What truly moves people to action, the head or the heart? While information and content is vital, today’s guest reminds us that storytelling and connecting with people’s hearts through vulnerability is the most powerful way to impact them.
Jason Harris is the president and CEO of the award-winning creative agency Mekanism and works closely with brands through a blend of soul and science to create shareable and provocative campaigns that engage audiences. Jason’s passion for leveraging the power of storytelling to humanize brands and establish an emotional connection with consumers as people rather than mere transactions has revolutionized the role and impact of modern marketing. Jason’s innovative methods are currently studied at Harvard Business School through the case study “Mekanism: Engineering Viral Marketing.”
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It’s easy to let fear hold you back as a speaker. What if you forget your script? What if people don’t like your talk? What if the unexpected happens? Today’s guest shares a powerful technique for dealing with fear, as well as offering many other tips for becoming a more effective speaker.
Tonya Harris is an award-winning toxin expert, childhood cancer survivor, and mother of three. She is the founder of Slightly Greener, offering busy Moms simple solutions for reducing toxins in their home. Tonya is also the founder of the Happy Child Project, a movement to de-stigmatize learning disabilities and mental health challenges in children.
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How do you influence others as a speaker? Today’s guest reminds us that influence goes far beyond your role as a speaker from the stage. She shares her compelling journey of blending speaking with leadership and coaching in a variety of environments.
Stephanie Simpson is an artist, educator, and coach. Drawing on her background in movement, meditation, and psychology, she guides people to achieve their greatest potential and empowers them to live their lives unapologetically and to the fullest by nurturing the connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
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Does business have to be cutthroat? Today’s guest doesn’t think so. He shares why his unique approach to life and business through the power of kindness is impacting lives. You’ll learn how it can impact yours as well.
Rocco is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, coach, and business attorney. He has a passion for spreading his message of the power of kindness in business, and hopes to inspire the masses to leave this world a kinder place for his three kids.
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One of the hallmarks of a great speaker is the ability to share your true self from the stage. Today’s guest shares her approach to authentic speaking that includes sharing a faith-based message that connects to people from a variety of backgrounds.
Alexis Fuentes is a motivational storyteller rooted in Catholic spirituality. Her work is designed to enliven and nourish that spark of faith that gets people moving. She is all about saying “yes” and doing more, and hopes that her stories will help you do the same.
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The most effective speakers realize their message is bigger than them. Today’s guest shares her journey through grief in order to become a “renegade widow” whose bold message is impacting countless lives.
Sarah Nannen is a keynote speaker, life coach, and the author of the best-selling book Grief Unveiled: A Widow’s Guide to Navigating Your Journey in Life After Loss. Sarah became a military widow and solo mom of four young children in 2014 when an aviation accident claimed her husband’s life. Her journey through grief opened her eyes to a renegade way of approaching life and possibility that now informs her work with women breaking through limitation to live extraordinary lives. Her podcast, “Grief Unveiled,” released in 2018, offers up weekly conversations dedicated to real talk and real truth about grief and living.
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Popular thinking about masculinity tells us that men are to be strong and tough. Today’s guest shows how going through the Speakers Who Dare process helped him embrace his vulnerable side while also increasing his speaking platform.
Mike Shereck is a leader, coach, and author. He’s also a real guy with over thirty years of experience in construction and manufacturing. He works with leaders and teams to empower them in the ever-changing, challenging, ambiguous, and chaotic world of business today. Mike has an unparalleled stand for men and their leadership and is committed to shifting the narrative around men, leadership, and their impact. He believes it’s possible to honor our authentic masculine self, while accepting, honoring and partnering with, and contributing to, all others with whom we share this world. Mike is the author of Berwyn Rules: Leadership Secrets of 26th Street. He is also a Harley Davidson enthusiast.
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Can people predict the future with 100% accuracy? Perhaps not, but today’s guest spends a lot of time thinking about the future and how we can be better equipped for it. She also shares her experiencing in creating a better future for herself, and her listeners, through crafting a compelling talk.
Tracey Wik is an entrepreneur, writer, and talent futurist dedicated to creating workplaces that recognize and elevate the potential of all employees. She works with high-achieving leaders to help them understand what talent they have, what talent they need, and how to put science around the art of selecting and developing teams.
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Many of the talks given at Speakers Who Dare were delivered by those with stage experience. However, today’s guest shares his insights and experience as a first-time speaker. Although he is new to the stage, he shares a wealth of tips that can help you improve your speaking as well.
Rachit Kansal is an engineer and researcher committed to changing our relationship with the planet. Working at a leading non-profit and think tank alongside a team who shares his passion for forging innovative paths forward, Rachit is currently focused on understanding how we can leverage the intersection of technology and economics to accelerate our world toward a clean energy transition.
He also believes that technological and economic innovation are only part of the solution. In order for the transition to clean energy to be as impactful as it can be, it also needs heart—a young, fresh, bold approach that is as daring and passionate as it is smart. With a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy, Rachit draws on his expertise as well as his experience having lived and worked on four different continents to meet our global problems with a truly global perspective.
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Every big talk has the potential to change lives. This is especially true of today’s speaker, who prepared a life-changing talk about survival and resilience. She will inspire you with her story of taking her expertise to a deeper level and helping people become more resilient beyond just surviving.
Amy C. O’Neill, MS, LPC has built a career in mental health over two-and-a-half decades, and traveled a personal path that has proven over and over again that resilience is key to truly living healthy, both in mind and body. Resilience enables us to face tragedy and still take the necessary steps to go through. Resilience is mandatory for us to recover when obstacles interfere. And, as Amy can attest, resilience can be harnessed.
After methodically training and successfully completing three Ironman Triathlons, and the prestigious Boston Marathon five times, Amy knows how mental and physical focus can lead to success. Perhaps her biggest life test was being thrust into the role of a Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor. Her testimony understanding the path of the unthinkable has opened up her eyes to a new way of going through adversity. Amy’s goal is to share her lived and learned knowledge with others. The survival journey is complicated, and we can not only survive challenges, but also thrive and create a life we love.
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Our sweet spot as speakers can come from surprising places. Today’s guest shares her story of blending humor, public speaking, and acting in order to deal with the “heavy” topic of mental illness.
Marla Schultz is a headlining stand-up comic, speaker, and actress. She has guest-starred in numerous films and TV shows, been a regular on Sirius XM Radio, and performs in clubs, theaters, and on cruise ships nationwide.
She never imagined that her years making people laugh would provide critical skills needed when communicating with doctors and insurance companies, as well as helping keep loved ones alive. Since becoming an Accidental Advocate, Marla has proven that laughter really is the best medicine. She uses her engaging sense of humor to connect, entertain, and make a difference.
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Almost every speaker deals with nerves or stage fright. But what if you could develop the confidence and mindset to own the stage? Today’s guest shares her amazing story of learning to lean into her fear and develop greater confidence as a speaker.
Theresa is an Intuitive Coach, certified in Dragon Reiki, Angel Card reading, and channeling. She is the founder of More Time More You, which is focused on aligned purpose. Theresa and her husband, Eddie, are the hosts of the podcast "The Theresa and Eddie Show", helping to humanize the immigrant and refugee experience.
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Every speaker must focus on themselves to some degree as they prepare for their big talk. But in the end, it’s all about serving a greater purpose and reaching an audience. Today’s guest shares his story of how Speakers Who Dare impacted his speaking and helped him focus on a greater purpose.
You may have a lot of different ideas you want to communicate in a talk. Today’s guest talks about the challenge of identifying your big idea and gives practical strategies for getting clear on your takeaway.
In order to have the biggest impact possible, we must tailor our message to the audience. Today’s guest shares her process for learning about her audience, including key questions she asks about those who are listening.
How does a speaker reach that sweet spot between giving the audience too much and not giving them enough? Today’s guest reminds us that while our objective doesn’t change, our action must change depending on the situation and the audience. She will encourage you to find the sweet spot by understanding your audience and knowing what they need … and always leave them wanting more.
Speaking is more than just transmitting information to an audience. In order for the audience to receive your message and act on it, they must also trust you. Today’s guest shares how she builds trust with her various audiences in the dental field, and how this enhances her communication with them.
What does it take to be a successful speaker? Preparation? Appearance? Experience? Today’s guest reveals the single most important key to giving a successful talk, and it surprisingly does not begin with the speaker.
We all have obstacles. Many times we need another person’s perspective to clearly see the obstacle and how to overcome it. Today’s guest shares how she helps her clients and audience identify their obstacles, take action, and stay curious.
Speaking is not just about a transfer of information. It’s about helping an audience take action and change their lives. Today’s guest reveals how she educates, inspires, and entertains her audience in order to help transform their lives.
Today’s guest shares her story of helping and inspiring women in business. As she shares the wisdom she has learned, you’ll come away knowing how to elevate and engage your own audience by listening to them and inviting them to tell a story.
There are so many things to think about as a speaker that it’s easy to feel it’s all about you. Today’s guest will give you a powerful reminder that it’s all about the audience. She will also reveal practical tips for discovering who you audience is and what they need.
What do music, workouts, and public speaking have in common? Today’s guest has the answer. He shares how his unusual background and uncommon approach helps him equip his clients and audience members to get past their blocks.
As a speaker, you are not only asking people to listen to your ideas. You are ideally inviting them to join something much bigger than one person. Today’s guest shares how he invites his audience to join a movement that has grown exponentially over the years, and how you can put these strategies into practice.
TEDx events have a global impact since the speaker’s talks can be viewed online. However, the events also have a local impact by influencing their communities in surprising ways. Today’s guest is the organizer of TEDxPittsburgh, and he shares how the event helps people become ambassadors to the community