Today is a This Moved Me Mash-Up!

I'm bringing together two performers who have lived out their talents in very different ways, but who share a connection to the field of persuasion and public speaking.

One is a mime turned entrepreneur who leads trainings on organizational and business development.

One is an actor turned coach who started a business training actors.

WHAT?! I know. So I thought it would be fun to bring these two together for our first-ever TMM Mash-up.

“Sally, I hate Q&A’s! Help!”

Haha, I thought this would be a good one to start with on my Q & A episode.

Ok - I hear this one a lot. I know, I know - it’s improv vs. your scripted scene. It’s unpredictable, can be scary - and oh my goodness, what if I get challenged??

Here are a few things that might help:

Once upon a time, there was a savvy business woman. She tried to write a talk, but the words wouldn't come. Every time she sat down to write her talk, it didn't work! What to do, What to do? Well - listen up: 

Angela Lussier is an award-winning speaker, founder of Speaking School for Women, author of three books, speech coach and host of Claim the Stage podcast. Recently, I had the pleasure to be a guest on her podcast (Episode 23 called "Hairy Authenticity" - I know, I love the title too!). Angela's mantra is "Stop waiting. Start creating." She inspires her listeners to take the most important, often-feared, first step towards their calling, and to keep going.

Angela, I am thankful for this very important, timely conversation with you! We have a great opportunity and responsibility to use our voice and empower other women to do the same.

Vikas Narula is an entrepreneur, influencer, and owner of Keyhubs. He has perspectives on life that helps others see things that are most important. We talked about how speakers can overcome the disconnect between themselves and their audience by understanding the power of influence and connection. We shared our thoughts on the importance of creative expression and the core concepts that transform speakers to influencers. Vikas, thank you for sharing such compelling and optimistic insights!

David C. Mann is an acclaimed speaker, award-winning theater artist, and presentation coach. David has a way of grabbing and holding his audience's attention with his honesty, energy and humor. It is evident from his interactions and presentations that he has a great understanding of human intricacies. He helps people overcome the hurdles in their mind, guides them in practical ways to find their "inner human" and inspires them to keep telling their story.

David, thanks for bringing so much of yourself to this interview.

Scott C. Jones - comedian, TV host, writer - and now a speaker! - has joined me on the show as a budding speaker with a wide performance background. Scott's story is powerful. He's been in front of the TV camera for years; and after a health setback, he's found himself recreating his presence, and his story. We talk about risk, our stories, saying yes, learning from our work, the craft of expressing ourselves - and the wonderful ways we find ourselves in this arena.

Scott, I'm a fan! Thanks for reaching out - and for sharing your story with us!

Aside from "Starting with an A" and "Leggo-ing Your Ego" and "Investing in the Relationship" - you need to be sure that feedback is both honest AND helpful. It's a simple filter, that asks just a little more of both the feedback give and the feedback receiver. 

John Zimmer - lawyer, Toastmasters master, speaker, improviser and communications coach - joined me for a conversation about how we can bring the art of communication to ANY opportunity you have. Whether you're in a courtroom, or giving a TED talk, doing improv, sitting in an interview, or standing in front of your coworkers for a meeting - these skills are essential to moving your audience.

I love John's breadth of experience - and how he brings these skills to so many arenas. As he says, "The more ways you can speak, the better the speaker you can become."

(Check out John's amazing website with tons of speech analysis - and, his wonderful TEDx talk!)

In May, I participated in a Listen To Your Mother event. Have you heard of Listen To Your Mother? You may have heard my interview with LTYM founder Ann Imig from last fall, or perhaps you've been in the audience of one of the 41 shows that takes place throughout the country. Or, maybe you've run across the LTYM YouTube channel, with their hundreds of talks from the last 7 years! Or the book.

And even with all that, if you haven't heard of LTYM, now you know. And now you've gotta get yourself to one of these events!

in this episode I talk with three people who took part in this spring's Twin Cities show - Junita Flowers, Vikki Reich and Liz Sjaastad. Enjoy!

Vanessa Van Edwards - scientist and speaker - joined me for a conversation about how to present yourself... or, as I almost titled this episode: How Not to Be Awkward. Why is Vanessa the expert on this topic? As a "recovering awkward person" herself, she approached the soft skills of presenting, love, and influence - studying it like she studies science. And through that she has been able to bring to light some key lessons for all of us on the science of influence, charisma and presenting ourselves with confidence and credibility.

On Feedback, Part 1: Start with an A

Happy Season 3!
This is big, friends. I had the huge honor of having a 45-minute conversation with the amazing Rob Bell. In fact, I call him that so often I think he should just change his name to "the amazing Rob Bell."

Here's the technicalities of his impressive bio:

Rob Bell is The New York Times bestselling author of Love Wins, What We Talk About When We Talk about God, The Zimzum of Love and his most recent book How To Be Here. iTunes named his podcast, The RobCast, Best of 2015. He’s been profiled in The New Yorker, he’s toured with Oprah on her Life You Want Tour, and in 2011 Time Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People In The World. He has a regular show at Largo, the legendary music and comedy club in West Hollywood and is currently touring his How To Be Here Experience around the world. He and his wife Kristen have three children and live in Los Angeles.

[Holy crap, people. Oprah. Time Magazine. Books. And!, he's besties with, like, all my favorite people. I'm sorry, I can't stop gushing.]

But here's what I've learned by watching his talks (inspiring, and a masterclass in the craft of speaking) and listening to his podcast (love it, one of my faves) and reading his books (smarty and awesome): Rob Bell is the real deal, and he is led by an internal compass and a sincere quest to follow his curiosity and soak up the life that is in front of him. He is smart. He is funny. He is grounded. He is not afraid to change his life and challenge others, and speak up. And after a brief 45-minute conversation, I felt like we were friends. I hope that's true, because he is a good person to have in this world. I have benefitted from him just being here.

So what I'm saying, movers, is that it's not just a really impressive and long list of accolades; it could be infinitely longer if you named all the people he's impacted, inspired, and changed.

It’s Mini Moved Me day! Today I want to talk with you about a little memorizing trick I use when I’m trying to get the content of my talk to move from my head and really sink into my body.

I wrote this piece over on my This Moved Me Facebook page, and it resonated. I wanted to record this to share with more of you - and to remind us all how powerful our voices are. 

Margi Simmons and Elena Imaretska - two brilliant and creative speakers - both call the Brave New Workshop their professional home. The Brave New Workshop is an improv theater that may sound familiar to you because they are famous for being the longest running improv comedy troupe in the country.

Super cool, since Margi spent years on that stage. And Elena spent years dancing and performing. They both have respective chops as performers and creative leaders that make them "expert."

But they also do this work because they believe something much deeper happens when we take the risk and step out on stage. The skills and mindset and courage that improvisors are challenged to show are the same skills that can help us become great leaders - and, of course, great speakers.

So, I got to sit down with them both at the BNW's new amazing space (so, sorry for the echoey sound) - and talk about how we can take the innovative mindset out on stage with us.

Rita Boersma has been with me since the beginning. Literally! She was my first guest way back in 2014 - and I thought it was time to bring her back to the forefront. Why? Because Rita is someone who brings her talent and insight so beautifully to her creations that I'm often in awe of what she can do. She is brilliant and funny - as a writer, a speaker, a coach and an improviser. And together, we've made some cool stuff.  So if you're new to us here at This Moved Me and haven't gone all the way back to the beginning - enjoy this little gem... the sound system wasn't up to par; the equipment was mediocre; but the conversation was rich. Enjoy! 

In this republication of one of my most popular episodes EVER on This Moved Me, Hank Fortener and I delve into HOW he creates talks week after week with the same kind of passion and intentionality that he brings to each talk. Hank is a talk-crafting master, thanks to the thousands of hours he has spent building and re-building talk after talk. In this slightly longer episode (I just couldn't cut anything!) - Hank shares his insights, ideas and approaches to crafting a talk.

So today's Mini Moved Me is all about two very simple ways you can break through that 4th wall and set a tone of connection with your audience.

1. Seek out the people in your audience who can bring the rest with them - and then share something together. For me, for years, it was finding the 7th grade boys who know how to do the worm. They do the worm, we cheer them on, and now we're buddies. Now we have a common connection.
2. And secondly, make sure you get out from the front table and make it your deal to get really curious about the people in the room. Get their advice, find out who they are and what they're thinking. (You will know based on more than just what they say, btw. Their body language will say it all.)

Two easy things. I've got a bunch more strategies - but this is supposed to be a "mini" moved me, so we'll have to say them for later.

And of course, you can check out the reminders I got from the Rob Bell experience a few weeks ago: Space, Resonance, Wisdom, and Co-Creation.

Jared Sherlock - magician, entrepreneur, producer, actor - opened up a magic kit at age 8 and decided that he wanted to be a magician. He went on to study theater and boldly took his magic to the world at a young age. I got to see him in action a year ago at the CSB/SJU RedTalks where he gave an astounding 5-minute talk that AMAZED me. It was full of illusions and "trickery" - and yet, it felt authentic and honest. I wanted to talk about that wonderful paradox, and Man! - Jared lives it. I loved this conversation, and I hope you do, too!

If our goal as speakers is to move our audience, then we should be looking for ways to surpass our audience's expectations.

On this week's Mini Moved Me, I talk about going beyond the constrictions of our audience's expectations, to surprise and delight them - not just to do something different, but because by doing so we make a difference.

But it takes intentionality - time - and creativity. Three things that we all have (even if we feel like we don't.) In other words, there are no excuses for doing the same-old, same-old - except that we didn't take the time to push ourselves and try something new.

So, my thought for you today is to use a "Blue Ocean Strategy." Live in a different ocean - get out of the bloody red ocean where everyone else is swimming! - by distinguishing yourself with excellence and a unique approach that is audience-focused.

You don't want to freak people out by working too outside their expectations, but we can raise those expectations - and bring them along with us!

For example - Get out of the red ocean of using your power point notes as your handout! Situate yourself in the Blue Ocean by doing something different - maybe offering a one-sheet that summarizes your points; maybe offer them a symbolic element, like a keychain or a bird (or whatever, who knows, I'm making this up here, people) - something that symbolizes the shape or vehicle or metaphor of your talk! Maybe you don't offer them ANYTHING cause you know that most people don't use or appreciate it, and it ends up in the garbage!

Think like your audience, and do what will delight them.

(For more on the "shape of your talk," check out Brandy Agerbeck's interview with me on the show! It's awesome.)

Geraldine Buckley - minister, writer, speaker, chaplain... and award-winning storyteller! And wow, can this woman tell a story! She was recommended to me by Bob Tryanski (a guest on the show earlier last year who is himself a storyteller).  Geraldine has worked in TV, PR - and then somehow also in a prison - which is what makes her such a fascinating character. I will admit, I didn't get a word in edgewise until about the 10th minute - but that's because I myself was totally taken by her delightful voice and stories. Equal parts wisdom and heart! We delved into some of the big ideas around storytelling - why we do it, how we can discover the stories in our lives, and most importantly - how we can unite through stories.

100 Episodes! Triple digits, baby!

I honestly didn't think I'd ever make it this far. (You just can't see that far out when you're scrambling to get your content out week in and week out.) But here we are! 100.

I couldn't let this moment pass me by without taking some time to reflect and appreciate the journey.

And I have to say - I've learned a ton. I've met some incredible people. I've had some brilliant (and some dud) conversations! I've had tech issues; I've found new friends; sometimes I've stumbled and sometimes I've shot out of the starting gates.

This show has been a huge part of my life for the last year and a half - and I'm so so so incredibly honored by every single person who has taken the time to find it, share it and be a part of it in big and small ways.

My heart is full! Thank you.

Love,

Sally

Brandy Agerbeck is a graphic facilitator, speaker and expert on helping people put their ideas into a visual form. I’m not talking about pretty slides (although that matters) – I’m talking about structure, function and form – in visuals. I think this is an area not talked about enough – and yet as an audience member it’s crucial for helping make the leap to understanding that much faster. So I was so excited when one of my loyal listeners Jeffrey suggested that I have Brandy on the show! (Thanks, Jeffrey!) Brandy – you are doing such important work – in such a playful and wonderful way!

It's part Three!

If you haven't yet listened to Part One ("I can't wait to share this with them!")

and Part Two ("It is what it is, so I might as well enjoy it.")...

Go for it.

Because Part Three is all about audience. Luckily, focus has been brought to the audience much more in recent years. But this isn't about creating your content so it's relevant for your audience (which is essential, of course).

No - today is about keeping your HEART (and your mind) focused on your audience.

Ultimately, this isn't about you; you are simply - and wonderfully - the conduit for the message. So you can let go of the me-me-me worries. No one is thinking of you quite as much as you are.

The awesome John Noltner (a guest from Season 1) talks about how he found himself as a speaker by reminding himself that he is simply the messenger. It kept the focus on the right thing - the impact we want to have, on the people who are sitting in front of us.

You are there to serve your audience. And that idea should liberate you - free you from the self-focus that can sometimes weigh us down.

When you are interested in and care about your audience - they feel that. And, perhaps more importantly - YOU feel it.

I have done some writing recently about how important it is to get a handle on our internal mindset before we step out on stage. So it was so wonderful to talk with Kenya Pope – an author, speaker, artist and coach - whose mission is to help heart-centered entrepreneurs make money while they make a difference. To eradicate the “starving” artist notion! That is a worthy cause!

And here's what I can tell you about Kenya: she has a beautiful spirit! In our brief time together, we connected through her artistry - her poetry, her singing, her stories. Clearly, Kenya knows how to make an impact. She is unabashedly "woo-woo" - and brings her fascinating and eccentric experience, world view, spirit and love with her in this conversation. It's "woo-woo" - and it's full of life. Enjoy!

(A small warning for those who are sensitive about language: Kenya does use some spirited language a few times... nothing shocking (and I love her spirit!), but probs not for the kids' ears. Fair warning!)

Last week in Part One of this series, we talked about the importance of walking into the room to give a talk with the mindset of "I can't wait to share this with them."

It's about turning your fear into excitement.

And I know it's more complicated than just saying it over and over again in your head, but truly, saying it over and over again in your head helps. Eventually, you convince yourself. (Not unlike those power stances; sometimes we have to trick ourselves into feeling confident.)

Today's mindset - part two - is about embracing the live theater aspect to this awesome work. We need the mindset of "It is what it is - so I might as well enjoy it."

Improv, anyone? Live theater! Who knows what will go wrong, but you can count on something going wrong, and most of the time it's not the thing we expect. How cool is that?! Sometimes, not cool -but guess what? You can't do a darn thing about it.

So - you might as well make the best of it.

When I had the awesome Michelle Evans on the show a few weeks back, she suggested that I connect with Michelle Mazur, my guest on today’s show. The crazy thing is, I had JUST found Michelle organically and was already in the process of scheduling some time with her! I love this small world. Michelle is a “rebel speaker” and presentation coach – meaning that she bucks the trends that are worth bucking (something I always cheer on). Gotta love that. And, she has a passion for encouraging women speakers on the importance and value of the business side of speaking. She is passionate, savvy and though she takes the business of speaking seriously, she doesn't take herself too seriously - something I appreciate.

Let me just point this out right now: Michelle has a Facebook group for speakers that I'm in, and that has been a wonderful way to connect with other speakers who are trying to turn their love of speaking into part of their business. Check it out!

Something that comes up time and time again in my coaching is the idea that this is an emotional journey as much as it is a skill journey. We can learn how to deliver better and differently; we can spend hours upon hours navigating and editing our content until it's lovely and perfect; we can make a killer and beautiful slide deck. But who are we when we step out on "stage"?

Let me be clear: I am not a psychologist. Not even close. But I often help people with all the baggage that comes with us up on stage. And we do indeed bring all our baggage with us up on stage and into rehearsals! Fears, assumptions, myths, old adages and leftover 7th grade scars. Yay! It's all a part of us!

Aside from doing the hard work of dealing with all of that - some of which is beyond my scope as an armchair psychologist/presentation coach, of course -

Well, we can do our best to control the incredibly powerful thoughts that come into our minds.

Oscar is a fellow in this band of presentation podcast fellows, which includes many wonderful people (see also: Lea Pica)! We support each other. So, when Oscar let me know that he’s starting a crowd-funding campaign for his next book called “Giving a Killer Technical Presentation” and wondered if we could talk about what that means… I thought two things: 1) what is a technical presentation? And 2) You bet! Oscar is the podcast host of Time to Shine, an interview-based podcast about public speaking, and he has been studying and is now speaking about what it means to give a killer technical presentation – the likes of Steve Jobs and Guy Kawasaki.

I have to admit: these kinds of presentations aren't normally my jam. The selling - the 'reveal' - but I'm reminded in watching these and talking with Oscar how important they've been to us as a culture. Taking our ideas and turning them into realities. Sharing IDEAS as much as they are a commercial. When done right, they are about more than the stuff.

This - the final part of our series on The Creative Process (check out the rest here: Part One: Theory, Part Two: Research, Part Three: ReFrame/Retreat, Part Four: Realize).

Today's part is about REACT. Going public. Putting it out there. Or, as the amazing Seth Godin says, "shipping it." Getting it in front of an audience. Testing it. Getting feedback.... and then starting this whole darn process over again.

It's about getting comfortable with the discomfort of failure and learning.

As I've said many many times before - the only way to better is through.

Scott Savage – a Twitter friend! - found me through one of my all-time favorite episodes – Hank Fortener. Hank and Scott have many things in common – they are both speakers, they are both pastors, they both have this wonderful combination of skill and insight that makes them both really good at what they do, but also WISE at what they do. These are my favorite kinds of guests – guests that dig deeper with me on why this matters. In Scott's life - whether as a blogger or speaker, his goal is to empower us with new perspective - and he makes good on that promise. And here’s what I really appreciate about Scott – he is so clear and honest on the WORK that it takes to become a transformative speaker. He believes in the opportunities that are in front of us when we “take the stage.” And he prepares, invites feedback, polishes, invests himself… and then starts over again the following week. That kind of dedication and commitment has earned my respect – and I can’t wait for you to also lean into his insight.

• Scott's journey to experienced and skilled speaker, learning from those speakers he admired and that moved through him
• The importance and challenge of the rhythm of the pastor's speaking schedule
• What "transformation" looks like - and how Scott nurtures his talks to move his audience using a "Star Moment" - a moment they'll always remember
• And the role of feedback, failing and mining your life's bumps to bring insight to your audience

I'm on week two of an unexpected hiatus from the shows while I revive my dead website. And, as promised, I have a show for you...  I decided to share with you some of the many (many!) outtakes that I have gathered over the last year...A little fun, a little laughter - a little reminder that even we people behind the mic get it wrong. Enjoy!

My website is broken - so I'm taking an early "spring break" - or hiatus - from my interview episodes to share with you a few This Moved Me Moments that have struck me in the last few weeks!

-Send in YOUR This Moved Me Moment by tagging @ThisMovedMe in Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - and I might share yours on the show!

Also - if you want to support This Moved Me financially (I mean, why not?! ) even $1 an episode can make a HUGE difference!
Check out http://www.patreon.com/thismovedme to learn more.

This is my favorite part of the process.

It's the AHA part!  The part where you're standing in the shower... or wandering through your commute... or sitting on the porch with a glass of wine (ok, that one doesn't actually happen all that often, but isn't it a nice image?!)... and then BAM! IT COMES TO YOU!

When I was in grad school, finishing up my Master's degree - with a brand, spanking-new one-month old! - I remember waking up in the middle of the night with the PERFECT ending to my final project! I was so excited! But I was also so tired. So without realizing what was happening, I fell back to sleep (like only a new parent can do) and when I woke up the next morning, I couldn't remember it! It was gone. Like, poof. Gone. Totally blank. All I knew was that something brilliant came to me in the middle of the night.

That's how these things work. (If you want to hear more about this kind of magical idea-floating thing, just read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Big Magic. I am slightly obsessed with it.)

So, the key for anyone who is in the mode of REALIZING (and it happens more and more the more we are digging into this process) - is that you have to be ready to capture it.

Joel Boggess – author, speaker, broadcast journalist – and host of the highly-acclaimed podcast “Re-Launch” with over 200,000 listeners – joined me for a conversation about how to build your influence, whether in front of an audience or over the airwaves. Joel is a generous spirit – giving so thoughtfully of his expertise in the podcasting community, which is where I met him! Together we talked about the growth of Re-Launch, and how he’s translated his expertise to become a teacher and mentor through his speaking engagements. Enjoy!

• Joel's history and experience as a communicator
• The growth trajectory of his podcast, and how he's brought his expertise to his audiences
• The essential trust between speaker and audience - and how to build that
• What community has to do with our work as speakers
• The power of MESSAGE to connect us with each other

We are in week three of this 5-part series on the creative process! Yay! If you haven't yet listened to parts one and two, go ahead and do that first so this all makes more sense.

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about how we can REFRAME our work.

In other words, are we open to seeing our work in a different way? Exploring the possibilities? Stretching the approaches? Often, the tools in our tool belt - i.e., all the research we are continuously doing - makes it possible to see our work in a different light.

Creating something "new" is really about seeing the old in new ways, and making it your own.

[Tweet "As #speakers - reframing is important if we are to bring new insight to old ideas (and they're all old ideas). "]

Some ideas from Andy in terms of how we can "reframe" as we're creating something new:

-What Works Matrix by Jack Welch - identifying people, companies, organizations that are doing it well (not exactly like you - but something you aspire to)

-Expect and plan on trying and failing. There is so much to learn as we try and find the new!

-If we want to be able to reframe we need to literally step away, retreat, slow down and NOT think about what we're focused on. Our brain makes connections in the unconscious - so sleep, quiet, reflection - even zoning out in the shower - are essential to the creative process.

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on the "AHA Moment" - what Andy calls REALIZE!

We are in week two of diving into the Creative Process! Last week's episode laid the foundation for this series - so if you haven't listened to it yet, go back and listen to that one now as it will help this all make a little more sense!

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about RESEARCH.

"Research" means feeding your brain with good stuff. Podcasts, audio books, music, YouTube videos, Lynda courses, UdeMe, reading books, taking online courses, talking to experts, talking to friends. Even scrolling Facebook could be considered "research." (Or, at least, that's my excuse for the wormhole of time I spend on there sometimes...)  It can be specifically about your topic - or, it can be seemingly un-related.

Of course, we all know that things are connected in ways we can't always see initially.

We feed our brains as a part of the process  so when an opportunity arises to CREATE, we have all this juice in our nogins that makes our creations rich, connected, vibrant, interesting, thoughtful...

Sometimes, this "research" becomes the basis for the analogies/metaphors/experiences that can make our work powerful.

But let's be real: all this research can also be overwhelming. Andy (today's guest, and my husband) - is a productivity expert, so he shares with us some of his favorite "hacks" for capturing all of what the world is throwing at us (and that we are picking up).

Here are some of the "hacks" to capture all of the "research" that abounds:

• Pocket
• Evernote
• Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on REFRAMING!

Have you heard of the Women’s Speaker’s Association? The WSA has been a great source of support and resource for me – and it’s also where I’ve made some great connections, including today’s guest. Christy Primmer is a speaker, author, coach, counselor – even spelling bee champion! - and she is a pro. She brings her sassy self to the stage, mastering the art of taking about tough subjects with finesse and care.

How many of you have gotten STUCK before?! Struggled with making the new?!  Felt at a creative loss?! Felt tired, bored, uninspired, alone!?

Ugh, yes. Me too.

A few months ago, I got a wonderful question from my friend (well, I like to think we're "friends" - do Twitter-friends count?) Grant,  who asked how he, as a pastor and frequent speaker with a demanding schedule, stays inspired, energized, creative.

My first reaction to Gavin was to share with him this framework for the creative process that I've learned from my hubs, Andy. So, I did a Mini Moved Me and blog post - and talked through the essential creative process when we're making something new, hoping that within this framework would be something helpful for Gavin.

But there is so much more to dig into here - because it applies to ALL of us. If we're creating ANYTHING, we are in the various stages of this framework several times a day, many times over. And there are things we can do to get better at creating.

Today’s guest – Ann Imig – blogger (Ann’s Rants), humorist, performer and the creator of the Listen To Your Mother events (and author of the book of the same name) – is living out the idea of sharing our stories. LTYM, a live event that brings voice to people’s experiences with motherhood. And this has grown tremendously in the past 6 years, with shows in 41 cities throughout North America. Ann is funny, insightful, determined – and bringing her mission of live storytelling to life.

Sometimes the biggest hurdle we face when rehearsing is actually standing up and jumping in.  As a coach, I know all the signs... prolonged chit-chat, sudden stories of our kids, last-minute bathroom visits, extra goofing off, changes of subject... I know, I know - it's a challenging moment, when you have to stand up and say out loud these ideas that you've been playing with. It's the first time you are really putting yourself out there. And we put a lot of pressure on ourselves.

But what if we took off some of the pressure?  What if, instead of thinking of it as a rehearsal, we thought of it as a "stumble-through"?  

Enjoy!

For the next few weeks, we're talking about the SASI Method. (If you haven't listened to Part One - Part Two - or Part Three yet, go ahead and listen to it now to help set the foundation for today's final part!)

SASI = SPACE, AUDIENCE, SPEAKER and IDEA.

These four elements are essential in preparing for a talk. And today's topic is about IDEA. 

Remember Joe Schmit, one of my guests from last season? Suuuuper nice guy - TV sports anchor - speaker and author? Well, he sent me an email (I love it when guests stay in touch!) and said to me, "You should have Kelly Fern on your show."  (If you know this show/know me, and think someone would be great for me to talk with, let me know!)  I thought, ok sure! And then I read her story. You guys, her story is incredible. It's the kind of story that you think is likely made up in some back room in Hollywood to sell tickets to movies - but no, this story is real. And for us as speakers and storytellers, there are so many important facets to bringing voice to our own experiences. So, Kelly - author, speaker - the subject of documentaries and interviews on radio and television - well,  we talked about how we can bring our stories to life - even difficult stories. Even stories that haven't been told before. Maybe even especially those stories.

For the next few weeks, we're talking about the SASI Method. (If you haven't listened to Part One or Part Two yet, go ahead and listen to it now to help set the foundation for today's part three.)

SASI = SPACE, AUDIENCE, SPEAKER and IDEA.

These four elements are essential in preparing for a talk. And today's topic is about SPEAKER. 

A few weeks ago I met Levi Weinhagen at the Ignite Minneapolis event. I had been hearing about Levi for awhile - both he and my husband are in the improv community here in the Twin Cities - and he hosts a really successful podcast called the Pratfalls Podcast about how we as creatives move through life (which is often full of pratfalls, of course). Levi did a great job of emceeing Ignite that night, so I really wanted him to join me for a conversation to talk about his various experience as a creative person and performer. I'm so excited to be sharing this conversation with you, because Levi brings those skills and the mindset of an improviser to what he does and who he is as a person... taking risks, following your fear, listening well, how to bring the 'funny' (or not) - and, perhaps most importantly, why fart jokes are actually really, really important (really).

AND - I sang. (You're welcome/I'm sorry.) I was moved to, I couldn't help it!

Enjoy!

For the next few weeks, we're talking about the SASI Method. (If you haven't listened to Part One yet, go ahead and listen to it now to help set the foundation for part two.) 

SASI = SPACE, AUDIENCE, SPEAKER and IDEA.

These four elements are essential in preparing for a talk. And today's topic is about AUDIENCE. 

My guest on today's show has found a great phrase for boring presentations that overload us with info... it's called "Data Puking." Gross! But accurate. We can do so much better! Lea Pica has spent her career transforming boring old info into presentations that engage and excite. She is funny, warm and a total pro. Check it out! 075: Lea Pica - On Not Data Puking

On this week's Mini Moved Me, it's about getting sassy. Well, actually, it's about getting S.A.S.I. (Ha, see what I did there?)

Back in college in theater class, we talked about four key elements of theater: Space, Audience, Actor and Idea.

Well, as I dove into the world of speaking, I did my own translating of those concepts for us as speakers, to

SPACE, AUDIENCE, SPEAKER and IDEA.

These four elements are essential in preparing for a talk. I dig into a method of preparation that I use with my speakers - and with my own talks, as well. It ensures I don't get lazy - and that I've at least thought-through all the big questions. 

And today's show is about the first S = SPACE. 

Hello 2016!

Re-entry from vacation is always a little bumpy. I will admit, I got quite used to busting into appetizers and a bottle of wine at about 4pm (ok, 3) each day - so I'm doubling down on my smoothie/green intake this week hoping to neutralize pretty much everything. Ha!

I'm still not quite done with reflecting and revisiting 2015. I couldn't help but to do one more round-up of 2015 - my favorite part of the show each week: the This Moved Me Moments!

I have a hard time picking "favorites" of most anything. But, I wanted to recognize some of the most memorable This Moved Me Moments from 2015.  I edited together some of the best audio stories that were shared on the show - highlights from Lindsey O'Connor's episode, Kate O'Reilly's episode, and Joe Beckman's episode - among a few others (you can listen here).

But I also wanted to gather together some of the other memorable pieces here on the blog, that are not easily shared by audio.  Check the blog (www.thismovedme.com) for the complete round-up!