Podcast
The Speaker's Edge
Hosted by Roddy Galbraith · EN
Welcome to "The Speaker's Edge" podcast, where we're devoted to helping you master your message and inspire your audience every time you speak. Whether you're a speaker, coach, author, or entrepreneur, this podcast is your home for advancing your communication skills. With years of experience as a professional speaker and speaker trainer, your host, Roddy Galbraith, as worked alongside top communicators, including John Maxwell. Each week, in about 35 to 40 minutes, we'll share practical tools and insights drawn from training thousands of speakers globally. We're kicking off our first episode with how anyone can develop unshakable self-confidence as a speaker. I hope you can join us and find your speaker's edge!
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
062: Speaking Confidence: 5 Secrets to Shifting From Me to Audience-Centric
1w ago00:19:14Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith explores the crucial shift speakers must make from focusing on themselves to prioritizing their audience. He shares five practical secrets that help speakers move past self-consciousness and anxiety by centering every message on audience needs and experiences. He illustrates how practicing courage, valuing the audience's time, and treating speaking as an act of service can transform both confidence and connection. Listeners gain actionable strategies for mastering their message and making a meaningful impact each time they speak.
Transcribe →061: The Two Pillars of a World-Class Speaking Philosophy
2w ago00:15:47Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith unpacks what makes John Maxwell's speaking philosophy exceptionally powerful. He explains the two key misconceptions that often hold speakers back: the myth of the "natural speaker" and the belief that speaking is about persuasion and manipulation. Roddy shares practical strategies for shifting focus away from self-doubt and pressure, instead centering on how to add value to audiences. Listeners will come away with actionable steps to boost their confidence, overcome limiting beliefs, and communicate with greater impact and authenticity.
Transcribe →060: How Pro Speakers Make Their Keynotes Memorable
3w ago00:15:06Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith explores how crafting the right keynote can drive business growth for speakers. He shares practical strategies to ensure your keynote truly adds value by solving problems your audience recognizes and cares about, plus tips for shaping stories and insights. Then, join him after the lesson for a breakdown of highlights from last week's discussion on the ins and outs of speakers bureaus.
Transcribe →059 How Speaker Bureaus Really Work: Insider Advice from Ryan Giffin
Apr 1300:51:38Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy is joined by speakers bureau insider Ryan Giffin to explore the inner workings of a speakers bureau and what it takes to build successful relationships between agents, speakers, and clients. They share what qualities make a speaker more likely to become a bureau favorite, plus more practical advice for emerging speakers on how to stand out. Listen to get a clear understanding of how bureaus operate and actionable strategies for advancing your own speaking career!
Transcribe →058: Transform Your Business Through Speaking with Marissa Nehlsen (Part 2)
Apr 600:22:42Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith interviews Marissa Nehlsen about transforming business through the power of speaking. Marissa shares how personal storytelling, authentic connections, and taking action lead to both business growth and meaningful impact. She discusses her journey of building multiple businesses, including her philanthropic work in Costa Rica, and the importance of creating legacy through service. Listeners gain practical advice on developing their voice, joining supportive communities, and using communication to inspire change and leave a lasting mark.
Transcribe →057: Transform Your Business Through Speaking with Marissa Nehlsen (Part 1)
Mar 3000:27:06Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith sits down with Marissa Nehlsen to explore how improving communication skills can drive both personal growth and business success. Marissa shares her journey from her first experiences on stage, including moments of vulnerability and learning, to building upon multiple thriving businesses through speaking. Together, Roddy and Marissa discuss the value of authentic storytelling, the power of strategic communication, and how connecting with audiences transforms opportunities. Listeners will gain practical strategies for using their own voice to grow their business and inspire lasting change.
Transcribe →056: The Law of Storytelling: Why Your Story Matters in Communication
Mar 2300:13:54Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith analyzes a clip of John Maxwell to illustrate the transformative role of storytelling in effective communication. Roddy shares 12 practical ways stories help speakers connect, persuade, and inspire their audiences, making information memorable and actionable. Then, John illustrates why personal stories carry the most impact, encouraging listeners to share authentically from their own experience and join their audience as fellow travelers on a learning journey. Listeners gain actionable tips for developing their communication skills and learn why mastering storytelling is a key ingredient for success in business, personal growth, and interpersonal impact.
Transcribe →055: How to Build Audience Anticipation and Stand Out as a Speaker (Part 2)
Mar 1600:14:21Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith shares part 2 of John Maxwell's masterful clip on creating and paying off audience anticipation and setting yourself apart as a speaker. John shares the 3 pieces of advice on gaining a reputation for excellence that he gave his nephew as he started his career. Listeners learn how going the extra mile and being intentionally above average can dramatically increase their influence and recognition. The episode inspires both aspiring and seasoned communicators to adopt these simple yet powerful habits to master their message and make a lasting impact.
Transcribe →054: How to Build Audience Anticipation and Stand Out as a Speaker (Part 1)
Mar 900:14:43Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! In this episode, Roddy Galbraith shares an all-time best clip of John Maxwell living out one of the most powerful laws of communication, the Law of Anticipation. Listen as John holds the audience's attention by building excitement and making key ideas stand out. Listeners learn practical techniques to highlight their most important points, ensuring their messages resonate long after the presentation ends.
Transcribe →053: The Most Important Law of Communication with John Maxwell
Mar 200:19:26Tap to summarizeVisit MaxwellLeadership.com/Speak to learn more about the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team! Strong communication skills transform not only public speaking, but everyday interactions, serving as the foundation for building trust and influencing others. The episode underscores the importance of connecting with your audience, shifting the focus away from yourself and toward the needs and values of those you serve. In this episode, Roddy and Susan are joined by John Maxwell to highlight how authentic leadership and genuine rapport matter far more than striving for perfection or simply trying to impress others. Listeners will hear that preparation is a way of honoring the audience, ensuring that every interaction adds meaningful value. The conversation also reveals that anyone can learn to become a better communicator by adopting a mindset centered on serving and empowering others.
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