The Power of Story and Science

Elaine Lung: A Critical Life Skill

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 17:21:11 -0600

What do you get when put two recovering engineers together? You might just get a far-reaching conversation about public speaking, Toastmasters, and improvisational theatre. That’s what’s in store for you in this episode as program host David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) talks with public speaking expert Elaine Lung. When you hear how far she has come in gaining confidence as a speaker, you will know you can do it, too!

Elaine Lung works with business professionals who want to show up and speak up confidently with the people around them at work and at home. She is a Certified World Class Speaking Coach, Distinguished Toastmaster, and co-founder of three Bay Area Toastmasters clubs dedicated to promote the use of storytelling or improv skills: the Silicon Valley Improvmasters, the Silicon Valley Storytellers and the San Mateo Storytellers. To follow up with Elaine and schedule a discovery call, go to https://elainelung.com/.

To get on David Otey’s calendar for a conversation or free, initial coaching session, go to http://breakthroughwithdavid.com/.

Bryan Rutberg: Connect People, Not Boxes

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, host David P. Otey (https://davidotey.com/) has a conversation with Bryan Rutberg, an expert in interpreting technical topics for non-technical audiences. How do you relate to your audience and their emotional drivers? As a speechwriter, speaker, and coach, Bryan has gained some keen insights into how and why you do that. Here’s a hint: stories light up more of the brain than facts do.

To follow up with Bryan Rutberg and get free resources, go to https://3ccomms.com/.

For a conversation with program host David P. Otey, go to http://breakthroughwithdavid.com/.

Chris Fenning: Relevant, Relatable, Simple, and Jargon-Free

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 11:13:34 -0600

If you happened to be an engineer who is comfortable speaking not only the language of engineering, but also the language of business, sales, and marketing, you would likely find some interesting doors opening for you. And that is precisely the story of today’s guest, Chris Fenning, who has spent much of his career in such boundary-spanning roles. Want to hear his four keys to success? Listen in.

Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/ or https://chrisfenning.com/

To follow up with program host David Otey, visit http://breakthroughwithdavid.com/.

Alaina G. Levine: Your Unicorn Career

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0600

What would be your “unicorn career”? And now that you have experience and perhaps an advanced degree in a technical field, how do you go about creating that career? According to speaker, author, mathematician, and self-professed nerd Alaina G. Levine, what you need is data—data about yourself and about opportunities. Listen to our conversation and see if you can catch a unicorn!

Connect with Alaina through her website, https://alainalevine.com/ or through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainaglevine/.

To connect with podcast host David P. Otey, go to http://breakthroughwithdavid.com/.

Mark Herschberg: Stop Taxing Your Audience

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0600

Take one part physicist, one part electrical engineer, and one part computer scientist, and mix in an affinity for helping technical experts communicate more effectively, and what would you have? Well, you just might have the guest whom David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) interviews in this episode. Author, speaker, and MIT instructor Mark Herschberg presents some brilliant analogies that can help you build your career skills while broadening your impact.

To follow up with Mark and access free resources, go to https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/.

For the Brain Bump app, go to https://www.cognoscomedia.com/brain-bump.

What’s on your mind? Having a hard time making your data sing? Let’s have a conversation! Go to http://breakthroughwithdavid.com/ and get on David’s calendar for a free breakthrough call.

Influence Lessons

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:52:36 -0600

In this content episode, program host David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) explores some ideas that jumped out at him from watching the excellent speakers who presented at the annual meeting of the National Speakers Association, a three-day event called “Influence.” You will learn how to build your influence as an expert by making a connection with your audience. Because that’s the first thing your audience is looking for.

The book David mentions in the program is “The Speaker’s Quick Guide to Technical Presentations” and you can find out more about it here.

Connect with David by going to http://breakthroughwithdavid.com.

Angela Andrews: A Different Way

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Maybe you’re the kind of person who can focus intently on detailed, analytical work. And maybe you think that makes you a little different from other people. In this episode, program host David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) has a conversation with Angela Andrews, a data scientist who freely admits to being different from most people—being neurodiverse, in fact. Listen to how she has turned that to her advantage, and learned a different way of speaking up.

Connect with Angela by email: Angela.Andrews77@gmail.com and mention this podcast in the subject line.

Bob Goodyear: Go With Feelings

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0600

When you picture a computer geek, what image comes to mind? Someone hunched over a keyboard, writing line after line of code? Now picture someone speaking boldly and confidently about what they know. Do you have a hard time imagining those are the same person? Then you need to meet “a geek who speaks.” That’s what Bob Goodyear calls himself. In this conversation with David Otey (https://davidotey.com/), you’ll hear Bob’s inspiring journey from the back room to the front of the class.

Follow up with Bob by going to https://www.ageekwhospeaks.com/.

Tim Durkin: Executive Presence

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:06:58 -0600

From executives to beauty-pageant contestants, Tim Durkin has a remarkable track record when it comes to coaching successful speakers. When it comes right down to the basics, do you know where to put your hands? Do you know how to emphasize your key points? The conversation David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) had with speaker and coach Tim Durkin was full of tips you can use right away.

To follow up with Tim Durkin using tim@timdurkin.com (subject line: Podcast)

Jesse Hensley: Present Your Why

Wed, 18 May 2022 10:05:15 -0600

How does a trained engineer go from testing fuel cell membranes to being a team leader focused on relationships, communication, and people? In today’s episode, you will hear a conversation between program host David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) and Jesse Hensley of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory here in Colorado. Listen as Jesse describes how so many schools of thought have influenced his journey—and his stories.

To connect with Jesse, email him using Jesse.Hensley@nrel.gov.

Jill Tietjen: Maximizing Abilities

Wed, 04 May 2022 07:00:00 -0600

What does it mean to you to maximize your abilities and talents? Do you pursue that, even when it takes you in surprising directions and may lead you into non-traditional roles? Listen to this conversation between program host David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) and speaker Jill Tietjen, who was an engineer when women in that role were a novelty. What might her insights mean for you as well?

Connect with Jill on Linked in at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-tietjen-a0789a9/.

Alex Ramsey: What Gets in the Way

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 21:14:26 -0600

Do you get nervous when you speak in front of an audience? What if I (https://davidotey.com) were to tell you that the nervousness you feel is actually a key to your very survival? Don’t take my word for it. In this conversation, listen to the surprising insights from Alex Ramsey about the source of your nervousness. Spoiler alert: there’s chemistry involved!

To follow up with guest Alex Ramsey, reach out to her: Alex@speakingcenterstage.com

To have a conversation with program host David Otey, go to http://TalkToDavidNow.com.

Three Verbal Tools

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Ever encounter the challenge of making your work clear and understandable to someone outside your field of expertise? This is a problem many technical experts face. In today’s content episode, program host David Otey (https://davidotey.com) takes you through three distinct, yet easy-to-use verbal tools that can help you help others understand the nature of your work.

The book by Judy Carter that David mentions is The Message of You (2013).

Contact David by going to http://talktodavidnow.com. He’d love to hear from you.

Avoid the DD!

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0700

If you’re out on the town and imbibing, a DD is a good thing: a Designated Driver. But where technical presentations are concerned, you want to studiously avoid a DD: a Data Dump. How do you avoid the dreaded Data Dump? A good place to start is understanding your audience and what they need from you. That’s our starting point for this content episode featuring podcast host David Otey (https://davidotey.com).

The Facebook community David mentions can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/storyandscience.

To schedule a conversation with David and go deeper into any of his topics, please go to https://bookme.name/davidotey.

Dr. Jeffrey Magee: The Great Reboot

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, you are going to hear a wide-ranging conversation between host David Otey (https://davidotey.com/) and the always energetic Dr. Jeffrey Magee, a highly regarded expert in leadership and talent development. You will discover how leadership mastery derives from a simple mathematical principle. You’ll pick up tips that will help you get the butterflies flying in formation when you speak. And you’ll understand what the “Great Reboot” means for you.

Find out more about Dr. Magee and his many books and programs by visiting https://www.jeffreymagee.com/. For his Professional Performance 360 magazine, visit https://professionalperformancemagazine.com/.

Susan Morris: Four Steps to Confidence

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:05:48 -0700

In this episode, you are in for a treat. Not only will you meet Susan Morris, a dynamic speaker and coach who can help you up your career ladder, but you’ll also be a witness as she takes host David Otey through a simple yet surprising demonstration of the mind-body connection. When it comes to building your confidence, you don’t want to go on stage until you’ve heard what Susan Morris has to say.

Susan cites 2014 research by Deborah Gruenfeld, a professor of leadership and organization at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, who posits that your posture doesn’t just reflect your level of confidence, insecurity, or anything else. Instead, your posture sends messages to your brain that tells you how to feel. If you need to feel confident, you want your posture to send your brain that message of standing tall. Be sure to check out how she has David demonstrate this—unrehearsed—during the episode!

Follow up with Susan Morris by email: Susan@susanmorriscoaching.com.

The book David mentions in the program is Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Numbers by Chip Heath and Karla Starr. He recommends it highly.

Find out more about host David Otey at https://davidotey.com, where you can also contact him. He’d love to hear from you.

Ron Karr: What’s your velocity?

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:14:52 -0700

Speaker and author Ron Karr likes to ask the question, “What would the world be like if everyone acted like a leader and not a victim of circumstance?” In today’s episode, Ron and host David Otey have a conversation about how acting like a leader ties directly into communicating more effectively—even for a technical presenter. Because you have to connect with the heart first, and then the mind.

Find out more about Ron’s latest book, The Velocity Mindset, and pick up free resources by visiting http://velocitymindset.com/.

To connect with David Otey, visit http://storyandscience.com/.

Three Lessons Learned

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:12:01 -0700

In this content episode, host David P. Otey shares three lessons he learned from the experience he had of creating and managing the delivery of a training program to more than ten thousand technicians in the TV news industry. Do you give technical presentations, or conduct training of any sort? If so, then these lessons will benefit you as well.

Follow up with David by visiting https://davidotey.com.

Lisa Scott: All About Clarity

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 05:30:00 -0700

Today’s conversation is with Lisa Scott, a speech pathologist who has turned her attention to the particular needs of presenters who need either more confidence, or help with their speech clarity. This episode may be of particular interest to you if you are a non-native speaker of English who sometimes struggles to be understood. You’ll want to hear about the physicist at the hardware store!

Lisa is a licensed speech pathologist who specializes in the STEM fields, helping experts to communicate clearly with clients and decision makers. Lisa thrives on solving the problems that keep people from communicating clearly and loves the challenge of working with highly skilled professionals who want a competitive edge in their communication skills.

To get a free resource from Lisa, visit https://www.accentuatecommunication.com/checklist.

For more information on program host David Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Benedict Albensi: Science, Innovation, and Creativity

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, you will hear a conversation with Benedict Albensi, Ph.D., a neuroscientist with wide-ranging interests not only in science and the arts, but also in training young scientists in innovation and creativity. Does learning the piano make you better at math? Are people actually right- and left-brained? Is muscle memory really a thing? Listen to our conversation and find out.

Connect with Dr. Albensi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/benedict-albensi/.

To follow up with host David P. Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Dr. Robert Dickson: It All Builds

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0700

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 why Dr. Robert Dickson and his professional and personal journey are special.

Contact Dr. Dickson by using podcast@mchd-tx.org and search for “MCHD Paramedic Podcast” wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about program host David P. Otey or to schedule a call with him, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Susan RoAne: Interesting and Interested

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you’ll hear a conversation with best-selling author and speaker Susan RoAne. If you don’t know Susan yet, trust us: if you were in a room with her, you’d get to know her very quickly. She’d see to that! Susan is an expert in the related arts of working a room and networking. Skills that every professional needs to have in their communication toolbox.

Reach Susan at her website, https://www.susanroane.com/.

To learn more about host David Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Brenden Kumarasamy: How would the world change?

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0600

What is your gut reaction when someone asks you to speak in public? Is it a knot in your stomach? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode, you will meet Canadian speaker and speaking coach Brenden Kumarasamy. Brenden and host David Otey had a wide-ranging conversation that covered several of the interesting questions Brenden asks his coaching clients to help them get over their fear of public speaking.

Learn more about Brenden by visiting https://www.mastertalk.ca/ or find his YouTube channel, MasterTalk.

Find out more about host David Otey by visiting https://davidotey.com/.

Nancy Giere: Where Do You Want to Take Them?

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you will hear a conversation with Nancy Giere. Nancy is a trainer and a designer of online courses, mostly for businesses. Whether you are designing a course or planning a presentation, there are certain common elements you have to consider if you are going to meet your audience where they are and take them to where you want them to be.

Click here for Nancy’s free gift: “8 Easy Steps to Create Training that Sells.”

For more about podcast host David Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

They Did Better

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 16:47:06 -0600

This content episode is a follow-up to the previous episode, “Why Do Better?” This time around, host David Otey will review the benefits you stand to gain when you up your game and do a better job with your technical presentations. You will hear the story of a graduate student defending her dissertation and a cancer researcher getting his funding renewed. How will upping your game help you?

Connect with David Otey at https://davidotey.com/.

Why Do Better?

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 17:42:43 -0600

In this content episode, host David P. Otey discusses the reluctance of some technical experts to put effort into learning how to be better presenters. Why bother raising the bar for what a presentation could be, when everyone else seems satisfied with the status quo? There are at least four reasons for working toward a higher standard in scientific and other information-rich presentations. What will be your reason?

Follow up with David by visiting https://davidotey.com or schedule a time for a Zoom call by going to https://bookme.name/davidotey. He'd like to hear from you!

Anthony LaMantia: The Before and After

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 15:10:48 -0600

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 interests intersect in his love of metaphor for describing his science.

To learn more about Dr. LaMantia and his work, visit https://fbri.vtc.vt.edu/people-directory/primary-faculty/lamantia.html.

To connect with podcast host David Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Amanda Hays: Take the Initiative

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 21:32:08 -0600

In this episode, you will meet Amanda Hays. Dr. Hays is a pharmaceutical scientist—but she didn’t start out to be a scientist. You will hear how she fell in love with the idea of creating something new and “solving the puzzle.” You will also hear how she learned to tell the story of her work and how that skill has propelled her career in an exciting new direction.

To follow up with Dr. Hays, email her using amanda.hays@bioagilytix.com.

Stephanie Pasas-Farmer: Anticipate the Need

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0600

How do you get your audience on your side when they fear that your innovation will put their job at risk? That’s not a scientific problem; it’s a communication problem. And it’s one that pharmaceutical scientist Stephanie Pasas-Farmer encountered when she brought her innovative artificial-intelligence solution to market. Listen in as Stephanie explains where she found the skills to meet that challenge.

To find out more about Stephanie Pasas-Farmer and her company, Ariadne Software, visit https://www.ariadnesolutions.com/.

To find out more about program host David Otey or to connect with him, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Marty Dickinson: Present with Confidence

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you are going to meet Marty Dickinson, author and entrepreneur. But you’re not just going to meet him—you are going to hear him interview podcast host David Otey. And what is the occasion for this turnabout? It is the launch of David's latest book. But you won’t just hear about the book. Listen in on our conversation.

For more on David's new book, visit www.confidentspeakingbook.com.

Alan Cote: Practice, Practice, Practice

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you will pick up on the surprising parallels between host and guest. Both were engineers before changing direction and becoming speakers. Both found help and an impetus for that change through Toastmasters. And even the last names rhyme! Alan Cote talks about overcoming his stutter, and shares some excellent speaking tips for today’s virtual presenters.

To follow up with Alan, go to http://ChatWithAlan.com

Beth Boaz: Arm Yourself with Every Skill You Can

Wed, 19 May 2021 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you will meet Beth Boaz, who credits her communication skills with advancing her engineering career. You will hear how her early interests led her into engineering, how she overcame obstacles as a female engineer, and how one colleague pestered her into joining Toastmasters, where she honed her leadership skills in some surprising ways.

Contact Beth by email using Beth@BethBoaz.com.

Contact program host David P. Otey using David@DavidOtey.com.

Ed Tate: Focus and Prepare

Wed, 05 May 2021 07:00:00 -0600

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. Listen in on my conversation with Ed Tate.

To learn more about Ed Tate, visit https://edtate.com/.

To learn more about program host David Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Bill Williams: "I'm all about context"

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0600

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 former student says is the most important thing he learned.

Contact Bill Williams using bill.williams@austin.utexas.edu or go to https://pharmacy.utexas.edu/.

To learn more about podcast host David P. Otey, please visit https://davidotey.com/meet-david/.

Stacey Tannenbaum: Your Authentic Self

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0600

This is the episode that proves scientists are not all introverts! Dr. Stacey Tannenbaum is a Senior Director of Pharmacometrics. (I’ll let her explain what that means.) What our conversation means for you is a fresh way of looking at how to make even the most esoteric science interesting. Graphic novels? Lobster hats? It’s all here! And it’s all part of being your authentic self.

Connect with Stacey by going to https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-tannenbaum-4296a6/. If you send a connection request, be sure to reference hearing her on this program. To learn more about the International Society of Pharmacometrics, which she co-founded, visit http://go-isop.org/.

To connect with program host David P. Otey and to pick up a free resource that will help you avoid common mistakes as a technical presenter, visit his site at https://davidotey.com/.

Craig Valentine: Conflict, Cure, and Change

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0600

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 imagination. And Craig is about to show you how to do just that.

For more of Craig’s storytelling wisdom, visit http://52speakingtips.com/.

Andrew Cooper: Passion and Enthusiasm

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0700

Can you speak on saving energy and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions with passion and enthusiasm? Andrew Cooper is known for doing just that. In this episode, you will hear how this engineer-turned-energy-specialist has used his communication skills to change the culture of his organization and the people who are part of it. And who knows? You might even learn how to save some money on your energy bill.

Find Andrew Cooper on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcooperenergy/.

What Does Your Audience Need?

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 16:17:02 -0700

This episode draws its content from Chapter Two of the soon-to-be-released third volume in the “Speaker’s Quick Guide” series of books by podcast host David P. Otey. The book is titled The Speaker’s Quick Guide to Presenting with Confidence: Overcome Self-doubt and Embrace the Power of your Message. It will be released this spring. Today we explore the question, “How can I be more audience-focused?”

Information on the release of the book, along with other books in the series, can be found by visiting https://davidotey.com/public-speaking-books/.

This episode is sponsored by the online course “Own the Virtual Stage: Confidently Connect with an Unseen Audience.” More information is at https://www.ownthevirtualstage.com/.

Anthony Poponi: Meeting a Need

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0700

When Anthony Poponi was a scientist working on wastewater, flow meant one thing. Now that he speaks on the science of positive psychology, flow means something entirely different. In this episode, you will hear Anthony explain how doing scientific research led him to realize that what he truly enjoyed was something quite different. And that might be true for you as well.

Reach Anthony by going to https://anthonypoponi.com/.

Carol Otey, Ph.D.: Making Stories Memorable

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0700

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 stories have played in her teaching. With characters as diverse and memorable as Blanche, Stella, and Kaiser Wilhelm, Dr. Otey’s classroom stories have helped educate a generation of physicians and pharmacists. Find out why!

If your curiosity is piqued, reach out to Dr. Otey at Carol_Otey@med.unc.edu.

Rebecca Murray: It's a playground, not a prison!

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, you will hear a conversation with author, speaker, and entertainer Rebecca Murray. If you’re a scientist, do you ever think of yourself as an artist? Rebecca does. And she’s here to offer you five creative techniques you can use to engage your audience when you give a presentation—whether you give it in person or in a little box on a screen.

Engage with Rebecca by visiting https://rebeccapmurray.com/.

Mark Brown: We Bring Ourselves

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, you will hear a conversation with Mark Brown, the 1995 World Champion of Public Speaking. You will hear about Mark’s unlikely path into a professional speaking career. Most important, you will hear what you can do in your presentations—no matter how technical the topic—to help your audience remember your points even years later.

Learn more about Mark by visiting https://markbrownspeaks.com/. Find his podcast (with previous guest Darren LaCroix), “Unforgettable Presentations,” wherever you get your podcasts.

Randy Olson: And, But, Therefore

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0700

This episode is a lively conversation with scientist-turned-filmmaker Randy Olson, who is widely credited with popularizing a simple, yet powerful, narrative structure based on three simple words. You will hear how Randy discovered this tool, why it is so powerful, how you can use it, and what a difference it can make in communicating about your work.

Randy’s latest book, “The Narrative Gym: Introducing the ABT Framework for Messaging and Communication” is available from Amazon and other retailers.

Michael Davis: Speak to Elicit Emotion

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0700

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 do with data and evidence.

To get Michael’s free series of storytelling tips, go to http://52storytellingtips.com.

To engage with program host David Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Who am I to speak?

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:52:44 -0700

This episode draws its content from Chapter One of the soon-to-be-released third volume in the “Speaker’s Quick Guide” series of books by podcast host David P. Otey. That book is titled The Speaker’s Quick Guide to Presenting with Confidence: Overcome Self-doubt and Embrace the Power of your Message. It is expected out in early 2021. Today we explore the question, “Who am I to speak?”

This episode is sponsored by the online course "Own the Virtual Stage: Confidently Connect with an Unseen Audience." More information is at https://www.ownthevirtualstage.com/.

Darren LaCroix: Get the Book!

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:45:29 -0700

In this episode, you will get to meet one of my speaking mentors, Darren LaCroix. Apart from being the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking, Darren is an inspiration to me because he continues to hone his craft and to help other speakers do the same. If he can become a comedian without a funny bone in his body, you can be an effective speaker—even if you’re an introvert!

Here are three ways to continue learning from Darren:

Listen to the “Unforgettable Presentations” podcast with Mark Brown at https://www.unforgettablepresentationspodcast.com/

Go to https://www.beasponge.com/ for immediate Speaking Mistakes downloads and weekly insights.

Or, if you’re serious about improving as a presenter, visit https://stagetimeuniversity.com/

Patricia Fripp: It's Clarity, NOT Dumbing-Down!

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you will hear a conversation I had with Patricia Fripp, a superstar in the world of professional speakers and speaking coaches. Fripp is known for her focus on precise language and for her coaching of executives and sales professionals. Here her focus is on her work helping scientists and engineers tell their stories.

You can find free resources to help you with your presentations, along with other ways to engage with Fripp, by visiting https://www.fripp.com/.

Keith Bailey on Unintentional Audience Abuse

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0600

This episode is the continuation of a two-part conversation with master storyteller and coach Keith Bailey. If you have not already listened to “Keith Bailey and the Bottomless Story Well,” I urge you to find that episode and listen to how he drew out of me a story I had never told before that moment. As we continue, you will hear the conversation shift more toward the science of how we perceive stories and why they are an important tool for anyone with quantitative information to share.

Keith mentions the late Professor Patrick Winston, longtime director of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and his work on how we perceive and respond to stories. You can read Keith’s full blog post (which links to Prof. Winston’s video) here.

You can reach Keith by email using keithbailey (at) stage-coaching.com, or visit his website at https://www.articulated-intelligence.com/.

Keith Bailey and the Bottomless Story Well

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0600

This episode is the first of a two-part interview with Keith Bailey, former fitness coach and master salesperson turned speaking coach for business. Learn about the techniques Keith uses to help business speakers develop their stories. (Scientists can use it, too!) Hear him use it to draw a new story from me, unrehearsed.

You can reach Keith by email using keithbailey (at) stage-coaching.com, or visit his website at https://www.articulated-intelligence.com/.

You can also visit host David P. Otey at https://davidotey.com.

Q and A: Purpose, Story and Scientific Rigor

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 07:27:54 -0600

Today you’re going to hear a Q and A episode in which I answer some of the questions I have been asked about topics that come up in my workshops, most notably the one titled “The A.R.T. of Connecting.” In my answers, you will gain deeper insights into storytelling, scientific rigor, and the development and use of specific purpose as a content filter.

In this episode, David makes reference to his book, The Speaker's Quick Guide to Telling Better Stories, which can be found here.

Conversation with Rich Hopkins, the "Win Anyway" Speaker

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0600

Join a fascinating conversation with internationally-renowned speaker Rich Hopkins. Rich understands the universality of story, even as that universality unfolds in the particulars of the events a specific character lives out. And is Rich ever a character! Prepare to be moved by the story of how he learned to give something up—and win anyway.

Meet a Storytelling Scientist: Ray Mohr

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you’ll hear a conversation with scientist and storyteller Ray Mohr. You’ll hear how Ray has used story to convey challenging scientific ideas to a wide range of audiences, both technical and non-technical. And not only that, but he also understands the entertainment and cultural value of storytelling. And the relationship between telling a story and advancing science.

To contact Ray and find out more about his storytelling, email him using raymondemohr (at) gmail.com.

Maureen Zappala: Impostor Syndrome and Your Story

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode, you’ll hear a conversation with former NASA engineer Maureen Zappala. Now a professional speaker, Maureen learned to overcome her own impostor syndrome and now teaches other high performers how to do the same thing. Hear what Maureen has to say about the power of story as a communication tool even in the most technical settings.

To learn more about Maureen, visit https://maureenz.com/.

The Nuts and Bolts of Story: What It Does, What You Do

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 19:59:42 -0600

In this episode, you’ll get into the nuts and bolts of story as a rhetorical device. First, the practical elements of what purposes a story should accomplish for you as a speaker, and, second, a couple of easy-to-use formulas that will help you with the question of how to put together a story that achieves those objectives.

Connection before Content: Why and How

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode, we return to science—in particular, the psychology of first impressions and the neuroscience behind how we make decisions. You will come away understanding even more about the importance of using story to connect with your audience, even in a technical presentation. And you will pick up a tool for uncovering the story behind your information.

The Virtual Reality: How to Compete with Real Distractions

Wed, 13 May 2020 21:03:10 -0600

In this bonus episode of “The Power of Story and Science,” host David P. Otey takes a short break from the general topic of connecting with one’s audience through story, and instead looks at the immediate challenge many presenters are facing: how to be effective in the virtual world. You will pick up eight tips on what to look at in your physical world before going virtual, three considerations for your virtual tools, and one key aspect of adapting your content. In the next episode, David will return his focus to story as a primary means of facilitating information transfer.

Where to begin: Our purpose (and yours)

Mon, 11 May 2020 09:59:42 -0600

In a program titled "The Power of Story and Science," you would expect there to be some science behind the storytelling. And there is! Host David P. Otey lays the groundwork for this new podcast by describing the role oxytocin plays in prompting the audience to feel empathy for you, the speaker. He also describes the importance of having a Specific Purpose and of understanding the speaker's role in the Grand Bargain. He closes with a preview of future episodes, which will come every two weeks or less. Tune in if you want to discover the power of having your audience on the edge of their seats, even when presenting a technical topic. Because, really, isn't that what presenting the story of your work is all about?