Do you feel like your presentations are good, but maybe not yet great? The kind that gets people talking, taking action, and reaching out long after the event?

That’s exactly what happened for my guest, Karen Cochran, founder of Philanthropy Innovators. 

Karen has led teams that have raised over $1 billion (yes, billion with a “B”!) - and after attending our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator Workshop and working with me on her presentation makeover, she delivered what attendees called “the most valuable session at the conference.”

In this episode, you’ll hear how Karen transformed her talk by making small but powerful shifts in storytelling, structure, and connection—and how those changes led to remarkable results.

We dig into:

• The difference between informing and transforming your audience
• How storytelling creates connection, especially in philanthropy and leadership
• Why suspense and foreshadowing keep audiences engaged (and how Karen used this brilliantly!)
• The key mindset shift from “writer” to “speaker” that helps your ideas land with clarity

Karen also shares how storytelling in fundraising parallels effective public speaking. Both are about listening, connecting, and understanding what truly matters to your audience.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in “the expert trap”—overloading your slides with information instead of making emotional connections—this episode will show you what happens when you let your stories and your personality shine.

Listen in and imagine what could change for you with just a few strategic tweaks to your talk.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/449/ 

Karen’s website: https://www.philanthropyinnovators.com/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Book a Presentation Makeover: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/presentation-makeover/ 

Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Karen Cochran = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-cochran/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 435: From Blank Page to On Stage: What It's Like to Create and Practice a Talk in One Day
• Episode 436: Turn Your Stories Into Impactful Messages: Live Signature Talks from TLA Grads
• Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking