46. Fear to Fuel-Unlocking your Speaking Power

The fear is real! A racing heart, sweaty palms, blank mind and it shows up right when you need your voice most. We take that surge of adrenaline and turn it into usable energy with practical tools anyone can apply before and during, whether you’re on stage, on Zoom, or standing up in a small meeting.

With Dr. Pollyn Chrysochou, a veteran teacher of English, literature, and drama-we break down the body’s stress signals and show how to reframe them as excitement. You explore how slow breathing and simple grounding change your state, why a genuine smile softens your tone and connects you to listeners, and how to set an ideal speaking pace so your ideas land. 

We also focus on delivery choices that boost impact: pausing with intention, using natural gestures, and shifting attention from self to message. Discover why audiences forget most facts within a day but remember a story for years.

If you’ve ever wished you could keep your voice steady and your message clear when it counts, this conversation is a fit for you: breathe, prepare, pace, pause, and tell one human story that ties it all together. Enjoy the tools and let us know what changes for you.

Subscribe, share with a friend who would appreciate this episode and feel free to leave a review to help others find this content.

Discover more with Midweek Insights, your space for quality insights and golden nuggets of wisdom to fuel self improvement, mindfulness and inspiration. Each episode explores growth practices, self-leadership and communication hacks, offering real-life tools. We dive into the subconscious mind, storytelling techniques and personal growth, with a focus on health, coping strategies, and inner strength.

Get in touch at: midweekinsights@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/midweekinsights/?

The information provided in Midweek Insights is for general informational  and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. Where needed, listeners should seek professional advice relevant to their specific circumstances before making any decisions.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the dynamic nature of certain topics may result in changes or updates. Midweek Insights does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of information discussed in the episodes.

Transcript

Why Public Speaking Scares Us

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Welcome back to the Midweek Insights podcast. Today we are diving into a topic which is quite terrifying for most, sometimes so universally feared that many would also choose to rather do their taxes in public than do this activity. And it's not fear of snakes, it's not fear of heights, and it's not even fear without Wi-Fi access for half an hour. This is something bigger, more frightening, and affects us all. We're talking about the big PS word, public speaking. And uh I'm so glad to have with me today the incredible Dr. Pauline. She teaches English language, literature, drama, and she's been teaching for over 20 years and also helps people with their public speaking skills. And I'm so excited to dig into this topic with her. So welcome. It's amazing to finally have you here so we can talk about this topic.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

Thank you very much for having me. Uh, I'm very honored to be here. Um, and uh you're absolutely right. You know, this topic of public speaking is something um that is feared by a lot of people. In fact, people have consistently done surveys on this, and they have come up with something which is really very, very surprising and shocking that most people are afraid of death. Less, you know, so they're more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. So maybe uh 80 to 90 percent of people. Um and uh in fact, there is a quote by the famous um stand-up comedian Jerry Jerry Seinfeld, who actually says that um, you know, I'd rather be the one doing the eulogy than the one who is in the hearse. So um it is, of course, very important to um be able to overcome the fear of public speaking because um most of us will do this at some point in our lives. We will have to speak in public. Uh, some people have to do it on a daily basis, um, in different environments. And so it's very, very important to master certain skills uh when it comes to public speaking.

SPEAKER_01 2:10

Or just to check that we're on the right page. When we talk about public speaking, we don't just mean in front of an audience or a live group. We could also mean in a Zoom call or uh in a small group, in a classroom setting, small meeting, would we consider all of this so that we're on the same page, a kind of public speaking?

SPEAKER_00 2:28

Yes, absolutely. It could also be um online interaction. Um, of course, it's less daunting uh for people when they have to present something online, but at the same time, something is lost because it's it becomes less engaging um at times because um you cannot actually see the person live. But absolutely, we're also talking about online interaction, yes.

The Body’s Stress Response

SPEAKER_01 2:53

And to be you're gonna laugh, but last night I actually had a dream that I had to speak in public, and I don't know it's because I was preparing for this last thing. And I was blanking out, and I'm like, oh my goodness, I didn't even have to do a public speech or and this fear overcame me in my sleep. And I'm like, get a grip, lady. Incredible.

SPEAKER_00 3:13

Yes, no, so you're right though, because yeah, the body reacts uh as if it's in danger, you know, and uh before you actually have to give a speech, um you you act your um cortisol levels might increase, your dopamine levels go down, um, and so you're faced with a flight um or freeze response there. So, you know, it it does happen, your heart rate increases, your palms start sweating. So this is a very common response uh public speech.

First Aid: Breathe And Reframe

SPEAKER_01 3:43

The physical is what makes it feel like a real threat, right? So you're physically experiencing something in your body which makes you think real danger. So um maybe we can start with that. What would you say to someone who is about to give a speech? They're ready to present something, and usually you're dealing a lot with teens, and I've also worked with teens in this area, and I definitely want to hear how you handle it. Uh what kind of advice would you give them in that situation when they're feeling these things in their body and they're starting to have this physical reaction?

SPEAKER_00 4:14

Okay, uh, I think the first thing that's very, very important is uh to breathe. Okay, so uh it's very important for students and also for adults to actually practice, let's say, uh breathe their you know, to work on their breathing techniques, um to basically just uh you know take a deep breath um to understand, you know, that uh in most cases people will actually also forget uh the speech that you have given the next day, you know, 90% of people will forget uh your speech. So uh, even though you feel very, very self-conscious at the at the time that you're giving your speech, um it's very important to just you know interpret these uh stress signals as just signs, you know, that okay, my body's reacting like this right now, but I can actually train my brain um differently, and I can say I'm excited right now, I'm not stressed. Okay, so to kind of trick the brain into creating a different physical response. Um and so fear is actually something that you can reverse. It is, let's say, a learned reaction. Um, you know, so basically you start with breathing and grounding techniques, you sort of try to ground yourself and say, okay, you know, it's not the end of the world. I just need to take a moment, take a breather, and everything is going to be all right. Um and you know, just try to reframe those nerves as excitement. Say, you know, I'm excited, I'm not afraid right now. Okay, so that might be the first step. And to also try to become less self-conscious as well, to think, you know, okay, that nobody's judging me right now. Um, you know, it's not that important. It's just a speech, it's not the end of the world, it's just a presentation or a speech, you know.

Preparation Beats Panic

SPEAKER_01 6:04

In the grand scheme of things, yeah. In the grand scheme of things, yes. Exactly. Absolutely. Brilliant. And so I think what you said about the excitement part, because I think we have exactly the same physiological reaction when we're excited as when we're stressed, right? Absolutely. So you said to trick the brain, so start telling yourself a different story when it's happening. Yes, like this is not, in fact, stress and you know, worry, this is excitement. And then I like I've heard this quite a lot. So I wonder if that really works. We should try it. Like, really keep telling yourself I'm excited, I'm excited. But don't you think a big part of behind getting excited is also a lot of prep, right? That the preparation part is because you can be excited and not be well prepared, and then the excitement will go south, right? So, how much of that do you support in how you work with the kids about the preparation side of things before going into speaking?

SPEAKER_00 6:55

Uh yes, so that's a very valid question. I think that preparation is very, very important. Um, and uh it's sometimes, you know, if the students, for example, because uh uh most of my um the people that I deal with, I mean, on a daily basis in my work environment, obviously I'm a I'm a teacher, so I have to deal with students on a daily basis. Um, so what I always try to tell them is do not, okay, they can try to improvise. Sometimes spontaneity really, really works. But if they are preparing for an assignment, you know, where they have to give deliver a speech for me as one of their um assessment tasks, and we had that very recently. I say to them, guys, you do need to prepare in advance because practice is key. So stand in front of a mirror and rehearse. Um, you know, imagine that you are delivering your speech or your presentation in front of an audience, because even the greatest public speakers uh are not natural sort of speakers impromptu. Uh, I mean, uh historically speaking, Winston Churchill I know had to actually uh do a lot of research in advance. He had to rehearse and practice his speeches. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs. I mean, Steve Jobs was actually uh very much afraid of public speaking. Um, and when he was in college, he tried to avoid courses that involved public speaking where he had to actually present his work. Um so he actually had to work on that quite a bit. So I keep telling you know my students, this is not something that comes naturally in most cases. You have to work at it. So, yes, I agree with that.

SPEAKER_01 8:31

Very, very important. A lot of people think it's a natural talent, right? To be a good speaker. And yes, some people do come with a bit of the gift of the gab, but others really most, I think, need to work on it as a skill, right? As a whole art to practice and learn from. Uh, so can you remember your first experience speaking in front of a group and how did that go? What did you do with your body and mind?

Early Experiences And Lessons

SPEAKER_00 8:55

Uh well, I was actually a teenager at the time. Um, and uh I was studying at a private school, and I don't know why, but you know, my my teachers, uh well, for the first time, you know, um, recommended me uh to well, they asked me to speak in front of an assembly. Um, so in front of other teachers, in front of other students, and uh I had to deliver something which was um about a national public holiday in Cyprus. Um so I had to read this text. Um and I remember that I was terrified. I had the jitters, I was like, oh my god, what am I going to do? Um people are going to judge me, you know, my friends are there, uh, all my teachers are there, and so um it was quite nerve-wracking at the time. Um, and then uh what was interesting is that uh, you know, I understood that the audience was actually quite forgiving and that I managed to do a good job at the time, you know, even though I was terrified. Um, and it happened again and again. So teachers kept giving me um things to read. So I was I was like, okay. So I was like, oh my god, okay. So that me that meant I had to, you know, that I may have done a good job, or that uh I just need to I had to refine my skills and I kept doing it over and over again. And then it became less nerve-wracking.

SPEAKER_01 10:21

Yeah, I do remember. So you said some of those fears. Yeah, so you mentioned some of those fears. What common fears do you see in teenagers today when they have to present?

Teen Fears And Self‑Consciousness

SPEAKER_00 10:30

Um, one thing that I that I noticed is that uh in several cases, because we also had a talent show um on Thursday and uh at the school where I work, and um, you know, that the students had to actually present in front of a stage, they had to either sing or dance or act or play a musical instrument. Um, so this was something that uh, you know, we had organized together as an arts department. And uh I I remember that when I sent out the forms because I um had actually um created you know some forms for them to register and to um take part in this talent show. Uh what happened was most of the students who had written their names on this form um participated, but there were a couple who decided to drop out at the last minute. And I was thinking it's probably you know the jitters, they're feeling very self-conscious. Some of these students were also new students. Um, so I felt that this was, you know, something that that that was preventing them. Maybe the fact that they were self-conscious, they didn't know they didn't how other people were going to react to them, and they felt nervous, you know, in the new environment. Uh makes sense. Yes, and the teachers were there, you know, it was a bit a little bit like Britain's got talent, uh, teachers were there judging, and so maybe they felt even more self-conscious. So it wasn't just other students uh who were you know in the music hall as we were doing it. So I think this is one thing self-consciousness. Yes, the fear of judgment, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 12:02

And self-consciousness, you said, yeah, and also I think not just children, I think adults as well, having to stand up in front of others. I think it's a universal thing. And maybe it starts from school years, but it can carry through unless you've worked on it and tried to do something a little different to challenge that, right?

SPEAKER_00 12:21

Yes, I agree with you. That just reminds me of a story. I have a professor, um, you know, it just it's something that um it just came to me now. But uh I was uh doing my PhD at the University of Edinburgh, and I had a supervisor, she was Greek, so we had pl a lot in common. And uh she was she had been preparing a speech because she wanted to present at a conference. Um so she had her paper ready um and she was going to present it, you know, deliver it in the form of a speech and and so on. And she said to me, I'm extremely nervous. And I said to her, Well, you know, how long have you been how long have you been teaching? How long have you been going to these conferences? And she said to me, I've been doing this for like more than 20 years, you know, I have all this experience, and still um I get nervous right before a big conference. So, yes, it does happen to adults and also to people who have been doing it for many, many years. It happens, you know, it's a it's a natural response, uh physical response at times and emotionally.

SPEAKER_01 13:19

Yeah, I think I'm hearing a theme of the only way to get through it is through it, really. Like you've there's no way like you're gonna think your way uh through it, right? You've got to do the reps in a way of putting it. Absolutely, in small ways out there, getting uncomfortable, fearing, getting the judgment, because you will get the judgment. You will get the some people will be rooting for you, some will not. So I think you just have to start developing a little thick skin, but you can only do that by putting yourself in those situations.

Reps, Small Wins, Thick Skin

SPEAKER_00 13:50

I agree with you totally. So you have to uh you know put yourself uh out of your, let's say, out of your comfort zone, you know, you you have to basically uh do your best, you have to do it, and then also celebrate small wins and small victories. Yes. So and and then share some small wins. Um, okay, so I remember when I uh was uh basically doing my my PhD and I was in Edinburgh and I had to give my first conference um where I had to present, sorry, uh at a conference, and uh it was in Washington, in fact. It was the very first one. Um and uh I I was writing my dissertation at the time, and it was on, remember it was on Oedipus Rex, and uh you know, this paper that I was going to present was on trauma. And um it was, you know, what was even more daunting was that I was out of my waters. I mean, I was in a different country, I didn't know what to expect. Um, so I I had my paper ready, I had practiced it several times, um, but I I didn't know my audience at all. Um, you know, it was a new environment. Um, so I had to present in one of the lecture halls on campus. Um, and then it was quite interesting because I also met one of my old professors from the University of Cyprus, which was quite a coincidence. Um, and you know, because I saw one person that was familiar there, which was crazy. I mean, I hadn't expected that, you know, to be in a foreign country giving my first um sort of presentation. And she was there. So, you know, it was as if the universe had conspired to help me in a way, because she uh she sort of told me, okay, relax, you know, take it easy, everything's going to be just fine. So she sort of boosted my morale, and then I went in and um it went well. I understood that the audience was much more forgiving than I had expected, you know, and they had they asked me questions, and even though I stuttered and lost um what I was saying, it's you know, sort of at specific moments I may have um lost my train of thought. Uh it came back to me and everything went well.

SPEAKER_01 16:03

So I think something like that needs really good self-talk in the middle of it. So if you're starting to trail away, you're losing your thoughts, it's like that little bit of, you know, boost yourself back into it rather than like talk yourself down. I think that would be an important thing to have, support to have for yourself in those situations. But yeah, I think for academics, it must be another level of stress, like presenting in front of academics who are, I think by nature more critical and looking more for I think fault in what you do, uh, but also when we're speaking in front of other groups. Um, so what techniques, apart from the one about breathing, uh, do you recommend for others, yourself as well, that can actually help apart from the breathing?

Techniques Beyond Breathing

SPEAKER_00 16:49

Okay, so so one thing that I always say is to just smile. Um, it works when you're stressed, you know, just smile uh because it instantly builds connection and it tells your brain, you know, everything is going to be okay. So even when you're in a bad mood, even when you're sad, um, you can also trick your brain again. This so this is very, very important. And you look like a friendly face at the time, you know, instead of so um you look like a friendly person, and you can also look at a friendly face, in fact, in the crowd, um, and that will sort of center you, sort of ground you a little bit. Okay, so this is very, very important, and it also increases your dopamine levels. Okay, so this is uh one thing that really, really helps. Um, and maybe also focus on your message rather than yourself, you know. Think that what you are saying is very, very important. You know, I have to um convey a certain message to my audience. Uh, it could be a social message, something more emotional, um, you know, that that resonates with you. Uh, but but think that you know you're you're helping the audience in some way, you're informing them, educating them, entertaining them even. And so, you know, move the focus away from yourself. Um, also pause, you know. I mean, don't rush as you are giving your speech or your presentation. Um, there's research that has been done on this that suggests that when you speak slower, uh, the audience will think that you are smarter. So you shouldn't actually it's true. Well, they go down the drain for me. I'm a fast speaker. So uh basically they they say that around 120 to 150 words per minute uh would be ideal for you to actually uh speak, you know, um, yeah, just to just say 100 uh to between 120 to 150 words per minute, and that really helps. So don't read very quickly, uh, don't read very slowly, and try to pause a little bit so the audience can engage and understand, sort of absorb the information that you're giving them. Um what else? Well, I would say also use gestures, you know, use your hands naturally to express ideas. I always tell my students, because we do drama, you know, so don't force these gestures, let them come naturally, um, because that would also engage your audience. Uh, if you're giving a presentation as well, use visual aids. Visualization is also very important as a technique when you are rehearsing because um athletes do this, they will visualize themselves winning. So, someone like Hussein Bolt, you know, would do this. He would actually visualize himself not just reaching the finishing line, but also practicing in his mind. Um, so so mentally it really, really works. Okay, so uh visualization, yes, and affirmations. You know, I tell my students to wake up in the morning as well. Uh when it comes to self-consciousness, to wake up in the morning, look at themselves in the mirror, and say, I am amazing, I am beautiful, you know, I can do this. It's going to be a great day. And it and it works, you know. You you can definitely how do they respond to that?

SPEAKER_01 19:54

Do they accept that or do they have this kind of critical voice against that, like saying, but I don't really believe it? What's the response?

SPEAKER_00 20:01

Sometimes they don't, they don't believe it until they try it, you know, and I say to them, you know, it's not easy. In fact, um, a lot of people feel self-conscious when they need to stare at themselves, like look at themselves in the mirror. But I say just work with that, you know, take a minute um and just try to just, you know, um look at yourself, just keep breathing, um, and just you know, repeat the words softly, slowly, you know, take your time because you might not believe them in the beginning, but if you keep repeating these words over and over again, uh you start to believe them. And it's very, very important.

Smiling, Pace, And Gestures

SPEAKER_01 20:40

So it's building the whole person up before you get to that moment of the speech. And I also like what you said about the power of the pause, because I've also heard a lot about this. This uh an amazing speaker, John Maxwell, that I'm learning from at the moment, and he speaks a lot about pausing and not being afraid. You know, a lot of people, when there's a silence, and myself included sometimes, feels like you have to fill it with something. And sometimes it's just let the audience take in what you've just said, it just gives them time for that thing to sink in and for you to maybe, you know, move on to your next point and just give them a moment. So there's a lot to be said about the power of the pause, as you've said, and uh what was the other the gestures. But again, sometimes when there's too much hand flapping, it can be distracting. But the gestures that live, I think, from the neck to the waist, somewhere there, I've heard is the best ratio, right? Um, and uh the smile, which I've also, when I was researching more information before today, it said a lot about a smile helping. What did I find about the smile? I've got it somewhere. Smiling while speaking can improve your tone, making you sound more confident and friendly, even if you feel nervous. That's what that's the little the gesture. So I'm glad you brought that one up. Yeah. And so what else works for you, Pauline, when you've had to face a difficult situation in terms of speaking?

SPEAKER_00 22:04

Okay, so what I try to do is not to replay, you know, previous uh presentations or speeches that I've given in my head. Um, so I try to think that each, you know, each speech, each presentation is different, is unique, is new, uh, and that also helps me. You know, I don't try to rethink of my past mistakes if I've made uh past mistakes. You know, I try to think of certain things that went well, and I try to use those. Um, I try to take those with me into my next um public speaking uh, let's say, moment or event. So uh I think that's very, very important. Um, and um, you know, I think everybody gets nervous at the end of the day, you know, even famous speakers, you know, confidence isn't about never feeling scared, it's really about learning to speak anyway. It's what you said earlier. You have to just do it, you know, uh as the Nike advert says, you know, just do it. I mean, and and you learn from that, from that experience. And you can also ask for feedback, you know, you can um ask the audience, you know, how did it go? Uh, you know, how can I improve? Uh and people do appreciate that, and they're very kind and forgiving in many cases.

SPEAKER_01 23:17

Yeah, I think they're on your side, right? They want you to succeed. Nobody wants to feel uncomfortable watching you, they they're rooting for you in a way, most at least most of the audience.

SPEAKER_00 23:26

Absolutely, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 23:27

Uh so have that kind of on your back as a support as you walk in, right?

Visualization And Affirmations

SPEAKER_00 23:32

Yes, exactly. Keep practicing, you know, read aloud at home, uh, read to your pet, you know, just stand in front of a mirror and rehearse. Um, there are so many things you can do. I mean, and I tell the kids, you know, at school, uh, you can also join a club, like a debate club, a drama club, or join your student council, uh, you know, where you can um hone your public speaking skills, uh, volunteer, and also, you know, start with small victories, like small wins, like a small public speaking moment in class where you raise your hand and you answer a question, because a lot of students are actually terrified to speak in class. You know, I ask a question and sometimes they don't raise their hands. Of course, there might be the language barrier, but at the same time, they feel okay, somebody's judging me. You know, they they get really self-conscious and they start clamming up, um, you know, going back into their shell. And I say, no, guys, you know, you have to just, if you've got a question, there are no silly um no silly questions. The point is um you should ask, you should uh you know, try to answer various questions, you should always be inquisitive, and it doesn't matter if you make mistakes at the end of the day. So celebrate some victories, you know, raise your hand and and just answer, you know, just go with the flow.

SPEAKER_01 24:47

And you've touched on because I was going to ask you about the quieter students, how to reach them because not everybody wants to be out there talking, but uh giving them moments in class, or what I've also tried to do in this case is get them to ask in a smaller group so that they're comfortable in front of a smaller audience and then extend it to the so like reaching the the more introverted kids that have a lot to say. I think a lot of the times we we equate someone being silent with not having a lot to say, and often when uh the introverted kids are given more of a chance, they surprise they shouldn't surprise us, but they have so much to say, they've just not given the platform or the space to share it.

SPEAKER_00 25:27

Absolutely, I agree with you, yes. Um, and the you know, maybe in the past uh they may have made a mistake or they felt that somebody was judging them, and uh this is why you know they clam up. But I mean the point is they they need to um just get out of their comfort zone and also practice in front of safe people, you know, people who will not judge them like a friend, let's say, or a sibling in front of the mirror because the mirror will not obviously judge them, you know. So each small success teaches your brain that nothing bad happens, you know. So I like that. That reduces fear, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 26:00

Yeah, and grouping them up with kind kids, I think, at school. Um I remember you you reminded me of this girl I used to uh had when she started teaching learning English, didn't want to read out loud, never wanted to be given, you know, the moment like I would try and get everybody to read at their, you know, have a chance so they can practice it. Some of them had no other practice outside that small setting, right? And could have easily bypassed, but I thought she needs opportunities. So again, through a smaller interaction, through a little bit just to me, through and slowly, slowly, like not letting them off the hook in a way that's negative, but in a way that you know we're gonna get there. Because I think sometimes we often just let them off the hook too much, and then we disadvantage them by not giving them that chance to explore that skill a little bit or to hone in on it a bit.

Resetting After Mistakes

SPEAKER_00 26:48

Yes, absolutely. And and I uh and as I said earlier, you know, I've um the breathing techniques also help, not just visualization, but also breathing techniques. So I did have students who would uh literally get panic attacks, you know, uh anxiety before they had to perform. And I would say to them, you know, breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth, you know, try to sort of ground yourself, you know, take it easy, like take slow breaths, you know. Uh and it really, really does help, you know, just center yourself, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 27:18

And adding the affirmations, as you said, affirmations, I am safe because I think a lot of the times it feels like an attack when they are scared. And it's like you said, fight or flight. There's something I need to fight. So if you bring yourself back, putting your hand on your heart and saying, I'm in a safe place, this is safe. That can also kind of reprogram.

SPEAKER_00 27:38

Yes, it calms your nervous system, absolutely, and it also reduces the shaky hands feeling. Yes, it definitely helps the breathing center yourself, yes.

SPEAKER_01 27:46

And so, how can you balance teaching performance skills, which also comes with the drama, but also encouraging this authentic self-expression that we want the kids to tap into?

Practice In Safe Spaces

SPEAKER_00 27:59

Um well, when they are, let's say, practicing or rehearsing, I think it actually comes through their own sense of authenticity because let's say I'm asking them to deliver a speech and uh they have to choose a specific topic. Uh, the good news is that I'm very flexible. I give them, you know, a wide range of possible topics, and they can choose whatever they like, whatever um they've they're passionate about. And I say to them, guys, but not I'm not really very interested in the content. I'm more interested in the way in which you deliver your speech. Okay, so not in the um in the what, but in the how. So what happens is that a lot of them will choose topics that they are passionate about, and then they will create their own sort of authentic and unique style of expression. So some of them might actually sit down, some of them might uh present uh that they might uh create a PowerPoint presentation for me. Uh, some of them wish to stand as if they're standing at a podium. So uh I can actually get a sense of their own creativity, that they do it in their own way. They also deliver their speeches in you know in different ways. I mean, I give them some guidelines and I say, guys, you should emphasize specific words which you you want the audience to understand are important, uh, you know, vary your tone, the pitch, you know, the volume of your voice. Um, don't read as if you're reading in a monotone, you know, don't read in a monotone basically, um, you know, to show the audience that you're enthusiastic about what you are uh talking about. Because it's very important that the best speeches, I mean the best presentations are the ones which will resonate emotionally with the audience, which will create some kind of emotional impact. Because, as I said earlier, in most cases, in 90% of cases, the audience will forget about a speech or a presentation 24 hours after it has been delivered. But if you manage to talk about, let's say, a personal anecdote. Anecdote, something you know that resonates with you that you remember. So a story, you know, something personal. The audience will definitely engage with you. And this is very, very important. So I think Steve Jobs was famous for that, like retelling uh stories. Um, and um I actually remembered another moment, I think it was a TED talk, and I can't remember if it was in 2009, I have to double check. Uh, where uh Bill Gates actually stood in front of an audience and he released a jar of harmless mosquitoes. Uh, and this was a speech that he was giving on malaria to the audience. Um, and it's it's a speech that is still memorable to this day because okay, the mosquitoes were harmless, but he was trying to prove a point, and he did get a very visceral, very physical reaction from the audience as well. And I'm sure they remembered it the next day.

SPEAKER_01 30:52

They got probably the bites from it as well, so the feeling was pretty strong.

SPEAKER_00 30:57

Absolutely. But but okay, that you know, at the time they didn't uh know uh that these were not malaria-infested mosquitoes, but you know, so so it made it even impactful. But he did say to them uh at some point, I'm sure, you know, uh, these are harmless mosquitoes. Uh, but it was just the the way that he did it, you know, just releasing them from the jar as some kind of magician, and he he created a kind of sort of visual and emotional impact on them. So, this is what I I also tell you.

SPEAKER_01 31:24

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:25

Uh, talk about something personal because people will be able to relate to that.

SPEAKER_01 31:29

So and connect, yeah, they'll connect with you, right? When it's personal, you feel like you're getting a little bit of inside information of the person, it's not just the facts and the yeah, exactly. Absolutely agree.

SPEAKER_00 31:40

Absolutely, yeah.

Authenticity And Delivery

SPEAKER_01 31:41

And when I think of like speeches I've heard, or when I've been in the audience, or when there was a limusol TED talk as well, it was the ones that were that, like you said, the feeling of their story, if their story was uh particularly uh shocking or inspiring or something like that, was what you remembered rather than all the details and the facts and what they had done and their credentials. So there's a lot to be said for that, and practicing that, like storytelling, being more effective than facts alone.

SPEAKER_00 32:10

Correct, because we tell stories every day, all the time. We're telling stories, we're storytellers.

SPEAKER_01 32:15

Exactly. So we we can practice that together. Absolutely. Okay, so are there any favorite books you have or videos you recommend around the topic of uh public speaking that you've watched? You've already mentioned the Bill Gates one, that would be a nice one to attach and have other people see it or hear it.

SPEAKER_00 32:32

But if there's anything that's rocked you, several TED talks. Uh, I would also for teenagers, you know, recommend uh watching uh teenagers their own age, you know, uh other motivational or inspirational speeches. Denzel Washington once gave a speech, you know, put God first uh at a graduation ceremony. Yes, that one stood out for me. That's it. And he uses various speech conventions, yeah, list of three and repetition, and he really, you know, uh shows um the graduate students the importance of gratitude.

SPEAKER_01 33:05

So that's a great one as well, you know, to show people how other people do it, you know, uh how they learn from exactly and analyzing other people's speeches, right? Like where you like you said, you mentioned some techniques. So other than just creating a speech, there's some like tick boxes that you can include for more effect, right? So it's like you said, the listing three things for impact. Okay, can you remember or pick out a few others that the audience might be interested in?

SPEAKER_00 33:34

Sure. Emotive language, uh, repetition is also a good one. Um, and uh Denzel Washington does that as well at the end of his speech where he says, thank you for parents, thank you for this, thank you for that. So, you know, really driving his message home. So repetition is a very um useful one as well. Rhetorical questions, you know, to sort of um allow the audience to reflect, to to think critically about the issues that you are raising. So these are very important techniques. Um so so yes, I think you know these would be the the main ones. Um and speaking about you know other sort of um resources that uh students and adults can use, there's a great book by uh Carmine Gallo. Uh it's called Talk Like Ted, which I highly recommend. And he he gives a lot of examples and effective strategies.

SPEAKER_01 34:30

Uh we'll add the title, you just send me the name.

SPEAKER_00 34:35

Yes, absolutely. I will do. Great.

SPEAKER_01 34:37

So to end off, I would like you to leave us with some parting thoughts on what public speaking means to you, or any quotes about it that you have, or any last-minute thoughts that you'd love to share.

Stories Stick More Than Facts

SPEAKER_00 34:50

I think uh just that the main thing you know that uh we we touched upon and which is very, very important, is to just go ahead and do it. Uh so no matter how nerve-wracking it is, no matter if your heart is racing, your palms start sweating, and you feel like you just can't do it, you know, you're just going to break down. Um, the important thing is to just go ahead and you know move out of your comfort zone and just do it.

SPEAKER_01 35:18

That that's you will survive.

SPEAKER_00 35:20

You will survive it, yes. You come out stronger at the end of it.

SPEAKER_01 35:23

Come out stronger, maybe a little bit wounded by the experience, but definitely stronger. Yes, and you'll thank yourself. Thank you for all of that and for being here today and sharing yourself with all of us. You're welcome.

SPEAKER_00 35:36

It was a pleasure. Thank you so much.