Don't let anyone fool you into thinking some people just have that it factor. Of course there are the Steve Martins, Amy Poehlers, Cynthias and Arianas of the world - always charming and entertaining in any situation. But, most of the time, that unidentified quality in a great speaker, a phenomenal singer, or a captivating actor, is really just a reflection of one thing. Rehearsal! That moving, seamless speech or performance is usually the natural outcome of well used

Ummm....you know…..people don’t like filler words. But I, like, love them on on my NYTimes game app. Rewind. It’s a Saturday morning. I wake up. Have a few thoughts. And grab my phone. The NY TIMES games are my coffee. (My heart doesn’t like caffeine. My brain loves games.) The NYT’s CONNECTIONS game is one of my favs. Real quick, here’s how it works: There’s a grid of 16 squares. Each square has a word in it. Your job is to split the words into 4 categories that make sen

What does your body language say about you? When your colleagues, clients, or students tune into hear what you have to say, how do they feel? Does your body language tell them that they're in good hands? Or are you unconsciously signaling that you are not fully sold on what you're talking about? Are you slouching? Is your posture rigid? What are you doing with your hands? Are you fidgeting without noticing? Are you too still? Are you moving too much? 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯�

Have you ever met someone who sounds unsure of even the most basic facts? ​ “Hi, I’m Ben? I’m from Chicago? I’m in cancer research?” There’s a word for this kind of speech pattern – it’s called upspeak. ​ Upspeak is very common, so if you find yourself relating to Ben, you are not alone! ​ That said, it’s important to be aware of the effect that upspeak can have on your credibility, your career, and your audience. ​ Let’s start with your credibility. ​ I know you’re an expe

I see you there, you juggling master. I see you sporting grocery bags all the way up your arms, squeezing tiny hands as you get your kiddos across the street, and fumbling through your things for your keys and that last piece of gum. On an average day, you could use about twenty more hands. There is no shortage of things to balance, fix, or pick up, while you text or have your phone lodged between your ear and shoulder. So, why, when it comes to public speaking does it feel

I'll never forget the surprise and delight I felt the first time I saw it - a tiny creature letting me in on one of nature's best kept secrets. I'd been staying at a colorful, eclectic airbnb in San Diego, surrounded by impossibly beautiful views. I'd stayed there many times before, and kept returning for the scenery and the company - the charming owner with a penchant for bizarre antiques and extraterrestrial life. One breezy morning, I sat on her front steps, pausing to a

Public speaking isn't just appearing on stage in front of hundreds of people. In my years as a public speaking coach, I've helped my clients prepare for every type of scenario you can think of -and some that you may not event consider. To prevent you from being caught of guard in one of these situations, here are five public speaking scenarios that might surprise you. 1. Someone Asks, "So, What Do You Do?" ​ Whether you're at a party or sitting in the back of an Uber, this q