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In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Ryan Austin of Cognota about storytelling, public speaking, and why learning & development needs to be part…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Ryan Austin of Cognota about storytelling, public speaking, and why learning & development needs to be part of design and operations from the beginning.Our favorite moments:(02:25) Anything you do involves telling stories as part of communication(04:03) It’s ok not to be sharp around the edges(05:50) Don’t practice a script, practice the key points you want to remember(08:39) A partner operating model positions L&D as a partner with the business to effectively prioritize and collaborate(12:32) …

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Kristen Nielsen Donnelly about the connection between nervousness and a speaker’s responsibility to their aud…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Kristen Nielsen Donnelly about the connection between nervousness and a speaker’s responsibility to their audience. Hear how the idea of a sandbox helps Kristen be more flexible onstage.Our favorite moments:(02:45) If you’re not nervous before public speaking, you don’t recognize your responsibility in the moment(03:19) The audience’s attention is a non-renewable resource(07:13) Conversations about profit are different from conversations about revenue and earning a living(08:00) Appropriate revenue…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about current developments in their entrepreneurial journey. Find out why Kirsten’s rediscovered a datab…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about current developments in their entrepreneurial journey. Find out why Kirsten’s rediscovered a database she built years ago and what it’s like for Kellie, who’s a partner in two separate start-ups right now.Our favorite moments:(00:36) Everything that changes is really good data for getting to your goals(03:26) If you’re a big picture person, you need a detail-oriented person on your team, because the little bits still need to be taken care of(07:35) Reframe failure as iterations(08:34) Ev…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Natalie Bullen, sales coach and messaging guru extraordinaire, about why public speaking is like going to the g…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Natalie Bullen, sales coach and messaging guru extraordinaire, about why public speaking is like going to the gym and how to build community. Find out which business choice she calls bullshit on.Our favorite moments:(05:06) A slide deck is a liability(09:47) Your company’s band objective need to resonate in your speech(13:24) People who say they’re not good at public speaking really mean they haven’t practiced their skills enough(16:36) Do an audit of your ethos, mission, marketing, and mission at le…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about adaptability and engaging your audience, especially when you have specific learning objectives to me…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about adaptability and engaging your audience, especially when you have specific learning objectives to meet. Find out why Kirsten rewards the ugliest PowerPoint presentation, why Kellie’s students have to confront a taboo topic in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and why context matters.Our favorite moments:(02:00) Education needs to change in specific settings to focus on the problem that needs to be solved, not a predetermined, standardized list(03:02) Higher education is often iter…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Heather Tolley-Bauer about comedy and connecting with audiences. Find out the first rule of using humor and the…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Heather Tolley-Bauer about comedy and connecting with audiences. Find out the first rule of using humor and the difference between telling a joke and creating an atmosphere of levity.Our favorite moments:(01:38) The first rule of comedy is you have to know your audience(02:08) Health benefits of laughter(02:22) Laughter builds trust, likeability, connection(05:27) Humor evolves over time and is tied to culture(07:10) If you’re going to have a good comedy game, you need a good apology game, too(09:50) You…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about being flexible in the moment so you can be responsive to your audience’s needs. Hear how a video d…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about being flexible in the moment so you can be responsive to your audience’s needs. Hear how a video development company is getting this very wrong and what Snoop Dogg has to do with Kellie’s syllabus.Our favorite moments:(03:21) Those in charge of technical training need to build adaptability into their processes(03:53) Cross-training is not a waste of resources(04:15) Software risk is reputational risk & customer risk(05:17) Stay aware of how the zen of a subject applies to more than one t…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Pegine about being a dynamic, engaging speaker. Learn how speaker choreography connects to your message and why…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Pegine about being a dynamic, engaging speaker. Learn how speaker choreography connects to your message and why you should construct your speech like a rock concert. Pegine also shares her most important tip for ongoing mastery of public speaking.Our favorite moments:(02:16) Step out and own the stage(02:42) Audience interaction is important because that’s how people learn(04:10) People learn from experiences(05:06) Different parts of the stage have different emotional strengths(07:10) Construct your spe…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about the value of community. Hear which communities they’re part of and how a well-built community is d…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about the value of community. Hear which communities they’re part of and how a well-built community is different from hero worship.Our favorite moments:(02:25) Speakers need speaker friends(06:47) Business that really embrace the communities they support develop quicker, more authentic Relationships(08:56) Communities are built(11:42) Community helps you understand where others are coming from(14:20) Genuine communities take work(17:00) Reciprocity comes back to the importance of relationships(17:23…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Sarah Mercier about designing effective learning. Hear why Sarah advises people to be skeptical when hearing ne…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Sarah Mercier about designing effective learning. Hear why Sarah advises people to be skeptical when hearing new information and what a psychometrician does.Our favorite moments:(04:14) Slamming new learners with a lot of information is overwhelming(05:45) To be in the training space, you need to be a good student(06:17) xAPI is a way to measure and collect granular data throughout the learning process(10:32) How to Fight a Bear is a terrific example of immersive storytelling for learning(14:10) We learn m…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about Kirsten’s experience at the Black Hat Cybersecurity conference, why so many vendors on the convent…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about Kirsten’s experience at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference, why so many vendors on the convention floor missed the point, and the one that really blew her away. Find out why cybersecurity folks are Kirsten’s people.Our favorite moments:(02:21) Kirsten’s expectations vs her experience at Black Hat(05:27) Stunt marketing that didn’t land(07:01) Missing the point, which is to develop relationships(07:11) Really bad booth choice #1: heckling passersby(08:44) Really bad booth choice #2: s…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Anastasia Lipske about booking speakers and podcast guests, avoiding common mistakes in the field, and why it�…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Anastasia Lipske about booking speakers and podcast guests, avoiding common mistakes in the field, and why it’s stupid to be rude to the AV staff. Find out how savvy speakers deepen and extend their connection with audiences.Our favorite moments:: Be loud & proud about being a speaker Avoid confusing how to present yourself as a speaker vs as a podcast guest What’s a one-sheet? One of the biggest mistakes on one-sheets: testimonials Another common mistake on one-sheets: highlighting your name inste…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about identity, using people’s correct pronouns, and why this issue is so important. Find out how long t…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about identity, using people’s correct pronouns, and why this issue is so important. Find out how long the  singular “they” has been part of the English language.Our favorite moments:: The singular “they” has been part of English since 1375 Normalizing a practice is easier and safer for everyone Centering “normal” on heteronormative experience is automatically othering Changing the default to everyone sharing their pronouns, although no one is required to do so PBS.org’s map of cultur…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Anastasiya Rutus about her work as a rest coach and offers her some advice for staying focused while working wi…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Anastasiya Rutus about her work as a rest coach and offers her some advice for staying focused while working with clients. Find out why our brains are like a browser with too many tabs open and why our best ideas happen in the shower.Our favorite moments:: We get guilted and shamed into not thinking about rest The experience of being coached is one of going on an emotional journey People need to stop and process when learning new concepts Everyone wants to be heard We are not trees; we can move Depending o…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about music, rhythm, and public speaking. Find out how NPR’s Tiny Desk concert opened a rabbit hole and …

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about music, rhythm, and public speaking. Find out how NPR’s Tiny Desk concert opened a rabbit hole and how their teenagers expanded their repertoire.Our favorite moments: Kirsten goes down a rabbit hole to understand rap Lin Manuel Miranda’s writing reminds Kellie of the 19th-c poet, Lord Byron There’s a course on Rap Theory at M.I.T. Rap’s tie to public speaking Read  piece of writing out loud to hear whether it’s working or needs edits Following rabbit holes is important for public speak…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie highlight some of their favorite books from four seasons of the podcast.Our favorite moments: How to Tell a Story …

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie highlight some of their favorite books from four seasons of the podcast.Our favorite moments: How to Tell a Story The difference between an anecdote and a story Stagecraft and speaker choreography Recognizing what storytellers at The Moth give onstage Kirsten’s nervous butterflies fly in formation Cait Donovan, Bouncebackability Entrepreneurial Burnout J Schuh, Brilliance Judging a book by its cover Tamsen Webster, Find Your Red Thread Find the throughline and connect with your audience How you shape the st…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Erica Holthausen of Catchline Communications about writing for publications and the connection between writing and …

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Erica Holthausen of Catchline Communications about writing for publications and the connection between writing and speaking. Find out why Erica says there is no neutral.Our favorite moments: All of us are writers Publications need your content Three things to do to be a thought leader Writing isn’t about the ink; it’s about the think How speaking supports writing If you have a 10 minute talk, you have the shitty first draft of an article Everything you put out will drive either towards your goal or will di…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about incorporating adaptability into workplace culture. Find out why collaboration is like taking care of hou…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about incorporating adaptability into workplace culture. Find out why collaboration is like taking care of house plants.Our favorite moments:: Adaptability has to be a corporate culture Roles are the framework, but people drive how things connect and the work gets done Changing corporate culture requires space to practice, fail, and grow Ongoing mastery in skills is how everyone works If you say “agile” daily, actually be agile Upper management needs to involve L&D in the decision-making process Chang…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Michael Coleman of ColeCut Sound about his career in radio marketing, his new book, and changing the advertising pa…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Michael Coleman of ColeCut Sound about his career in radio marketing, his new book, and changing the advertising paradigm. Our favorite moments:: A good marketing ad is a good conversation Advertising is information but it has to be engaging The audience’s discovery is more important than what you’re telling them Effective sounds has to be visual in an audio-only ad We are all our own brand Empathy is understanding the other’s needs without talking about it We live in a mess age, an over-communicated soc…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about speakers and presenters adapting in the moment, no matter what happens, and ways to check in with what t…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about speakers and presenters adapting in the moment, no matter what happens, and ways to check in with what the audience needs. Learn why you shouldn’t “but” people.Our favorite moments: What does adapting in the moment mean? Flexing your material to meet the audience’s needs Reading body language Reading the audience in a virtual setting Know that something is going to go wrong and roll with it Owning the room is mandatory for the audience’s emotional and mental safety Unintentional trolls Kir…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Meridith Grundei about improv, Aristotle, and building credibility as a speaker. Find out how a sticky note can rem…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Meridith Grundei about improv, Aristotle, and building credibility as a speaker. Find out how a sticky note can remind you who you’re talking with when you’re online.Our favorite moments:: Working not too tight, not too loose Things change when you get them in front of an audience for the first time Having the right mindset Understanding that failing is part of success Your entire presentation is a story The difference between a bad presenter and an inexperienced presenter  People need to understand the w…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about the twists and turns in their career paths that have brought them to where they are today. Find out why …

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about the twists and turns in their career paths that have brought them to where they are today. Find out why they’re big fans of sticky notes.Our favorite moments:: Everything you’re doing now is fed from the wellspring of what came before Kellie’s journey to version 3.0 Kirsten’s journey to version 3.2 Kirsten approaches Technology differently Why approaching coaching like teaching is a problem You have to consider cognitive load Rourke Training lives for sticky notes Kellie’s key takeaway Kir…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Kat Frey, owner of Oxygen Coaching Group, about pitchslapping – what it is, why it’s gross, and what’s better…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Kat Frey, owner of Oxygen Coaching Group, about pitchslapping – what it is, why it’s gross, and what’s better. Listen to some of their recent experiences and find out why Kirsten wants you to send .gifs of squirrels.Our favorite moments: pitchslapped definition a recent example from Kat, part 1 two things are really important when selling a recent example from Kirsten metrics will show if your pitchslap is working a recent example from Kat, part 2 why Kirsten hates pitchslapping if pitching isn’t your …

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about humor and public speaking, what works and what doesn’t. They also share their favorite jokes.Our favor…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about humor and public speaking, what works and what doesn’t. They also share their favorite jokes.Our favorite moments:: Self-deprecating humor can undermine your authority What happened when an experienced speaker’s joke landed very poorly Kellie’s go-to for humor Local and cultural humor doesn’t land beyond the local community/culture Kirsten relies on dad jokes Kellie’s take-away tip You have to know your audience Stay culturally relevant Kirsten’s Norse curse Comic Sans on J. Schuh’s bo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with posture and movement specialist Aesha Tahir about the importance of eye and hip position when working and how postu…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with posture and movement specialist Aesha Tahir about the importance of eye and hip position when working and how posture creates trust. Find out which journal system both Kirsten and Aesha use!Our favorite moments:: Why you should have your screen and camera at eye level The best position for your monitor Divide your working time between standing and sitting Tips for sitting Tips for boosting confidence while in an upright posture Posture is important for establishing trustIf you enjoyed this conversation about p…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie share some Travel tips for speaking at conferences and talk about being an LGBTQ+ ally when there are travel adviso…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie share some travel tips for speaking at conferences and talk about being an LGBTQ+ ally when there are travel advisories because certain locations are unsafe. Our favorite moments::(03:01) Kirsten plays music and dances around before a session starts(04:49) Arrive before 7 p.m. the day before your session(07:34) Bring only a carryon if you’re staying less than a week(08:25) Bring medication for at least a few extra days and carry it in your purse or tote(10:41) Allies need to show up for those in danger or a…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Stephen Ladek about the human experience and Artificial Intelligence, redefining success, and his awesome rock & ro…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Stephen Ladek about the human experience and artificial intelligence, redefining success, and his awesome rock & roll band.Our favorite moments::(01:11) connections between performance and entrepreneurship (02:10) Ladek, Stephen’s rock & roll band(05:11) AI in the L&D space(07:14) the differentiator of the future(08:10) a proposal for using AI(10:00) artisanal experience(15:12) learning from failure model(19:27) Stephen’s advice for ongoing masteryIf you enjoyed this conversation about AI and performance,…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about myths in the speaking and presenting L&D world. Some just will not go away because, as usual, it’s com…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about myths in the speaking and presenting L&D world. Some just will not go away because, as usual, it’s complicated.Our favorite moments::(00:50) handling debunked content that still has value(02:33) everyone born after 1980 is a digital native(05:10) butts in the seat = learning(05:38) learning styles(09:19) power posing(13:05) facilitated communication(15:38) re-examining our sacred cows(19:07) Kellie’s takeaway tip(19:54) Kirsten’s takeaway tipRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketrain…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie share their insights from Season 3 of the podcast. Find out what Kirsten was in the middle of saying when she accid…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie share their insights from Season 3 of the podcast. Find out what Kirsten was in the middle of saying when she accidentally unmuted her mic during an interview.Key take-aways:Your tech set up is iterative: you’ll need to test and adjust pieces until you find the perfect combination for youKirsten’s action item: If you can, record yourself while speaking or presenting and see if you can still understand what you’re communicating based only on your body languageKellie’s action item: Take time to play and …

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Robbie Samuels about his new book, Break Out of Boredom: Low-Tech Solutions for Highly Engaging Zoom Events. Find o…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Robbie Samuels about his new book, Break Out of Boredom: Low-Tech Solutions for Highly Engaging Zoom Events. Find out about Robbie’s worst experience at a Zoom event and why you shouldn’t ask people to talk about current challenges in breakout rooms.Key take-aways:Work on getting 5% better every time you attempt somethingMastery is about creating opportunities, not waiting for an invitationPurpose first design works both for virtual platforms and in person eventsRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rou…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten follows up with Rosie Zilinskas about the coaching session she had with Kirsten a few months ago. Find out how Rosie’s webin…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten follows up with Rosie Zilinskas about the coaching session she had with Kirsten a few months ago. Find out how Rosie’s webinar went.Key take-aways:Everyone benefits from feedback, even coaches  Small changes and simple techniques can help even experienced speakers increase their audience engagementCommunities are strongest when the focus on the value that you share with the group, not on what you can take from itRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/Ongoing Masgtery: Presenting & Speaking page: …

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about a new group of nine women that Kirsten is a member of, a panel whose mission is to promote women in tech…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about a new group of nine women that Kirsten is a member of, a panel whose mission is to promote women in tech. Find out which of the nine Greek Muses Kellie thinks Kirsten is.Key take-aways:Everyone experiences imposter syndrome, even people who are experts  Online connections are genuine even if they’re different from those built in personYour audience is cheering for you and wants you to succeedRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/Ongoing Masgtery: Presenting & Speaking page:…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Tamsen Webster, author of Find Your Red Thread, about the subtle difference between looking for solutions and looki…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Tamsen Webster, author of Find Your Red Thread, about the subtle difference between looking for solutions and looking to solve a problem and why Tamsen suggests reading outside of your area of expertise in order to develop ongoing mastery. Key take-aways:There are more ways to tell a story beyond the hero’s journeyYou have to solve the problem potential clients think they have before you can solve the problem that you know they haveRead Find Your Red Thread all the way through first, and then loop back to g…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with voice over artist Liz Solar about the range of emotion in human voices and why kids complain the most about voices …

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with voice over artist Liz Solar about the range of emotion in human voices and why kids complain the most about voices rendered with artificial intelligence. Key take-aways:Performance is needed for human connectionGood voice over work aids accessibilityPlaying an action is more effective than playing a personal quality, like eagernessRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/Ongoing Masgtery: Presenting & Speaking page: https://ongoing-mastery.captivate.fm/RSS feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/o…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kellie tells Kirsten about going to The Moth’s monthly StorySLAM event as part of her ongoing mastery journey. Kirsten puts herself …

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kellie tells Kirsten about going to The Moth’s monthly StorySLAM event as part of her ongoing mastery journey. Kirsten puts herself in the shoes of a novice who might want to get started, and Kellie surprises her friend a few times.Key take-aways:The atmosphere is very welcoming and friendly; there’s no pressure to get on stageThe audience’s response is an essential component of storytellingResources like podcasts and audiobooks can help with timing and voice controlRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.c…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kristin Spencer returns to talk with Kirsten about last week’s conversation with Laura Packer. Find out why Kristin calls the neurol…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kristin Spencer returns to talk with Kirsten about last week’s conversation with Laura Packer. Find out why Kristin calls the neurological reaction to personal storytelling “like Simon Says with brains” and her favorite quotes from Laura’s book, From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story.Key take-aways:If you’re not using personal storytelling in your business, you’re leaving Money on the tableConfidence is key – if you’re not confident, you won’t feel that your story is wor…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with her long-time friend Laura Packer, who’s an award-winning storyteller. Laura says that getting started in storyte…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with her long-time friend Laura Packer, who’s an award-winning storyteller. Laura says that getting started in storytelling is a lot like learning to ride a bike – you won’t fall often and you won’t hurt yourself too much, but you have to get out there and do it. Key take-aways:Neurology studies have shown that listening to told stories has a measurable effect on the brain that shows up on an fMRI scanStorytelling engages the parts of the brain associated with senses and with actionBringing stories into pr…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about attending their first improv comedy workshop. This has been on Kirsten’s ongoing mastery to-do list fo…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about attending their first improv comedy workshop. This has been on Kirsten’s ongoing mastery to-do list for a long time, but Kellie was definitely nervous at first. How did it go?Key take-aways:Improv is about total acceptance: anything the performer does is rightImprov trains you to be present in the momentImprov is a great way to practice reading the room for how others react to what you sayRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/Ongoing Masgtery: Presenting & Speaking page: http…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten gives Sarah Atlee tips for a smoother experience as a podcast guest. Once your lighting is all set and you’re making eye con…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten gives Sarah Atlee tips for a smoother experience as a podcast guest. Once your lighting is all set and you’re making eye contact with the camera, think about what might go wrong and be prepared with alternatives, just in case. They also discover that they’re both fans of online role-playing games!Key take-aways:Have a genuine conversation, don’t just deliver your planned talking pointsKnow how your material intersects with the podcast’s audienceConsider having a QR code for your website, etc, rather than sharing …

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie follow up on last week’s interview with J. Schuh. They talk about the role of planning in creativity and how crea…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie follow up on last week’s interview with J. Schuh. They talk about the role of planning in creativity and how creativity is connected to a speaker’s audience.Key take-aways:The work of tomorrow is set up by the work of todayKnow when your sense of humor or niche interests fit your audienceKirsten’s focus word for 2023 is “transformation”Rourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/Ongoing Masgtery: Presenting & Speaking page: https://ongoing-mastery.captivate.fm/RSS feed: https://feeds.…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with J. Schuh about creativity, the connection between empathy and user experience, and the joke on the cover of his boo…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with J. Schuh about creativity, the connection between empathy and user experience, and the joke on the cover of his book. Key take-aways:Even experts in their fields experience imposter syndrome and perfectionismWe often constrain ourselves because we don’t want others to misunderstandEmbracing the beginner mindset helps you to learn more effectivelyRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/Ongoing Masgtery: Presenting & Speaking page: https://ongoing-mastery.captivate.fm/RSS feed: https://fee…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about an idea they’ve been hearing a lot about, that you’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie talk about an idea they’ve been hearing a lot about, that you’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. But did you know that research shows that the influence is wider than just 5 people? They also share how each of them is starting off 2023. Tell us how you’re beginning the new year in the comments!Key take-aways:Research shows how your community affects your own health and outlookResearch also shows that heart rate variability is an effective tool for mental healthKellie’s word f…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie review the guests and conversations they’ve had during the season and look ahead to 2023.Key take-aways:Adding vi…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie review the guests and conversations they’ve had during the season and look ahead to 2023.Key take-aways:Adding video, more interviews, and mini-coaching sessions to Season 2 worked well Feedback to speakers needs to be specific about the performance Ongoing Mastery is a quarterly or semi-annual assessment, not a one-and-done eventRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/Ongoing Masgtery: Presenting & Speaking page: https://ongoing-mastery.captivate.fm/RSS feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Von Glitschka of Glitschka Studios about design, the importance of visuals in communication, and how good design is…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Von Glitschka of Glitschka Studios about design, the importance of visuals in communication, and how good design is like good writing – you need to know what to edit out.Key take-aways:Three days after a presentation, audiences retain 65% of your message if you use images, vs. 10% without images If you captivate your audience visually, that engagement fosters more insightful questionsContinuity and consistency are key when using stock photos or clip artRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Kristin N. Spencer, the Ghostwriting Copywriter and owner of Literary Symmetry. Kristin sees her job as listening c…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Kristin N. Spencer, the Ghostwriting Copywriter and owner of Literary Symmetry. Kristin sees her job as listening carefully and pulling out key details in her clients’ stories, because everyone needs a coach to help them get out of their own way.Key take-aways:Know, like, and trust isn’t just a sales & marketing technique; it’s about building relationships The heart of Ongoing Mastery is to try, to fail, and to keep goingYou have to practice talking about your own failure, because clients won’t believ…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten has a live mini-coaching session with Keva of Le Departique, a fashion and art boutique. Although Keva is a skilled speaker, s…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten has a live mini-coaching session with Keva of Le Departique, a fashion and art boutique. Although Keva is a skilled speaker, she wanted tips for doing live videos on social media.Key take-aways:If you are recording on your phone, listen to the playback with earbuds or headphones Do not underestimate the value of a really good green screenBefore going into a full video production process, start with the equipment you have so you can evaluate what you really needRourke Training’s webpage: https://www.rourketraining.com/…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie highlight some of their favorite moments from interviews with recent guests Vanessa Zamy, Precious Williams, and Kh…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten and Kellie highlight some of their favorite moments from interviews with recent guests Vanessa Zamy, Precious Williams, and Khadija Moore. We’re seeing new connections in our topics across the speaker-verse, and we’re both grateful for the opportunities that our ongoing mastery journey has opened up.Key take-aways:Vanessa: Stick with what works, don’t make decisions from fear Precious: Embrace who you are, show up boldlyKhadija: Focus on clear & concise communication for effective leadershipRourke Training’s web…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten discusses leadership and public speaking with Khadija Moore. Moore says there are multiple reasons beyond giving a speech why …

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten discusses leadership and public speaking with Khadija Moore. Moore says there are multiple reasons beyond giving a speech why leaders need public speaking skills. Find out why she has her clients ask their teams to say in their own words what they took from a presentation.Key take-aways:Include only what’s immediately relevant for your audience to understand your point in a presentation Keeping the audience in mind is crucial for leaders to get their objectives met Conferences are going to be shifting to include more…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten has a passionate conversation with an inspiring friend, Precious Williams, the Killer Pitch Master. Precious shares an extreme…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten has a passionate conversation with an inspiring friend, Precious Williams, the Killer Pitch Master. Precious shares an extremely difficult time in her life and the turn-around that led to her current success atop the pitch universe. She stresses why it’s important that she trusts herself, why she wants to be respected rather than liked, and how creativity beats money.Key take-aways:You have to define yourself, rather than let others define you If you are truly serving your clients, the company name isn’t about youSh…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Vanessa Zamy, the Business Defibrillator, about growing your business while avoiding burn out. Vanessa shares her p…

In this week's episo…

In this week's episode of Ongoing Mastery: Presenting & Speaking, Kirsten talks with Vanessa Zamy, the Business Defibrillator, about growing your business while avoiding burn out. Vanessa shares her perspective on why making decisions from a place of fear is so harmful for business. You’ll also learn what Vanessa would tell the just-starting-out version of herself, as well as her walk-out music choice.Key take-aways:Business ownership is a marathon; stick with what works Employees stay with teams when they feel like they matter and are part of something biggestRecognize the people around y…