Podcast Summary

Podcast: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson (Presented By Marigold)
Host: GURU Media Hub
Episode: Bathroom Break #71 SPECIAL COLLAB: The Marketing Millennials + Do This, Not That – “Public Speaking Secrets! (These WORK!)”
Date: September 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This special cross-over “Bathroom Break” episode brings together Daniel Murray (The Marketing Millennials) and Jay Schwedelson (Do This, NOT That, and author of "Stupider People Have Done It") to share hands-on, no-nonsense public speaking advice tailored for marketers, conference presenters, and anyone wanting to elevate their communication. The lively and candid conversation covers pre-stage jitters, practical speaking hacks, and the importance of making presentations relatable and engaging—whether you’re addressing a packed conference hall or a handful of colleagues on a Zoom call.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Overcoming Book Nerves & Jumping In

• Jay’s Book Release & Vulnerability
  Jay jokes about feeling unqualified and uneasy as a first-time author, reminding listeners that discomfort is normal when trying something new:

  “I don't think I've ever had more imposter syndrome or felt more uncomfortable about doing something in my life than doing this book.”
  — Jay (00:57)

• Just Start
  Daniel and Jay both reiterate the value of taking action rather than overthinking—true in writing, speaking, and marketing.

  “If he has an idea, he just like does it … If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't.”
  — Daniel (01:35)

2. Practical Public Speaking Prep

A. Practice in Realistic Conditions

• Noise is Your Friend
  Don’t practice in total silence—simulate the room’s distractions.

  “When you practice what you're going to say, you practice it with the TV on, you practice it with people in the room or whatever ... when you ultimately do speak ... it's not going to be a perfect setup.”
  — Jay (02:53)

• Sports Analogy for Preparedness
  Daniel likens this to sports teams rehearsing under similar match conditions (loud stadium, wet footballs):

  “You need to be as close to the conditions on the field like they say in sports as possible.”
  — Daniel (03:38)

B. Forget Memorizing—Embrace Flow with Word Cues

• Anchor to Keywords, Not a Script
  Daniel advocates for flexible, cue-based speaking, not rote memorization:

  “I don't like to memorize speeches. I like to have word cues ... Because memorizing, I feel if you … forget something, there's nothing to go off of.”
  — Daniel (03:38)

• Memorization Kills Engagement
  Jay agrees, warning that memorized delivery sounds robotic and disengaged:

  “There's nothing more boring than … somebody that has memorized something say it. They're not invested in it. They're just trying to get through it.”
  — Jay (04:52)

C. Never Start with a Boring Agenda Slide

• Avoid the List of Topics
  Jay’s cardinal sin: openers that outline every talking point up front kill energy and anticipation.

  “Their first slide or two has a list … instantly … you're as an attendee, as a listener, like, oh, God, this is going to be terrible. … Don't do that. Stop being boring out of the gate.”
  — Jay (05:14)

D. Less is More—Cut Your Tips

• Quality Over Quantity
  Daniel stresses brevity—deliver fewer, stronger takeaways:

  “If you have like 15 tips, try to get it down to 10 to eight tips and just go for the best eight tips.”
  — Daniel (06:02)

  Avoid the dread of rushing at the end or running overtime.

3. Audience Empathy & Accessibility

A. Explain Jargon & Acronyms

• Never Assume Prior Knowledge
  Jay notes a common pitfall: using lingo without explanation alienates part of your audience.

  “I won't actually say what the acronym is. And then invariably people will come and be afterwards: What's DTC? … Never make somebody feel stupid in the audience.”
  — Jay (07:22)

• Teaching Simply is True Expertise
  Daniel highlights the importance of making content accessible for all:

  “The way to become an expert is, like, teach it simply. ... Always say like, call to action 'CTA,' so people know what you're talking about.”
  — Daniel (08:15)

B. Human Connection Before Taking the Stage

• Dealing with Pre-talk Nerves

  • Daniel: Admits to feeling anxious before stepping on stage—“I'm, like, trying to breathe, like, center myself. … I'm out before I get on stage.” (09:05)
  • Jay: Recommends grounding oneself by chatting with attendees pre-talk:

    “I try to connect with at least one human being, have a normal conversation. … the second that you can humanize whoever it is that you're about to speak to, it puts you at ease.” (09:42)

• Everyone Gets Nervous
  Jay reassures listeners:

  “Everybody gets nervous … Don't ever label yourself that you can't publicly speak. That stinks.”
  — Jay (10:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taking the Leap:
  “If he has an idea, he just like does it … If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't.” — Daniel (01:35)

• Practice in Chaos:
  “When you do actually speak somewhere … it's not going to be a perfect setup. … You want to have an environment that's a little bit more similar to reality.” — Jay (02:53)

• The Dangers of Memorizing:
  “There's nothing more boring than … somebody that has memorized something say it.” — Jay (04:52)

• Death by Agenda Slide:
  “Don't show them the list of the crap that you're going to say, because that is when you lose everybody.” — Jay (05:31)

• Less is More:
  “Always try to concise your talk a little bit into smaller chunks because even if you [give] smaller chunks, I guarantee you'll probably get close to that time on stage.” — Daniel (06:25)

• Empathy First:
  “Never make somebody feel stupid in the audience. You want everyone to feel as comfortable as they can.” — Jay (07:54)

• Pre-stage Rituals:
  “Jay’s a completely different. I see Jay before he goes on stage. … talking to 18 people, gets on stage. And literally me, I'm, like, sweating profusely.” — Daniel (09:15)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:34 – 01:45: Jay’s new book announcement; tackling imposter syndrome in publishing
• 01:45 – 03:38: How both hosts prep for public speaking; practice routine and “game day” mindset
• 03:38 – 04:52: The problem with memorizing speeches; using word cues for flow
• 04:52 – 06:02: The curse of the agenda slide; keep early slides engaging
• 06:02 – 06:50: Deciding on the number of tips; paring down content
• 06:50 – 08:04: Explaining industry jargon; avoiding confusion
• 08:45 – 09:42: Pre-session nerves; connecting with attendees
• 09:42 – 10:50: Jay and Daniel’s contrasting pre-talk energy; normalizing nervousness

Final Takeaways

• Practice in realistic, noisy conditions to feel prepared for the real thing (02:53)
• Ditch memorization—use word cues and trust your expertise for flow (03:38)
• Leave out agenda dump slides; jump straight to engaging content (05:14)
• Trim your tips—better to finish a speech with value and time to spare (06:02)
• Always explain acronyms/jargon; make your knowledge accessible (07:22)
• Connect with audience members to ease nerves and humanize the experience (09:42)
• Everyone gets nervous—don’t label yourself a bad speaker; keep trying (10:25)

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to up their public speaking game, especially marketers who want to engage, not alienate, their audiences. Real, practical, and a little irreverent—the perfect “Bathroom Break” boost to your week.