On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Jane Leyden Cavanaugh – speaker, improviser, comedian – and spiritual guide. Yes, that’s right – Jane is a hilarious prophet. So, we dove in to talk about the important connection between the truth and the funny.

In the show we talked about: 

Jane’s time at the Groundlings – learning what funny really is

When she finds the true in the funny – building her prophetic voice

The importance of vulnerability in this work

The power of imagery – inspired by Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak

And the realization that we have to find our wisdom and insight by doing the work ourselves.

TMM MOMENTS:

Jane: This powerful quote by George Bernard Shaw: “This is the true joy in life – being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a might one; being thoroughly worn out before you are throw on to scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances.”

This quote has inspired Jane’s purpose to speak with a prophetic voice – a voice that lifts people up and leaves them with hope and an idea of what could be (rather than being a clod of ailments and grievances). Love it.

Sally: Jane’s TMMM is what moved me!

On this week’s Mini Moved Me, I’m shedding some light on moving away from perfectionism - which sometimes creates distance between the audience and speaker. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be polished!

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Malcom Chapman – speaker, Bush Fellow and community leader on the power of our speaking opportunities to move our community and really make a difference. Though we had some challenging audio - I decided to still share because the content of the conversation was so great. My apologies for the static - bare with me on this one! - and enjoy!

In the show we talked about: 

Malcom’s Story

The Bush Fellowship – and how we serve

Malcom’s biggest challenges

The power of family and our stories

TMM MOMENTS:

Malcom: An ELCA Youth Gathering, where he experienced a Pastor preaching to console himself. The power of that story, and the vulnerability in that – Malcom felt like he knows him now.

(We also gave a shout-out to President Obama’s Eulogy after the Charleston shooting. https://youtu.be/RK7tYOVd0Hs)

Sally: This hilarious and stupid video about the impact of Helium Beer. Just TRY and watch this without laughing!   (https://youtu.be/3V9QHBgrPNY)

This week, I’m talking about a concept introduced to me by Jane Leyden Cavanaugh - your personal “pearl button": the thing that stays constant and true in us, regardless of what we are wearing or saying – and how valuable this can be to us as speakers!

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Aly Wallberg – speaker, communications coach, teacher and business professional – about the power of rhetoric to learn about ourselves, each other and the world.

NOTES:

Aly Wallberg and I connected through her short and lively Ignite Minneapolis Talk where she analyzed Sarah Palin's Lipstick on a Pitbull convention speech. I loved the talk and thought Aly was brilliant and funny. So of course I had to have her on the show! 

Aly is a speaker, communications coach and generally smart human who brings her expertise to her work in the corporate world, as well. It was so fun to connect with a person who has a similar passion and excitement about words and the impact they can have.

In the show we talked about: 

The process of creating a somewhat controversial talk

The role that studying rhetoric can have in the every day work world

And the loftier benefits of studying rhetorical appeals - knowing ourselves and each other more powerfully

TMM MOMENT:

ALY: The podcast Death, Sex and Money - a podcast about the things we don't talk about. The Living Alone and Liking It Sometimes episode. 

Sally: 92Y - Check it out!  Especially liked the episode with Dick Cavett and Alec Baldwin.. compare that to fun and frivolous Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper episode. 

On this week’s Mini Moved Me, I talk about the importance of identifying and developing your origin story.

On this week’s This Moved Me, I talk with Bryan Skavnak – golf pro, author and speaker from The Happiest Golfer – about the connection between golf and speaking. There is one! Who knew!? (Not me.)

On this week’s Mini Moved Me, I talk about the bridging the gap between audience member and speaker with the little moments that make us human.

Dr. Nick Morgan – speechwriter, consultant, academic, political influencer (etc.!) – took some time to talk with me about his push for authenticity and emotional grounding in the arenas that seem most intolerant of it. I’m a big fan of his work at Public Words, and I know you will be, too!