Ron Finley’s TED Talk on Guerilla Gardening in South Central LA

Ron Finley says, “Food is the problem and food is the solution.” He planted food forests all over LA as an act of guerilla activism. Food is his art. Food is a tool for transformation. Food is defiant. Watch his TED Talk Ron proves that you don’t have to be a perfect speaker to be [...]

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Think actors don’t have fear of public speaking? How Katherine Heigl used her fear to speak from her heart!

People are often incredulous when I share my story about being trained an actress and yet having such fear of public speaking. But acting is a skill based on saying the words of a character, not usually your own words. In acting there is no need to reveal your own thinking, whereas in public speaking, [...]

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Streaming Speech: 9 Keys to Thinking on Your Feet

  Thinking on your feet is “streaming speech.” Just like video streams over the internet, streaming speech is flowing your words, thoughts and feelings unimpeded by mind control. People who are in a position to have to think on their feet usually have a deep well of knowledge and experience. Yet they often don’t trust [...]

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How to Receive a Standing Ovation – Get Naked!

   A standing ovation is a spontaneous emotional response from an audience that is moved deeply by a speaker or performer. The only way to earn a standing ovation is to get naked! I don’t mean take off all your clothes, I mean take off all protection and pretense, and be emotional. When a presenter [...]

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Therapist Erika Hilliard on Shyness and Social Anxiety

  On August 29, 2012 The Houston Chronical reprinted a Chicago Tribune article on shyness in people who are single and breaking the bashful barrier.  The article states that behind shyness is extreme self-consciousness.  Shy people constantly worry that others are judging them, and they blame themselves for negative outcomes, so they choose to not [...]

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Standing in the Rush: How to Transform Stage Fright and Fear of Public Speaking

  This is the absolute bottom line of what to do to transform your public speaking tension and performance anxiety into radiant, authentic presence so that you shine in front of others.  Coaching a corporate HR executive from a Fortune 100 company on his anxiety about public speaking, I said something new, something I’ve never [...]

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Experiential Learning: Learning by Doing

   Learning by doing is different from learning with the intellect where you are collecting concepts.  When learning intellectual concepts, you can go as fast as your mind can grasp the concepts.  But, just because you can grasp the concept does not mean you can do the skill associated with that concept. When you need [...]

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Great Article on Why Public Speaking Scares You by Susan Adams at Forbes.com

  I just read an article on Forbes called “Why Public Speaking Scares and and How to Overcome your Fear” by Susan Adams. This is one of the best articles on fear of speaking I have seen in  a long time!  I am a presentation and speaking coach in Houston.  I have specialized in transforming [...]

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Famous vs Great

   Martin Luther King Jr. was quoted as saying, “Not everyone can be famous, but everyone can be great because greatness is determined by service.” Does it seem to you that many of us in America are struggling with a misplaced desire to be famous? Do you harbor a secret wish to have your name [...]

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Introducing YOU on VIDEO Workshop

  I am excited to announce that I am creating a new workshop called YOU on VIDEO: Showing Up and Being Heard for Skype, YouTube and TV I have always been fascinated with video, both the technology and the on-camera presentation of oneself. As a former actress, I loved doing radio and TV commercials.  It [...]

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