The No Fear Presenting Podcast

Meridith Grundei on Balancing Stillness and Energy in Speaking

Episode Summary

In this conversation, Mike Teixeira and Meridith Grundei explore the art of public speaking and presentation skills. They discuss the importance of creating engaging experiences for audiences, the evolution of speaking skills, and the mindset required for personal growth in this field. Meridith shares her influences and inspirations, as well as techniques for finding stillness and energy before speaking. They emphasize the value of vulnerability, humor, and connection in presentations, and reflect on personal stories that drive their passion for effective communication. In this conversation, Mike shares his journey of overcoming personal challenges and his passion for helping others share their stories. He discusses the fears associated with public speaking, the importance of engaging an audience, and the transition to social media platforms like TikTok. Mike emphasizes the significance of storytelling and creating a welcoming environment for presentations, while also sharing success stories of his clients and the lessons learned from missed opportunities. He concludes with practical advice for aspiring speakers to find opportunities to practice and grow their skills.

Episode Notes

Takeaways

• Putting together a presentation is more than a series of slides.
• Creating experiences engages the audience more effectively.
• Attention spans are shorter, requiring more engaging presentations.
• It's important to show excitement and authenticity in presentations.
• Younger speakers may have ingrained habits that need retraining.
• Mindset is crucial for new speakers to feel empowered.
• Every story is interesting and can help others.
• Improv exercises can help speakers become more comfortable.
• Building trust within a team enhances communication skills.
• Personal connections to storytelling can drive passion in speaking. Mike's driving force is to help people share their stories.
• Fear of judgment is a significant barrier to public speaking.
• Everyone has a unique story to tell, and not everyone will resonate with it.
• Engaging your audience from the start is crucial for effective presentations.
• Transitioning to platforms like TikTok can significantly increase your reach.
• Intentional openings in presentations can captivate the audience.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging an audience.
• Success stories of clients can be incredibly inspiring.
• Learning from missed opportunities is essential for growth.
• Finding small opportunities to speak can help build confidence.