What would you call someone who was a Navy sailor, then in turns a policeman, fireman, and paramedic before going to med school and becoming an emergency physician? Why, you’d call him “Doctor,” of course! Host David Otey gets to call him something else, as you will hear in this episode. And you will learn…
In this episode, you will hear a conversation with Anthony LaMantia, Ph.D., of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. Like my previous guest, Dr. LaMantia started out intending to be a clinician, not a researcher. But he did become a scientist, albeit one with an interest in theatre and literature. Hear how those…
Focus on what your audience needs. Rehearse your “planned spontaneity.” And watch all your videos four different ways! These tips and others helped former technology executive Ed Tate win the World Championship of Public Speaking. But more than that, by using these and other tips, Ed has helped many speakers achieve confidence and better results.…
Science is about uncovering mysteries. And today’s guest gets that. He’s a scientist and a journal editor who says that sometimes, that mystery comes through—even in scientific writing. Join me as I have a conversation with Bill Williams, a pharmaceutical scientist with a background in both industry and academia. You’ll be surprised at what a…
In this episode, you will hear a conversation with one of the best storytellers on the planet. That’s not hyperbole. Craig Valentine won the World Championship of Public Speaking on the strength of his storytelling skills. Why does that matter to you? Because stories are your best tool for connecting your information with your audience’s…
When your topic is talking about science and your sister is a scientist, having her on the show is not nepotism; it’s a logical next step. In this episode, you’ll hear from cell biologist Carol Otey, Ph.D., as she talks about the story of her discovery of a new protein, and about the important role…
In this episode, you will hear from my colleague and fellow speaking coach Michael Davis. You’ll learn the reason why speakers tell stories. You’ll pick up on what makes a story—why it’s not just a collection of events. And why stories are the key to engaging your listeners in a way that you simply can’t…
As I wrote in an earlier post, research has shed light on how people (including your audiences) form those all-important first impressions. The two questions they are looking to answer, in this order, are “Can I trust this person?” and “Can I respect this person?” In this post, I focus on the first question. By…
Most of the entries in this blog contain speaking tips, and many of those touch on the topic of using stories more effectively. Good storytelling lies at the heart of good public speaking. “But,” you may be thinking, “where do I find these stories?” Answer: the best stories come from your own life. And the…