What makes a speech connect, land, and win? In this special Speak Arizona episode, Matt Malan steps into the host seat for a live workshop with Darren LaCroix, the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. Darren gives real-time feedback on Matt's Division contest speech and breaks down practical ways to make a message more memorable. They explore how to use dialogue instead of narration, create vivid scenes, build emotional moments, speak directly to the audience, and stay coachable on the path to stronger communication. Perfect for Toastmasters, speakers, leaders, and presenters who want to turn a good speech into one that truly connects.

Key takeaways
- Use dialogue to create a scene instead of simply narrating what happened.
- Make the audience feel like you are speaking to them one by one.
- Build speeches around emotional moments, not just events.
- Add sensory detail to help listeners see, hear, feel, and remember the story.
- Stay coachable because the right feedback can completely change a speech.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro and why this episode matters for speakers
01:52 - Matt welcomes Darren LaCroix to Speak Arizona
02:25 - The International Speech Contest journey
04:25 - Darren's first speech and learning to be coachable
08:04 - Why clarity matters more than cleverness
13:43 - What Darren notices first in Matt's speech
18:55 - How to step in and out of a scene
19:30 - Use "you" language to connect with one listener at a time
21:45 - Turn narration into dialogue and emotional moments
26:55 - Introduce characters with vivid detail
30:00 - Use sensory details to build a memorable scene
34:04 - Stage Time University and the value of stronger feedback
39:05 - Darren's final advice: decide to be world class

About the guest
Darren LaCroix is the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. After a rough first comedy club set, he committed to mastering the craft of speaking and eventually became a world champion. Today, Darren helps presenters, executives, professional speakers, and trainers become more unforgettable on stage through his coaching, keynote work, books, and Stage Time University.

Connect
- https://darrenlacroix.com/
- https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenlacroix/

Watch Matt's full 2nd Place Contest Winning Speech: - https://youtu.be/kWtvZWwhblI?si=bgnyHvWjZZb0gN3B About the host Matthew Malan is a data-driven marketer and Marketing Manager at Vemo Smart Energy. He focuses on growth, experimentation, and performance, with experience leading digital acquisition across paid social, email, and content. He is also the editor on the Speech Arizona Podcast and hosts his own podcast called Stay Hungry. - https://matthewmalan.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@matthewmalan