Unforgettable Presentations

Audience members can have different experiences depending on where they sit in a meeting venue. Darren and Mark explain and give some sage advice on how the meeting space can maximize your audience's experience.     SNIPPETS: • Arrive at the venue at least a day early if possible   • Sit in the four 'worst' seats in the house   • See what the audience sees   • If necessary, reset the angle of large screens in conference rooms   • Be aware of distracting sounds from neighboring breakout rooms   • Ask: "What is the audience HEARING?"   • Move the platform lectern to the side and back if feasible   • Educate meeting/event planners about logistical concerns   • Make the environment conducive to learning   • Ask: "What adjustments can I make to facilitate learning?"   • Make it a habit to connect with the four corners of the room   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Last week Darren and Mark shared effective ways to embody characters physically. Today, they share the impact that we can have when we do the same with vocal techniques.     SNIPPETS: • Selectively use dialogue instead of narration   • Vary your vocal volume   • Volume variances depict emotion   • Energy and intensity do not have to be loud   • Modify vocal pitch appropriately   • Different speaking rates can show demeanor and state of mind   • Use congruent facial expressions   • Attitude and posture can say a lot about a character   • Body language will show emotion   • Stress, fatigue, pain, and illness can be portrayed with body language   • Employ an accent when comfortable, competent, and confident   • Be careful not to offend when using accents   • Use age-appropriate vocal characterizations   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Our stories are more vivid when we embody the characters, and today, Mark and Darren explore simple yet effective ways to embody characters physically. With these techniques, characters are easily identifiable without a word.      SNIPPETS:   • Use their gait and walk as the character would walk   • Identify and portray mannerisms   • Observe family members to show character quirks – 'QUIRKOLOGY'   • Suspend quirky movements to show emotional change   • Look for your own mannerisms by recording and watching yourself on video   • Use congruent facial expressions   • Attitude and posture can say a lot about a character   • Body language will show emotion   • Stress, fatigue, pain, and illness can be portrayed with body language   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

It's always helpful to know your audience's pain points. However, your pain points can be an avenue to building a relationship with them. Today, Darren and Mark share how to do just that, with ideas that can help you be unforgettable.     SNIPPETS:   • Explore your pain points   • Pain points are connectors   • Give your audience the gift of your story   • Capture your pain points and the lessons learned   • Find common pain points in travel stories   • Uncover the joy in your pain   • Your pain can change their perspective   • There is power in your pain   • Your pain story can trigger your audience's memories and experiences   • Ask yourself: "What was my worst (fill in the blank)   • Ask friends and family about frustrations and pet peeves   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Once in a while, an audience is less emotive than most, leaving a speaker to wonder, "Are they listening?" Mark and Darren discuss that question today while providing perspective, context, and solid suggestions for presenting well in those circumstances.     SNIPPETS:   • Always be present   • Bring your 'A GAME'   • Don't let a stoic audience affect your mission   • External factors may affect audience response   • Not every audience emotes   • Create an environment that is conducive to listening   • Be aware of the atmosphere and read the room   • Consider the context of the event   • Look for the audience member who is ALL-IN   • Feed the audience members who feed you   • Find a way to eliminate a center aisle when possible   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

"I just need…" is a phrase that eager speakers often use when asking for advice. Oftentimes it's followed by "a few tweaks," "a punch-up," "to add humor," "a little polish," or something similar.   Today, Darren and Mark analyze this simple phrase and offer a perspective that will inspire you to examine it more closely. This episode will help you identify what you REALLY need, to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • You don't know what you don't know   • Don't just add a little humor; uncover it   • Your NEED could only be a WANT   • You may need much more than you think you do   • Learn what you need by watching yourself on video   • Consult pros and experts   • Change "I just need" to "What do I need?"   • Set ego aside   • Determine what's best for your audience   • Leave no stone unturned as you strive to serve your audience   • Seek ways to improve on every presentation     Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

There is a popular adage that says, "If you don't ask, the answer is always 'No'." In this episode, Mark and Darren talk about the benefits of asking for guidance, and how to respond, regardless of the answer. Asking can be your game-changer.   SNIPPETS:   • The answer is in the asking   • When you ask, you can become a mentor magnet   • Ask humbly, sincerely, honestly, and respectfully   • Learn all you can during your client pre-event call   • Ask more than one person/expert   • Be coachable and take their advice   • Respect their time and expertise   • Clarify your intent behind your ask   • Don't ask another question until you've followed the previous instructions   • Be understanding when the answer is 'No.'   • Don't take 'No' personally   • If the answer is 'No', ask for a referral or another resource   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

One way to increase audience buy-in is to customize your presentation.  Today, Darren and Mark dive into the why and how of customization. Applying these ideas will help any presenter to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • Customizing isn't just using the company's logo and name on your slides   • Do some homework and conduct research on your client   • Get permission to speak with 10 significant audience members beforehand   • Learn all you can during your client pre-event call   • Two weeks in advance, find out what's top-of-mind for your audience   • Arrive at the event at least a day early   • Attend mixers and social gatherings at the event   • Pay attention to hallway conversations   • Connect your material to their world   • Be flexible enough to make adjustments in the moment   • Use the Fripp Speech Model; it is easily customizable   • Replace one of your stories/examples with one from your client   • Take photos and video at the event and insert them into your presentation   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

To truly win your audience, you must identify and address their pain points.  In this episode, Mark and Darren discuss the importance of understanding them and offer suggestions for uncovering them.   SNIPPETS: • Pain points are triggers   • Learn your audience's pet peeves, pain points, and frustrations   • Identify what's top-of-mind to your audience   • Our responsibility is to connect our content to their pain   • Understanding pain points shows that you care   • To connect, you must first understand   • Understanding pain points can help you build community   • Research and confirm their pain points   • ASK about their pain points   • Stories from your life will connect to your audience's experience   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University:

The business of speaking can bring myriad complications and stressors.  But in the midst of all that, Darren and Mark offer a reminder to enjoy the privilege of the speaking experience. Remaining joyful despite all that comes our way, will help those around us to see us as unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Choose to find the fun…and the funny   • Remember your WHY   • Accept the challenges that come in the industry   • Relax. Breathe. Focus   • Use your frustrations as speech material   • Never lose perspective   • Don't forget the privilege   • Be thankful for the opportunity

It's easy to present principles, practices, and procedures, but the value is diminished when the speaker lacks experience. Today, Mark and Darren talk about the significance of bringing the lessons learned from your own successes and failure…the lessons that give you credibility and help make you unforgettable.    SNIPPETS: • Bring YOU to every presentation   • No one pays for regurgitated wisdom   • Transfer value from your own experience   • Share lessons from the life you live   • Credibility has an impact on your reputation   • Get experience in the area of your focus   • Let your passion drive you to do research   • Use your personal stories   • Live it, then give it   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Speakers often open a speech with a greeting, a story, a strong statement, or a question. However, comedians use a technique that many speakers haven't mastered. Humorist, Hollywood producer, and Stage Time faculty member Chris McGuire sits down with Darren and Mark to expand on this technique and shows how any presenter can find gold mines that can make you unforgettable.    SNIPPETS:   • Do what comedians do   • It's all about connecting first   • Use a 'warm open'; don't jump right in or use small talk.   • "Before we get started…"   • Establish Commonality through Incongruity   • Uncover the Gold Mines like the humble surroundings   • Address the elephants in the room   • Talk about what you have in common with the audience   • Respect and connect   • Your audience should feel that you wrote your speech just for them   • Use callbacks   • Sharpen your Humor Detector   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Would you be willing to face an international audience of thousands with a clear message about personal faith?   Today, Mark and Darren talk with a man who did just that in the 2025 World Championship of Public Speaking. Taylor Candella shares his path to the final and the conviction that drove him to take a significant risk. Taking a risk can make you unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Don't listen to negative voices   • Commit to your promise   • Take a risk   • Push yourself to compete   • Select your test audience   • Feel the room in advance   • If speaking first in competition, set the tone   • Get ready with your 'race day ritual'   • The reward should outweigh the risk   • Deliver your risky message respectfully   • Speak with CONVICTION   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Imagine a life-threatening tragedy, a miraculous fight for recovery, later speaking to more than 2,700 global audiences, and then the international release of a major motion picture about your life.   That's the story of today's guest as Mark and Darren have a heart-to-heart chat with John O'Leary, subject of the 2025 film SOUL ON FIRE. John shares his journey and offers firm yet loving advice on professional speaking. He also dispenses wisdom and encouragement on living a meaningful life, from a perspective that will help any presenter to become unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • Don't run from your scars   • Don't seek an average life   • Say "Yes!"   • Love your life even when it's ugly   • Your life: What  GIFT   • You're invited to become a hero   • Remind others what courage looks like amidst pain   • You must step through the process of building your presentation   • Become better at building your business   • Tell the truth   • Be wide open to feedback   • Seek bigger impact; bigger stages and bigger paychecks will follow   • Focus on your craft and be humble   Check it out: https://soulonfiremovie.com/  

Perhaps you've heard a speaker say something like, "Excuse my slide!" Today Darren and Mark talk frankly about why speakers make excuses for poor slides and offer firm suggestions for preparing and presenting effective, professional slides.   SNIPPETS: • One slide, one point   • If you have  a lot of detail, put it in a handout   • You must be able to defend your slides   • Think of what the audience sees   • What does the audience need to know?   • Simplify your slides   • Use fewer words on the slide, then explain as you present   • Magnify the point you wish to make   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com  

What does it take to win the National Speakers Association's LAST STORY STANDING competition?   Today, Mark and Darren get answers from the 2025 winner, Michelle Hutchings-Medina. She shares her journey, her process, and the lessons she learned along the way. Her wisdom will help any presenter on their path to delivering an unforgettable presentation.   SNIPPETS: • Rethink how you use your voice   • Marry your creativity to your desire to have an impactful message   • Spend an hour every day working on your speaking   • Do your best around your intention and let go of the outcome   • Sometimes your message isn't for a particular audience   • Much of the exposition in your stories is not relevant   • In rehearsals, ask for specific feedback   • Your story is like having a conversation with the audience   • Stay in touch with yourself, your values, and your why   • On contest day, get rest, do vocal exercises, pray/meditate   • For contests/timed talks, factor in beats for gasps and laughs   • Speak to let the audience feel something different Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com  

The use of AI has become prevalent, but how much should you use AI to develop and present your speech?   Today, Mark and Darren are joined by their fellow World Champion and Certified Speaking Professional, Ed Tate, as they discuss ways to ethically use AI as you create your unforgettable presentation.   SNIPPETS:   • AI can be relied on too heavily   • There always has to be a human in the middle   • Be committed to YOUR content   • Be connected to YOUR content   • Use AI as an intern   • Let AI help, but don't rely on it   • Use YOUR voice   • Own your speech   • Don't be lazy   • Bring your personality to every presentation   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com  

Darren freely admits that early in his career, he resisted writing out his presentations because he always spoke from the heart. In this brief episode, he and Mark discuss the value of speaking from the heart, and the additional benefit of doing so with the right preparation and structure.    SNIPPETS: • Speaking from the heart is good, but passion doesn't equal effectiveness   • The heart isn't the best editor   • You can't edit what isn't written   • What's in your mind doesn't always come out of your mouth   • Speak in a way that the audience can absorb the message   • Speak from your heart into a device/app that can transcribe it   • Edit your transcript, use a proper structure, and prepare to present   • Words prepared from the heart, spoken from the heart, will land on the heart   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

When is it too late to start a speaking career? Today Mark and Darren discuss this question with Julia Nicholson and Maria Garaitonandia, both mature presenters, at the beginning of their speaking careers. They talk about their concerns, their plans, and their process for achieving success later in life. Darren and Mark cite examples of well-known speakers who became professionals after the age of 40, and their guests also offer encouragement to anyone who wants to start their speaking journey during their later years.    SNIPPETS:   • Follow your purpose   • Use your experience to shorten your learning curve   • Investigate what it takes   • Join Toastmasters for the art   • Join NSA for the business   • An NSA Academy program is a good investment   • Avoid naysayers and keep the wind beneath your wings   • Connect with pros and build a network   • Have fun and enjoy the journey   • ** Greats like Zig Ziglar and Les Brown began their careers after 40 **     ** SOURCE: ChatGPT

"Can't I just add a couple of exercises to my keynote and create a killer training program?" Over the past two decades, Darren and Mark have heard that question numerous times, and the short answer is "No."   Today, they get comprehensive answers from their fellow World Champion and Certified Speaking Professional, Ed Tate...the trainer's trainer. Not only do they discuss the differences between speaking and training, but they also delve into the mindset and methods that will help you deliver unforgettable training.   SNIPPETS:   • Speaking and training are different   • Keynotes contain a higher level of abstraction   • Keynotes affect thinking, training affects behavior   • Audience engagement is key   • Make ideas actionable   • Instructions have various levels   • Provide content in digestible pieces   • Serve different learning styles   • Repetition is your friend   • Give content in different modalities   • Debrief activities   Check out Train-the-Trainer Workshop: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/train-the-trainer/