Presentation Thinking™

Actor, producer and Harvard grad Yara Shahidi presents a familiar story in a new way with her 2023 TED Talk, “Let Curiosity Lead”. We’ve all heard about the importance of re-discovering our child-like curiosity and wonder. Shahidi puts a fresh spin on that story with her personal journey of juggling both her Harvard education and acting career (she’s the star of Black-ish and Grown-ish) as equally important catalysts for learning about herself.  Shahidi illustrates that “honoring our distractions” can help create rupture, change and discovery—for both ourselves and the world.  Although Yara may only be 23 years old at the time of this talk, there’s a lot to learn from her presentation, her story and her “commitment to curiosity.” This is an episode for: Creativity gurus, presenters and Yara Shahidi fans. What's in the Spice Cabinet?? WATCH Yara’s 2023 TED Talk and be inspired!  With an eye for art and a passion for academia, we couldn’t help but think that Yara’s fashion choice was significant. So we sent the Rancheros on a goose chase and learned that her shirt was designed by Grace Wales Bonner featuring beautiful artwork by Lubaina Himid. Here’s an awesome article with the two in conversation READ more about Yara’s production company, 7th Sun Productions and other projects Keep up with her on the ‘gram!

Mikey and I read April Dunford’s latest book, Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win, and to no surprise to anyone familiar with her work—it was hilarious, accessible and whip-smart insightful. Dunford offers a fresh perspective on applying narrative to sales and flips the current advice on its head emphasizing that buying can actually be harder than selling.  One of the biggest takeaways? Shift the focus from your features to your “Differentiated Value”. She all but guarantees that you’ll sell more.  What book should we read next?  This is an episode for: Startups, sales folks or anyone who’s had to work on positioning. What's in the Spice Cabinet?? Get your own copy of April’s latest book, Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win Want more of April?  She’s got a newsletter, a podcast—she’s got it all!  April’s walkout song? Mikey’s guess: ”Limelight” by Rush  Molly’s guess: “That Don’t Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain

When Narrative Strategist and film nerd Asha Alaji-Sharif started to think about the Best and Worst films of 2023, she noticed a pattern.  What common factors make for a memorable movie? And can those factors be applied to brand storytelling as well?  That’s what we explore in this episode with “The Good Story Checklist”. How does The Little Mermaid remake create the perfect character development combined with mise-en-scene (visuals) while Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey painfully misses every mark?This is an episode for: storytelling enthusiasts, copywriters, brand messagers and movie lovers. What's in the Spice Cabinet?? Follow @AshaTalks on TikTok, duh!  And check out her videos for BEST and WORST films of 2023. (Comment if you agree or not!) Asha’s FAVE film that follows the “Good Story Checklist” perfectly? Everything Everywhere All At Once. What’s yours??  Reach out to us! Molly@ghostranch.com or @MollyPresents on Instagram. We’re here for all your storytelling thoughts and rambling. :) 

In September of 2013, Diana Nyad became the first person to swim unassisted in open water across the Florida Straits from Cuba to Florida. It was an epic feat, and one she returned to at age sixty after a failed attempt in her 20s.  A few months later, she gives an aptly titled TED Talk called “Never, ever give up”. Her story is one on never giving up, facing the odds and beating the ego. Nyad’s experience fits perfectly into a 3-act hero’s journey and we break down how she really leverages that to her benefit.  With no visual aids, Nyad’s storytelling skills really shine through. Presenters everywhere can learn from her pacing, tone and delivery.  This is an episode for: presenters, motivational speakers and swimming enthusiasts. What’s in the Spice Cabinet?? Watch Diana Nyad’s 2013 TED Talk, “Never, ever give up.” Want Nyad’s story in movie-form?  Queue up Nyad on Netflix Our interpretation of Nyad’s walkout song?? Chan Chan - Buena Vista Social Club The Impossible Dream - Frank Sinatra Follow us on Instagram!  Our handle is now @MollyPresents

Entrepreneurs and startups everywhere love following Shark Tank—the reality show where passionate pitchers bring their product to a group of wealthy “sharks”—well-known Venture Capitalists—in hopes of investment funds and expert business guidance.  Continuing from Episode 69, we break down another great round of pitches from 2023, “3 Biggest deals Season 14”. Oogiebear had all of the sharks fighting over an investment, Collars & Co. showed a lesson in what NOT to do and Legacy Shave knew exactly how to tell their story.  While this high stakes pitch environment isn’t the norm, the pitch structure and presentation of each product or service is well-worth examining—and learning from.  This is an episode for: entrepreneurs, presenters and people that love Shark Tank. What’s in the Spice Cabinet?? Checkout the 3 pitch products: Oogiebear Collars & Co. Legacy Shave Mikey talks my ear off about wassail, a holiday drink you might be enjoying as you tune in.  Keep an eye on PoolSnacks.com, one of many in Mikey’s random domain collection. You have a favorite Shark Tank episode or pitch you want us to dissect?  Email me! molly@ghostranch.com DM me! @mollypresents on Instagram

For our hundredth episode of Presentation Thinking AKA the Storyteller’s Study Club AKA Pitchin’ Ain’t Easy, we’re reflecting on our ~metaphorical~ hero’s journey thus far.  We’ve learned so much about storytelling, presenting, speaking, product marketing, design and, of course, podcasting throughout the last two years.  From meeting fellow presentation nerds online to growing our audience over 3x the amount from the previous year, we feel more and more like true story experts primed to help presenters and product marketers everywhere. (You may hear us say “um” and “like” but hey, we know our way around a story framework. We’re learning!) While we can check off the “centenary” milestone, we’ve got a lot more of our plot to play out! Buckle up—let’s keep pitchin’.This is an episode for: friends of the pod, story nerds and anyone who produces their own (or wants to!) podcast. What's in the Spice Cabinet?? Next up on the book club reading list?  Dan Roam - Back of the Napkin April Dunford - Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Standout and Win  Matt Abrahams - Think Faster Talk Smarter Dream Guests Mikey still wants to go deeper down this Steph Curry incident, would LOVE to talk to someone from Under Armour, Nike or the Curry team OG AirBnb pitch deck creators (the founders)Melanie Perkins from Canva - check out her “How I Built This” episode!  Nancy Duarte! Dr. Carmen Simon! (We love you guys!)   Pantone color of the year - Peach Fuzz! What’s our Episode 100 walkout song??  I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers  Money Ain’t a Thing - Jay Z & Jermaine Dupri

Tis the season for SKOs (Sales KickOffs)!  After years in various roles in B2B marketing most recently the Director of Product Marketing at RingCentral, Ashima calls herself a “Product Storyteller.”  We discuss her path into product marketing management and the necessary elements needed for SKOs to really be a success. In fact, she even wrote a blog about it—"6 Tips & Tricks to Survive (and Thrive) SKO 2024 as a PMM."  From aligning on goals to building a memorable agenda, SKOs really can be FUN and we’re here to help you through it. This is an episode for: product marketers, sales teams and anyone in need of SKO inspiration. What’s in the Spice Cabinet??  Folks planning for SKOs - you need this blog, "6 Tips & Tricks to Survive (and Thrive) SKO 2024 as a PMM.” Keep up with Ashima on her site!  Ashima’s favorite coffee table book?  The Advertising Concept Book: Think Now, Design Later by Pete Barry Product Marketing Leaders to follow: CEO of Wynter, Peep Laja Jason Oakley - has a great newsletter  Fave SKO memory? “None that I can share out loud. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…that’ll tell you how much fun you can have at an SKO.” Ashima’s presentation preparation practice “I feel confident when I've practiced my presentation, because I don't want to have to rely on the confidence monitors. I try my best to because then you look more natural, right?”  Walkout song?  Taylor Swift - Shake it Off What does “Presentation Thinking” mean to you?  “Really, it's not just about creating slides, right? It is empowering everyone to communicate more effectively and telling a story not just through words, but through visuals. And I always look at presentations as the slides support the speaker, like really, everyone's eyes should be on the speaker—glancing at the slides—but you should be commanding the room and the presence. You know, your energy, your story, the way that you tell it should be commanding, and the presentation is the backup dancer.”

“Presentation Summit” is the annual presentation party—a place where all things PowerPoint, presentation design and speaker inspiration come together.  Created by our friend Rick Altman, we’ve had several Rancheros from GhostRanch attend this annual conference that’s turned into a community. What they bring back is not only fresh insights but hilarious stories—and we wanted to highlight them on the ‘cast.  GhostRanch Presentation Designers Ashante DuJour and Breece Justice are now “PreSum” alum and they're here to share their experiences, favorite speakers and most useful takeaways for you. This is an episode for: speakers, presentation designers and the Presentation Summit fam. What's in the Spice Cabinet?? Do YOU want to join the Presentation Party??  Checkout Presentation Summit HERE  People, books & more that will give you ~Presentation Inspiration~ Dr. Carmen Simon Dr. Sheila Robinson Richard Goring & Ingrid Mendel at BrightCarbon  Julie Terberg (BOOK) Dan Roam’s Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems & Selling Ideas with Pictures (VIDEO) Create Accessible Presentations with Stephy Hogan  Ashante & Breece’s Walkout songs?? Ashante - The The’s “This is the Day” Breece - Matt & Kim’s “Daylight”

Having started a career in broadcast journalism, VP of Marketing Garrett Denney knows how to communicate effectively.  When we met Garrett as the MC for a Product Marketing Alliance event in New York, we knew he was a natural presenter.   So when he shifted into the tech and marketing world, what skills did he take with him?  Through his role as a Product Marketing Manager and now VP of Marketing at Crayon, Garrett shares the lessons he’s learned, the importance of leaning into presentation soft skills and how to get ready for SKO season.   This is an episode for: Product Marketers, broadcast media nerds and Bon Iver fans. What's in the Spice Cabinet? Keep up with Garrett on LinkedIn  Reading reccos?  April Dunford’s Sales Pitch: How to craft a story to stand out and win Patrick Lencioni - Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Exec What’s the ‘Hype Cycle’?  Gartner gets into it here AI specific example Garrett’s walkout song? Anything Lord Huron OR This midwestern guy loves Bon Iver so “Skinny Love”

It’s Thanksgiving here in the United States but we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to create a special (and short) holiday episode in which Mikey and Molly riff on everything they’re thankful for within our podcast and presentation world. From our mascot, Shakespeare, to the pilgrims who invented PowerPoint (just kidding), we run through our “Favorites” short-list.  We are especially appreciative for our weekly episode art illustrator, NoNo Flores—an unbelievably talented artist.  And we’d be nowhere without our audio editor Will Kommor who has graciously edited out Mikey & Molly’s “ums” and “likes” for almost 100 episodes now.  Friends of the Ranch, let’s gather round the table.  Spice Cabinet  PresentationThinking.com the website is no longer! We’re consolidating our episodes onto the GhostRanch Communications site HERE. Otherwise, listen anywhere you tune into podcasts via Anchor.  Check out illustrator NoNo’s work HERE!  Need some audio or media help? Will’s your guy.