I was about to present to a group of Toastmasters in Ohio. We were meeting in a church and I got there just in time and set up. One problem, my computer wasn’t working. It would not even turn on. Yikes! I can do the presentation without it, but the video clips and visuals would…
When was the last time you heard a story when what someone in that story did, just shocked you? Why would they do that? It makes no sense to you. It puzzles you. What’s the lesson for us? Let’s find out. A while back I was leading a webinar with my coach, World Champion Speaker,…
Ep. 49 Where To Find The Gold In Your Life “Look for those events in your life that brought you pain…and go deeper into the pain. Audiences will identify…and connect with your vulnerability.” These words from Michael Hauge, Hollywood Script Consultant to the stars, are the basis for a frank heart-to-heart as Mark and Darren…
Button? Every? Why? What are you talking about? I’m talking about mastery. I’m talking about helping people. I’m talking about being professional, truly professional! Consider this, what would you think of a keynote speaker who was introduced and walked up on stage and directly walked to the back corner of the stage? They are standing…
It was just last weekend. A discussion in my men’s group came up about grace. I thought I understood it, at least partially. I’m still grasping at that one to fully understand it. The discussion lead to a shocker to me. I totally misunderstood. I had not realized that once you say, “Yes” to Jesus,…
Ep. 48 How To Use The Unforgettable Fun Factor “Having fun allows me to do what I love without any great pressure.” says Olympic double gold medalist Ester Ledecka of the Czech Republic. As presenters, we work hard on our craft and do our best to shine on stage. Sometimes our focus is so lasered,…
Have you ever felt like you were hit squarely in the face by a lesson from an unexpected mentor? When they’re absolutely right…it usually hurts more, doesn’t it? But after the pain we are never the same. A while back in Bel Air, CA, I was attending a casino night fundraiser for a friend-of-a-friend’s theater…
That’s not a typo! It’s not my dyslexia kicking in. In marriage vows, we hear the expression “for better or worse.” For me, “worse before better” has a different meaning altogether. My favorite Christian book title is I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt by Vince Antonucci. The title cracks me…
Ep. 47 How To Be An Unforgettable Communicator with David Henderson David Henderson, civil rights attorney, Toastmaster, and educator has answers. He has been published in Newsweek & the Washington Post, and appeared on MSNBC & CNN. David, Mark & Darren talk about showing emotion, becoming a better writer, and overcoming the fear of being authentic in front of a jury. Find out…
It was by far the most brilliant quote I’d ever heard about an audience. After over two decades of performing, speaking and coaching, it struck me deeply. If you care about your audience outcome, I believe it will make you go hmmm, too. As you may know, I talk about connecting to your audience a…