Speak Arizona

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.

 

Visit speakarizona.com

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

 

Visit speakarizona.com

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.

Visit speakarizona.com

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

Ep 64 The Silent Killer—Why Fear of Speaking is Costing You

 

In this episode of Speak Arizona, hosted by Serban Mare and powered by District 3 Toastmasters, listeners will explore the 'silent killer'—the fear of public speaking—and understand why it can significantly impact career progress and personal growth. Serban discusses his own struggles with this fear and introduces a three-step process to reframe fear into fuel: naming the fear, exposing oneself to low, medium, and high-stakes speaking, and turning anxiety into excitement. Practical tools like deep breathing methods and adopting power stances are also highlighted to help listeners conquer their speaking anxieties and elevate their professional presence.

 

Visit speakarizona.com for more information. 

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:48 The Silent Killer: Fear of Speaking

01:52 Personal Experiences with Fear

03:21 Three-Step Process to Overcome Fear

03:31 Step 1: Name the Fear

04:14 Step 2: Micro Exposure

06:34 Step 3: Turn Anxiety into Excitement

07:55 Practical Tips and Conclusion

EP63 Why Your Communication is Holding You Back (And How to Fix It)

 

In this episode of Speak Arizona, hosted by Serban, listeners are introduced to essential strategies for improving their speaking skills in professional settings. The podcast delves into the 'Three C's' of effective communication: Clarity, Confidence, and Connection. Serban offers actionable tips on simplifying messages, projecting confidence, and establishing a deeper connection with the audience. Additionally, he emphasizes the value of descriptive language to enhance storytelling. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to observe and apply successful communication techniques in their interactions.

 

Visit Speakarizona.com for more information. 

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:47 Identifying Communication Barriers

02:27 The Three Cs of Effective Communication

02:56 Clarity: The First C

05:16 Confidence: The Second C

08:21 Connection: The Third C

11:56 The Power of Descriptive Language

13:08 Practical Tips and Conclusion

EP. 62 Unexpected and crucial skills gained from looking to become a better communicator

In this episode of Speak Arizona, hosted by Serban Mare, listeners are introduced to six unexpected but crucial skills gained through participation in Toastmasters. The episode emphasizes the value of Toastmasters as a safe and supportive space for practicing speaking and leadership skills, and explores additional benefits such as community building, thinking on your feet, receiving and giving constructive feedback, and developing active listening skills. Serban hopes to inspire listeners to join a Toastmasters club and take their communication abilities to new heights.

 

Visit speakarizona.com for more information. 

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:36 Meet Your Host: Serban

01:27 The Power of Toastmasters

02:42 Skill 1: Safe Practice Environment

04:54 Skill 2: Supportive Community

05:55 Skill 3: Building a Sense of Belonging

07:48 Skill 4: Thinking on Your Feet

09:27 Skill 5: Giving and Receiving Feedback

12:30 Skill 6: Active Listening

14:23 Conclusion and Call to Action

EP 61 Unlocking Leadership Through Storytelling - The 10 Stories Every Leader Must Tell

In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Sara Mayer discusses the significance of storytelling for leaders by exploring the book 'The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell' by Paul Smith. Sarah emphasizes the impact of stories in creating connections, inspiring action, and leaving lasting impressions, and outlines the 10 crucial stories that leaders should master: 'Where We Came From,' 'Why We Can't Stay Here,' 'Where We're Going,' 'How We're Going to Get There,' 'What We Believe,' 'Who We Serve,' 'What We Do for Them,' 'Why We're Different,' 'Why I Lead the Way I Do,' and 'Why You Want to Be Here.' She offers practical tips on how to start crafting these stories and highlights their importance for leaders in various settings. Future episodes will delve deeper into each of the individual stories.

Visit Speakarizona.com for more information.

00:00 Welcome to Speak Arizona

01:09 The Power of Storytelling for Leaders

01:59 Introduction to The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell

02:13 Overview of the 10 Essential Stories

04:40 Tips for Practicing Your Stories

06:17 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

07:21 Subscribe and Stay Connected

EP 60 Empowering Leaders

In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Peter Salazar welcomes Tania Will Jeppesen, a leadership expert and the founder of The Prepared Leader. Tania shares her journey from operational excellence to leadership development, discussing the driving force behind 'The Prepared Leader' and the role of branding, storytelling, and preparation in effective leadership. She also highlights common mistakes speakers should avoid and the impact of receiving authentic audience feedback. The episode not only provides invaluable tips for aspiring leaders but also underscores the importance of genuine stories in connecting with and transforming an audience. Tune in to gain actionable insights and be inspired by Tanya’s experience in empowering and preparing leaders to excel.

 

Visit Speakarizona.com for more information

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

01:24 Meet Tania Will Jeppesen

02:03 The Origin of The Prepared Leader

04:11 The Importance of Personal Branding

05:55 Overcoming Speaking Challenges

16:28 Effective Storytelling in Presentations

21:55 The Power of Testimonials

23:45 Conclusion and Sign-Off

EP 59 How to structure a memorable presentation

In this episode of Speak Arizona, hosted by Serban Mare, listeners are introduced to three effective methods for structuring presentations to make them engaging and memorable. Sponsored by District 3 Toastmasters, the podcast emphasizes the importance of having a strong introduction and closing. The methods discussed include the simple 'What did you learn, and who taught you?' approach by Ryan Avery, the structured premise-three points-call to action method by Patricia Flip, and the more complex PSSW method (Pain, Solution, So what, Now what). Additionally, the STAR method (Specific, Tangible, Actionable, Realistic) is provided as a bonus tip to ensure clarity and impact in presentations. Join us to elevate your speaking skills and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

 

For more information visit speakarizona.com

 

00:00 Introduction to Speak Arizona

00:43 The Importance of Structuring Your Presentation

02:55 Method 1: The Ryan Avery Approach

05:01 Method 2: The Patricia Flip Technique

08:05 Method 3: The Hero's Journey

11:01 Bonus Tip: The STAR Method

13:04 Conclusion and Call to Action