Want to make your business presentations more powerful, memorable, and impactful? It’s time to bring in your personal stories.

In this episode, I share why storytelling is a must-have skill for speakers, presenters, and thought leaders—especially in business settings.

If you’ve ever wondered whether telling personal stories might make you sound less professional, I’m here to tell you the opposite is true: stories make you *more* relatable, *more* credible, and *more* unforgettable.

I reflect on my own experiences of favoring data over emotion—and how everything shifted when I took the risk to share something personal. That single story often becomes the most talked-about part of the presentation.

You’ll learn:
- Why personal stories build connection and trust with your audience
- How stories help your content land and stick
- The role emotion plays in driving audience action

Plus, I give you 3 practical storytelling tips you can use right away:
1. Choose a story that directly supports your main message
2. Focus on the moment of change or insight
3. Always close with a clear takeaway that ties back to your audience

Stories don’t need to be dramatic or deeply personal. Even small, honest moments from your work life can have a powerful impact.

The key is knowing how to use stories with intention. Because your audience isn’t just seeking information—they’re seeking transformation.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

The script was generated by AI based on past Speaking Your Brand podcast episodes, proprietary frameworks, and years of experience coaching clients on public speaking and thought leadership. Powered by a custom Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, the script pulls from a rich library of our expert insights and methodologies. The final episode is voiced using host Carol Cox’s AI voice clone from Eleven Labs, so you’re getting her guidance - in her own voice - delivered in a quick and accessible format. It’s a unique blend of innovation and authenticity designed to help you speak with confidence and clarity.

How much of your talk should be memorized versus using notes?

Here’s the truth: You don’t need to memorize every word, but you do need to know your message by heart.

I walk you through a powerful mindset shift, plus specific strategies, that will help you become a more impactful and confident speaker - not a perfectionist reader.

From structuring your content to practicing your delivery in a more natural, story-driven way, you’ll learn how to make your message land without getting stuck in your head.

You’ll also hear:

- A real client example of what happened when she tried to memorize her 40-minute keynote - and how her delivery transformed with a different approach

- Why outlining your talk is more effective than scripting it word-for-word

- How to use personal stories and frameworks as anchors in your presentation

- Smart ways to use minimal notes to stay on track and sound polished

- The key mindset: you don’t need to be perfect; you need to be present

Whether you're prepping for a keynote, webinar, or pitch, this episode will give you the insight and encouragement you need to speak from a grounded, confident, and authentic place.

Want help crafting a talk that feels natural and compelling? Head over to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com to learn how we can work together to bring your story and message to life.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

The script was generated by AI based on past Speaking Your Brand podcast episodes, proprietary frameworks, and years of experience coaching clients on public speaking and thought leadership. Powered by a custom Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, the script pulls from a rich library of our expert insights and methodologies. The final episode is voiced using host Carol Cox’s AI voice clone from Eleven Labs, so you’re getting her guidance - in her own voice - delivered in a quick and accessible format. It’s a unique blend of innovation and authenticity designed to help you speak with confidence and clarity.

Have you seen a speaker on stage and thought, “How do I get there too?”

In this episode, I’m diving into the exact steps you can take to start getting booked for speaking engagements, whether your goal is to headline a major conference or be the go-to expert at industry events. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t happen by accident.

I’ll walk you through three key actions that will move you from dreaming about speaking to being seen and heard on real stages:

1. **Build Your Speaker Page**: What to include so event organizers know who you are, what you speak about, and how to book you.

2. **Get Visible in the Right Places**: How showing up - both online and in person - opens doors and creates the connections that lead to bookings.

3. **Pitch Yourself with Purpose**: What makes a pitch stand out to event planners and how to align your message with what their audience truly needs.

These strategies have helped our clients land incredible speaking opportunities and they’re exactly what I used when I first started my own speaking journey.

If you've been wondering when would be the "right time" to start speaking, this is your sign. You don’t need to have everything perfect. You just need to start showing up as the speaker you’re becoming.

Tune in and learn how you can take those first steps with clarity, confidence, and practical tools that get results.

Want help developing your signature talk or keynote? Visit https://www.speakingyourbrand.com to learn how we can work together.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

The script was generated by AI based on past Speaking Your Brand podcast episodes, proprietary frameworks, and years of experience coaching clients on public speaking and thought leadership. Powered by a custom Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, the script pulls from a rich library of our expert insights and methodologies. The final episode is voiced using host Carol Cox’s AI voice clone from Eleven Labs, so you’re getting her guidance - in her own voice - delivered in a quick and accessible format. It’s a unique blend of innovation and authenticity designed to help you speak with confidence and clarity.

Have you finished a presentation only to think… “Well, that’s it”? Or maybe your audience gave polite applause, but didn’t seem all that energized or inspired?

The way you end your presentation is just as important - if not more important - than how you begin.

In this solo episode, I (AI Carol!) explore how to design an impactful ending that leaves your audience feeling connected, motivated, and compelled to take action.

I share:
- Why a strong close matters more than you might think
- What I learned from a fizzled-out ending in one of my own early talks
- Three powerful ways to end your presentation intentionally
- Bring it full circle by revisiting your opening story or metaphor
- Create emotional resonance with heartfelt stories, quotes, or declarations
- Offer one actionable next step to guide your audience forward
- My take on why “Any questions?” should never be your actual closing line

Plus, I prompt you to think about how you want your audience to *feel* and *do* after your talk—because that’s what they’ll remember most.

Before your next speaking engagement, give your ending the thoughtful attention it deserves. Your message, and your audience, are worth it.

If you're ready to elevate your keynote or signature talk, head over to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com to learn how we can help.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

The script was generated by AI based on past Speaking Your Brand podcast episodes, proprietary frameworks, and years of experience coaching clients on public speaking and thought leadership. Powered by a custom Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, the script pulls from a rich library of our expert insights and methodologies. The final episode is voiced using host Carol Cox’s AI voice clone from Eleven Labs, so you’re getting her guidance - in her own voice - delivered in a quick and accessible format. It’s a unique blend of innovation and authenticity designed to help you speak with confidence and clarity.

Feeling stuck in a whirlwind of ideas and unsure of where to begin?

If you're a visionary bursting with possibilities but spinning your wheels trying to pick the “right” starting point, you’re going to love this episode

I know what it’s like—your brain feels like it has 42 tabs open at once. You're juggling creativity, strategy, excitement, and maybe a little bit of pressure to pick the most perfect idea to pursue. And that’s exactly where we can get stuck.

Here’s what I want you to know: having too many ideas isn’t the problem. The key is choosing just *one* to explore—without the pressure of perfection.

In this episode, I walk you through three simple and empowering steps to move from overwhelm to focused clarity:

1. **Pick one idea** that lights you up—not the “best” or most “profitable,” but the one that sparks your curiosity.

2. **Talk it out loud** to gain instant clarity. Whether with a friend, coach, or a voice memo app, speaking activates insights that thinking alone can’t reach.

3. **Create a container** for your ideas so they don’t keep piling up in your brain. Free up mental space and build trust that your ideas will be there when you’re ready.

Whether you're crafting your next talk, business offering, or simply exploring your message, this episode will help you tame the idea flood and take meaningful action.

If you're ready to clarify your message and create a transformational signature talk, https://speakingyourbrand.com to learn how we can work together.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

This episode was 100% created by AI. The script was generated based on past Speaking Your Brand podcast episodes, proprietary frameworks, and years of experience coaching clients on public speaking and thought leadership. Powered by a custom Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system, the script pulls from a rich library of our expert insights and methodologies. The final episode is voiced using host Carol Cox’s AI voice clone from Eleven Labs, so you’re getting her guidance - in her own voice - delivered in a quick and accessible format. It’s a unique blend of innovation and authenticity designed to help you speak with confidence and clarity.

Have you ever stepped onto a stage thinking, “I hope they like my talk…”?

I’ve been there too. But here’s the truth: your presentation isn’t about *you* - it’s about your *audience*. And when you shift your focus to serve them, everything changes.

In this episode, I’m sharing how to organize your presentation using a simple yet powerful 3-act structure based on our Signature Talk Canvas framework. This is your key to creating talks that don’t just inform, but truly connect, flow effortlessly, and leave a lasting impact.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Structure your talk like a compelling story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end
• Open strong by establishing context and emotional connection (hello, Act 1!)
• Share your big idea and key takeaways without overwhelming your audience (hello, Act 2!)
• End with inspiration *and* action so your audience leaves energized (you guessed it: Act 3!)

Plus, I’m giving you actionable tips you can use *right now*, like:

• My favorite color-coded post-it note method
• Why your call to action should guide the entire flow of your content

Whether you’re gearing up for your first big keynote or refining your current presentation, this framework will help you deliver with more confidence, clarity, and connection.

Want personalized help creating your signature talk? Visit https://www.speakingyourbrand.com to find out how we can support you.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

This episode was narrated by AI Carol, a professional clone of Carol Cox's voice created by Eleven Labs.

Have you ever looked out at your audience mid-speech and thought, “Are they still with me?”

Every speaker, no matter how seasoned, has felt that moment of doubt - when people zone out, check their phones, or stare into space. Ouch, right?

In this solo episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest challenges speakers face: keeping your audience engaged from start to finish.

For so long, I focused only on sharing great content. I thought that was enough. But after one talk, a woman told me, “I appreciated what you shared, but I didn’t feel like I got to know you.”

That was my wake-up call to shift from *content-first* to *connection-first* - and it changed everything.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to hook your audience in the first 30 seconds
• Why personal storytelling isn’t optional—it’s powerful
• The secret to making your talk feel like a two-way conversation
• Simple techniques that foster deeper audience reflection and participation
• How to transform your talk from informative to unforgettable

Whether you're speaking on a stage, leading a workshop, or presenting to a group, learning how to keep your audience engaged is *essential* to making an impact.

Remember: Your mission isn’t just to inform - it’s to transform. And that starts with connection.

Want help creating talks that connect and convert? Visit https://www.speakingyourbrand.com to learn how we can work together.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

This episode was narrated by AI Carol, a professional clone of Carol Cox's voice created by Eleven Labs.

You’ve crafted your talk. Your slides look great. Your ideas are strong. But as you begin to speak… something feels off. The energy is low, the audience isn’t fully with you - and you find yourself wondering *why*.

In this episode, I (AI Carol!) dive into the *real* reason some presentations fall flat and how you can change that in the very first minute.

Here’s the truth: Your audience doesn’t want to be informed… they want to be *moved*.

The strongest way to start a presentation isn’t with facts or agendas — it’s with *emotion*.

You’ll learn:

• Why strong openings matter more than polished slides
• How a single question can create instant connection
• The power of skipping the backstory and starting in the middle of the action
• Why bold, surprising statements get people leaning in
• And why “About Me” slides can wait (or be skipped entirely)

I also share a personal story about how one simple question not only captured attention but emotionally drew people in at the very start of my keynote.

Whether you're speaking on a stage, pitching in a meeting, or delivering a workshop, you’ll walk away with instant strategies to transform your openers and make your audience *want* to listen.

Listen now and learn how to lead not just with information but with *intention* and *impact*.

You’ve got this. Your voice matters and your story deserves to be heard.

Want help developing your signature talk or keynote? Visit https://www.speakingyourbrand.com to learn how we can work together.

Be sure to follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss upcoming episodes packed with strategies and inspiration just for you.

For interviews and longer episodes, check out the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

This episode was narrated by AI Carol, a professional clone of Carol Cox's voice created by Eleven Labs.