Monte Reid brings us a great audiobook that should be on everybody’s library who has a desire to be a better communicator. Not simply a public speaking handbook but an audiobook about becoming excellent communicators, excellent leaders, quality people. This audiobook gives away an important “secret”.

Effective speaking is really about building relationships through communication. The title reveals his motivation for communicators to build community by speaking from your heart. This is not simply a “cookbook” with five easy steps to effective speaking.

Monte shares both classical rhetorical theory as well as contemporary communication theories that help to explain best practices. Both the practical philosophical notions that underlie communication and the rhetorical theories about effective organization, logic and argumentation, understanding your audience, vocalics, and fear of speaking.

This audiobook is chock-full of wonderful personal examples from Monte’s speaking experiences, but also useful ways to consider nonverbal communication, leadership, and using technology effectively in contemporary speaking. 

Dr. John S. Caputo, PhD, is professor emeritus and distinguished Walter Ong, S.J. scholar, and founder of the master’s program in communication and leadership studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, USA.