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Not every good story belongs in your talk. I know, I know! But it’s true. 

I’ve seen too many leaders confuse “funny” or “entertaining” with impactful. The result? Their audience remembers the laugh but forgets the message.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the sneaky ways we sabotage our own talks by choosing the wrong stories. 

And don’t worry, I’m not just here to call you out. I’m here to hand you the tools so your next story actually lands.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

• Why a hilarious story might actually undermine your authority (yep, Uncle Bob, I’m looking at you).
• How to start your story in the exact moment that matters without the ten-minute “let me back up” monologue.
• The “mirror test” that shows you if your story connects or if it’s just self-therapy in disguise.

Think of this episode like tough love with a side of strategy. 

Because you don’t need more stories, you need the right ones. The kind that stick. 

The kind that shift people. The kind that make you unforgettable for all the right reasons.

Your audience deserves better than the “lost luggage in Chicago” saga. And honestly? So do you.

✨ Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

👉 Become a Storytelling Pro in 60 minutes: Access the Story Method Workshop 

👉 Never give boring talks, ever again. Get access to the Sticky Messages Masterclass and create talks like a seasoned presenter.

👉 Become an Advanced Speaker through my: The Speaker Accelerator Intensive

👉 Order my book, Finding Your Voice, today:  Click Here!

👉 Free Vocal Guide: 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence (and how to fix it)

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
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Think it’s hard to build a 45-minute keynote? Try boiling your brilliance down to just 3 minutes. That’s where most experts stumble. In this episode, I’ll show you why the shortest talks are often the hardest—and how to make yours unforgettable.

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter: https://www.speaklikeitmatters.com/weekly

This Episode Will Teach You:

• Why ONE clear idea is the only idea that works
• How to hook your audience in the first 7 seconds
• The secret to simplicity that sharpens your message (instead of watering it down)

By the end, you’ll have a framework for crafting a 3-minute talk that lands with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

👉 Never give boring talks, ever again. Get access to the Sticky Messages Workshop: speaklikeitmatters.com/workshop and create talks like a pro.

👉 Become an Advanced Speaker through my: The Speaker Accelerator Intensive

👉 Order my book, Finding Your Voice, today:  Click Here!

👉 Free Vocal Guide: 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence (and how to fix it)

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

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Most talks don’t fail in the middle.
They fail in the last two minutes.

Because let’s be honest. ending a talk with “thank you for listening” or “I hope this inspired you” is about as effective as handing someone a gift with no instructions. 

They smile, they clap, they leave… and then they do absolutely nothing.

In this episode of the Speak Like It Matters Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on how to actually close your talk so your audience takes action (instead of just checking their phone the second you step off stage).

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• 🚩 Why “Disney endings” are killing your impact and what to say instead that sticks in people’s minds like an itch they have to scratch.
• 🚩 Why giving your audience a laundry list of action steps backfires and the one rule you need to follow so they actually do something.
• 🚩 How to shift the ending from your story to their story and why that’s the real secret to transformation.

If you’re ready to stop ending your talks with a polite whimper and start creating endings that launch people into action, this one’s for you.

👉 And don’t forget: this month’s live workshop is Craft a Message That Sticks. Register now at speaklikeitmatters.com/workshop.

For more resources to level up your speaking game:
 ✨ Free guide: 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence
✨ Signature program: The Speaker Accelerator Intensive

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

Send me a text!

Most speakers lose their audience in the first 30 seconds… and then spend the rest of their talk playing desperate catch-up.
Let’s not do that.

In this episode of Speak Like It Matters, I’m spilling the tea on why most talk openings fall flat — and exactly how to craft one that makes people sit up, lean in, and think, “Okay… I’m listening.” Spoiler: it’s not by thanking the organizer, reading your résumé, or starting with a bad joke you found on Pinterest.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to ditch the “polite but boring” openers that drain the energy out of the room before you’ve even started.
• Why giving away the whole roadmap up front kills curiosity and what to do instead.
• The quickest way to make your audience care about what you’re saying before they even know your name.

The truth? Your opening is prime real estate in your audience’s brain. 

Use it wisely and you’ll be unforgettable. 

Waste it… and you’ll be fighting to get their attention back the whole time.

Ready to upgrade your openings (and the rest of your talk) so they actually stick? 

👉🏼 Join me for this month’s workshop: Craft a Message That Sticks → www.speaklikeitmatters.com/workshop

For more help:

•  ✨ Grab my free guide: 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence → speaklikeitmatters.com/vocal
•  🎯 Check out my signature program: The Speaker Accelerator Intensive → speaklikeitmatters.com/speaker-accelerator

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

Send me a text!

Let’s be honest, most messages don’t land.

They float. They ramble. They vanish into the void of “meh.”

But yours? Yours doesn't have to be generic. 

If you’ve ever poured your heart into a talk, a team meeting, or a content piece only to get crickets… this one’s for you.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reasons messages fall flat, and more importantly, how to fix yours without sounding like a robot or a walking cliché. 

You'll learn:

• 🤯 Why over-explaining kills impact (and what to do instead)
• 🔥 How to organize around tension, not just tidy bullet points
• 🧠 The subtle art of sounding like a human being (shocking, I know)

If you’re ready to stop talking and start resonating, hit play. Because the world doesn’t need more noise, it needs your message to stick.

And if you want to take things further, here’s where to go next:

🎯 Sign up for the upcoming workshop: Craft a Message That Sticks
🎤 Grab the free guide: 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence
🚀 Join The Speaker Accelerator and become the go-to name in your industry

Let’s make your voice impossible to ignore.

Because in a sea of forgettable fluff, you can easily stand out. When you  learn to Speak Like It Matters!

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

Send me a text!

Some leaders stay calm under fire. Others unravel faster than cheap sweater threads.

The difference? Emotional control.

And here’s the thing: it’s not something you magically “find.” It’s a skill — one you build, habit by habit.

In this episode, I’m breaking down 7 daily habits that help you master emotional control so you can show up unshakeable — on stage, in meetings, and even when your kid decides to test your last nerve before breakfast.

We are building on last week’s episode where we discussed “The Most Underrated Communication Skill, Ever” 

Here’s what you’ll take away with today:

• Your first line of defense when it comes to emotional control. (It’s not what you think.)
• The surprising move that stops knee-jerk reactions in their tracks.
• A listening habit that makes you magnetic — and most people never do it.
• How to share your expectations so clearly even the office cynic can’t misinterpret them.
• A daily practice that will change how you handle feedback forever.
• The secret to turning conflict into connection (instead of a full-on drama show).
• The one mental shift that helps you see possibilities — even on the worst days.

Master these habits, and you won’t just lead better. You’ll live better.

🎤 Want more? Check these out:
 ✨ 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence (Free Download)
🚀 The Speaker Accelerator Intensive

Ready to stay calm when it matters most? Let’s go.

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

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Everyone’s out here chasing charisma…

But no one’s talking about what actually earns you trust when the spotlight’s hot or the Zoom room goes silent:

Emotional control.

Yep. 

Not the sexiest leadership skill, but hands down one of the most important—and most ignored.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why this quiet little superpower matters way more than that perfectly timed TED Talk hand gesture.

Here’s what we cover (with plenty of real talk + practical tips):

• What emotional control actually is—and what it isn’t
• What to do (and not do) when feedback feels like a personal attack
• How to stop spiraling when your team doesn’t get it the first time
• What happens when you panic on stage—and how to recover like a pro
• How emotionally mature speakers hold the room (even when people walk out 👀)

Because listen… composure is magnetic. It builds trust. It builds presence.

And it makes you the kind of speaker and leader people actually want to follow—not just clap for.

So whether you’re leading 1:1, managing a team, or standing center stage—this episode is your pep talk and your playbook.

🎤 Want more? Grab these:

 🎧 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence (Free Download)
🚀 The Speaker Accelerator Intensive

You’ve got the message. Let’s make sure it lands with power, presence, and zero panic. 💥

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

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Let’s be honest:

If you’re softening your message so everyone likes you... you’re not leading.
You’re performing.

And I get it. It’s human to want approval.

➛ But here’s the truth: You can’t inspire change while trying to keep everyone comfortable.

That’s why today’s episode — Part 3 of The Speaker’s Code — is all about one of the most overlooked (and most magnetic) elements of powerful speaking: CONVICTION.

Great speakers don’t perform to be liked.
➛ They speak from conviction to serve.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

 🔥 Why most speakers dilute their message (and how to stop)
 🎯 Why belief transfer matters more than an information dump
 👏 How to speak from a place of knowing — not proving
 🧭 Why your inner work shapes your external impact (yes, people can feel it)

And I’ll also give you a simple challenge to help you clarify and own your core conviction — so you can build your next talk around it.

Here’s the deal: your audience doesn’t need more noise.
They need a voice they can trust.

And when you speak with clarity and conviction, you become that voice.

🎁 Want more support? Grab my FREE guide:
 10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence → speaklikeitmatters.com/vocal

Check out my comprehensive speaking program here: https://www.speaklikeitmatters.com/speaker-accelerator

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

Send me a text!

Ever told your story on stage and walked away with applause… but no real engagement? 

No follow-ups.
No “that changed me.”
Just a few polite head nods and a “you’re so brave.” 😬

➛➛➛ Here’s the truth: storytelling alone isn’t enough.
Not if you want to lead, connect, and inspire action.

In this episode — Part 2 of The Speaker’s Code — I’m sharing how to stop dumping your diary onstage and start using your story as the powerful, strategic tool it was meant to be.

You’ll learn:

• Why “just tell your story” is actually dangerous advice
• The 3 elements every story needs to land and lead (yes, every one)
• How to make your message the point — not your pain
• What separates stories that move people from stories that just… impress them
• How to map out your own signature story (without overthinking it)

Because your story isn’t meant to be entertainment or emotional exposure.
 It’s meant to lead.
To teach.
To move.

And if you’re ready to stop performing and start communicating with power — this episode is your roadmap.

🎁 Want extra support? Grab my FREE guide:
 “10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence” at
speaklikeitmatters.com/vocal

Let’s turn your story into strategy — and your voice into something people trust (and remember). 🎤

Listen to Part 1 of the Speaker Code Series HERE

Check out my comprehensive speaking program here: https://www.speaklikeitmatters.com/speaker-accelerator

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]

Send me a text!

Are you performing… or actually leading when you speak?
(And no — I don’t mean Broadway-level jazz hands. I mean that subtle, exhausting need to sound polished, perfect, and “on” every second you're on stage.)

If your speaking feels a little too rehearsed, a little too robotic, and your audience still isn’t responding the way you hoped, this episode might be the slap-in-the-face clarity you didn’t know you needed.

In this first episode of my 3-part series The Speaker’s Code: The Real Rules of Speaking That Actually Matter, we’re unpacking what really separates forgettable presenters from those magnetic, trusted voices who move rooms (and markets).

You’ll learn:

• The real difference between presence and performance (and how to know which one you’re doing)
• The well-meaning “rules” that are secretly sabotaging your connection
• How to use The Power Triad to instantly elevate your authority
• What audiences actually remember (hint: it’s not your polished presence)

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what performative habit to ditch this week so you can show up more powerfully — and more like you.

Because here’s the deal: Your message isn’t meant to be performed.

It’s meant to be felt, trusted, and acted on.

👉 Want more support? Grab your FREE guide:
 “10 Mistakes That Kill Your Vocal Presence” at
speaklikeitmatters.com/vocal

Check out my comprehensive speaking program here: https://www.speaklikeitmatters.com/speaker-accelerator

Let's connect on IG at www.instagram.com/csillamuscan
or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/csillamuscan/

Send me an email at: [email protected]