Ep. 61 Humor For The Un-Funny How do you put a smile of the faces of your audience, or make them laugh out loud…especially when you KNOW you aren’t funny? Mark and Darren understand all too well, having both been branded ‘un-funny’ since childhood. In this episode, they share some simple yet effective formulas for…
Ever wonder what a World-Class coach sees that you do not? You are about to find out. I got together with World Champion’s Mark Brown and Ed Tate, had a mini-watch party, and then did a speech contest debrief with our Stage Time Members. Sometimes even coaches disagree on some points, but often our perspectives…
Ep. 60 How To Handle A Controversial Subject With Sadika Kebbi How do you deliver a potentially controversial presentation with grace and dignity, yet be effective without being offensive, and ultimately become UNFORGETTABLE? Mark and Darren get answers from Lebanese storyteller and academic Sadika Kebbi, as she expounds on the power of a personal story and reveals her unique techniques for making her presentations UNFORGETTABLE! …
Ep. 59 How to Make Your Special Occasion Speeches Unforgettable What happens when 2 World Champions are each asked to officiate a wedding for the first time? How do they approach it? Perhaps you will be asked to deliver a Best Man’s Speech, a toast, a roast, a eulogy or to officiate a wedding. How…
I’m not saying it sucks! “The final solution never looks like your first idea. Failure is the starting point.” -James Dyson How does this quote apply to your life, career, and dreams? Have you seen the old TV commercial with James Dyson promoting his bagless vacuum? Is your presentation like his vacuum? How about your…
Ep. 58 How To Be Unforgettable Off Balance With Dan Thurmon With the global pandemic, it seems the whole world has been thrown off balance. How can you still be impactful? What if you’re a presenter and performer who relies on a large stage, unusual props, and extensive physical activity? How do you pivot to a virtual experience? In this lively…and sometimes…
Ep. 57 The Story Behind the 2020 World Champion Speaker, Mike Carr What does it take to ‘out-speak’ 35,000 global contestants to become the first VIRTUAL World Champion of Public Speaking? Mark and Darren chat with the 2020 WCPS Mike Carr about the ups and downs of his speaking journey, lessons learned along the way,…
“I went through four hours of hair and makeup to listen to this bull—t?” This was Steven Tyler, complaining about the background noise at the USS Midway location for the San Diego auditions. He’s said some crazy things as a judge on American Idol. He also said something in an interview that was so brilliant…
Ep. 56 How You Create Unforgettable Magic Moments Unforgettable presentations have MOMENTS…scenes, conversations, statements, and emotions that resonate with the audience or with the presenter. These are the moments that remain in our minds and hearts. Darren and Mark talk about three specific categories of Magic Moments, provide examples from their experiences, and offer advice…
Ep. 55 The Art of Unforgettable Story Crafting with Craig Valentine That ‘Nudge Your Neighbor’ moment; when the speaker starts to tell a story you’ve heard before, so you nudge your neighbor and say, “You’re going to LOVE this!” Darren and Mark talk with master story-crafter Craig Valentine about the ins and outs of story craft, some common mistakes that even seasoned…