Advertise on podcast: The Presentation Whisperer Show

Most of us try to avoid confrontation, and for good reason. But sometimes a difficult conversation is necessary, and knowing what to say... and what not to say, can make the difference between resolving a problem and making it worse. In this Whisper Shot, Rob shares a six-step process for handling confrontation professionally, from opening with “I need your help” and focusing on the facts to presenting a reasonable solution and gaining agreement. Whether you're dealing with a difficult conversation at work or a challenging relationship, this approach gives you a clear path toward resolution.   In this quick, six-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: Why confrontation should usually be a last resort—and when it may become necessaryHow starting with “I need your help” can lower the temperature of a difficult conversationWhy focusing on the situation and its results keeps the conversation grounded in facts rather than feelingsWhen saying “I personally feel” can help, and when it can make things worseHow to present a fair and reasonable solution for moving forwardWhy gaining agreement is critical to resolving conflict and preventing the problem from happening againHow clearly established consequences can give you the confidence to handle confrontation professionallyTo learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

What if the most powerful message you could give an audience is the one that comes directly from who you are? Finding the right message is one thing, but discovering whether that message is connected to your true calling can change the way you approach speaking, training, and the work you choose to pursue. Creator of the, “Your Calling Map,” Adele DiMarco sits down with Rob to explore how speakers and leaders can uncover their calling, find an authentic message, and develop the courage to put that message into the world. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience guiding nearly 1,000 leaders, Adele shares how passion, purpose, authenticity, and mental-emotional strength can help determine whether professional speaking or training is truly the right path. In this Presentation Whisperer Show you will learn: The difference between having a message you are good at delivering and discovering the message you were truly built to share.Why your most authentic message can be more powerful than simply delivering something you know well.How to begin identifying the gift, purpose, or calling you were meant to give.How Adele’s Your Calling Map can help people clarify their calling and determine the path they want to pursue.Why genuine passion matters when building a career around speaking or training.How to distinguish between having something important to say and having a message an audience actually needs to hear.What Culture Coding and Mental-Emotional Strength Training mean and how they can help people discover and fulfill their calling.What can get in the way after someone discovers their calling and message—and why courage is often required to put that message into the world.The first step for someone who believes they have a message inside them but doesn't know where to begin.The one thing every speaker should understand about purpose, calling, and the message they bring to an audience.To learn more about this guest: Email: [email protected] Website: Yinovate.com  Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

What makes a giveaway memorable instead of forgettable? The right giveaway can do more than reward participation; it can extend the impact of a presentation long after the audience leaves the room. In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, Rob shares the lessons he’s learned about getting the giveaway right, including why some giveaways annoy, anger, or simply bore an audience. You’ll also hear the story behind one of his most memorable giveaways of his career: the "Robble-Head." In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: Why a poorly chosen giveaway can actually hurt a presentation. How giveaways can go wrong when they’re too costly, too personal, too trite, or simply impractical. What makes a giveaway memorable enough to extend the impact of your presentation. The thinking behind Rob’s famous Robble-Head and why it created such a stir with audiences. To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

Confidence changes when you stop waiting to feel it and start believing in what you have to say. Because when you truly believe in your message, and yourself, it changes the way you perform, particularly when the pressure is on. Author and speaker Troy “Coach” Esprit sits down with Rob to explore the connection between belief, execution, and success when it comes to public speaking and performing under pressure. Drawing from more than 25 years of coaching athletes, Troy shares how speakers can build confidence, strengthen their presentation skills, and continue to perform even on the days when they don't feel at their best. In this Presentation Whisperer Show you will learn: Why believing in yourself and your message can change the way you perform in front of an audience.How Troy’s B.E.S. framework: Belief + Execution = Success—connects confidence with effective presentation delivery.What separates a speaker who believes in their message from one who actually executes that message well.How to continue performing effectively when your confidence isn't at its best.The similarities between performing under pressure in sports and performing in front of an audience.Whether confidence is something you either have or don't have, or whether belief can actually be developed.How personal growth can help someone become a better speaker beyond simply improving their presentation skills.The things speakers may do that unintentionally undermine their confidence or credibility before they get very far into a presentation.What speakers should practice beyond simply getting more opportunities to speak.The one belief Troy wants every speaker to carry with them when they step onto a stage.To learn more about this guest: Website: coachesprit.com Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-esprit07/ Instagram: @coach_esprit YouTube: @ExposureLabSports Book: https://coachesprit.com/giving-your-bes  Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

What if two simple words could help you in almost any professional interaction? Whether you’re facing a big presentation, an important sales call, a job interview, or simply meeting someone new, there’s one thing you can always control... even when everything else feels uncertain. In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, I'll reveal the two words I call “The Great Equalizers."  You’ll discover why people may forgive a missed question, a forgotten handout, or even a less-than-perfect presentation, but they’re far less forgiving when you lack energy and enthusiasm. In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: The two words I consider “The Great Equalizers” in almost any professional interaction. Why energy and enthusiasm can matter more than getting every technique or detail exactly right. What you can control when anxiety starts taking over before a presentation, sales call, interview, or important meeting. Why people are willing to forgive many mistakes, but may not forgive a lack of energy and enthusiasm. To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

What separates a speaker who looks completely prepared from one who simply knows the material? The difference may come down to what happens long before they ever step onto the stage. Great presentations don't just happen; they're built through deliberate presentation preparation and practice. Behavioral Scientist, Author, and Speaker, Siri Chilazi sits down with Rob to explore what meticulous preparation really looks like for a speaker, from rehearsing the actual words to using repetition without sounding memorized. Drawing on behavioral science and research, Siri shares how speakers can practice more effectively, prepare for the moment they walk onto the stage, and stay composed when something inevitably goes wrong. In this Presentation Whisperer Show you will learn: What truly meticulous presentation preparation looks like—and why simply knowing your material isn't enough.How to practice a presentation effectively rather than simply running through it again and again.Why rehearsing the actual words of a presentation can matter, even when you want to sound natural and conversational.When repetition can make a presentation stronger and when too much practice can actually hurt your delivery.How to prepare for a presentation the same way you might study for an important exam.How speakers can rehearse enough to feel prepared without sounding memorized or robotic.What should happen in the critical moments between having your name called and stepping onto the stage.How your walk to the stage, physical presence, movement, and first moments can affect your presentation delivery.How a well-prepared speaker can respond when something goes wrong without allowing panic to take over.The one thing Siri would change about the way most speakers prepare for a presentation.To learn more about this guest: ·     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirichilazi/ ·     Sign up for Siri’s newsletter: https://makeworkfair.com/newsletter/ ·     Personal website: https://sirichilazi.com/ ·     Book website: https://makeworkfair.com/ ·     Talks on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgjDPJwCzeKiBLY9JkVmv_g Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

Networking meetings can feel productive and still leave you with absolutely nothing. You ask the right questions, listen carefully, and make a good impression... but what if you’re missing the one question that can actually move the conversation forward? In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, Rob reveals the simple question that can transform a networking conversation from polite small talk into genuine help. Once you learn how to ask for help directly, you may never look at a networking meeting quite the same way again. In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: Why networking meetings can fall flat even when you prepare all the right questions. The critical piece most people forget when meeting someone who could help them find a job or opportunity. The simple question that removes the “800-pound gorilla” from the room and changes the direction of the conversation. Why people are often willing to help—but may be waiting for you to actually ask. To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

What if the thing you’re trying hardest to hide as a speaker is actually the thing that could make you unforgettable? The most compelling presenters don’t simply deliver a message; they find the courage to communicate it in a way that is unmistakably their own. Author, performer, and professor Paul Gordon sits down with Rob to explore what it means to embrace your own “punk,” Paul’s word for the unique qualities that make you who you are. Drawing from an extraordinary career that includes performing for a worldwide audience of more than two billion people and seven years as a garbageman, Paul shares why getting out of your own way may be the key to saying what you truly mean, both on stage and in life. In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn: Why bringing theatrical skills into presentations can make speakers more effective, even if they don’t consider themselves performers.What gets in the way when speakers struggle to “get out of their own way.”Why traditional scripts can sometimes interfere with authentic communication.Whether communicating with greater authenticity is a learned skill or something you either naturally have or don’t.How Paul’s seven years as a garbageman shaped the performer, professor, and communicator he became.What to do when you feel yourself slipping into “speaker mode” instead of simply being yourself.How to discover what you really need to say—and find the courage to say it.An exercise that can help uncover more of your own unique brilliance before your next presentation.One powerful piece of advice Paul would give every speaker who wants to communicate more authentically.To learn more about this guest: [email protected] https://thepaulgordon.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaulGordon FB: https://www.facebook.com/the.paul.gordon/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepaulgordon/ Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

What’s more dangerous than not knowing enough? Thinking you already know it all. Sometimes the experience that makes you confident as a presenter can also be the very thing keeping you from getting better. In this quick Whisper Shot, Rob shares a lesson he learned from a basketball coaching workshop, and from legendary coach Don Nelson, that changed the way he coached both basketball and business. Because sometimes the most valuable lessons arrive when we’re least interested in learning them. In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: Why experience can sometimes become an obstacle to continued growth. The surprising lesson Rob learned from former Washington Bullets player Kevin Grevey about what great coaches focus on. Why telling people to “win” may be less effective than teaching them to focus on what they can actually control. What John Wooden meant when he said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all, that counts.” To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

Landing a speaking engagement is hard. Getting invited back can be even harder. Actor, and key note speaker Zack Starr sits down with Rob to explore how speakers can use video to build trust long before they walk on stage… and long after they’ve left it. Drawing from his work helping leaders create dynamic human connections, Zack shares how speakers can use video to stand out, build credibility, strengthen client relationships, and turn a simple smartphone into a powerful business tool. In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn: Why most speakers think of video primarily as a marketing tool—and why it can be so much more powerful than that.How video can help professional speakers stand out by building trust and connection, rather than simply looking more polished.How Zack’s SMILE system can turn a two-minute video into a powerful alternative to a much longer proposal.The most valuable videos a professional speaker should have beyond a traditional sizzle reel.How speakers can use video before an event to build credibility and excitement with attendees.How video after a presentation can increase the chances of repeat business and referrals.Three videos speakers can create with a smartphone, a decent microphone, and almost no budget.The biggest mistakes speakers make when they’re on camera—and how to avoid them.How speakers can use video creatively to win business and strengthen client relationships.The one change speakers can make in how they use video to have the greatest impact on landing engagements and getting invited back.To learn more about this guest: Website: www.zackstarr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zack-starr-69a58617a Email: [email protected] Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: o Why the “big picture” is essential in any presentation or conversation. o How audiences become confused when they receive information without context. o The danger of giving turn-by-turn information without a destination. o Why people disengage when they can’t see where a message is going. o How virtual communication amplifies attention challenges. o The difference between topic-by-topic and big-picture framing. o Why a simple opening statement can transform clarity and engagement. o How small shifts in language improve audience understanding. o Ways to apply the big picture principle in business conversations. o Why helping people see the destination keeps them mentally present.   To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

Ever notice how the most confident presenters rarely sound rehearsed? That’s because confidence doesn’t come from memorizing every word; it comes from knowing your material so well that you can focus on the audience, not what comes next. Performance coach David Starbuck Smith sits down with Rob to explore what it really means to master a presentation, from managing nerves and pressure to preparing for unexpected questions. Drawing on more than 25 years of helping leaders, athletes, and teams perform at their best, David shares how deep knowledge, not memorization, is what allows presenters to adapt, tell better stories, recover when things go sideways, and make their message look effortless. In this Presentation Whisperer Show you will learn: How The Alignment Advantage™ came to life and what it can teach presenters about preparation and performance. How leaders and elite performers approach preparation differently—and what the average presenter can learn from them. What it really means to know your topic “front to back and back to front.” Why deep knowledge is more powerful than simply memorizing a presentation. How mastering your subject can make you a better storyteller, not just a better-informed speaker. What audiences pick up on when presenters rely too heavily on a script. How to recover confidently when you lose your place, get interrupted, or face the unexpected. How to prepare for questions that nobody could have anticipated. A practical way to move from simply knowing your slides to truly owning your material before an important keynote. An exercise presenters can use to deepen their command of a topic before stepping on stage. How to manage nerves and pressure when your stomach begins to churn before going onstage. The one preparation lesson David believes every presenter should remember before their next presentation. To learn more about this guest: https://davidstarbucksmith.com/ [email protected] insta: @davidstarbucksmith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-starbuck-smith-09174b5/ Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: o The difference between being “in the zone” and being in a grind. o Why performance is often inconsistent, even for high achievers. o How golfers use the concept of “grinding” to survive tough rounds. o Why grinding is a mindset, not a measure of effort. o How to stay productive when your A-game is missing. o The importance of fighting negative self-talk during setbacks. o Why patience plays a critical role in performance recovery. o How to evaluate your systems and processes when results slip. o Why support networks matter when you're struggling. o How to keep moving forward even when success feels out of reach.   To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

The best presenters have something in common with the best salespeople: they don’t simply deliver information. They create the energy, awareness, and belief that can move people to action. Enterprise Sales Leader, TEDx Speaker, author, and entrepreneur Steven Dossou sits down with Rob to explore what great salespeople understand about people that presenters can learn from. Drawing on his experience working with professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives around the world, Steven shares how presence, awareness, persuasion, and energy can transform a presentation from something people hear into something that actually moves them. In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn: The difference between an audience that enjoys a presentation and one that actually takes action because of it. What presenters can learn from the energy and presence great salespeople bring to a conversation. How to lead an audience toward action without making them feel like they’re being pushed. Why awareness is so important in sales—and how presenters can use it to help audiences recognize a problem or opportunity for themselves. Why great selling is often less about convincing people and more about understanding where they are and helping them see where they could go. Some of the biggest mistakes presenters make when trying to persuade an audience. How Steven’s experience as an Enterprise Sales Leader has influenced the way he approaches the stage. What presenters with great content but limited energy or engagement can do to create more movement in the room. One sales principle every presenter can immediately apply to their next presentation. To learn more about this guest: [email protected] www.stevendossou.com/speaking-engagement/   www.stevendossou.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

“You’re just not good enough.” That voice can show up at exactly the wrong moment, especially when you’re about to step in front of an audience. What if that voice isn’t protecting you at all, but is actually the biggest bully you’ll ever have to face? In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, Rob reveals two surprisingly simple weapons for confronting that bully: positive self-talk and your own track record. Learn how to stop feeding those doubts and start giving yourself a better chance to perform with confidence. In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, you’ll learn: Why the negative voice in your head can feel more powerful when you’re under pressure.How fear disguises itself as a voice that is supposedly trying to protect you.Why confronting negative self-talk is the first step toward taking away its power.How positive affirmations can help weaken the “bully in the brain.”Why your personal track record can be one of your strongest weapons against self-doubt.How consistently refusing to feed negative thoughts can make them weaker over time.Why confidence doesn’t require eliminating doubt—it requires learning not to listen to it.To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters