Navaal Mahdi
By Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE Two hundred doctors had assembled for the event. It was a leadership conference at the LA Biltmore Hotel for hospital chiefs of staff. As I sat in the audience, I saw one physician after another “present his papers.” These were the dullest speeches I’d ever heard! The audience was half asleep and … Read more
By Kelly Swanson, CSP, CPAE For decades, the mantra ‘content is king’ has echoed through conference halls, asserting that experts are chiefly valued for their knowledge. This perspective suggests that we, as speakers, are paid for our expertise. Indeed, in roles such as coaching and training, this holds true; clients pay for tangible results and … Read more
By John Edwards, CSP Have you ever wondered what separates mundane monologues from magnificent messaging? The answer lies not just in your content but in the neuroscience of how your audience receives it. By understanding how the brain processes information, you can transform yourself from a forgettable fact-giver to a memorable mind-mover. The Speaker-Audience … Read more
By Louis Katz | If I ever needed a sign that I wasn’t cut out for something, I’d have an easy one: I’m Boise’s most “Why don’t you just give up?” comic. That’s not an official title, but it should be. If there were an award for resilience bordering on stubbornness, I’d have a mantle … Read more
By Anne Bonney, CSP | I attended four planning meetings. I read through the run of show they sent me a week before. I printed out the script they provided and made my own notes so I could eloquently present what they requested. I color-coded my notes for quick reference so I could spend the … Read more
By Bryce Austin, MDSG | There were seven people sitting around the table in the aftermath of this ransomware infection: the CEO, the VP, the CFO, the Special Agent from the FBI, the business owner, the forensics technician, and the company’s CISO (Chief Information Security Officer). “Don’t pay,” was the CEO’s vote. The VP agreed … Read more
By Joe Curcillo | When you take the stage, you offer more than just a message—you offer yourself. Your story, your experiences, and your viewpoint matter. However, we often get distracted by the details: the slides, the gestures, the script. While these elements have value, they do not truly engage your audience. What truly connects … Read more
By Thom Singer, CSP | Recently, I sat in the audience for a keynote that felt like a relic from another era—like 2010 had somehow crept back onto the main stage. The PowerPoint slides were oldschool, the speaker lacked energy, the information was basic, and worst of all, there were almost no actionable takeaways. The … Read more
By Marvelless Mark, CSP | Do you ever feel like you’re “stuck” in your speaking business? You’re doing all the right things, yet you can’t seem to break out of the old “same old, same old.” We’ve all been there. Even I’ve been there. That’s right, Marvelless Mark wasn’t always so Marvelless. I grew up … Read more
By Lisa Ryan, CSP | When I first started my speaking business, I wasn’t exactly rolling in resources. My budget was tight, my network was small, and referrals weren’t exactly pouring in. What I did have, though, was a phone, a whole lot of grit, and a genuine desire to help people who could benefit … Read more