Advertise on podcast: Unforgettable Presentations

Every August, Toastmasters International crowns a new World Champion of Public Speaking. In today's episode, Mark and Darren have a heart-to-heart chat with 2026 WCPS Dirceu da Silva, as he unveils the story behind his Toastmasters journey, and the process behind his success.    SNIPPETS: • Focus on becoming better immediately • Seek the patterns that make a good competition speech   • Treat every club speech as a competition speech   • Start preparing for the contest early   • Never miss a chance to learn from a World Champion   • Keep your vision clear and your commitment alive   • Fellow contestants make us better   • Think about yourself & your goals differently and daily   • Prepare as if you are on the finals stage   • Make sure your message is universal   • Winning takes a lot of work   • The title brings privilege and responsibility   • You shouldn't judge the value of the feedback by the person who's giving it   • The title isn't for the chosen few, but for the few who chose to take the steps   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

How important are AUTHENTICITY and BELIEVABILITY for a professional communicator? Hall of Fame speaker, author, Harvard Adjunct Lecturer and former opera singer Allison Shapira tackles this question in a lively conversation with Darren and Mark. Drawing from her experience with diplomacy, politics and navigating difficult questions from hostile audiences, Allison offers sage advice on audience-focused, authentic service.    SNIPPETS:   • Acknowledge opposing viewpoints • Be believable   • Practice Strategic Authenticity   • Be real on stage   • Be prepared and polished, but not perfect   • Show respect to your audience   • Fill your speech with something unique, valuable, and interesting   • Provide the right material for the right audience   • Be sensitive to your audience and pivot in the moment when necessary   • Don't use your artistic gift gratuitously, but to enhance your presentation   • Your opening should be exactly the opposite of what everyone expects   • AI can get in the way of our authenticity   • AI is causing a crisis of believability   • Understand what makes you believable     Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

A common idiom says, "Everyone loves an underdog story." Today, Mark and Darren explore that concept with acclaimed American screenwriter and producer Angelo Pizzo, whose films include the iconic classics 'HOOSIERS' and 'RUDY.' They discuss the challenges and philosophy behind writing compelling underdog stories, as Angelo reveals techniques for fostering audience connection and creating emotional experiences.    SNIPPETS:   • Don't think about the odds • Have blind faith and a strong vision   • Use your own voice   • The essence of all drama is conflict. No conflict, no drama   •  Connect the audience with the desire to know what happens next.   • Connect on an emotional level   • Write from the inside out   • Rooting for the underdog is actually rooting for yourself   • Create unexpected, unique, inventive obstacles   • Make them feel like they're hearing the obvious for the very first time   • Be really faithful to the spirit of the truth   • Tell stories that move others   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com   Youtube: https://youtu.be/kK2WAhV6EbA

Technology has become an important tool for presenters, and few know more about this than Rich Hart, CEO and Founder of Global Media Studios in Atlanta, GA, USA. Mark and Darren speak with Rich about using video and technology to tell their stories, common storytelling mistakes, demo video quality, home studio setup, professional attire, and more.   SNIPPETS: • Use video to tell your story • Have a written plan in place   • You need quality video   • Your low point can be relatable   • Use a solid structure   • Lighting, video, and sound quality resonate and reach the audience.   • For virtual presentations, give yourself a good background   • Good audio is critical   • Don't go to work half-dressed   • Attire sends a message   • Be professional and comfortable   • Dress being mindful of technology like body mics   • Use different formats to tell your story   Work with Rich Hart: https://www.GlobalMediaStudios.com                   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

What has become most important to meeting planners  in the 2020s? What do speakers need to be successful? How can a speaker's bureau help? After 31 years as the founder and CEO of Garrett Speakers International (GSI), Executive Coach Betty Garrett joins Mark and Darren for a frank discussion about working with a bureau, what works in today's speaking business…and what doesn't. Applying her insights will put you on the path to being unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • Be trustworthy • Invest time in building a relationship with a bureau   • Big egos are a red flag   • Bureaus don't sell speakers; they sell solutions and reduced risk   • Speakers need FIVE ELEMENTS to be perceived as a thought leader   • Identify a bureau's strengths and weaknesses before working with them   • 85% of planners look for THE FOUR R's   • Speakers need measurement tools to prove impact & justify their existence   • Have bureau-ready materials   • Bureaus have clients you may not be able to reach   • Do not go bureau-exclusive   • Choose a bureau that shares your philosophy and values   Work with Betty Garrett https://www.bettygarrett.com/                   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

How does one achieve greatness in one career, then do the same in another? Today, Darren and Mark find out from best-selling author and Hall-Of-Fame speaker Don Yaeger, and his coach, Hall-Of-Fame speaker Patricia Fripp. They discuss Don's transition from professional writing to world-class public speaking and examine Patricia's role as his professional coach.   SNIPPETS: • Greatness is an iterative process • Feedback is the breakfast of champions and champions eat breakfast   • Anybody worth their salt hires a coach   • Conduct pre-calls with prospective coaches to find the right coach for you   • Don't expect to be a good speaker if you don't spend time focused on it   • If you can't say anything worthwhile in 3 minutes, you don't deserve an hour   • Watch game film with your coach   • Watch your videos pretending that the speaker is someone else   • Conduct post-speech calls with clients   • Reverse your 'I/YOU' ratio   • Be intentional in everything you do   • Remain humble     Work with Don Yaeger https://www.DonYaeger.com                   Work with Patricia Fripp https://www.Fripp.com                   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

The 2026 Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking  was held in August, and this special episode was requested by many. Darren and Mark are joined by fellow World Champions David Brooks (1990), Ed Tate (2000), Lance Miler (2005), and Aaron Beverly (2019) as they offer their observations and share their thoughts on the 2026 Finals.   SNIPPETS: • The WCPS should be the best speakers in their best setting. • The WCPS should be a showcase event and a marketing tool   • Energy at contest time is critical   • Get audience perspectives on what works and what doesn't   • Avoid using local references   • Don't stop when you make a mistake in rehearsal   • Provide levity amidst heavy moments   • The speaker who wins the audience wins the contest   • Give the audience something different   • Be demographically strategic   • Measure pauses in heartbeats; a pause is a device   • Silence is a message   • Disturb the audience's predicted thinking patterns   • Internalize your message to better handle on-stage mishaps                       Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

It's been said that great speeches aren't written; they're re-written. Today Darren and Mark learn the ins and outs of great writing from author/speaker/minister Vince Antonucci. His techniques are simple and practical, and when applied well, they will help you to become UNFORGETTABLE.   SNIPPETS: • Be clear; clarity counts • Simplicity and clarity are genius   • Avoid speaking in abstractions   • Never assume that your audience knows anything   • Avoid the curse of knowledge   • Be concrete instead of abstract   • Write the way you speak   • GHOST writing is really COLLABORATIVE writing   • The first chapter, sentence, and line are most important   • Edit at the word level   • Simplify, simplify, simplify   • Rehearse out loud   • Apply the 10 Phases of Speech Writing

How do we find stories that change lives? In this episode, Mark & Darren get answers from award-winning filmmaker Stephen Kendrick of the Kendrick Brothers. They dive into story techniques and the mindset behind powerful storytelling. Stephen's tips will help you to become UNFORGETTABLE.   SNIPPETS: • Use realistic context • Lead with a teaser, create a hook, and keep them curious   • Help them understand, agree, commit and become ambassadors/advocates   • Edit wisely, sometimes rearranging scenes   • Shepherd the audience's emotions   • Land with truth that matters   • Don't impress, IMPACT   • Love your audience and serve their needs   • Your experience carries weight, tell your story   • Don't impress, IMPACT   • Distill your message and make sure they get the gold   • Use rhythm and pauses   • Be humble, but confident   Stephen Kendrick's upcoming theatrical release: October 16, 2026 https://flywheelignitionofthesoulmovie.com/   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Peer collaboration may be just what you need to get breakthroughs and insights. Reflecting on a recent CREATE YOUR UNFORGETTABLE KEYNOTE 3-Day workshop, Darren & Mark discuss the benefits of both having and being a brainstorm buddy. They also expound on the value of having brainstorm buddies from unexpected sources.   SNIPPETS: • Gives a different perspective • Has a heart to help   • Opens our thinking   • Have a Zoom coffee   • Draw from the expertise of others   • Look outside your industry   • Consider neighbors, teens, and others in your social circle   • Tap into a brain unlike yours   • They help you to be more creative in less time   • They can help you test new material   • AI helps, but cannot replace human interaction   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Most presenters serve a niche audience, but how should they navigate serving diverse audiences? Today Mark and Darren talk with Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali, Dewan to the Prince of Arcot, from the Royal Family in Chennai, India. Asif shares the techniques and mindset that he applies to address a broad range of audience demographics…from kids to diplomats to United Nations audiences. His expertise and experience will help any presenter to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Read widely • Be willing to share your knowledge   • Be eager to learn from young and more mature alike   • Help young people to turn information into knowledge   • Help different generations to have confidence in each other   • Understand how generations change over time   • Enjoy speaking and the audience will enjoy it too   • Get energy from every audience regardless of age, and give it back to them   • Become like every audience   • Choose appropriate language for specific audience demographic and situation   • Be minimal with the media   • Be flexible   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Darren often says: "We must connect before we can educate, inspire or persuade." Today, Darren and Mark talk with veteran late-night comedy writer and Human Humor Detector Chris McGuire about the importance of connecting quickly. Chris lays out a proven strategy that will help any presenter to connect early and effectively…especially when speaking to high-stakes audiences.   SNIPPETS: • You must connect early • Audiences immediately want to know what's in it for them   • Become a pain point detective   • Show that you see them and you get them   • Use the language of the room   • Open a case file   • Verify you research   • Use 'bits' and 'run a comedic play' to do the heavy lifting   • Use location humor   • Use custom humor   • Without connection, content is irrelevant

"LinkedIn is always changing! How do we stay current?" This question is on the minds of many, and today Mark and Darren get answers from LinkedIn Top Voice Richard Bliss. As they discuss critical changes to the platform, Richard shares the simple but necessary adjustments that will help us maximize our reach on LinkedIn.   SNIPPETS: • LinkedIn is BUSINESS MEDIA, not a social media platform • We must change our mindset about the platform   • It tracks and analyzes our behaviors   • It will warn users and suspend them if necessary   • Beware LinkedIn jail   • Be purposeful and show your value in your profile   • Your ABOUT section should not be a resume/CV   • You are on stage on LinkedIn   • Don't just be a cheerleader with 'likes' and 'congrats'   • Ditch multiple hashtags; they fragment your message   • Use 100-150 words to accompany videos, which should be 30 seconds or less   • Saving posts is a value indicator   • LinkedIn is your digital identity, it provides legitimacy   Attend Richard and Darren's Workshop August 7-8, 2026 https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/linkedin-deep-dive-for-professional-speakers/ DISCOUNT CODE : POD25   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

There is no guarantee that audiences will remember every nugget and act after a presentation. This is especially true when leading workshops and multi-day programs. Darren and Mark expound on two tools that make this easier: KEEPERS and ACTION ITEMS. They explain how these tools help program attendees retain content and follow up on their own action plans more consistently.   SNIPPETS: • KEEPERS are 'ahas', ACTION ITEMS are to-dos • Keepers can come from the presenter(s) and other attendees   • Invite attendees to share their Keepers and Action Items   • Common Keepers show what 'lands'   • Allocate 2 or 3-minute periods to update throughout the day   • Sharing their Keepers & Action Items is an engaging experience   • Keepers & Action Items show ROI to managers   • Inspire Action Items that are immediately implementable   • Verbalizing Action Items is a public declaration of commitment   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/  Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Virtual presentations are here to stay and as presenters we must keep our audiences interested and engaged, sometimes for multi-day programs.  Mark and Darren have conducted virtual programs for several years and today they are joined by Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis as they share proven techniques for keeping virtual audiences engaged.   SNIPPETS: • Have a co-host or co-presenter • Be prepared for technical difficulties   • Dress professionally on camera   • Avoid eating/drinking on camera unless it is germane   • Be aware that your audience faces multiple distractions   • It is our responsibility as experts to provide relevant content.   • Practice and record your presentation   • Watch as an audience member   • Address potential distractions in your background   • Master PACE ELEMENTS   • Own your platform   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com