Podcast
Teach the Geek: Public Speaking and Communication Skills for Technical Professionals
Hosted by Neil Thompson · EN
Teach the Geek helps engineers, scientists, and technical professionals speak clearly, confidently, and persuasively. Each episode provides actionable tips for public speaking, technical presentations, and communicating complex ideas to non-technical audiences. Learn how to prepare slides, tell stories with data, handle Q&A sessions, and improve your professional presence. Perfect for STEM professionals, researchers, and anyone who needs to present technical content with impact.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP. 403 - Dan Lipp: Speaking Tech so Executives Understand
Mar 1800:28:22Tap to summarizeDan Lipp: Speaking Tech so Executives UnderstandDan Lipp’s career began with a physics degree and grew into more than 25 years leading software teams, delivering products, and guiding Agile transformations across startups and established companies. Today, he focuses less on coding and more on helping individuals and teams improve their satisfaction and productivity through leadership, mentoring, and continuous growth. In this episode, we discuss the communication gap between technical professionals and non technical audiences and how clearer communication can lead to better executive decisions.To learn more about Dan, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-daniel-lipp/__ TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 402 - Sam Juarez: Communicating Tech Risk to Executives
Mar 1100:30:57Tap to summarizeSam Juarez: Communicating Tech Risk to ExecutivesHead of IT Sam Juarez has risen from the help desk to the boardroom, leading technology strategy for more than 3,600 employees. He has more than 15 years of experience scaling operations, driving digital transformation, and delivering measurable cost savings. In this episode, we explore the communication gaps between technical professionals and business leaders, the risks of getting it wrong, and the practical steps organizations can take to ensure technology conversations lead to smarter executive decisions.To learn more about Sam, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/juaresam/.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 401 - Ken Little: Bridging Engineering and Business
Mar 400:30:24Tap to summarizeKen Little: Bridging Engineering and BusinessToday, we’re tackling one of the most expensive and underestimated problems in modern organizations: the communication gap between technical professionals and nontechnical leaders. I’m joined by Ken Little, SVP of Engineering, to explore where engineers most often struggle with nontechnical audiences, how to make complex ideas understandable to business-minded leaders so they can make better decisions, and what happens when that translation breaks down. We also dig into how organizations can build stronger communication muscles, and how engineers can move from explaining problems to making recommendations.To learn more about Ken, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethllittle/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 400: Kader Sakkaria on Translating Technical Complexity into Executive Decisions
Feb 2500:29:03Tap to summarizeKader Sakkaria on Translating Technical Complexity into Executive DecisionsKader Sakkaria is a senior technology and data executive who has led enterprise-scale transformation across financial services and complex global organizations. The work sits at the intersection of data, AI, and executive decision-making, helping organizations turn fragmented efforts into durable business value. In this episode, we focus on how technical leaders communicate with nontechnical audiences, how that skill evolves with seniority, and how to translate complexity into clear business decisions.To learn more about Kader, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksakkaria/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer audio? Visit http://podcast.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 399 - Mike Grabarek: Learning, Leadership, and the Language of Impact
Feb 1800:30:27Tap to summarizeMike Grabarek: Learning, Leadership, and the Language of ImpactMike Grabarek helps people and organizations thrive through better learning, coaching, and change leadership. From streamlining performance management to crafting top-rated eLearning and coaching programs, he has led L&D efforts that stick. We talk about how technical professionals can communicate more effectively with nontechnical audiences, and what organizations can do to build those skills.To learn more about Mike, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-grabarek/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 398 - Patrick Dunn: Bridging Technical and Non-Technical Audiences
Feb 1100:24:27Tap to summarizePatrick Dunn: Bridging Technical and Non-Technical AudiencesPatrick Dunn is no stranger to bridging the gap between technical and nontechnical teams. We explore how he translates requirements, resolves misunderstandings, and helps both sides achieve true alignment on complex projects. Patrick also shares his tips for improving communication, managing nerves, and speaking effectively in high-stakes situations.To learn more about Patrick, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdunnintl/ __TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 397 - Richard Geary: Clarity over Complexity for Leaders
Feb 400:25:21Tap to summarizeRichard Geary: Clarity over Complexity for LeadersRichard Geary, an EVP of drug development, and I discuss why communication is just as important as technical skill for leaders. We break down the biggest mistakes technical professionals make when talking to nontechnical audiences and share actionable strategies for making complex work clear and compelling. Plus, we cover tips on managing nerves, improving presentations, and the first changes anyone can make to communicate with impact.To learn more about Richard, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-geary-95587b4/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 396 - Ramesh Songukrishnasamy: Communication Gaps that Stall Progress
Jan 2800:26:52Tap to summarizeRamesh Songukrishnasamy: Communication Gaps that Stall ProgressCTO Ramesh Songukrishnasamy and I explore how communication gaps, not technical gaps, slow down projects, derail decisions, and limit career growth for technical professionals. As a transformational leader who has driven major technology transformations, built high-performing teams, and delivered millions in new product revenue, he shares what communication behaviors signal readiness for greater responsibility and what technical professionals often misunderstand about nontechnical audiences. We also dig into what organizations can do to help their technical staff communicate more clearly and the first step individuals can take to improve their speaking skills.To learn more about Ramesh, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameshrs/.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 395 - Robert Blumofe: a CTO on Technical Influence
Jan 2100:28:39Tap to summarizeRobert Blumofe: a CTO on Technical InfluenceCTO Robert Blumofe oversees areas like edge computing, zero trust, 5G, and IoT, while working closely with customers and internal leaders on digital transformation. In this conversation, we will explore how technical professionals can better communicate with nontechnical audiences, why technical excellence alone is not enough to influence outcomes, and what organizations can do to close that gap.To learn more about Robert, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-blumofe-258233/.__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
Transcribe →EP. 394 - Brandon Berg: Making R&D Ideas Influential
Jan 1400:25:59Tap to summarizeBrandon Berg: Making R&D Ideas InfluentialBrandon Berg is an R&D Sr. VP. In this episode, we explore how technical leaders can communicate complex ideas clearly to nontechnical audiences. We’ll chat about strategies for aligning innovation with organizational goals, coaching teams to present effectively, and influencing stakeholders to support R&D priorities. You’ll also gain insights on building trust, driving adoption, and making technical work accessible and impactful.To learn more about Brandon, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-berg/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips
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