Public Speaking: Weapon or Building Block?

In our final episode of the mini-series on Public Speaking, we look at the art of speech and how people use it in our society. We also take a broad-look at messaging in general and what it can do to manipulate people. 

Public Speaking is a way of transmitting information and motivating people to act either in thought or in person, sometimes both. We take a hard look at not allowing ourselves to be manipulated and controlled by brands and people who want to use speech as a weapon. We, as a society, need to be better than this, respect audience, respect the art of public speaking, and use it to do lots of good.

Public Speaking: Voice and Delivery Part 2 'Creating an Experience for Your Audience'

In this episode we explore what it takes to become a mindful speaker. This is someone who is cognizant of both their body and voice while simultaneously delivering good content with their presentation. 

Your body is your instrument to help the audience stay engaged in the message. In turn, this will help them to remember the content and do something with the information. I give tips and suggestions for body placement, gestures, hands, pacing, and more so you can become a well-rounded, complete, mindful speaker.

Public Speaking: Voice and Delivery Part 1 'Taking Them on a Rollercoaster of Emotions'

The wonderful world of public speaking continues with a deep dive this week into the power of voice. Your voice is your tool to develop emotional bonds with the audience. We can take them on a roller coaster ride with our voices. Whether it be through inflection, tone, rate, or volume, our voice tries to captivate the audience and hold their attention.

We also look at using filler words like um, uhs, like, ya' knows. We try to understand why we do it and how we can combat against it.

Public Speaking: Audience is Everything!

A speaker has many goals as they develop a presentation, but one goal remains central: leave a lasting impact. This is where audience comes into play. Everything the speaker does before, during, and after the presentation is all about the audience receiving the message. It is important to know that how they perceive the message matters so we must leave very little room for misconception.

When we know who is in our audience, we can deliver an exception message intended for them. They will feel more engaged with the message knowing they are getting something specifically for them. Know thy audience!

The Amazing & Terrifying World of Public Speaking

There is so much talk about people fearing public speaking over pretty much everything...including death! Like anything, public speaking can become a learned skill that just takes intentional refinement and trial and error.

In this episode we discuss the whys behind a fear of public speaking and how the body goes into survival mode if we are not prepared. There are many links between being prepared for a presentation and the amount of nerves you feel. The end goal is to know that we must learn to manage anxiety with speaking because it will never truly go away. We learn to channel it toward an energetic delivery that will help people to remember your message. 

I try to use my decade worth of experience teaching public speaking as well as doing it professionally to help ease a lot of nerves out there. Enjoy!

UF Gymnast Leah Clapper Joins the Show!

Leah Clapper is a gymnast for the currently ranked No. 1 University of Florida gymnastics team. Her path to UF started in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she became a 'senior elite level' gymnast before signing with UF three years ago. 

Listen in as Leah talks about life as an ambitious student-athlete, her trials and hardships during her freshman year and how it was actually her Mom that helped snap her out of a difficult mental situation in her life. 

Leah discusses the importance of communication among team mates, the love they share for each other (even as competitors for limited starting spots) and the balance between love and accountability. All of this contributes to the positive and successful culture of UF Gymnastics.

In addition to athletics, Leah is driven to help people eat healthy and become their personal best. She has a food blog on Instagram as well as a podcast and both endeavors help in the mental and physical worlds of all her readers and listeners. 

Leah is a beam specialist but has all-around capabilities and is definitely a well-rounded student-athlete looking to make a positive difference in our world.

Food blog: @zestandfinesse

Gymnastics: @leahclapper5

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zest-and-progress/id1545070406?uo=4

'Search Zest and Progress' on all podcast platforms

Web site: https://www.zestandfinesse.com/z&f/

Personality Types & Communication: The Encourager, The Challenger & The Peacemaker

Join us as we look at the final three Enneagram descriptions and the communication strategies best suited for each one. This has been an enlightening look at just how different we all are. There are so much variations to our personalities, and the way in which we all want to be communicated with is so vastly different as well.

Personality Types & Communication: The Individualist, The Investigator & The Loyalist

This week we are focusing on the Enneagram descriptions of the individualist, the investigator, and the loyalist. All three of these personality types are very different and each comes with a unique communication strategy.

Take the time to figure out which Enneagram description you most identify with as well as the people around you. It's important to learn about the personality types of others so we can mirror communication strategies that are common with each type. When type people are communicating effectively, the relationship can grow to new heights. 

Enneagram Descriptions:

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions

Personality Types & Communication: The Reformer, The Helper & The Achiever

This week I take a deep dive into the first three Enneagram descriptions which are the reformer, the helper, and the achiever. After doing a brief review of the common personality traits associated with each description, you will hear about specific communication strategies for each personality type.

Take the time to figure out which Enneagram description you most identify with as well as the people around you. It's important to learn about the personality types of others so we can mirror communication strategies that are common with each type. When type people are communicating effectively, the relationship can grow to new heights. 

Enneagram Descriptions:

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions

Personality Types & Communication

Know thyself! This ancient phrase rings true today as we should be seeking a deeper understanding of who we are, what our personality is about, and HOW we want to be communicated with. Once we achieve this, we can seek understanding of others around us.

This new series will take us through the Enneagram descriptions of our personality and cover all 9 over the next few weeks. This introduction episode will serve as an opener to the importance of understanding personality types and the communication styles associated with each one.

Take Personality Tests here:

Enneagram: https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test

Birds on a Wire: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/quiz

My Conversation on the podcast 'Relationships GPS'

 was fortunate to be the first guest on the hit podcast 'Relationships GPS' with Anna Feggari & Madalina Miron. We talk all things communication and love in a 'take the gloves' off type conversation. This interview covers topics related to intimacy, conflict, kids, significant others, breaking communication barriers, male-to-male communication, and so much more. It's a true, genuine look at the impact communication has on relationships and love.

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Find Relationships GPS:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3ddNtoDLvBVp86ELJ7sAVK

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relationships-gps/id1517647506

Are You a Civil Communicator? Will-Power and the Effect on Comm Skills

This episode will encourage all of us to look inward and ask: Am I a civil communicator? As a society, there are times we are addicted to self-expression when restraint may be the best form of expression there is.

If we are to heal divides and fix broken relationships, we need to develop a level of understanding and empathy. Additionally, we begin to free ourselves from the burden of always needing to express an opinion or thought and listen better. 

Living for the Moment

It's time to end our mini-series, Don't Blink, with some simple but powerful reminders that we must enjoy the moments, large or small. I will ask the question during the episode: Why do something if you're not going to enjoy it? 

Don't Blink has been all about spending quality time with our loved ones, our kids, our significant others, etc. because we can't get moments back! When you live in the present, you live for the moment and attach meaning and significance to memories. Your emotions and your memories are tied together.

So enjoy this finale, enjoy the moment, enjoy your relationships, and thanks for being on this journey!

Hello, World!

The Conscious Relationship: Time is Precious

Living in a conscious relationship means putting in the time and effort that it deserves. Our relationships should not be a source of constant frustration or anxiety as we have enough of that in our world. Quality time with our relational partners over the years builds strong bonds of emotional intimacy. It is this intimacy that fulfills many attachment needs that we all have.

When needs are not being met, that can cause people to act out verbally and nonverbally so an examination of our relationship is in order. Quality time is the perfect way to block out distractions and focus on maintaining the relationship to optimal levels. We want to be sure all needs are being met, and we are both living fulfilling lives inside the relationship.

Hello, World!

The Center of Your World: Top Tips for Quality Time

Listen in as I go through some of the top strategies to spend more quality time with your kids, family, and significant other. 

This is all backed by some of the latest research into quality time & communication and the impact it has on the development of children. Their brains are growing and developing at rapid rates providing the ultimate opportunity to impact them with our time and energy.

Relationships and the amount of effort put in from a time and love standpoint is a choice! Make the best choices today to secure your family and your kids' positive futures.

New Series: Don't Blink- Quality Time Matters More than Ever

Our new series will focus on spending quality time with those around us and what role communication plays in this area. As we begin the new year, it’s important to re-evaluate our priorities, where we spend our time, and start getting our own houses in order.

‘Don’t Blink’ will be a personal and genuine approach to the subject of quality time. It will include topics on repairing broken relationships, changing dynamics as parents and kids get older as well as being present in the moment.

No one is promised tomorrow and as 2020 taught us, everything can be taken away or changed in a moment. Let’s begin the new year by prioritizing our quality time and enjoying every second with the people that surround us and the events we find ourselves in.

Podcast Appearances

Insights with Experts: https://discere.org/insights-with-experts/

Best Self Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-self-podcast/id1509299746?uo=4

One Word Vision for 2021

2021 is here! Now is the time to start thinking about your personal vision and motivations for the new year. All of us want 2021 to be the ultimate rebound year but that requires intentional choices on our end!

Having a 'One Word' vision for the new year allows you to simplify your goals, resolutions and motivations into one word from which everything can link. Next, we share our one-word vision with those around us in order to hold us accountable and encourage them to pick a word as well. This is a great activity for schools, companies, and families to simplify the planning process into something memorable, fun, and sustainable.

My ONE WORDS:

2018: Joy

2019: Forward

2020: Lane

2021: Spirit

Learn more about ONE WORD here: http://getoneword.com/

Smart Phone & Social Media Use- Lessons for Us and Our Families

Smart phones and social media dominate our society but that does not mean they have to take over our lives or the lives of our children. Miles and Jenae Hunter from Treasure Coast Community Church join me this week to discuss research and strategies surrounding smart phones and social media usage. Miles is the Student Pastor at TC3 and actively engages with our teenagers on social media and phone issues. 

This episode is not telling you to throw away your phones but to have more conscious awareness for yourself and your kids on screen time and social media use. They give plenty of practical strategies and resources to help families. Don't be surprised by this episode as there is a faith-based component to it.

www.TC3.church

Smart Phone and Social Media Resources for Parents:

Struggling with pornography: https://www.covenanteyes.com/

Parental controls and software: https://www.mobicip.com/

Keep kids safe online: https://www.bark.us/

11 Lessons from 11 Years of Marriage

You learn a lot after 11 years of marriage, and in this episode, my wife, Stephanie Van Allan, joins me to share some lessons, insights, and experiences. Our 11-year anniversary is today, December 21, and we felt it was the perfect time to release this episode. 

Identifying emotional triggers

Showing appreciation

Recognizing and taking ownership of poor behavior

Splitting household duties

Alignment with plans and purchases

Alignment with interests and finances

Intentional about quality time

Acting as a team

Being romantically available

Not letting things pile up

Praying together

Follow Stephanie on social media @the_fitnessmission and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thefitnessmission