, entertains and motivates them to take the next step. The truth is that whilst the way they do them might be different, authors must also accomplish these two things in their books.  That’s where my guest today comes in. Anne Janzer is a nonfiction book coach and the author of multiple award-winning books on writing, including The Writer’s Process and Writing to Be Understood.  She is fascinated by human behaviour and cognitive science, and is always looking for clues about how we communicate more effectively.  And she loves talking about the geeky aspects of writing and communicating. In this show, Anne and I will be discussing her transformative ideas for writers and how these concepts also apply in the world of speaking.  Whether you want to become a more powerful writer or speaker, this show is something you won’t want to miss.  Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: The epiphany that led Anne’s work to straddle the worlds of neuro-science and writing. How to better understand the readers’ needs and context so that your message connects. What ‘cognitive load’ is and why non-fiction writers who aspire to be read should care about it. The reader’s curiosity sweet spot and how it applies to talks The number one mistake that business book writers make. Anne’s three biggest tips for turning technical and abstract ideas and information into compelling and memorable content. How to recognise and write for a ‘resistant audience’  ‘Need for Closure’ and ‘Moral Taste Buds’ - Two critical concepts for managing your audience journey. The most powerful writing and speaking tool of all.    All things Anne: Email: Anne@AnneJanzer.com Website: https://www.AnneJanzer.com  Non fiction survey https://www.linkedin.com/in/annehjanzer/ https://www.facebook.com/AnneHJanzer https://www.instagram.com/annejanzer/?hl=en Books*: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Writing to Be Understood, What Works and Why by Anne Janzer   Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:                                                   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)  

No matter how far you niche down in terms of your message and services, there will always be competition. How you think about that competition and respond to it will determine the level of success you have and the speed at which you achieve that success.  I know that it can feel scary and all sorts of doubts can surface about what you can offer compared to everyone else. That is normal. Certainly, I’ve been there, and still have lapses that slow me down, but I know now how to move away from those thoughts more quickly these days, and the things I need to do in my space to carve out my unique message to attract my crowd.  In this show I want to share those with you, so that you can become a thought leader in your niche.  Enjoy! What you’ll discover: How to reframe a competitive niche. A new way to share the problem you solve and why it matters Going where others in your niche fail to tread The uniquely you way to bring your audience into your world Next steps Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)   Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: Episode 153 - 12 Pitching Pitfalls Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.   Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

There are more platforms available for speakers to share their message than ever before. There are also more people speaking than ever before. This means that when the opportunities arise for you to speak, you have to make them count.  To stand out from the hoardes of wannabe speakers you must have three things, value driven content, a presentation style that is engaging and compelling, and a talk that builds a relationship with your audience.  In this show I’ll be focusing on sharing the principles of making that connection with your audience so that your talk gets you the results you want.  Enjoy! What you’ll discover: Why you must build a relationship with your audience when you speak The mistakes to avoid The connection points you need to build into your talk Prerequisites for building rapport as a speaker Next steps   Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)   Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.   Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

There’s a lot of talk about the benefits of meditation, not only in helping us cope with the challenges we face in modern life, but also the physical benefits that may give us longer lives and better overall health.  That’s why a lot more people are now meditating, and I’m one of them. Until now, I’ve dabbled in it, but one of my goals this year was to go all in on meditation and do it every day. So, I enrolled on a 10-day virtual  meditation retreat, which I’m halfway through at the time of recording. Currently, I’m meditating for two hours a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, which is a challenge. I’m doing this for two key reasons, firstly to improve my focus and secondly to get a stronger connection to my intuition.  But the big question I wanted to explore in this episode is whether introducing meditation into your life could help you become a better speaker?  Enjoy! What you’ll discover: What meditation actually is. The different types of meditation. How meditation can affect fear of speaking. The ways that meditation can help you create your talk content. How you can get stopped from fulfilling your potential and how meditation can prevent that. The extra meditation practice that can supercharge your performance. How meditation can improve your connection with your audience.    Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/types-of-meditation#spiritual-meditation https://www.vipassanaathome.org   Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch-the-play Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

We are overwhelmed with evidence of competition and divisiveness in our governments, in reality TV, and in the corporate world. However, in order to tackle the world’s biggest challenges, and indeed operate in business life, we need to be successful collaborators. But … with little effective role modelling day to day, a complete lack of training in the education system and beyond, and our own survival instinct working against us … how do we get better at this crucial skill? That’s where Dr. Deb Mashek, PhD, and guest on this show comes in.  Deb is the founder of Myco Consulting LLC, where she applies relationship science to help people collaborate better and companies to thrive. She is also an experienced business advisor, professor, higher education administrator, and national nonprofit executive, and the author of the forthcoming book Collabor(h)ate: How to build incredible collaborative relationships at work (even if you’d rather work alone).  She has been invited speaker on collaboration and viewpoint diversity at leading organizations including the United Nations and the American Psychological Association, and she has been featured in media outlets including MIT Sloan Management Review, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Hechinger Report, Inside Higher Ed, Fortune, Reason, Business Week, University Business Insider, and The Hill. She writes regularly for Psychology Today. In this show, Deb will be sharing the secrets to collaborating better, so that you can benefit and pay it forward! Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: How a heartbreaking childhood gave Deb her collaboration ‘super powers’. What ‘freeplay’ is and how companies can recreate that environment and context for younger generations. What relationship theory is and how it impacts successful collaboration. Why Deb has used such a provocative title for her book. Why collaboration is so difficult to do well. The most important ingredient of great collaboration. Whether collaboration and competition mutually exclusive. How to shift from collabor(h)ate to collaborGREAT. The factors you should consider before saying ‘yes’ to collaboration. The importance of good communication, and storytelling in successful collaboration.   All things Deb: Collabor(h)ate by Deb Mashek Website: www.debmashek.com The Mashek Matrix: https://debmashek.lpages.co/mashekmatrix www.myco.consulting Book's website Webinar info   https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-mashek/ https://www.tiktok.com/@debmashek https://twitter.com/DebMashek https://www.instagram.com/debmashek/   Books*: Stone Soup - Flip Up Fairy Tales by Jess Stockham   Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Jackie Brennan discovered the power of language to influence our own and other people’s behaviours whilst she was still working as a Director of Health and Safety in the construction industry.  This was the start of a personal journey which culminated in her awakening to the fact that for most of her life she had not been in the driving seat.  Today, she is a qualified hypnotherapist, speaker, NLP practitioner, speaker. She also combines all of this with her construction industry experience, to help construction industry leaders to tackle the growing mental health crisis within the construction industry. Here she is unpacking some of the most powerful and persuasive aspects of language that you can use in your talks, 121 or in teams to get people to do what you want! Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: The story of how Jackie’s book came into being. Examples of how Jackie has used persuasive language intentionally and what happened. What analogue marking is and how you can use it to influence your audience. The concept of binds and how we might use them to move our audience in a certain direction.  What Tony Robbins does and you can do to grab the attention of your audience.  The ‘charisma pattern’ and how you can use it to magnetise when you speak.  Different types of stories that influence our audience.  How Jackie uses the power of persuasive language in her talks.   All things Jackie: Website: www.contactjackie.com  Persuasive Language the Art of Getting What You Want by Peter Lancett and Jackie Brennan*   Books*: Wellbeing at Work: How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams by Jim Clifton & Jim Harter    Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:                                                    Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

This is a festive, fun edition of the show, but don’t be mistaken, it’s also designed to give your speaking a boost in 2023.  I am sending you on a treasure hunt to find 12 ‘gems’ located in 12 previous episodes of The Speaking Club. Each of these ‘gems’ will be related to developing your confidence, talk content or performance.  In this show, I’ll be giving you the clues and the location of the answers… All you have to do is follow them, listen, discover and learn!  Once you have found all 12 ‘gems’ you will be able to enter our Treasure Hunt Prize draw, for a chance to win one of 12 fantastic prizes to supercharge your speaking and business impact in 2023. There is a treasure hunt guide that goes along with the show, and you can find the link to grab that, and details of all the prizes in the show notes. Good luck and enjoy! What you’ll discover: The biggest barrier to fulfilling your speaking potential  The Two Must Have Skills for Powerful Public Speaking The Three Keys to getting what you desire in 2023 Four tools to help you vary your pitch when you are speaking A great tip for adding humour to your stories Six compelling reasons to make speaking your number one marketing tool Why you shouldn’t have too much ‘fun’ with your slides How you can avoid procrastination and get into action even when you are out of your comfort zone The critical step you need to take so that people are there for your ‘live’ videos. Seth Godin’s tip that will increase the chances of you getting opportunities to speak. A tip that will make your technical data or complicated concept easy to absorb and remember. A tip to help you rock networking in the next 12 months.  And more!!   Links to find the ‘Gems’: Gem #1 Location Episode 198 - The Biggest Barrier to Fulfilling Your Speaking Potential Gem #2 Location Episode 098 - Two Must Have Skills for Powerful Public Speaking Gem #3 Location Episode 132 - The Three Keys to Achieving Your Dreams With Patti Dobrowolski Gem #4 Location Episode 053 – Four Tools to Help Avoid Being a Dull Speaker Gem #5 Location Episode 084 – Five Insider Tips for Adding Humour to Your Story Gem #6 Location Episode 157 - Six Reasons You Should Make Speaking your number one Marketing Tool this Year  Gem #7 Location Episode 082 – Seven Deadly Slide Sins and How to Avoid Them  Gem #8 Location Episode 24 - My Eight Hacks for Mental Resilience & Getting What You Want Gem #9 Location Episode 183 – Level Up Your Lives With These Nine Tips Gem #10 Location Episode 064 – My Top 10 Tips for Public Speaking Success in 2019 Gem #11 Location Episode 011 – Technically Speaking Gem #12 Location Episode 153 – 12 Pitching Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them   The 12 Speaking Gems of Christmas (Treasure Hunt) PDF - Https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/12days   Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)   Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk UNICEF UKRAINE AID RED CROSS UKRAINE AID   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)