Marsha Shandur

In Episode 11, host Trevor Currie talks to Marsha Shandur, a networking and storytelling coach from YesYesMarsha.com about the importance of networking and storytelling and how to do both well.

Listening Notes:

1:14	Trevor asks Marsha how she explains what she does when people ask that inevitable question. Marsha shares that the answer always depends on the context.
2:25	Marsha explains why she loves teaching people how to network more comfortably and tell stories in a more compelling way.
6:35	Trevor asks Marsha how people can introduce themselves and talk about what they do in a way that ignites interest, fosters conversation and builds relationships.
7:37	Trevor and Marsha discuss how to take the dread out of networking so it can be more enjoyable and fruitful.
10:02	Marsha shares why most people hate networking and how you can shift your mindset and approach to connect and communicate more effectively.
10:58	Marsha explains why “selling yourself” is not the way to excel at networking.
12:12	Trevor asks Marsha how she helps her clients garner the confidence they need to approach the people they’d most like to meet.
14:45	Trevor shares how he noticed that his approach to networking is different when he’s speaking at an event versus attending, and how noticing that difference changed how he now networks at every event he attends.
16:53	Marsha suggests that the most important thing you can do when you want to connect with important people is to show genuine interest in them. Powerful networking is about inquiry not broadcasting.
18:29	Trevor asks Marsha what tips she has to help people stop thinking about what they’re going to say next and focused instead on what the person they’re talking to is actually saying.
19:55	Marsha talks about the storytelling traps people often fall into and provides a variety of tips on how to avoid those pitfalls so you can tell more compelling stories.
23:10	Trevor asks Marsha to further explain the different aspects of great storytelling: voice-over, montage and action.
24:30	Trevor and Marsha discuss the baby steps people can take to start improving the stories they tell when they present.
26:01	Marsha takes Trevor through an exercise to demonstrate how powerful stories are in conveying information and insight about people, places and situations.

You can learn more about the TED talk, books, podcasts and other links Marsha mentioned during the interview by visiting www.yesyesmarsha.com/trevor.

Connecting with Senior Audiences

In Episode 10, host Trevor Currie and producer Karen Ward discuss the best way to talk to and connect with senior audiences - as in executives not citizens!

Listening Notes:

0:42	Trevor asks Karen about her experience meeting with and speaking to senior audiences. Karen talks about the importance of brevity and freshness.
1:58	Trevor talks about the importance of sharing your recommendations or most important points first when speaking to executives. Don’t make them wait for the most salient content.
2:46	Karen shares a few suggestions for connecting with senior executives and how you might communicate ideas in a fresh way.
7:02	Trevor talks about why we often feel trepidation when we sit down with an executive or present to a senior audience.
8:10	Trevor offers some suggestions for how best to connect with and present to senior executives.
10:29	Karen asks Trevor what we should never do when presenting to senior audiences.

How to Banish Filler and the Interrogative Tone

In Episode 9, host Trevor Currie and producer Karen Ward talk about the various types of filler language that can creep into our speech when we’re presenting. When you speak with a lot of filler words and overuse the interrogative tone, it can undermine your credibility so it’s worth listening for and eliminating.

Listening Notes:

1:00	Trevor defines the interrogative voice (or tone) and describes why it holds us back when we’re delivering a presentation or having a conversation in a professional context.
2:57	Trevor and Karen talk about the prevalence of “uptalk” in contemporary communication and why the interrogative tone has taken root in our modern culture.
5:35	Trevor shares some tips about how to reduce the interrogative tone.
9:20	Karen asks Trevor how he responds to people who are reluctant to modify their interrogative tone because it’s just the way they authentically talk.
13:31	Trevor explains what filler language is and how it affects the quality of our discourse.
15:22	Karen and Trevor talk about why and when filler language can work and discuss the radio program This American Life as an example.
18:37	Trevor provides some tips for how to reduce the filler language in your oral communications and why doing so matters.

Ron Tite

In Episode 4, host Trevor Currie and special guest Ron Tite, Founder and CEO of The Tite Group, have a wide ranging conversation about stand up comedy, professional speaking, creativity, the importance of preparation and rehearsal and how to connect with your audience to leave a lasting impression.

Listening Notes:

1:32	Ron talks about his work at The Tite Group and his speaking, producing and writing projects.
2:55	Trevor asks Ron about the common creativity thread that is present in his various projects and Ron shares why he thinks creativity is important for everyone.
4:35	Ron talks about the connection between comedy and business.
5:45	Trevor and Ron discuss the importance of differentiation and why it's critical to develop your own authentic voice and point of view.
7:18	Ron offers a variety of helpful tips about how to connect with an audience so your content and ideas breakthrough.
12:55	Trevor and Ron talk about the importance of "referencing back" and why really being present to—and using—what's happening in the room is so critical to building trust.
16:33	Ron discusses how to effectively add humour or a sense of levity to your next presentation (and why it's not always necessary).
18:58	Trevor and Ron discuss the importance of aligning your body language and gestures and with intent of your content. And why imperfection can actually support the quality of your delivery.
22:28	Trevor asks Ron what a "beat" is and why paying attention to timing and tone is so important in the context of both comedy and speaking.
27:34	Ron and Trevor talk about why storytelling is critical to effective communication.
35:29	Ron shares his process for developing, rehearsing and delivering new presentation content.
44:20	Trevor and Ron talk about why giving up the need to be comprehensive (and perfect) will contribute to your ability to be clear and compelling.

The Power of Pace

In Episode 3, host Trevor Currie and producer Karen Ward discuss the importance of pace and how to use pace effectively to make your point and keep your audience engaged.

Listening Notes:

0:43	Trevor and Karen play with pace as they introduce the topic of pace.
2:00	Trevor explains what pace is and how it can help us or hold us back when we want to speak effectively.
3:39	Karen asks if there is such a thing as “perfect pace”.
6:23	Trevor discusses why it’s important to keep your exploration of pace authentic to you as a speaker and relevant to the content you are sharing.
7:59	Trevor suggests experimenting with pace when the stakes are low.
8:51	Trevor recommends watching Candy Chang’s TED Talk about her “Before I Die” project to experience how a slower pace can help to communicate emotion. And Tony Robbins is a great example of how infectious and invigorating someone can be when he speeds up the pace of his delivery.
11:04	Karen asks about the common mistakes people make when they are trying to get pace right. (The number one mistake: they don’t try at all!)
12:50	Trevor provides some final tips about how to effectively push and pull the levers of pace in your next presentation.