Paul Logue hails from near Glasgow in Scotland and boasts a 25-year career as a professional bass guitarist in a heavy rock band alongside a career in IT. He spent 21 years at IBM with half of that dedicated to Travel & Expense Management Software. Paul moved to Emburse five years ago and rose from the first Solutions Consultant in the UK to leading the International Team as Director of Solutions Consulting. He is also known as The Pre-Sales Rockstar. The way to became a presales rockstar A musician at heart, Paul chased his musical dreams in his early twenties while working a bank job. His father, however, pushed him towards a stable IT career which led him to IBM. Despite starting a family and rising in IT, music remained a constant passion as he played gigs on weekends. His most successful band, Eden’s Curse, emerged alongside fatherhood, but the realization that music couldn’t fully support his family led him to prioritize his flourishing IT career. Although his band continued for another 15 years, he ultimately focused on IT, becoming a top sales presentation performer. Mastering the rock musician skills Rock musicians aren’t inherently distinct from other performers. Musicians, actors, dancers, or even athletes, share key skills. These skills are built through dedication, refining their craft in private before ever reaching a stage. Paul highlights the importance of practice using Lady Gaga as an example. Stage presence, the ability to captivate an audience, is another shared skill that develops through experience. Finally, improvisation is also crucial for performers, Paul concludes by emphasizing the importance of authenticity, bringing your whole self to the table, even if it includes a passion for music. The rock musician model for presenters As a rock musician, Paul emphasizes the importance of practice and preparation. Here are the key points: * Practice makes perfect: Just like musicians rehearse their songs countless times, presenters and salespeople should thoroughly prepare their material. This ensures a smooth delivery and allows for audience engagement. * Eye contact is crucial: Connecting with the audience through eye contact is essential for both performers and presenters. It builds rapport and helps gauge audience reaction. * Learn from improvisation: The ability to adapt on the fly is valuable. Just as a musician might have to adjust their performance based on audience response,

Sally Z is an award-winning speaker, author, coach and expert on the art of bravery because she knows personally what being brave requires. Sally’s mission is to empower people to move from the sidelines to the spotlight – at work, on stage, and in life – and unleash the power of #showupanyway. Sally has spoken in front of thousands of people – coached hundreds of leaders – and empowered countless ‘moving moments’ in that powerful connection between speaker and audience. Sally is also the host of This Moved Me, a top 2% podcast about the art of public speaking, best-selling author of the book Speaking Story, and producer & host of the beloved Permission Slip Conference.   Persuasion and Emotions In this wonderful and amusing interview Sally Z exposed different points related to persuasion, emotions and the power of storytelling, from which we can highlight the following: * What persuasion is and why do people often confuse it with manipulation. * Why storytelling is the best and most underrated tool for persuasion. * Sally explained her personal approach to storytelling, in which a story comes first: Moment, Meaning, and Move. * Sally shared with us some recent examples of the effective use of storytelling. From the speakers Sally has seen recently, she was impressed with Jade Simmons‘ storytelling onstage. * Finally, she shared an advanced tactic for improving your storytelling: the use of dialogue in telling stories. Related: Danja Bauer and Sally Z Fireside chat: How to Structure Your Talk   Favorite quotation “Great stories happen to those who can tell them.” — Ira Glass   Recommended book 10X growth is easier than going for 2X  by Dan Sullivan, Dr. Benjamin Hardy   Routine to Shine Sally recommends a routine called “Walk and Talk“. This technique is a powerful rehearsal stage for content development. By walking and talking, it helps you unlock new ideas, making it effective for clarifying your thoughts and generating insights early in the content creation process. It’s a recommended tool for both speakers and self-content development. Links

and-Greg.png">Dr. Elena Paweta is an executive communication coach, speaker, TEDx organizer and university professor. As a professor at SGH Warsaw School of Economics, she specializes in international business, startup development and entrepreneurship. Dr Elena has been organizing TEDx conferences for the last 10 years. She has hosted the IDEAS+LEADERS podcast for over 3 years. Greg Gazin, a.k.a “The Gadget Guy / Gadget Greg,” is a syndicated veteran Tech Columnist, speaker, author, podcaster and Distinguished Toastmaster. Since 2006 he’s produced the award-winning ToastCaster: Communication & Leadership Learning Lab, and co-hosts the Official Toastmasters Podcast. He’s also authored, Corey OutSMARTS the Butterflies, helping readers 8-80 learn the secrets of building confidence, leadership & communication skills. What Makes a Great Podcast Host In this fabulous fireside chat, Elena and Greg talked about: • Who inspired them to become a podcast host. Some podcasters who inspired our guests were Roy Coughlan, Denise Duffield-Thomas, Amy Porterfield, Matt Abrahams, and surprise surprise: Oscar Santolalla himself. Thank you my friends! • What are the top skills that will make you a great podcast host. Listening carefully to the guests was at the top, and changing your script on the fly was among the other skills that make a great podcast host. • Finally, our guests shared some underrated skills or aspects that every new podcast host should master in order to succeed. Related: Heather Flanagan and Greg Gazin fireside chat: How to give a tech talk successfully Our guests’ links https://elenapaweta.com https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/ideas-leaders/id1531433083 https://www.toastmasterspodcast.com/posts/index.

Karen Eber is an author, international leadership consultant and keynote speaker. Her TED talk, “How your brain responds to stories – and why they’re crucial for leaders”, continues to be the source of inspiration for millions. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps companies build leaders, teams, and culture one story at a time. She is a guest lecturer at universities including the London School of Business, Stanford, and MIT. Now she’s the author of the book THE PERFECT STORY. How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire. Amplify your Impact with Storytelling In this informative and practical interview, Karen shares with us her insights into the transformative power of storytelling, its scientific fundamentals, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical advice for effective storytelling. We’ll hear: * Her journey from a corporate career at companies like General Electric to becoming a consultant, speaker, and author. * The Science of Storytelling, Karen contrasts traditional models like Joseph Campbell’s with recent scientific insights and how the brain processes information emotionally. * Two common mistakes in storytelling. * Why aspiring storytellers must tell stories regularly, emphasizing that the more stories one tells, the better they become, and share practical advice and tips for individuals looking to enhance their storytelling skills.   Related: Leon Conrad and Emily Edgeley Fireside chat on Storytelling   Favorite quotation “Stories are the basic unit of understanding.” — A doctor from Doctors Without Borders. Recommended book A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life by Brian Grazer & Charles Fishman Routine to Shine Every week spend some time curating a list of stories. Make sure to think about things you’ve experienced, meetings you’ve attended, questions you’ve been asked, documentaries you’ve watched and add it to your list of ideas. Links Karen’s website Book: The Perfect ...

André Noël Chaker is one of Finland’s leading business speakers and writers. Over the past ten years André has spoken at over 1000 business events in Finland and abroad. His more recent books, The Finnish Miracle and Santa’s Dream are national bestsellers and form the foundation for André’s highly successful keynotes on transformation and change. He is currently the Chairman and co-founder of MySpeaker, the fastest growing speaker bureau and speech communication technology company in Europe. He is the co-inventor and patent holder of the company’s revolutionary Artificial Intelligence platform that develops speaking skills at work. A more impactful speaker with AI In this fabulous interview, André talked about: * The criteria we had about what an impactful speaker was 20 years ago is very different from what an impactful speaker is today. * How speaking is one of the most valued skills for the future. * Key ideas of Rhetorich, how it uses both Generative AI and Predictive AI. * The big six: credibility, likeability, authenticity, presence, persuasiveness, storytelling. Related: Speakers Shine With Pathos Favorite quotation “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.” — Oscar Wilde Recommended book Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo Winning Minds by Simon Lancaster Routine to Shine Make it a habit to record yourself speaking, video and audio, then listen to it carefully, look at your expression, listen to your voice, the tone. Links MySpeaker Rhetorich André at Twitter . P.S. If you liked this episode, you might enjoy subscribing to our mailing list. Also, I’d appreciate if you write a review in

Shailvi Wakhlu is a Technology Leader and International Keynote Speaker. She is the former Head of Data & Analytics at Strava and Komodo Health. Every year, Wakhlu speaks at 25+ global conferences and Fortune 500 corporate events on Self-Advocacy and Data. Her sixteen-year career has included companies such as Salesforce, Fitbit, and a software startup she co-founded. Wakhlu’s self-advocacy expertise comes from being a practitioner at startups and large companies across three continents. Wakhlu grew up in India and studied engineering at Illinois Tech, Chicago Speaking on Self-Advocacy In this fabulous interview, Shailvi talked about: * What self-advocacy is * How Shailvi used her speaking experience to publish a book on self-advocacy * Key ideas of the book “advocacy-book.html">Self-Advocacy: Your Guide to Getting What You Deserve at Work.” Related:  How to Give a Successful Tech Talk Favorite quotation “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi Recommended book The Speaker Author by Cathy Fyock and Lois Creamer Routine to Shine Constantly seek opportunities to speak. Set yourself specific goals on what you want to improve as a speaker, and make sure you put feedback into action next opportunities you speak. Links Shailvi Wakhlu at LinkedIn The book “advocacy-book.html">Self-Advocacy: Your Guide to Getting What You Deserve at Work.” P.S. If you liked this episode, you might enjoy subscribing to our mailing list. Also, I’d appreciate if you write a review in iTunes or Stitcher. Your reviews will encourage me and will help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!

Jacqueline Farrington has over 20 years’ experience as a change maker, empowering leaders and their teams to spark transformation and innovation through communications. Known for her refreshingly direct yet supportive and science-backed approach, Jacqueline works with senior and board-level leaders as the founder and president of Farrington Partners. She blends her experience in the performing arts, vocal pedagogy, communications, psychology, and organizational and executive coaching to help her clients find unique communication solutions around challenges such as digital transformations, organizational cultural change, the “Great Resignation,” or engaging in conversations on social justice. Her clients include multinationals such as Amazon and Microsoft, as well as startups and nonprofits. She proudly served for many years as TEDxSeattle’s Senior Speaker Coach, where she sourced, vetted, and prepared speakers for yearly sold-out audiences of 3,000. She was thrilled to see several speakers from that event move on to the global TED stage. In addition to teaching at Yale, she has lectured and taught at the London Business School, Rutgers University, Imperial College, and other institutions.  Being an inclusive speaker In this fabulous interview, Jacqueline talked about: * Why Jacqueline wrote the book The Non-Obvious Guide to Better Presentations * How to be an inclusive speaker * Clear signs that a speaker is not inclusive with her audience * How to create a more inclusive presentation * Rehearsal: the key is that you internalize (not memorize) your presentation Related: Effective Stage Presence Favorite quotation “The only exercise I get lately is running off at the mouth & jumping to conclusions.” — Carrie Fisher Recommended book Poetry books, especially by authors Seamus Heaney and E. E. Cummings Routine to Shine Think about your off-stage moment. Rehearse what happens in the moment before you walk on the stage in front of the audience. Use those 30-60 seconds to create the presence you need. Links The Non-Obvious Guide to Better Presentations Jacqueline at LinkedIn  P.S.

Valerie Fridland is a professor of linguistics in the English Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She writes a popular language blog on Psychology Today called “Language in the Wild,” and is also a professor for The Great Courses series. Valerie is author of the recent book “Like, Literally, Dude. Arguing for the Good in Bad English” Can Bad English Make You A Better Speaker? In this fabulous interview, Valerie talked about: • Why Valerie wrote “Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English” • The difference between ‘um’ and ‘uh’ and why they are speaking superpowers. • What is vocal fry and why it is used today. • How intensifiers communicates intensity, and persuade. • Discourse markers: like, you know. Related: How to Be Unforgettable in What You Do and Say   Routine to shine Nobody is naturally amazing without practice. Always spend time on preparation. Favorite quotation “Nothing so much needs reforming as other people’s habits” -Mark Twain Recommended book Rebel with a  Clause by Ellen Jovin’s Links https://www.valeriefridland.com New Book:  Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English Psychology Today Blog:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/language-in-the-wild Other links Rock the Tech Stage On-demand P.S. If you liked this episode, you might enjoy subscribing to our mailing list. Also, I’d appreciate if you write a review in

How to Give a Tech Talk Successfully In this fireside chat Heather and Greg talked about: • How Heather and Greg started their careers speaking tech. • Their best piece of advice on how to give a tech talk successfully. • How to speak tech to wider, non-technical audiences. • How to get accepted to speak at tech conferences (and to be interviewed in a podcast). https://rockthetechstage.com/ondemand/

Danja Bauer is an award-winning international speaker, singer and public speaking trainer. The lively woman from Vienna, Austria, knows how to use her and also your voice to rock the stage! With her profound 27 years of stage experience, Danja empowers corporates and entrepreneurs to give speeches that are as memorable, entertaining and impactful as music. Sally Z is an award-winning speaker and speaker coach whose mission is to create talks that move the world. She empowers entrepreneurs and thought leaders to leverage the power of speaking to grow their impact, authority and revenue using a story-based message. Sally is also the host of This Moved Me, a podcast in the top 2% of podcasts in the world, where she’s had the privilege of interviewing some of the foremost speakers in the industry How to Structure Your Talk In this fireside chat Danja and Sally talked about: • How often Danja and Sally have seen well-structured talks professional events they have attended, and what have been their observations from both well and non-well structured talks. • Their own formula and top tactics to structure a talk. • How to make sure all the pieces of a talk blend cohesively before the event arrives. Related: Fireside chat on Storytelling Danja’s favorite quotation “Speak like music.” — Danja Bauer Sally’s recommended book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Our guests’ links Danja’s Speech Preparation Checklist www.speaklikemusic.com (In German) www.danjabauer.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjabauer/ Sally’s Simple Story Framework Sally Z website Other links