Speak Arizona

Ep. 74 Creating, Inspiring and Vulnerability - Rupesh and Serban

In this episode of Speak Arizona, hosts Serban and Rupesh delve into various facets of effective communication, inspired leadership, and the power of creating versus consuming. They discuss how creating content, such as Rupesh’s LinkedIn newsletter 'Leadership in the Wild,' provides energy and reflection. They also share insights on storytelling versus pragmatic discussions, the balance of vulnerability and embarrassment, and the importance of asking questions to understand your audience better. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a professional speaker, this episode offers valuable tips and inspiring stories to elevate your communication skills.

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:36 Meet the Hosts: Serban and Rupesh

01:21 Rupesh's LinkedIn Newsletter: Leadership in the Wild

03:13 The Power of Creation vs. Consumption

06:28 Balancing Energy: Work and Personal Life

11:13 Pragmatic vs. Inspirational Leadership

16:17 The Art of Storytelling in Communication

18:34 The Power of Questions in Communication

21:04 Navigating Job Interviews: Selling Yourself

23:57 Embracing Vulnerability and Overcoming Judgment

30:24 Conclusion: Be Brave and Step into the Arena

Ep. 73 What can be learned from an Emerging Pro Speaker

In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Serban and guest host Rupesh discuss the transformative journey of becoming a paid public speaker. Serban opens up about his initial crippling fear of public speaking and how he overcame it through Toastmasters and consistent practice. The discussion emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges, visualizing success, and finding a unique voice in the crowded field of public speaking. The episode also delves into tactical advice for aspiring speakers, the power of feedback, and the significance of mindset in achieving professional success. With inspiring stories and expert insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their communication skills.

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:36 Meet the Hosts: Serban and Rupesh

01:04 Rupesh Interviews Serban: Journey to Public Speaking

02:15 Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

05:21 The Importance of Communication Skills

08:10 First Paid Speaking Gig

12:16 Embracing Challenges and Growth

20:15 Finding Your Unique Voice

26:38 The Power of Visualization

31:40 Mindset and Belief

41:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ep. 72 Speak So They Listen: 3 Unconventional Tips That Instantly Improve Your Presentations

In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Serban offers three surprising yet simple shifts to immediately enhance your communication skills. Drawing on personal experiences and professional insights, Serban emphasizes the importance of saying less to create clarity, sharing stories from a place of healed experience (a scar, not a wound), and actively involving the audience to foster engagement and connection. These actionable tips aim to help professionals captivate their audience, lead successful meetings, and boost their overall professional presence.

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:36 Host Introduction and Episode Overview

00:54 The Problem with Modern Presentations

02:02 Tip 1: Say Less, Communicate More

04:02 Tip 2: Share from a Scar, Not a Wound

06:32 Tip 3: Engage Your Audience

09:44 Conclusion and Call to Action

Ep. 71 Communication For Business Growth with Dave Zegan

In this episode of Speak Arizona, hosts Rupesh Pabu and Serban interview entrepreneur and fellow podcaster, Dave Zegan. The discussion covers Dave's journey from childhood performances to launching his own businesses, including 'All Good Network' and 'Soundy.' They delve into the importance of effective communication, the role of Toastmasters in honing speaking skills, and the art of asking insightful questions. Dave shares his experience with building and leveraging a podcast for business relationships, as well as the transformative impact of communication on personal and professional success. Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories on elevating your speaking skills.

 

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00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:43 Meet the Hosts: Rupesh and Serban

00:57 Special Guest: Dave Zegan

01:29 Dave's Entrepreneurial Journey

02:09 The All Good Network and Soundy

04:40 Podcasting at Mesa Business Builders Studios

08:41 The Legends of Zeen Podcast

13:02 The Art of Asking Good Questions

19:59 Defining Success and Personal Reflections

22:58 Embracing Gratitude and Success

24:44 Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

26:41 The Power of Presence in Scary Situations

28:13 The Journey of Public Speaking

36:13 The Role of Toastmasters in Personal Growth

42:27 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

Ep. 70 Why Your Presentations Fall Flat (And How to Fix Them)

In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Serban tackles why many presentations fall flat despite having technical accuracy. The episode explores how overloading with information causes disengagement and how simplifying your presentation can lead to better audience connection. Serban introduces the 'Rule of One' framework: one big idea, one story per point, and one clear call to action, emphasizing clarity and repeatability over quantity. Practical tips are provided to ensure presentations are engaging, memorable, and impactful. Listeners are encouraged to adopt this concise approach for their next presentation and improve their communication skills.

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:36 Why Presentations Fall Flat

03:35 The Rule of One Framework

04:02 One Big Idea

05:22 One Story Per Point

07:06 One Clear Call to Action

08:47 Conclusion and Call to Action

EP. 69 Creating Communication Pathways with Tatum O’Kennedy

In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Rupesh and guest Tatum O Kennedy, a senior analytics engineer and chair of the Women of Seek, explore the intricacies of team building and its impact on effective leadership. They discuss the importance of proactive leadership, psychological safety, and creating diverse communication pathways. They also delve into gender dynamics in team building and share personal anecdotes, highlighting the importance of ongoing and intentional team-building activities. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions about books, public speaking pet peeves, and advice for new speakers.

 

Visit Speakarizona.com for more information. 

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:37 Meet Your Hosts: Rupesh and Tatum

01:46 The Importance of Team Building

05:43 Gender Dynamics in Team Building

13:29 Designing Effective Team Building Activities

19:44 Memorable Team Building Moments

23:07 Common Mistakes in Team Building

28:21 Rapid Fire Questions

Ep. 68 The Secret to Instant Presence and Connection

Welcome to Speak Arizona, the ultimate podcast dedicated to helping professionals enhance their speaking skills. Hosted by Serban and powered by District Three Toastmasters, this episode provides actionable tips and expert insights to improve your professional presence. Serban shares three powerful techniques to instantly boost your connection with the audience: the power of pause, eye contact mastery, and vocal variety. Additionally, learn how to break the rhythm to keep your audience engaged. Tune in and take the first step towards becoming the speaker you've always wanted to be.

 

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00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:36 Host Introduction and Episode Overview

01:01 Debunking Communication Myths

02:54 Tool 1: The Power of the Pause

04:00 Tool 2: Mastering Eye Contact

05:16 Tool 3: Vocal Variety

06:33 Bonus Tip: Breaking the Rhythm

07:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ep. 67 The Hidden Power of Communication w Rupesh Parbhoo

In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Serban is joined by Rupesh, a dynamic communicator, engineer, and leadership enthusiast. Rupesh shares his journey from working in various industries and geographies to becoming an influential speaker. They discuss the vital role of communication in leadership and personal success, drawing insights from Rupesh's experiences and his LinkedIn newsletter 'Leadership in the Wild.' The conversation covers the importance of preparation, practice, and authenticity in public speaking and provides actionable tips for improving communication skills in various settings. Whether you're aiming to lead a meeting, captivate an audience, or enhance your professional presence, this episode offers valuable lessons and inspiring stories to help you find your voice.

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:46 Meet Rupesh: A Dynamic Communicator

02:50 The Influence of Family on Communication Skills

05:21 Preparing for Effective Communication

08:51 Communication Challenges in Papua New Guinea

12:23 Mentoring Engineers in Communication

15:59 The Power of Listening and Feedback

21:56 The Intersection of Yoga and Public Speaking

23:57 Embracing Imperfection in Communication

28:00 The Importance of Passion in Communication

30:32 The Value of Communication Skills in New Ventures

36:11 Recommended Books and Pet Peeves

40:46 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

 

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EP 66 Part 2 How to bring excellence and create unforgettable presentations with Mark Brown and Darren LaCroix

Ep. 65 Part 1: How to bring excellence and create unforgettable presentations with Mark Brown and Darren LaCroix

Welcome to Speak Arizona, the ultimate podcast dedicated to helping professionals enhance their speaking skills. Hosted by Serban and powered by District Three Toastmasters, this episode is a special conversation with two legends in the speaking world: Mark Brown (1995 World Champion of Public Speaking) and Darren LaCroix (2001 World Champion of Public Speaking).

Together, they reveal how to bring excellence and unforgettable impact to your presentations. You’ll hear inspiring personal stories, the importance of stage time, and the proven process that transforms ordinary talks into world-class performances. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to refine your craft, this episode delivers insights to elevate your professional presence.

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Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Welcome to Speak Arizona
 00:36 – Introducing Mark Brown & Darren LaCroix
 01:01 – Mark’s journey: from $40 in his pocket to world champion
 04:00 – Discovering the spark for speaking
 09:00 – Darren’s story: Subway failure, comedy clubs, and the power of stage time
 15:00 – Why effort × proven process + coaching = mastery
 23:00 – Embracing failure: from “stupid” to “lucky”
 26:00 – The heartbeat of unforgettable presentations: stories and structure
 30:00 – Avoiding overwhelm: clarity and editing with “Machete Mark”
 33:00 – Lessons from decades of coaching speakers worldwide
 34:30 – Closing thoughts and preview of Part 2