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.

Bruce Sellery

In Episode 8, host Trevor Currie and guest Bruce Sellery have a wide-ranging conversation about the power of brevity in communication, the importance of preparation when you’re interviewing a guest or speaking and how to effectively engage an audience when your content is a bit dry or abstract.

Bruce is a personal finance expert, business journalist and best-selling author of Moolala: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things With Their Money and The Moolala Guide to Rockin' Your RRSP. He appears frequently on TV to talk about personal finance, he writes regular columns for MoneySense, Chatelaine and Today’s Parent and he’s a sought-after professional speaker. 

Listening Notes:

2:17	Bruce and Trevor discuss Bruce’s experience working at P&G early in his career and how it shaped his approach to communication.
5:06	Bruce talks about the magic of a Post-it Note when you’re developing (and working to simplify) your message.
6:16	Bruce outlines the steps he took to make the move from consumer packaged goods marketing to business journalism, including important conversations with two of Canada’s most prominent journalists and a powerful insight from a book.
10:46	Bruce talks about the lessons he learned—including the importance of preparation—from interviewing business leaders like Martha Stewart.
17:22	Bruce shares the process he uses to prep for an interview with a guest on a TV show or a panel at a conference.
19:10	Bruce shares for his tips on how to build rapport with senior business leaders before and during an interview or conversation.
21:28	Trevor asks Bruce for advice on how to prepare for a TV appearance or panel interview at a conference when you’re the guest.
26:08	Bruce provides some additional tips on how to put your best foot forward when shooting business videos.
27:53	Trevor asks Bruce how he engages audiences in topics that are dry, abstract and a bit inaccessible.
31:10	Bruce talks about his experience as a young speaker and the skills he’s developed over the years to build his confidence and capability as a professional speaker.
39:11	Trevor and Bruce talk about the importance of storytelling in compelling communication and how to tell a great story when you’re at the front of the room.
48:54	Bruce shares his thoughts on speaking and authenticity.

You can learn more about Bruce and his work on Twitter @brucesellery and at his website at www.moolala.ca.

John Warrillow

In Episode 7, host Trevor Currie and guest John Warrillow talk about the allure and adventure of entrepreneurship, the importance of curiosity and asking great questions and how to use stories, personalization and spontaneity to engage an audience.

Listening Notes:

1:52	John talks about his early interest in entrepreneurship and why he wanted to build and run his own business.
5:00	John describes how his interest in and insight about entrepreneurs led him to work with larger corporations and help them market more effectively to small business owners.
6:10	Trevor asks John about the key, common threads that have woven through his professional life.
8:10	Trevor and John discuss curiosity, great questions and deep listening as key communication behaviours.
10:17	John offers some tips on how to engage and connect with people when you're speaking with or interviewing them.
14:31	John talks about the importance of staying tuned into what a person is actually saying—versus thinking about your next response—if you want to be a great listener.
17:55	Trevor and John talk about why it's challenging to keep a remote audience (on webinars and conference calls) engaged and how to do it more effectively.
21:10	Trevor and John discuss The Warrillow Summit, John's contribution as a speaker and what's important when curating a group of speakers for an event.
25:03	John offers some tips on how moderators can get the most out of panelists.
28:31	John talks about what he does to prepare and boost his confidence prior to an important speaking engagement.
31:10	John shares a disappointing experience he had at a Van Halen concert many (many) years ago that, for him, really underscored the importance of customization and spontaneity during a presentation.
34:30	Trevor and John talk about the power of parables, stories and examples when communicating and connecting with an audience.
39:45	John shares his experience and advice about how to change to a new business model successfully.
45:32	John talks about his current business and the process he uses to help small business owners increase the value of their companies.
39:45	John shares the experiences that have influenced his life and work the most.

    You can find John at www.valuebuildersystem.com and on Twitter at @johnwarrillow.

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.