There have been so many times I’ve heard clients tell me, “I’m not a speaker.”

Yet they’ve delivered keynotes and been paid thousands of dollars to do so.

They’re invited to speak at conferences.

They’ve taught classes and workshops for years.

They give presentations at work.

What’s going on? Why do they resist calling themselves a speaker?

Why do we hesitate to claim the identity as a speaker and thought leader?

I’m struggling with this right now, except it’s not about claiming my identity as a speaker, but as a book writer.

There are a few things going on, which I talk about in this episode, along with what you can do to feel more comfortable claiming this identity for yourself and the reasons to do so.

Want to develop your speaking skills and confidence? Enroll in our NEW live online workshop = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/speaking-workshop/ . Be sure to listen to the episode to get the special coupon code to save $100 just for podcast listeners.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/391/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Book mentioned “Atomic Habits”: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page
• Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn Your Natural Style and Amplify It
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk

Are you the kind of speaker who loves to have everything prepared in advance? Perhaps you even have your entire presentation scripted out nearly word for word and you have detailed notes for every slide that you rely on?

Well, I have a challenge for you: getting more comfortable with impromptu speaking.

As a speaker and as a leader, both impromptu and prepared speaking skills are a must.

Have you ever had one of these situations happen to you:

You're in a meeting or group and asked to share something on the spot. You get really nervous and feel at a loss for words.

You're at a networking event where you need to concisely share with other attendees who you are, what you do, and how you help people. After you introduce yourself, you realized you left out the most important parts or it all felt like a jumble.

You're leading a meeting where you need to motivate your team, but you didn't have an opportunity to prepare your message ahead of time and feel like you weren't as clear or confident as you want to be.

This is why developing your impromptu speaking skills is essential.

I want more women - including you! - to feel comfortable and confident commanding a room and leading teams, organizations, and companies.

In this episode, I share:

• Why impromptu speaking is hard
• Why it matters to your development as a speaker and leader
• Specific things you can do to get better at impromptu speaking
• Some of my own impromptu speaking wins and fails!

Want to develop your impromptu speaking skills and confidence? Enroll in our NEW live online workshop = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/speaking-workshop/ . Be sure to listen to the episode to get the special coupon code to save $100 just for podcast listeners.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/390/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking
• Episode 370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage
• Episode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker
• Episode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker

We're continuing the series we've been doing this month all around inspiring you to use your voice, no matter what your topic or your industry.

If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I've been really excited about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT and all of the ways AI can help us both personally and professionally.

For this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Denise Musselwhite, a technology maven with a rich background in IT and a heart set on women's empowerment in tech.

Here's why you absolutely can't miss this episode:

• Discover Denise's Unique Journey: From growing up in her father's repair shop to becoming one of the few Latina CIOs, Denise shares her inspiring journey into the tech world, highlighting the blend of nature, nurture, and curiosity that fueled her career.
• AI as a Force for Good: We delve deep into the realm of Artificial Intelligence, exploring its potential as a collaborative partner in our professional lives. Denise opens up about her personal projects, including the "Kindness Beacon," and how AI can be harnessed to empower women and underrepresented professionals in technology.
• Leadership and the Leap into Entrepreneurship: Denise talks about her transition from a high-powered tech role to founding Tech and Thrive, sharing insights on the challenges and joys of nurturing leadership within the tech industry, especially for women.
• The Ethical and Inclusive Future of AI: We tackle the critical discussions surrounding AI, from ethical considerations to ensuring women's voices are integral in shaping the future of technology.
• Mentorship, Inclusion, and Empowerment: Denise emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the role of women in technology organizations, and how she's working to create more inclusive spaces in the tech world.

Denise's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the crucial role of women in shaping the future of tech.

Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and empowerment, and get inspired to harness AI in your professional journey.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/389/

Denise’s website: http://techandthrive.me/

AI Resources: https://techthrive.me/techai

The Kindness Beacon GPT (requires a paid subscription to ChatGPT4): techthrive.me/kindness

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Denise Musselwhite (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/musselwhited/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 375: How to Use AI to Amplify Your Superpowers and Prepare You to Show Up Anywhere with Stacey Hines
• Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I.

Many conferences get hundreds of speaker submissions. How can you make yours stand out so it gets selected?

Then, once you do get selected, how do you make sure you deliver an engaging presentation at the conference?

That’s what I talk about with my guest Cathy McPhillips, who is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute.

Along with the virtual events they host year-round, they also host an in-person conference called MAICON, which I spoke at in 2023.

I invited Cathy on the show to share with us:

• Her background and what brought her to the Marketing AI Institute
• How Cathy and the team select speakers for MAICON and their other events
• What they look for in speaker submissions
• What makes a great speaker at their events (based on audience feedback)
• Tips she has for the listeners who want to speak at conferences
• >What they’re doing at the Marketing AI Institute and you can get involved

About My Guest: Cathy McPhillips is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute, overseeing marketing, growth, and customer experience, including MAICON and AI Academy for Marketers. Previously, Cathy led marketing at Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World, managed community growth for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, and owned her own strategic digital marketing business. She started her career at two Cleveland advertising agencies. Cathy was an Ohio University Jerry L. Sloan Visiting Professional in Public Relations, is a Folio: Top Women in Media, and a MarTechExec Woman You Need to Know in Martech.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/388/

Marketing AI Institute: www.marketingaiinstitute.com

The Artificial Intelligence Show podcast: https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/podcast-showcase

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Cathy McPhillips (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathymcphillips

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 245: How to Get Selected as a Speaker by Event Organizers with Sarah Soliman
• Episode 342: I Almost Got Stuck in the Expert Trap: How I Created My Recent Successful Conference Presentation

I talk quite a bit on this podcast about "the expert trap" and how so many of us get stuck teaching and training and don't step into thought leadership.

This applies not only to those of us who are entrepreneurs, but of course to all the academics out there as well (hand raised!).

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone passionate about making a difference through their work, particularly in academia or any field where expertise is a given, but thought leadership can make an even bigger impact.

My guest is Laura McGuire, EdD, a social scientist, educator, and entrepreneur whose journey and work exemplify transformative thought leadership.

Laura's story is not just inspiring; it's a call to action for all of us to think bigger and challenge the status quo in our respective fields.

Laura and I talk about:

• The Expert Trap vs. Thought Leadership: Learn how professionals in academia, science, and other fields can transcend the confines of being labeled merely as experts to embrace the mantle of thought leadership, encouraging broader thinking and solutions to societal challenges.
• Laura's Inspirational Journey: From surviving domestic violence and navigating the challenges of early motherhood as a high school dropout to achieving a doctorate in education and becoming a beacon of change in the fields of educational leadership, sexual health education, misconduct prevention, and trauma-informed care.
• Addressing Systemic Issues: An in-depth look at how Laura's work is influencing industries and creating safer, more inclusive environments through training in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and survivor support strategies.
• Overcoming Challenges: Laura shares their experiences of working in a climate of increasing legislative restrictions in Florida, reflecting on the implications for educators, advocates, and the communities they serve.
• The Power of Personal Storytelling: Discover the potency of integrating personal narratives into academic and professional discourse to connect more deeply with audiences and drive home the importance of the work being done.
• Breaking Free from the Expert Trap: Laura and I discuss practical strategies for academics and professionals to step into roles of thought leadership, including leveraging social media, understanding market rates for speaking engagements, and fostering a mindset geared towards impactful change.

About My Guest: Dr. Laura McGuire (they/them or she/her) is an internationally recognized consultant, survivor, researcher, seminarian, and author of the book Creating Cultures of Consent (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021) and The Sexual Misconduct Prevention Guidebook: Consent and Conduct for Higher Education Campuses (Fielding University Press, 2022). They were named as one of the 2022 Champions of Pride by The Advocate magazine and are regularly featured in media outlets for their expertise and approachability. Dr. McGuire is a certified full-spectrum doula, professional teacher, certified sexual health educator, and vinyasa yoga instructor.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/387/

Laura’s website: https://drlauramcguire.com/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Dr. Laura McGuire (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-laura-mcguire-276b87100/

A couple of months ago, I attended an event to honor non-profits. What was really cool was that each non-profit had 2-½ minutes to share their story.

When my guest Theresa Smith-Levin, founder of Central Florida Vocal Arts, shared her story, I was instantly inspired and I knew I had to have her on the podcast.

Our conversation is a testament to the power of storytelling, vulnerability, and community in fostering personal and collective growth.

Theresa's work with Central Florida Vocal Arts is not just about singing; it's about creating a space where young people can grow into their authentic selves and learn to navigate the world with empathy and confidence.

Whether you're an artist, a public speaker, or someone looking to make a difference in your community, Theresa's insights offer valuable lessons on the transformative power of using your voice.

Join us for this inspiring conversation and discover how you, too, can impact the world through the arts, performance, speaking, and beyond.

Here are some highlights you won't want to miss:

• Theresa shares her personal journey from finding solace and expression in singing and the arts during her childhood, to pursuing music education and vocal performance, and ultimately founding a nonprofit organization to fill a gap in the performing arts community in Central Florida.
• Discover the profound impact of the arts on young people, as Theresa explains how singing and performance can serve as powerful tools for emotional processing, developing empathy, and building confidence.
• Theresa and I delve into the importance of vulnerability, both in the arts and in life, sharing stories of transformation and the courage to use one's voice for advocacy and change.
• We explore the similarities between performing arts and public speaking, including overcoming fears, the importance of being present, and engaging with your audience to create a meaningful exchange.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/386/

Central Florida Vocal Arts: https://www.centralfloridavocalarts.org/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Theresa Smith-Levin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-smith-levin-7868a725/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World
• Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation with Karen Keene

You know how powerful storytelling is in your presentations and talks. How can you go about integrating your stories in a way that truly connects you to your audiences?

There is no *one way* to integrate stories into your talks.

Your story can be central to your talk or it can be a supporting element.

You can play with the timeline of the story - start in the middle and then come back to the beginning later or start at the end.

In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz hosts three of our clients who were at our recent 3-day in-person speaking retreat, Darci Foshay, Dani Einsohn, and Teri Reuter, for a roundtable discussion on what they learned and insights they have for you as speakers.

They talk about:

• Why they decided to attend our in-person retreat
• How they use storytelling in their talks
• Using the stage and body movement as part of active storytelling
• What it was like to practice with us and then get filmed

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 25, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_dRghtWuEE.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/385/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
• Darci Foshay = https://www.linkedin.com/in/darci-foshay-b902803b/
• Dani Einsohn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-einsohn-cpc-eli-mp-7254a24/
• Teri Reuter = https://www.linkedin.com/in/terireuter/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker [Roundtable]
• Episode 311: 10x Your Speaking Skills

If you’ve ever felt like your topic or message may be overwhelming to your audience or the issue you want to address is a really big one and you’re not sure how your audience is going to relate to it or know how to take action, you’re going to appreciate this conversation.

My guest is Dr. Neha Pathak, a physician and lead medical editor at WebMD, who graduated from our Thought Leader Academy last fall.

Neha and I talk about:

• Her roles as a primary care physician, lead medical editor at WebMD, and host of WebMD’s podcast
• How she came to her signature talk topic and thought leadership message
• The different ways that thought leadership develops
• The benefits of giving your audience an acronym (framework)
• The power of storytelling for any topic and any audience and how learning this has influenced Neha’s writing
• Claiming the identity as a thought leader and what that means
• Her speaking experiences and insights (especially for those of you who may be procrastinators!)

About My Guest: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM, is lead medical editor at WebMD and is board certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine. She's on the medical team responsible for ensuring the accuracy of health information on WebMD and reports on topics related to lifestyle and environmental impacts on health. Pathak is a graduate of Harvard University and Weill Medical College of Cornell University. She completed her certificate in climate change and health communication from Yale School of Public Health. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and children.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/384/

Neha hosts WebMD’s podcast “Health Discovered”: https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/default.htm

Neha’s article: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/02/im-a-doctor-heres-what-western-medicine-misunderstands-about-nature/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Dr. Neha Pathak (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-pathak-md/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker with Dr. Nicole Rochester
• Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Dr. Teri DeLucca