For decades, FM radio stations served as the primary outlet for major record labels to promote their artists. Radio…
Oh, they’re right enough about climate change. If you look at the data and at changing weather patterns around the…
Everyone thinks they know what good customer service is. We’ve all had bad customer service—a waiter who won’t bring…
What of M&Ms, rock stars, and divas? The rock band Van Halen had an infamous clause in their contract…
Every sailor runs aground sooner or later! How do you know if a speaker really brings the experience they…
13.7-billion years ago, the universe expanded from a single point. Some of the light we see in the sky took…
They don't have a clue! In 1991, I sailed a wooden boat 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. During…
When the urge to gripe arises, consider that no matter what dark clouds may loom on the horizon, you threaded…
Another agonizing networking event! You walk around the room, introduce yourself to the next stranger, ask them what they do,…
Watch a sunbeam Magic! The light reveals swirling dust, a hidden universe Slip a jar under it Close the lid…
Is AI-Generated Marketing Copy the powerful shortcut we've been told it is? The explosive growth of online content has done…
Keep your poor me stories off the stage. My friend Tony showed me a video of a speaker who told…
Is your digital calendar robbing you of the time you need to be productive? Maybe the problem isn't your calendar.…
Perhaps you’ve experienced flow writing. You sit down, watch your fingers tap away at the keyboard, and wonder, Where did…
AI Storytelling - Is it any good? I entered a simple prompt into ChatGPT. Yes, I could have been…
We often hear about "dynamic speaking," but what does that mean? The dictionary defines "dynamics" as "the forces or properties…
You’ve been asked to pitch a big project. You and your teammates Shelly and Barbara sit at your conference table…
Do you think sales is a dirty word? Many of us think that way … and given all the tacky…
The “elevator pitch” is an essential professional tool—a tool that should be kept razor sharp and as ready to deploy…
You've probably read about OpenAI and how artificial intelligence has come of age. It's easy enough to generate articles and…
We all love dessert! If you dine at Seasons 52, you’ll be presented with a selection of tiny sweets at…
Maria, a realtor attended one of my storytelling workshops at the suggestion of a mutual friend. “What does storytelling have…
Lost and found items create logistical challenges, but stories are always about people. The story of how (or whether) a…
I was talking with a friend at a business networking event when a man came plowing through the crowd doling…
How do you put a price on your passion? How can you charge a fair-but-high price for your services? …
Inspire prospects to ask you to sell to them. Many years ago I was out sailing on Biscayne Bay with…
The following advice on writing and publishing is based on my own experiences and those of my clients. I hope…
Hobbyist or professional? True professionals dedicate their lives to being the best in the world at whatever they do—not some…
In storms of life and business, it requires immense energy to sustain conflict. Dangerous and destructive forces require attention and—at…
Imagine an event where each attendee is given a puzzle piece and directed to connect one-at-a-time with others in the…
We give more weight to evidence that supports what we like—a phenomenon called, “confirmation bias.” Belief is often based as…
Anyone who questions the relationship between business and storytelling need look no farther than the humble corporate mission statement. …
Keep your listeners’ attention while reading aloud. The host announces the next author. She walks to the lectern, offers a…
Do you have a customer service horror story to share? What stories are you telling about yourself before you even…
If you’re skeptical about the connection between business strategy and storytelling, consider the challenges faced by advertising agencies and marketers.…
Shipwrecks are the ultimate symbols of massive failure. Building and operating a ship is an enormous enterprise that requires people, money,…
One Sunday morning not long after I had been introduced to sailing, I was enjoying a cup of coffee in…
Storytelling tips: You’re walking along and you happen to look down. “Hey, that’s not a scrap of paper; that’s a…
How do you handle a one-star review? Capable leaders are adept at untangling the many stories that compete for attention…
River stories: Numerous stories have been written about rivers. We all have rivers to cross. Metaphorical rivers represent both the…
Do you trust your compass? Finding your way in life, business, and traffic is a challenge. The easiest way to…
I was frustrated the other day, thinking about how I need a better computer. Some of my software is out…
Is sexual harassment a problem, or a symptom of a larger, deeper issue? The answer depends on the stories we…
Storytelling is a powerful tool, but no one ever talks about story listening. Have you ever been with a friend,…
“This should be a great presentation,” said Jess as we walked into the Chamber of Commerce breakfast and grabbed a…
When I was young, I collected superhero stories and comic books. I was fascinated by the exploits of the same…
“Storytelling…? I don’t know.” A troubled look flashed across Sally’s face. “You'll have a hard time selling me on your…
Are your messages missing the mark? Are your stories clear and accurate or are your meanings lost in translation? The…
Getting stuck in the wrong story can feel productive, but it traps us in conflict and prevents us from reaching…
Use storytelling for problem-solving. Think about the various stories involved in a conflict and plot a course for resolution. Seen…
In 1989, as a 25-year-old sailing solo on a 26-foot sailboat, I spent a surreal Christmas weathering a North Atlantic…
Nideknil Marketplace was all hustle and bustle. Colorful signs above the merchant stalls proclaimed the advantages of endless products and…
Too many professionals buy the story that expertise is a commodity: Hire an expert, tell them what to do, and…
Verbs are the engines that move your writing, your speaking, your readers, and your audiences but many authors ands presenters don’t…
How do stories work? You knew that movie was going to stink as soon as you got through the opening…
I’ve been videoconferencing for years; this will be easy! I thought as I began my first virtual speech. When it…
You’ve already read at least a dozen articles about ZOOM and videoconferencing that remind you to mute yourself when you’re…
Body language and spoken language: Combine them strategically to enhance audience engagement. In my 2019 Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest entry,…
Speechcrafting is a special discipline of which speechwriting is but a single element. The effective speechcrafting professional understands the art…
A little storytelling fun: a poem by yours truly. The title is a reference to the traditional Stone Soup folktale.…
An accomplished jazz musician, educator, and friend pointed out that too many virtuosic young players blow a lot of noisy…
A friend asked if he should take a day off work to attend a free “Become a Millionaire Speaker or…
Great storytellers are masters of time and tempo. What is this mysterious thing called “time?” Does it flow at the…
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