Tag Archives: Presentation

FEATURE

35. How Saying ‘No’ Can Create New Opportunities in Your Business

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

Do you know that feeling when you take on too much at once and feel like you’re spinning a million plates that could fall and break any second?

Deirdre Van Nest knows this feeling all too well.

The way to get out of this chaos is knowing when to say NO. With this in mind, we have made the hard decision of temporarily pausing the Crazy Good Talks podcast.

In this episode, Deirdre explains why the Crazy Good Talks podcast is going on a short break.

Deirdre discusses: 

  • Her new journey to create a legacy business
  • How saying NO can create new opportunities for your business
  • What the CGT team is working on during this break  
  • When you can expect the Crazy Good Talks podcast to return
  • And more

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

If you’d like tools and strategies to effortlessly make emotional connections with and have an emotional impact on your ideal clients so you can: 

  • Quickly build trust 
  • Help clients make decisions faster
  • And Attract and win more business

We’d LOVE to help!  Please click here to schedule a free 30 minute Strategy Session with a member of our team.



Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

What it means to be a Thought Leader With John LoDuca Part 2. (Ep 34)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , ,

Humans have been using storytelling to communicate, pass on knowledge and connect for thousands of years.

But, did you know that when you share your wisdom and stories, and package them in the right way,  your stories actually become assets in your business?

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest has a conversation with John LoDuca, founder of Playbook Builder, to discuss the importance of storytelling, packaging your wisdom, and how thought leadership connects AND impacts us all.

Deirdre and John discuss: 

  • The three core elements of thought leadership
  • How stories play a role in thought leadership and why it’s so important to use stories to convey your wisdom
  • How Playbook Builder leverages your time and makes it easy to share your wisdom (the most valuable asset your company has)with your clients and team members 
  • And more

Connect With John LoDuca:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

If you’d like tools and strategies to effortlessly make emotional connections with and have an emotional impact on your ideal clients so you can: 

  • Quickly build trust 
  • Help clients make decisions faster
  • And Attract and win more business

We’d LOVE to help!  Please click here to schedule a free 30 minute Strategy Session with a member of our team.

About Our Guest:

Jon is founder and president of The Wisdom Link (founded in 2002), an intellectual capital development firm where he’s provided strategic and tactical guidance, resources, and end-to-end solutions to over 400 leading businesses in 20 industries. He is also founder and managing partner of PlaybookBuilder (founded in 2012), a knowledge management software and consulting services company. As a trusted advisor to several hundred of the top 1⁄2% income earning entrepreneurs from across the US, UK and CAN, Jon is called upon to provide leadership, market strategy and the tactical resources to harvest, package and monetize the unique processes and best practices of leading companies. Jon has been featured as a technology and business leader in Forbes, The Wall St. Journal, Advisor Today and dozens of trade publications. Jon is the author of The Thought Leader, founder of The Wisdom Network – a private think-tank, a contributing writer for Capterra, and a sought-after speaker with engagements at MDRT, TED, AALU, TechAssure, Lincoln Financial, Marshberry, NAIFA, and several regional organizations nationwide.


Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

What It Means To Be a Thought Leader With John LoDuca Part 1. (Ep 33)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

A ‘Thought Leader’ has the ability to transform people, industries, and sometimes even the world.

In order to be considered a thought leader you must voice (or pen) original ideas AND you must differentiate yourself through a unique process. 

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest speaks with John LoDuca, founder of Playbook Builder, about how to capitalize on your wisdom and be viewed as a thought leader.

Deirdre and John discuss: 

  • What exactly IS ‘Thought Leadership’?
  • How to package your wisdom to stand out from the herd.
  • Why creating a unique process is a key element in differentiating yourself.
  • Top tips for identifying your own unique process.
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With John LoDuca:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

If you’d like tools and strategies to effortlessly make emotional connections with and have an emotional impact on your ideal clients so you can: 

  • Quickly build trust 
  • Help clients make decisions faster
  • And Attract and win more business

We’d LOVE to help!  Please click here to schedule a free 30 minute Strategy Session with a member of our team.

About Our Guest:

Jon is founder and president of The Wisdom Link (founded in 2002), an intellectual capital development firm where he’s provided strategic and tactical guidance, resources, and end-to-end solutions to over 400 leading businesses in 20 industries. He is also founder and managing partner of PlaybookBuilder (founded in 2012), a knowledge management software and consulting services company. As a trusted advisor to several hundred of the top 1⁄2% income earning entrepreneurs from across the US, UK and CAN, Jon is called upon to provide leadership, market strategy and the tactical resources to harvest, package and monetize the unique processes and best practices of leading companies. Jon has been featured as a technology and business leader in Forbes, The Wall St. Journal, Advisor Today and dozens of trade publications. Jon is the author of The Thought Leader, founder of The Wisdom Network – a private think-tank, a contributing writer for Capterra, and a sought-after speaker with engagements at MDRT, TED, AALU, TechAssure, Lincoln Financial, Marshberry, NAIFA, and several regional organizations nationwide.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Top Secrets to Effectively Leading a Remote Team with Andrea Schlapia (Ep 32)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

Remote work has opened up a whole new world of opportunities.

But, there is still some resistance and fear from business owners who are not comfortable moving to this new way of working. The truth is if you’re not willing to provide at least some remote options, you will not be competitive when it comes to attracting and hiring top talent!

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest sits down with Andrea Schlapia, founder of Ironstone Consulting to discuss her top tips to embracing, creating and leading a successful remote team.

Andrea and Deirdre discuss: 

  • Shifting your mindset from hours to output
  • Making communication your TOP priority and choosing the right platform for you and your team
  • Setting a routine so you can stay focused and creating boundaries between work and personal life
  • What is EOS and why it’s such a powerful business process for virtual offices
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Andrea Schlapia:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

If you’d like tools and strategies to effortlessly make emotional connections with and have an emotional impact on your ideal clients so you can: 

  • Quickly build trust 
  • Help clients make decisions faster
  • And Attract and win more business

We’d LOVE to help!  Please click here to schedule a free 30 minute Strategy Session with a member of our team.

About Our Guest:

Business owner. Educator. Speaker. Coach. Ironstone Founder/CEO Andrea Lopez-Schlapia holds designations as a Registered Corporate Coach (RCC™), a Human Capital Strategist (HCS), a Strategic HR Business Partner (sHRBP), and Certified Administrator of PXT SelectTM and Myers-Briggs assessments.

Andrea began her career in banking, then rose through the ranks of global investment firms like Dreyfus, Deutsche Bank and Prudential. In 2008, she launched Ironstone, which specializes in helping financial advisors maximize their strategic planning, business development and operations.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

How to Get People Excited to Hear You Speak-Even Before You Take the Stage (Ep 31)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , ,

Most people think their presentation starts when they take the stage, but it actually starts at your introduction.

A Crazy Good introduction paves the way for you and is just as important as the presentation itself. Why? Your introduction needs to be compelling so your audience is primed and excited to hear what you have to say vs. looking at their phones or thinking about what’s on TiKTok!

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest breaks down her 4 step formula for writing Crazy Good introductions.

Deirdre discusses: 

  • What NOT to do when writing your introduction (unless you want to bore people)
  • The difference between a ‘Bio’ and an “Intro”
  • How to use ‘You’ statements to connect to your audience
  • Why you must build benefits and ‘pain points’ into your introduction
  • Why you need to tailor your credentials to every audience (don’t kill them with a laundry list)
  • And more

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

If you’d like tools and strategies to effortlessly make emotional connections with and have an emotional impact on your ideal clients so you can: 

  • Quickly build trust 
  • Help clients make decisions faster
  • And Attract and win more business

We’d LOVE to help!  Please click here to schedule a free 30 minute Strategy Session with a member of our team.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Top 10 Tips for Crazy Good Videos With Laura Garfield (Ep. 30)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , ,

Just saying the word…Video. Strikes fear in hearts of even the most courageous advisors and entrepreneurs. 

In addition to hearing your inner critic tell you how bad you look and sound, if you’re not a video expert, filming, editing, and producing a video can be really intimidating! Plus, it’s easy to make mistakes. 

That’s why Deirdre asked Laura Garfield, the co-founder of Idea Decanter ,a video production company focused on helping advisors and entrepreneurs grow their business with video, to share her top 10 tips for making sure your videos are Crazy Good.

Deirdre’s favorite tip is #3. It’s something most people never think about, but if you miss it, your message may not be heard.

Laura discusses: 

  • The top ten tips for creating Crazy Good videos
  • Why bringing your authentic self to your videos, is critical for video success
  • “The strategy for talking directly to your audience – make each viewer feel seen and forming a quick connection with them
  • Why you MUST add captions to your videos 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Laura Garfield:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

If you’d like tools and strategies to effortlessly make emotional connections with and have an emotional impact on your ideal clients so you can: 

  • Quickly build trust 
  • Help clients make decisions faster
  • And Attract and win more business

We’d LOVE to help!  Please click here to schedule a free 30 minute Strategy Session with a member of our team.

About Our Guest:

Laura Garfield spent her teenage years idolizing Jane Pauley and Katie Couric. A thirst for learning and a love of writing had her hooked on broadcast journalism – where you didn’t have to know everything except how to ask the right questions. After graduation, Laura landed her first news gig at a tiny TV station in Hastings, Nebraska. Over the span of more than a decade, she worked her way up through stations in Omaha and New Orleans to a position at CBS News in New York and then CNN in Atlanta. 

Along the way she has written a book, worked as a foreign correspondent, and has lately been drawn to the emerging possibilities of digital storytelling. Instead of a company relying on a big ad spend, with the Internet, you can be a broadcaster of your own brand. Laura believes that all you need to pull it off is a talented content marketing team (like Idea Decanter!) to help you craft your message.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

Why “Killing your Darlings” Is Absolutely Critical in Storytelling (Ep 29)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , , ,

Would you believe that the subject matter of a great story is almost irrelevant?

What makes a story great and what can RUIN it… is all in the editing! Finding the right details in a story to capture the audience’s attention and relate to the presentation’s topic is much more important than having an action-packed story.

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest reveals the importance of editing and why a great story is not what you leave in but what you take out.

Deirdre discusses: 

  • The number one editing skill you need to develop when writing your speeches and stories
  • Two types of stories every business owner needs to be telling
  • How the Asset Creation Team at Crazy Good Talks helps clients create engaging and strategic business stories
  • Two simple ways to find the details that are distracting and not useful in a story
  • The first steps to take when you start developing your story
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

How One Presentation Started a Digital Empire With Michael Kitces Part 2 (Ep 28)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , , , ,

Do you want to know the secret behind the success of Michael Kitces, one of the most sought-after speakers and thought leaders in his industry?

Through consistency, practice, and following specific communication strategies, Michael has become the legend he is today.

In this episode, Michael talks to Deirdre and reveals the strategies he uses to improve as a speaker, the most powerful medium to establish yourself as a thought leader (it’s not what you think!), and why if his whole business blew up, his email list is all he would need to get started again (the same is true for you).

Deirdre Van Nest and Michael Kitces discuss: 

  • Michael’s process for improving as a speaker
  • The importance of business storytelling in presentations
  • How to engage your clients and find relevant stories with a strong takeaway
  • His ‘must-do’s for creating a successful digital empire
  • The most powerful medium to establish yourself as a thought leader
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Michael Kitces:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

About Our Guest:

Michael Kitces is the Chief Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com, dedicated to advancing knowledge in financial planning and helping to make financial advisors better and more successful.

In addition, he is the Head of Planning Strategy at Buckingham Wealth Partners, the co-founder of the XY Planning Network, AdvicePay, New Planner Recruiting, fpPathfinder, and FA BeanCounters, the former Practitioner Editor of the Journal of Financial Planning, the host of the Financial Advisor Success podcast, and the publisher of the popular financial planning industry blog Nerd’s Eye View. 

In 2010, Michael was recognized with one of the FPA’s “Heart of Financial Planning” awards for his dedication and work in advancing the profession.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

How One Presentation Started a Digital Empire With Michael Kitces Part 1 (Ep 27)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , ,

Imagine if one presentation could change your life forever.

That’s exactly what happened to Michael Kitces, one of the most sought after speakers and thought leaders in the financial services industry.

But if you’re an entrepreneur, don’t tune out. This episode is for you too because even though Michael’s an advisor, at his core, he’s an entrepreneur and someone every business owner can learn from.

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest talks to Michael about: 

  • His journey from serving clients 1:1 to becoming a paid speaker and one of the most respected thought leaders in his industry 
  • The success of his business today (sneak peek:his podcast has 6 MILLION downloads!)
  • How his digital empire started with a single presentation – yours can too!
  • The best place to get booked if you have little experience as speaker
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Michael Kitces:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

About Our Guest:

Michael Kitces is the Chief Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com, dedicated to advancing knowledge in financial planning and helping to make financial advisors better and more successful.

In addition, he is the Head of Planning Strategy at Buckingham Wealth Partners, the co-founder of the XY Planning Network, AdvicePay, New Planner Recruiting, fpPathfinder, and FA BeanCounters, the former Practitioner Editor of the Journal of Financial Planning, the host of the Financial Advisor Success podcast, and the publisher of the popular financial planning industry blog Nerd’s Eye View. 

In 2010, Michael was recognized with one of the FPA’s “Heart of Financial Planning” awards for his dedication and work in advancing the profession.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

REPLAY – How to Grab Attention from the First Words Out of Your Mouth

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , , , , ,

One of the biggest challenges a presenter has is grabbing the attention of your audience from the first words out of your mouth. 

In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre will teach you how to inspire your audience and hook them at the beginning of every presentation both virtually and in person.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Why you should skip the “unpleasant pleasantries” in your opening
  • Techniques to open your next presentation with a bang
  • Deirdre’s three go-to-ways to open a presentation
  • The difference between opening a presentation virtually and in person
  • And more!

Tune in to learn more about how you can captivate your audience from the first words out of your mouth.

Resources:  Crazy Good Talks® | Deirdre Van Nest

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

26. What Would You Do if You Could No Longer Speak With Tim Schut

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , , ,

What would you do if you could no longer speak? It’s unimaginable isn’t it?

That’s the reality our guest Tim Schut is facing. 

In June of 2021, Tim was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech. This means he is progressively losing his ability to speak. 

He now uses optimism and courage to inspire others, reminding them just how sacred life is.

In this poignant episode, Deirdre Van Nest talks to Tim about: 

  • His journey after diagnosis and how he remains optimistic
  • How voice banking will preserve his (and your) voice for his children and future grandchildren.
  • The importance of living in the moment. 
  • The benefits of staying positive and finding something to look forward to every day
  • His conscious shift to stop thinking about the long-term future and focus on today 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Tim Schut:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

About Our Guest:

Tim Schut has spent his career in the financial service and real estate industries. But most importantly, he is the father of three amazing girls, and he and his wife are high school sweethearts.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

25. How to be RADICALLY Relevant With Bill Cates

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , , , , ,

FACT: Your clients are INUNDATED with messages and attention spans are short.

That’s why when you express yourself, you MUST take the time needed to create messages that are relevant and interesting. Messages that stand out, can make or break your client and audience engagement. 

In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre talks to Bill Cates, speaker, referral coach, and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, about his latest book, “Radical Relevance”. They discuss ways to help financial professionals and entrepreneurs remain relevant in all their messaging so that their target audience can’t help but respond. 

Deirdre and Bill discuss: 

  • Target markets and how to find the right ones for your business
  • Reasons to develop a signature system for you company
  • The importance of confidence and knowing the next steps for your clients
  • The “committed not attached” mindset, what that means, and how it applies to you
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

About Our Guest:

Bill Cates is a Referral Coach, Speaker, Author, and Dad. He is widely regarded to be the “original” Referral Coach … for good reason! Over the past 25 years, Bill has taught more than 250,000 professionals and business owners how to transform their businesses, to go from incremental growth to exponential growth, by systematically multiplying their best clients.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

24. How To Get More Eyes on Your Videos With Kalli Fedusenko

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , , , ,

You’ve recorded your ‘Why Story’. Now, how do you get people to see it? 

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest speaks with Kalli Fedusenko, owner of Kalli Collective LLC. Kalli shares her top tips for promoting and getting more views for your “Why Story” video – or any video for that matter.

You’ll learn: 

  • How to use the “Three P’s- Polish, Promote, Publish to get more eyes on your ‘Why Story’ video
  • Why relying on organic views alone is a HUGE mistake
  • How and why to use paid advertising 
  • Little known tips and tricks to leverage your videos on social media 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Kalli Fedusenko:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

About Our Guest:

Kalli Fedusenko, is the strategic head and fearless leader of Kalli Collective. She has more than 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry and was the designated Digital Marketing Coach for the FPA (before the FPA coaches corner was discontinued). She specializes in brand strategy, web content strategy, video content planning, and more. With the series 7 & 63, and the powerful combination of creativity and strategy, Kalli is the perfect guide to give your brand a voice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

23. Stop Juggling All The Balls With Erin Botsford CFP®

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , , ,

It’s time to stop juggling all those balls. Having your own business or practice doesn’t have to be so stressful. You CAN create a self managing company. 

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest speaks with Barron’s top 100 advisor Erin Botsford, CPF®, founder and chief executive officer at The Advisor Authority. Hear about Erin’s extraordinary business success story, how her company supports orphans in Africa and her strategies for creating a business that runs itself. 

Erin discusses: 

  • Why your business shouldn’t be your life, it should be the benefactor of your life
  • Why you NEVER want to be the smartest person in the room
  • How to increase your credibility and make yourself more approachable.
  • How she was able to take 6 months off and still have a rocking business 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Erin Botsford:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

About Our Guest:

Erin Botsford, CPF® is driven to help financial advisors serve more clients, make more money, and have more freedom in their business with the RIGHT training and tools. Her passion is seeing other financial advisors grow their businesses and succeed. This is why she has created an accessible and easy-to-follow course, so you can condense decades into days with the right tools and systems to give you true freedom in your business. 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

22. 13 Mistakes That Stop You From Becoming a Crazy Good Speaker (And How To Fix Them!)

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

Are you struggling to hold your audience’s attention and own the room every time you speak? If so, you might be making the most common delivery mistakes without realizing it. 

Let’s turn that around!

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest unpacks 13 mistakes that derail speakers of all experience levels from giving a Crazy Good Talk®! Not only that, but she shares how to make improvements right away — these are the major tips Deirdre has learned from helping thousands of professionals bring in business faster and impact more lives through public speaking.

Deirdre discusses:

  • How to give your audience advice without ever sounding preachy
  • The basics of how to move with purpose while on stage-don’t be a ‘pacer’ or ‘swayer’.
  • What it looks like to aim for connection over perfection as a speaker
  • Why it’s a mistake to address your audience as a group (and what to do instead)
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

21. From Free to Fee: Proven Tips for Becoming a Paid Speaker

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

You’d love to get paid for your professional speaking. But you’re not sure how to go from free-based to fee-based. Sound familiar?

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest tells all! Having gone from speaking for free to now earning a living from delivering her Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre has proven tips to help you initiate and increase your fees over time. 

Deirdre discusses: 

  • How structure and practice will propel you to become a Crazy Good presenter and speaker
  • Why she urges aspiring fee-based speakers to get on stage as much as possible 
  • How having a speaking coach will help you make a massive impact on the lives of others
  • Why networking is the key to continually getting booked to speak
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

20. How Harnessing the Power of Emotions Will Create Value in Your Presentations With Sam Palazzolo

Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , ,

There are two emotions you can use to motivate and inspire your audience every time you speak.

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest talks with Sam Palazzolo, the managing director at Tip of the Spear Ventures and author of “The Influential Leader”. Sam shares his advice on harnessing the power of two emotions to build yourself as an authority figure to influence and persuade your audience through your messaging.

Sam discusses:

  • How to establish value creation through the power of questions
  • Two types of emotions to motivate and inspire your audience
  • The Kiss of Death emotion you must avoid and why

And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Sam Palazzolo:

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

About Our Guest:

Sam Palazzolo brings a wealth of expertise to his client base, composed of Fortune 100, Mid-Cap, and Startup companies. A hands-on C-suite leader, he brings a unique blend of expertise to the daily challenges of leadership/business under pressure. In this New Economy, leaders and their organizations desire a different perspective faster with results, and he establishes the launch-pad for exponential growth!

Sam is Managing Director at Tip of the Spear Ventures, a Private Equity/Venture Capital and Business Advisory Services firm he established in 2012. In addition to his work at Tip, he founded The Javelin Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing Executive Education through Leadership Development and Executive Coaching programs. He also acts as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) where he annually instructs an Executive Education course based on his fifth book (“Leading at the Tip of the Spear: The Leader” published 2018).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

19. How To Be More Vulnerable When You Express Yourself – Without Scaring People Away

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, , , , , , ,

As a speaker, you’ve probably heard this advice: “Be vulnerable. It will help your audience connect with you.” 

But when does being vulnerable cross into TMI? After all, you want to engage your audience and Own the Room –– not clear it!

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest shares two ways to show vulnerability that builds trust, likeability, and connection with your audience. You will learn how to serve your audience with every story you tell (and avoid sharing too much information!).

Deirdre discusses: 

  • The benefits of showing vulnerability in a professional business setting
  • Top reasons to share your life experiences with your audience
  • What gratuitous vulnerability is (and reasons to avoid it)
  • How to demonstrate vulnerability, connection, and humanity through storytelling
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

14. How to Master the Power of the Pause in Your Presentations

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

When you’re presenting, do you feel pressured to fill every space with words?

A lot of professionals feel this way. They believe that if they pause, they’re giving the audience “nothing.”

In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre Van Nest explains why the opposite is true. You will discover why taking a  pause is the most powerful way to connect deeply with your audience. Plus, she shares four types of pauses for every speaker to master, when to use them, and how. 

Deirdre discusses: 

  • Four key times to pause during a presentation or speech
  • Why pausing will help you build an intellectual and emotional connection with your audience
  • An easy technique for emphasizing a significant point to your audience
  • The answer to the question: “How long should I pause for?”
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

13. So What Does It Actually Take To Be a Crazy Good Speaker?

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

What’s the difference between a good speaker and a Crazy Good Speaker? 

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest shares four trade secrets that Crazy Good Speakers use to stand out and own the room every time they speak. Whether you’re a new speaker, seasoned speaker, or somewhere in between, these are tips you can use right away to make your next presentation Crazy Good!

Deirdre discusses: 

  • How to avoid a speaker’s worst nightmare: Looking into the crowd and seeing a visibly bored audience ––  people daydreaming, sleeping, or playing on their phones
  • The KEY question Crazy Good Speakers always ask BEFORE planning a presentation
  • Why every Crazy Good Speaker follows a process 
  • The  total game-changer – -what Crazy Good Speakers do to own the room every time they speak 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

12. To Script or Not to Script? How To Know Which Approach Will Keep Your Audience’s Attention

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

“To script or not to script?” Do you ever ask yourself this question as you prepare for a Crazy Good Talk®?

In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest helps you decide which approach to take for your next speaking engagement –– and why (hint: It’s all about keeping your audience’s attention!). She also dispels the myth that scripting leads to sounding unnatural, and she shares her go-to method for memorizing long presentations. 

Deirdre discusses: 

  • Why scripting is the key to being 100% you in front of your audience
  • Top reasons to memorize your presentation
  • Guidelines on when to go scripted vs. unscripted
  • Why your favorite actors sound completely natural (even though they’re reciting lines)
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Crazy Good Talks®:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 10 – The Secret Weapon for Decreasing Your Speaking Jitters — with Jesse Tordsen

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Did you know that breathing is a secret weapon for decreasing anxiety and increasing your effectiveness as a presenter?

In fact, when used daily, this secret weapon will give you more peace of mind and help you be more successful in all areas of your life.

In this episode of the Crazy Good Talks® Podcast, Deirdre Van Nest sits down with Jesse Tordsen, owner of Steady Path Healing. As an expert in breathwork, he shares how to use your breath during speaking events and daily life activities. Stay tuned until the end, where Jesse will give you two guided exercises to help you center your energy before you present.

You will learn:

  • How to decrease stress and anxiety when presenting
  • Why tuning into your breath can help you “calm your mind”
  • Two types of breathing exercises to center your energy before you present
  • And more!

Tune in to this episode, to become more aware of the science behind using your breath!]

Resources: Crazy Good Talks® | Deirdre Van Nest | Steady Path Healing Book a Massage | Steady Path Healing | Steady Path Healing Instagram | Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor | Jesse Tordsen | Jesse Tordsen Breathing Exercise Demo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

Episode 9 – Never, ever end your presentation with a Q & A session. Never!

Business Careers, Education, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Contrary to popular belief, one of the ways even the best presentations can be derailed is by closing with a Q and A session. If you are presenting like this, it is absolutely time to make a change!

In this episode of the Crazy Good Talks® Podcast, Deirdre Van Nest shares why it’s a mistake to close your presentation with a Q and A session, and how to keep the audience interested until the very end of your  presentation.

You will learn:

  • How you should be ending your presentations so that you and your audience never experience the ‘FOOSH factor’ 
  • The 3 KEY places to hold your Q and A session
  • The mindset needed to take control of your stage and own the room when you’re holding a Q and A session
  • THE strategy that will redirect questions you don’t want to answer 
  • And more!

Tune in to learn why you need to be the last voice ringing in your audience’s ears!

Resources: Crazy Good Talks® | Deirdre Van Nest

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More