Ever been in front of a crowd with your heart racing, palms sweating, and mind in overdrive? Yep, I've been there too. That's why today, I'm excited to take you on a backstage journey into the fascinating world of public speaking. And who better to guide us than Adriana Baer, a stellar coach who equips leaders with powerful speaking skills, drawing from her rich theater background.

Adriana opens up about how her theatrical past not only helped her face her own fears but also how it serves as a unique toolkit to empower her clients. She focuses on fostering a genuine connection with the audience, aligning with their goals, and digging deep to find that motivation.

We dived deep into how a well-crafted narrative can completely transform your speech, keeping your audience hooked. Adriana graciously shared her method of helping clients achieve the perfect mix of structure and flexibility in their speeches. We also touched on the high-energy Disrupt HR format, where the challenge is to deliver an impactful presentation that's tailored to various events and caters to diverse learners. I also threw in a few of my insights on slide design - a topic that sparks quite a debate.

But, a perfectly designed speech can fall flat without authenticity, right? So we plunged into a candid conversation about this crucial element. Adriana shared a hilarious anecdote where she found herself unintentionally mimicking an "NPR personality" on her podcast. We emphasized the importance of voice warm-ups, truly living the words we speak, and ensuring our presentations echo our authentic selves.

Addressing the ever-present fear of public speaking, Adriana drew fascinating parallels between speaking and singing, delving into the psychological ties that bind the two. We concluded with practical tips on overcoming stage fright and where to find more of Adriana's incredible resources.

Show Highlights:

How Adriana's theater background differentiates her from many public speaking coaches who might come from corporate backgrounds or are professional speakers themselves.
The framework of crafting a message and delivering it with impact.
Why understanding internal roadblocks, like mental and emotional barriers, is key to effective public speaking.
How using an acting technique, and creating an "audience character" can provide a clear focus for speakers, and ensure that their message resonates.
Why using frameworks and structure can be more powerful and relatable for delivering a message than memorizing a speech.
Slides or no slides? Adriana shares her perspective.
The science behind the power of storytelling, and how it creates connection.
What many popular speakers do wrong, and what great ones do right.

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People & Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Adriana Baer - website, LinkedIn, Instagram

Free Resource: Beyond Once Upon a Time: 15 Ways to Start Your Speeches & Brainstorm Ideas That Won't Bore Your Audience

Michael Port / Heroic Public Speaking

Kindra Hall

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Episode Credits:

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.