Read to Lead Podcast

One of my favorite books from the last decade is The Back of the Napkin (Expanded Edition): Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures by today’s guest Dan Roam.

I was fascinated by Dan’s assertion that a simple drawing on a humble napkin could be more powerful than the slickest PowerPoint presentation. According to Dan, everyone is born with a talent for visual thinking, even those who swear they can’t draw.

In his new book Show and Tell: How Everybody Can Make Extraordinary Presentations, Dan reminds us that delivering a presentation doesn’t have to be so hard. We struggle, Dan says, when we forget the basic steps we learned in Kindergarten: show and tell.

Hear Our Conversation

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In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about:

* Understanding your audience

* Organizing your content

* Building a clear storyline

* Creating effective visuals

* Channeling your fear into fun

* And plenty more!

Dan says that the quickest way to true success is the ability to effectively share your ideas in public. If you’d like to learn more along those lines, then this episode is definitely for you.

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Dan Roam on Show and Tell

Dan Roam Resources

Visit Dan’s website or more on his speaking and writing.

You can order your copy of Show and Tell: How Everybody Can Make Extraordinary Presentations right now.

Dan also mentioned Napkin Academy. We encourage you to check it out.

Dan’s Book Recommendation

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everythingby Joshua Foer

Thinking, Fast and Slowby Daniel Kahneman

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Chr...

Today, we steer a slightly different direction than we have of late on the podcast.

We’ve talked at length recently about how the nature of work is changing and the emergence of the “portfolio lifestyle.”

But in today’s episode, we talk with a man who is all about the benefits of climbing the corporate ladder, and why it might be the right path for you too.

He’s a man who’s had success not only in the “The Bigs” (short for The Big Leagues), but Ben Carpenter has also seen success as an entrepreneur. He shares about these experiences and more in his new book The Bigs: The Secrets Nobody Tells Students and Young Professionals About How to Find a Great Job, Do a Great Job, Be a Leader, Start a Business, Stay Out of Trouble, and Live A Happy Life.

Hear Our Conversation Now

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If you see yourself as more the traditional job type, then you need to hear this conversation. Listen in to learn from Ben’s experiences leading one of the most respected and profitable firms on Wall Street.

In today’s episode and his new book, Ben will share how to:

* Choose a career

* Find a great job

* DO a great job

* Be a leader

* Start a business

* Manage  your money

* Stay out of trouble

* Live a happy life

* And a lot more!

Sponsor – Read to Lead Mastermind Group – Sponsor

If you desire more information about our soon-to-be-formed elite mastermind group open only to a select group of Read to Lead Podcast listeners, then simply send an e-mail to [email protected] and put “Mastermind” in the subject line. Shortly thereafter, you should receive an application for consideration.

Ben Carpenter in Action

Ben Carpenter Resources

Visit Ben’s website for more on his speaking and writing.

You can preorder your copy of The Bigs: The Secrets Nobody Tells Students and Young Professionals About How to Find a Great Job, Do a Great Job, Be a Leader, Start a Business, Stay Out of Trouble, and Live A Happy Life right now.

Ben has produced 13 videos answering questions from the book like Why Students Need to Read the Bigs, How to Choose a Career, and How to Get Job Interviews. You can few the full list of videos here.

Ben’s Book Recommendation

I first heard Farnoosh Brock as a guest on the Entrepreneur on Fire podcast around a year ago.

I can distinctly remember being mesmerized by her demeanor and her outlook on life. Little did I know that I too would be chatting with her on my own podcast one day.

Farnoosh is an author, a digital media entrepreneur and an expert green juicer, and is the author of several books including The Healthy Smoothie Bible: Lose Weight, Detoxify, Fight Disease, and Live Long due out later this month (April 22nd). 

Hear Our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe to the ‘Read to Lead Podcast’ via iTunes

In today’s episode, Farnoosh shares:

* How to put  your health #1, even if its currently only an afterthought

* Why she believes writing is the essence of all wealth

* The importance of surrounding yourself with a group that will challenge and encourage you (Mastermind anyone?)

* The keys to living a multi-passion lifestyle (you don’t have to choose just one)

* And much more.

Sponsor – Read to Lead Mastermind Group – Sponsor

If you desire more information about our soon-to-be-formed elite mastermind group open only to a select group of Read to Lead Podcast listeners, then simply send an e-mail to [email protected] and put “Mastermind” in the subject line. Shortly thereafter, you should receive an application for consideration.

Farnoosh Brock in Action

Why You Cannot Afford to Be Quiet at Work Meetings from Farnoosh Brock on Vimeo.

Farnoosh Brock Resources

Visit Farnoosh’s website for more on her speaking, coaching and writing.

You can preorder your copy of The Healthy Smoothie Bible: Lose Weight, Detoxify, Fight Disease, and Live Long by Farnoosh right now. Or go here to see a complete list of her books on Amazon.

Farnoosh has also created several courses for those looking to make themselves invaluable to the companies they work for.

Farnoosh also referenced the website 750words.com as a valuable resource for writers.

Books and Authors Farnoosh Recommends

On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

The nature of work is changing. Simply put, it is my belief, and the belief of many, that the future of work will look nothing like it does today.

Meaning, the days of going to college, studying a field and landing a job will no longer be the norm but, rather, the exception. Don’t believe me? Hundreds, if not thousands of office buildings, once flourishing with activity, now lay dormant and empty. Or, they’re being converted into apartments and other cool living spaces.

Going forward, you must decide if you want to allow an employer to control your financial fate, or if you want to be the one in charge of your own financial destiny.

Today’s guest, Jaime Tardy, learned this the hard way. She’s here to help you avoid making the same mistakes with her new book The Eventual Millionaire: How Anyone Can Be an Entrepreneur and Successfully Grow Their Startup.

Hear Our Conversation Now

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Now, she interviews millionaires for her website Eventual Millionaire, and hosts her own podcast called The Eventual Millionaire (iTunes link).

In this episode, Jaime shares how:

* Millionaires are just like you and me, really

* Odds are, they’ve built their wealth by developing their own idea for a business

* Millionaires manage to push through their fears and excuses and how you can too

* You too can quit your job and start a business

* And a lot more!

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Be a Part of the Next Podcaster Academy Class – Attend Module I FREE

If you or someone you know is – or soon will be – among the podcasting ranks, then I’d like to extend to you a personal invitation to my online podcasting course.

As a Read to Lead Podcast listener, you’re invited to attend the first Module on April 3 completely free. To participate, simply reserve your spot while there’s still room.

There is no obligation to continue. Try Module I on us. If you like it, we’d love to have you. If not, no hard feelings. If you’d like more information on the course, simply visit the Podcaster Academy website.

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The Eventual Millionaire Book Trailer

Jaime Tardy Resources

Visit Jaime’s website for more on her millionaire interviews, podcast, speaking schedule and other resources.

Click this link to order your own copy of The Eventual Millionaire: How Anyone Can Be an Entrepreneur and Successfully Grow Their Startup. You can also read more about the book at

Today more than ever, your ability to communicate effectively and command attention when necessary is critical to your success.

Unfortunately, if you’re like most, you’ve picked up some bad communication-related habits along your journey and, worse, you may not even be aware of many of them.

That’s where a communications coach like Bill McGowan comes in. He is the founder and CEO of Clarity Media Group and is a two-time Emmy Award-winning correspondent. After spending decades interviewing hundreds of newsmakers, CEOs, celebrities, authors, editors, attorneys and athletes, Bill now uses his his experiences to coach and train everyone from corporate CEOs to celebrities.

Fortunately for you and me, we’re able to tap into his expertise in his brand new book Pitch Perfect: How to Say It Right the First Time, Every Time. In it, Bill clearly and concisely lays out what he calls the Seven Principles of Persuasion, along with a litany of faux pas many speakers today are often guilty of.

Hear Our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe to the ‘Read to Lead Podcast’ via iTunes

I saw at least a little of myself in each of the four Poor Communicators categories Bill McGowan references. See if you recognize yourself in any of these?

The Backspace Button Presser – You talk like you type, attempting to constantly perfect your words using the backspace button. In speech, this might sound like, “I was in California. I think it was northern California. And I was driving…well, actually, I was the passenger. My friend was driving. Anyway, we were going to this conference. Well, it was more like a meeting…” This can frustrate those you’re trying to reach.

The Minutiae Lover – You get caught up in explaining the details of, say, some new product you’re launching and less about what your customer can do with your awesome new product. Think instead how it will change their lives. How will it help them?

The Expounder – You like to repeat your main points over and over again to ensure you’re getting through. This is especially noticeable when the person talking is expected to meet some arbitrary duration requirement (a college professor, say, or a keynote speaker who has an hour to fill).

The Cliche Champ – If this one requires explanation, then you might not be the sharpest tool in the shed. Get it?

Don’t worry though. If you’re like me and noticed some of your own tendencies in the list above, Bill will help you understand the steps necessary to get to the other side.

In today’s episode, he shares:

* How to inspire others on your team to do their very best

* How to make the most of your staff meetings and stop wasting time

* How to stand up in a room full of people with confidence and command

* And a lot more!

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Be a Part of the Next Podcaster Academy Class – Attend Module I for Free

If you or someone you know is – or soon will be – among the podcasting ranks, then I’d like to extend to you a personal invitation to my online podcasting course.

As a Read to Lead Podcast listener, you’re invited to attend the first Module on April 3 completely free. To participate, simply send and e-mail to info [at] podcaster academy [dot] com and put “At...

Welcome FREAK! That’s right! I’m calling you names. But I mean that in the kindest and most generous way possible. Come on, you listen to podcasts for Pete’s sake. You have to be a little weird, right?

This week we have plenty of firsts. For starters, we welcome our first-ever return guest. Chris Brogan last joined us back in November for episode 21 as we chatted about his previous book The Impact Equation: Are You Making Things Happen or Just Making Noise?

This time around we talk about his new book, due out early next month called, The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators. See? Now aren’t you glad I included you with the Freaks?

Hear Our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe to the ‘Read to Lead Podcast’ via iTunes

What’s that? Oh, yes. I promised more firsts.

Let’s see. Um, I actually haven’t read Chris’s new book! That’s right. For the first time, I’m recommending a book to you I haven’t yet read. So, right about now you’re probably saying something like, “What?! Are you mad?!”

You see, there weren’t any review copies available by the time we were to have our conversation, but that’s okay. Not only has Chris visited with us before, but I’ve read nearly all his previous books and, seeing how I’ve followed his blog since around 2008, I think it’s safe to say I can vouch for the man.

In fact, I’m so sure you will love his new book that, if you aren’t fully satisfied, I’ll refund the money you paid for this podcast. That’s right! Now, on with the show!

In today’s episode, Chris shares:

His belief that people don’t care about what you know

His super secret plans for his own (and his first) Kickstarter campaign

His definition of success and how to determine yours

Why you should ‘worship’ your obstacles and challenges

His favorite recent reads

And a whole lot more!

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Sponsor – Be a Part of the Next Podcaster Academy Class – Save $100

If you or someone you know is – or soon will be – among the podcasting ranks, then I’d like to extend to you a personal invitation to my online podcasting course.

For less than $100 per week, you will get up to 2 hours of training and personal podcast coaching from me every week in April. For more, just visit the Podcaster Academy website.

As a Read to Lead Podcast listener, you can save $100 when you register now and use the discount code ‘read.’ Don’t wait. Only 20 spots are available.

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More from Chris Brogan Himself

Chris Brogan Resources

Visit 

Have you ever witnessed someone else succeeding at something and thought to yourself, “I could do that?” Well, that’s the very same thought that entered Ryan Avery’s mind when he first saw a YouTube video of someone delivering the winning talk at the World Championships for public speaking.

At the age of 25, just 6 months after viewing that video, Ryan Avery became the youngest World Champion of Public Speaking in history; competing against more than 30,000 people from 116 countries to claim the 2012 World Championship title. Needless to say, his life hasn’t been the same since.

And if you’re wondering if the topic of public speaking sounds familiar, you’re right. It takes center stage for the second week in a row, and that’s no accident. Ryan has recently coauthored the book Speaker, Leader, Champion: Succeed at Work Through the Power of Public Speaking, featuring the prize-winning speeches of Toastmasters World Champions.

Hear Our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe to the Read to Lead Podcast via iTunes

With his book, we dig a little deeper into the idea that, at the heart of it, public speaking boils down to effectively communicating your ideas, whether during a public talk, to colleagues at work, your spouse or kids at home, or wherever it is you need to connect and persuade. In other words, everywhere!

In this episode, Ryan details these key communications concepts:

* A Better Speaker = A Stronger Leader

* Keep your message simple and resist over-complication

* Never tell a joke, instead, share a failure

* Don’t just retell your story but relive your story for your audience

* Don’t be afraid to pause…and remember to stay in ‘character’ while the audience responds

* And plenty more!

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Sponsor – Be a Part of the Next Podcaster Academy Class – Save $100

If you or someone you know is – or soon will be – among the podcasting ranks, then I’d like to extend to you a personal invitation to my online podcasting course.

For less than $100 per week, you will get up to 2 hours of training and personal podcast coaching from me every week in April. For more, just visit the Podcaster Academy website.

As a Read to Lead Podcast listener, you can save $100 when you register now and use the discount code ‘read.’ Don’t wait. Only 20 spots are available.

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Blog Post Jeff Mentioned

Jeff mentioned the Prezi.com blog post The 5 Metrics You Need to Know to Give a Great Presentation

More on Speaker | Leader | Champion

Ryan Avery Resources

Visit Ryan’s website for more on his book, speaking schedule and other resources.

If you’re anything like me, you love learning about how the brain works and why we behave the way we do.

It’s one of the reasons why I love Carmine Gallo’s new book Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds so much. Carmine digs into much of the neuroscience behind how we respond to things like compelling stories, a speaker’s ability to convey passion, and his or her body language.

In doing so, he manages to uncover the nine secrets of all successful TED presentations.

Hear Our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe to the Read to Lead Podcast via iTunes

As Carmine argues,

Ideas are the currency of the twenty-first century, and the ability to communicate your ideas persuasively is the single greatest skill to achieving your dreams.”

In today’s episode, Carmine shares:

* What scientists have discovered – and quantified – about how passion can be used to inspire, energize and influence others

* New research that shows how  your stories “sync” your audience’s mind to yours, allowing you to create far deeper and more meaningful connections

* How TED presenters exhibit natural body language and verbal delivery more typical of having a conversation instead of addressing an audience

* The ways TED speakers have practiced – sometimes rehearsing for 200 hours

* And plenty more!

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Sponsor – Be a Part of the Next Podcaster Academy Class – Save $100

If you or someone you know is – or soon will be – among the podcasting ranks, then I’d like to extend to you a personal invitation to my online podcasting course.

For less than $100 per week, you will get up to 2 hours of training and personal podcast coaching from me every week in April. For more, just visit the Podcaster Academy website.

As a Read to Lead Podcast listener, you can save $100 when you register now and use the discount code ‘read.’ Don’t wait. Only 20 spots are available.

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Talk Like TED Book Trailer

Carmine Gallo Resources

Visit Carmine’s website for more on his book, speaking schedule and other resources.

We referenced several TED talks, very much worth your time if you’ve not yet viewed them:

* Why Schools Kill Creativity – from Sir Ken Robinson

* My Stroke of Insight – from Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

* We Need to Talk About Injustice – from Bryan Stevenson

Books and Authors Carmine Recommends

In all, Carmine mentioned 3 authors. He enjoys the works of

Until I met Chris Ducker, author of the new book Virtual Freedom: How to Work with Virtual Staff to Buy More Time, Become More Productive, and Build Your Dream Business and a widely-recognized Virtual Staff expert, I hadn’t thought about hiring a virtual assistant for myself.

It was then that Chris pointed out that, not only had I thought about it, but I had already utilized a virtual assistant more than once. Wait! What?!

He was right. While not what I traditionally think of as a virtual assistant, I had indeed hired virtual help through 99Designs to create the logo for the Read to Lead Podcast. Once I realized this, the idea of of hiring a virtual assistant – something that felt intimating in the past – now seemed like a no-brainer. Call it my “Duh” moment.

Hear Our Conversation Now

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Hiring a designer through 99Designs, as I did back in June of last year, was an enormously pleasant experience. Not only that, but I saw so many more options and designs than I would have had a gone a more traditional route. Could hiring virtual staff be right for you and your business? Only you can answer that. I’d be willing to bet though that the answer is yes.

In this episode, Chris shares:

* The fundamentals you need to understand before hiring a Virtual Assistant

* The myth of the Super Hero VA

* The 3 Lists of Freedom concept and the types of tasks that make sense delegating to a VA

* How to overcome trusting a Virtual Assistant with the important aspects of your business

* And much more!

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Sponsor – Be a Part of the Next Podcaster Academy Class – Save $100

If you or someone you know is – or soon will be – among the podcasting ranks, then I’d like to extend to you a personal invitation to my upcoming online podcasting course.

For less than $125 per week, you will get up to 2 hours of personal podcast coaching from me every week in April. For more, just visit the Podcaster Academy website.

Save $100 when you register by February 28th and use the discount code ‘read.’

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The Virtual Freedom Book Trailer

Books Podcasts and Resources Mentioned

Visit Chris’s website for more on his book, speaking schedule and other resources

There’s also the site dedicated to the new book: VirtualFreedomBook.com

Chris hosts The New Business Podcast which launched in December 2012

Screenflow for Mac

New York Times bestselling author Adam Bryant and I seem to have a few things in common.

He’s spent a good portion of his career in media. I’ve spent my entire career in broadcasting. He interviews CEOs for his New York Times column. I interview authors for my podcast. He’s incredibly good-looking. I’m…well…okay. So, two-out-of-three ain’t bad, right?

In his latest book, Quick and Nimble: Lessons from Leading CEOs on How to Create a Culture of Innovation, Adam draws on interviews with more than two hundred CEOs to offer business leaders the wisdom and guidance to move an organization faster, to be quick and nimble, and to rekindle the whatever-it-takes collective spark of a start-up, all with the goal of innovating and thriving in a relentlessly challenging global economy.

Hear Our Conversation

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In this episode, Adam shares:

Why the CEOs he’s interviewed value culture so highly

The methods the top CEOs use for crafting values

How they handle the occasional rock star personalities

Their struggles with managing conflict, giving constructive feedback and dealing with tattlers

And plenty more!

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Sponsor – Be a Part of the Next Podcaster Academy Class – Sponsor

If you or someone you know is – or soon will be – among the podcasting ranks, then I’d like to extend to you a personal invitation to my upcoming online podcasting course.

For less than $125 per week, you will get up to 2 hours of personal podcast coaching from me every week in April. For more, just visit the Podcaster Academy website.

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Adam Bryant in Action (Knowledge@Wharton)

Books and Resources from Adam

Visit Adam’s website for more on his books, his column and other writing

Purchase Quick and Nimble: Lessons from Leading CEOs on How to Create a Culture of Innovation on Amazon

Purchase The Corner Office: Indispensable and Unexpected Lessons from CEOs on How to Lead and Succeed on Amazon

Books Adam Recommends

Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long by David Rock

Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh

Connecting with Adam

If you’d like to connect or network with Adam, or let him know your thoughts on today’s episode, consider sending him a tweet. You can reach out to him via