Darren often says: "We must connect before we can educate, inspire or persuade." Today, Darren and Mark talk with veteran late-night comedy writer and Human Humor Detector Chris McGuire about the importance of connecting quickly. Chris lays out a proven strategy that will help any presenter to connect early and effectively…especially when speaking to high-stakes audiences.   SNIPPETS: • You must connect early • Audiences immediately want to know what's in it for them   • Become a pain point detective   • Show that you see them and you get them   • Use the language of the room   • Open a case file   • Verify you research   • Use 'bits' and 'run a comedic play' to do the heavy lifting   • Use location humor   • Use custom humor   • Without connection, content is irrelevant

"LinkedIn is always changing! How do we stay current?" This question is on the minds of many, and today Mark and Darren get answers from LinkedIn Top Voice Richard Bliss. As they discuss critical changes to the platform, Richard shares the simple but necessary adjustments that will help us maximize our reach on LinkedIn.   SNIPPETS: • LinkedIn is BUSINESS MEDIA, not a social media platform • We must change our mindset about the platform   • It tracks and analyzes our behaviors   • It will warn users and suspend them if necessary   • Beware LinkedIn jail   • Be purposeful and show your value in your profile   • Your ABOUT section should not be a resume/CV   • You are on stage on LinkedIn   • Don't just be a cheerleader with 'likes' and 'congrats'   • Ditch multiple hashtags; they fragment your message   • Use 100-150 words to accompany videos, which should be 30 seconds or less   • Saving posts is a value indicator   • LinkedIn is your digital identity, it provides legitimacy   Attend Richard and Darren's Workshop August 7-8, 2026 https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/linkedin-deep-dive-for-professional-speakers/ DISCOUNT CODE : POD25   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

There is no guarantee that audiences will remember every nugget and act after a presentation. This is especially true when leading workshops and multi-day programs. Darren and Mark expound on two tools that make this easier: KEEPERS and ACTION ITEMS. They explain how these tools help program attendees retain content and follow up on their own action plans more consistently.   SNIPPETS: • KEEPERS are 'ahas', ACTION ITEMS are to-dos • Keepers can come from the presenter(s) and other attendees   • Invite attendees to share their Keepers and Action Items   • Common Keepers show what 'lands'   • Allocate 2 or 3-minute periods to update throughout the day   • Sharing their Keepers & Action Items is an engaging experience   • Keepers & Action Items show ROI to managers   • Inspire Action Items that are immediately implementable   • Verbalizing Action Items is a public declaration of commitment   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/  Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Virtual presentations are here to stay and as presenters we must keep our audiences interested and engaged, sometimes for multi-day programs.  Mark and Darren have conducted virtual programs for several years and today they are joined by Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis as they share proven techniques for keeping virtual audiences engaged.   SNIPPETS: • Have a co-host or co-presenter • Be prepared for technical difficulties   • Dress professionally on camera   • Avoid eating/drinking on camera unless it is germane   • Be aware that your audience faces multiple distractions   • It is our responsibility as experts to provide relevant content.   • Practice and record your presentation   • Watch as an audience member   • Address potential distractions in your background   • Master PACE ELEMENTS   • Own your platform   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Stories well told can be inspiring, entertaining and enlightening. However, sometimes speakers inadvertently omit the most compelling elements of their stories. Today Darren and Mark discuss the STORY DIG…a process for excavating the backstory, character motivation, and emotional depth that the speaker is too close to see themselves.   SNIPPETS: • Get a qualified coach to ask the right questions • Dig deeper   • There's a WHY behind every story   • Uncover the emotional component behind the story   • Find what goes beyond the hero's apparent primary goal   • Look for relatable details that connect your audience to you   • Find moments that help you to tell a better story   • When we are too close to our story, we miss compelling moments   • Uncover material that you may not use…yet   • Unearth forgotten experiences   • Find the gold inside you   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Everyone appreciates a story, and the difference between a good story and an unforgettable story comes down to a few mistakes that many speakers make. In this episode, Mark and Darren discuss common storytelling mistakes, offer ways to avoid them, and share techniques for making your stories unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Do a walkthrough with a proven process • Learn what constitutes a 'well-told story'   • Avoid narration only   • Include a solid setup to provide context   • Identify 'COMPELLEMENTS' – compelling moments in each story   • Don't forget emotional shifts   • Clarify the hero's 'DE-WHY-RE'…their deeper WHY   • Commit to digging deeper   • Include dialogue infused with emotion   • Decide when to use internal dialogue   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Following up on last week's episode, Darren and Mark talk with Philip Riggs, A VIP client at their recent OWN THE STAGE 3-DAY presentation coaching workshop. Philip shares the lessons and insights that empowered him to transform his speech almost overnight and earned him a standing ovation on Day 3. He also explains ways that he changed as a result of the coaching process.   SNIPPETS: • Be determined to learn • Stretch yourself   • Be open to learning from others, even if they are strangers   • Make your content 'YOU-focused'   • Look for every area of your speech that needs improvement   • Prioritize two or three areas to work on   • The work is hard, push through   • There's a difference between knowing what to do and how to implement it   • You can experience mind-blowing transformation in three days   • Implement the feedback from qualified coaches   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Can coaching make a big difference, especially if you are fairly accomplished and experienced?  In this episode, Mark and Darren get answers from four clients who participated in a recent OWN THE STAGE 3-DAY presentation coaching workshop. Bernadette, Glenn, Elaine, and Beth share their experiences, offer their perspective, and explain the benefits. They prove that qualified coaching can help any presenter to become unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Evokes your humanity • Forces you to humble yourself   • Uncovers humor   • Provides AHAs   • Makes speeches light-years better   • Helps you learn to discern   • Trains your ear   • Builds confidence in your material   • Provides a 360° experience   • Evokes conversational style   • Gets you unstuck   • Provides a great roadmap   • Helps you live impactful moments   • Gets you past your mess   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Ep. 354  DO YOU HAVE IT? People crave the 'it factor'…presence, confidence, charisma, and eloquence.  Today, Darren and Mark discuss another 'it'…courage. From their experience, they share the type of courage every speaker needs, to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Have the courage to be coached • Be courageous enough to get coached in public, in the company of strangers   • Be vulnerable   • Invest in your growth   • Be bold enough to think differently   • Commit to the process   • Don't be afraid to push back on feedback   • Be flexible and adapt   • Look for different ways to improve   • Be willing to break it so you can fix it   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

As presenters, we want to be our best on the platform. Many of us attend workshops and seminars, purchase and devour resources, and practice diligently. However, something might be missing. Today, Mark and Darren discuss specific actions that some speaker's won't take, the reasons for avoiding those actions, and the benefits of taking those actions…all if which can help any presenter to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Go beyond stage time • Record presentations   • Watch and listen from the audience's perspective   • Review old recordings, compare them with latest version, track your growth   • Look for the 'WELL DONE' and the 'WORK ON'   • Identify what resonated unexpectedly   • Recordings help you become more audience-aware   • Research and customize   • Show your client that you're not delivering a 'back-pocket' speech   • Apply a personal touch   • Get qualified coaching   • Solicit help in all aspects of the speaking business   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com