Presentation Thinking

Marcus Andrews knows how to craft a good narrative. In fact, we’d argue he heavily contributed to developing the concept of Narrative Design when working in product marketing at HubSpot. 

Now as a Narrative Designer at Pendo, he joins us for a conversation around crafting a memorable narrative, what frameworks to use (or not) and how to create your own category. We exchange presentation experience stories and offer insight into what separates a good speaker from a great one.

Having recently completed PMA’s Narrative Design course led by Marcus, Mikey and I were excited to meet the teacher and bring our learnings to life in this conversation. 

This is an episode for: Product marketers, aspiring speakers, narrative designers and storytellers of all backgrounds.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Presentation Nation, by our 110th episode, you may well be aware that we worship at the stage of presentations. 

And as Mikey Mioduski, co-host of the pod and founder of GhostRanch Communications, has started to speak at more and more events, we feel it only right to dissect the ins and outs of his preparation, execution and how many laughs he got while speaking.

His latest speaker appearance was at the Product Marketing Alliance Summit in Austin, TX and it was all about embracing the power of presentations! Mikey and Molly discuss this recent experience, how the nerves change with new content to present and how to craft a good hook.

Have YOU spoken at an event (or are going to soon) and would like to talk to us about your presentation preparation, nerves and, of course, walkout song??

Let us know at [email protected].

This is an episode for: aspiring speakers, presenters or anyone that has to do public speaking against their will.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

If you’re a presenter, you might have noticed that the conference speaker circuit is a male-dominated space. 

With Women Talk Design, founders Danielle Barnes and Christina Wodtke set about to change that. Originally starting as a directory for women and non-binary presenters to find and learn from one another, Women Talk Design now offers a wide range of resources, workshops and most recently—a book! (You can pre-order Present Yourself: Proven strategies for authentic and impactful public speaking here!)

CEO and co-author Danielle Barnes joins the pod to discuss their journey in starting this organization, writing the book, and experience as a speaker. 

After fan-girling over Women Talk Design’s work for months now, this was such a special episode to finally have a conversation and connect over the impact of creating a presentation community. 

This is an episode for: entrepreneurs, aspiring speakers and presenters from any walk of life!

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Personal experiences can power professional growth. 

No one may know this better than Harvey Lee, a product marketer, speaker, former Rock n Roll roadie and now author of Backstage Pass: A Business Book that’s Far From Conventional. 

We had the pleasure of chatting with Harvey about his book and how his background in the music industry helped later propel him into the world of product marketing. 

From wild stories on the road to how Harvey likes to prepare for a new presentation, our conversation was full of professional and personal nuggets of advice, wisdom and hilarity.

This is an episode for: Product marketers, speakers, writers and music fans of any kind.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Many Coloradans are familiar with the New Belgium Brewery founding story—where Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan return from a life-changing bike trip across Belgium inspired to create their own Belgian style beers for the masses. 

In addition to their famous “Fat Tire” ale, New Belgium also created new categories and precedents among brewery business. They have been innovating in sustainable brewing practices since the 90s and upholding an exceptional company culture well before it was trendy. 

Mikey and Molly are joined by local beer enthusiast and GhostRanch Creative Director Jeff Carter AKA @Brew_Kid_on_the_Block, to discuss the Ft. Collins brewery’s impact on brews, on business and an amazing interview with Founder Kim Jordan on Guy Raz’s How I Built This.

This is an episode for: Founders, Innovators and anyone in business creating their own category.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Check out this TED Talk from New Belgium Environmental and Sustainability Officer, “The Power of Culture in Driving Sustainability”

Micah Kohne has some of the most well-rounded marketing skills around. 

A web designer extraordinaire with a graphic design background, Micah has also dabbled in marketing, sales and co-founded his own business, Hype Legal, for “solutions-driven legal marketing.”

Their speciality is building websites for lawyers, so Micah has also presented at various legal conferences—where a little graphic design would go a long way. 

In this episode, we talk (web design) shop, finding a niche and differentiating yourself.

Ahem, we may be biased because Micah designed the GhostRanch website, but if you’re in need of some web design—look no further.
This is an episode for: graphic designers, web designers, founders and anyone that’s worked in the legal world.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Actor, producer and Harvard grad Yara Shahidi presents a familiar story in a new way with her 2023 TED Talk, “Let Curiosity Lead”.

We’ve all heard about the importance of re-discovering our child-like curiosity and wonder. Shahidi puts a fresh spin on that story with her personal journey of juggling both her Harvard education and acting career (she’s the star of Black-ish and Grown-ish) as equally important catalysts for learning about herself. 

Shahidi illustrates that “honoring our distractions” can help create rupture, change and discovery—for both ourselves and the world. 

Although Yara may only be 23 years old at the time of this talk, there’s a lot to learn from her presentation, her story and her “commitment to curiosity.” 
This is an episode for: Creativity gurus, presenters and Yara Shahidi fans.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Mikey and I read April Dunford’s latest book, Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win, and to no surprise to anyone familiar with her work—it was hilarious, accessible and whip-smart insightful.

Dunford offers a fresh perspective on applying narrative to sales and flips the current advice on its head emphasizing that buying can actually be harder than selling. 

One of the biggest takeaways? Shift the focus from your features to your “Differentiated Value”. She all but guarantees that you’ll sell more. 

What book should we read next? 

This is an episode for: Startups, sales folks or anyone who’s had to work on positioning.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Get your own copy of April’s latest book, Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win

Want more of April? 

April’s walkout song?

Molly’s guess: “That Don’t Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain

When Narrative Strategist and film nerd Asha Alaji-Sharif started to think about the Best and Worst films of 2023, she noticed a pattern. 

What common factors make for a memorable movie? And can those factors be applied to brand storytelling as well? 

That’s what we explore in this episode with “The Good Story Checklist”.

How does The Little Mermaid remake create the perfect character development combined with mise-en-scene (visuals) while Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey painfully misses every mark?
This is an episode for: storytelling enthusiasts, copywriters, brand messagers and movie lovers.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

In September of 2013, Diana Nyad became the first person to swim unassisted in open water across the Florida Straits from Cuba to Florida. It was an epic feat, and one she returned to at age sixty after a failed attempt in her 20s. 

A few months later, she gives an aptly titled TED Talk called “Never, ever give up”.

Her story is one on never giving up, facing the odds and beating the ego. Nyad’s experience fits perfectly into a 3-act hero’s journey and we break down how she really leverages that to her benefit. 

With no visual aids, Nyad’s storytelling skills really shine through. Presenters everywhere can learn from her pacing, tone and delivery. 

This is an episode for: presenters, motivational speakers and swimming enthusiasts.

What’s in the Spice Cabinet??

Watch Diana Nyad’s 2013 TED Talk, “Never, ever give up.”

Want Nyad’s story in movie-form? 

Our interpretation of Nyad’s walkout song??

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