Presenting slides filled with dense data and rigid corporate templates can feel like you are fighting your own materials. You know the slide is too busy. You know it could be cleaner. Yet you are required to show every number. So how do you keep the room with you instead of losing them to a wall of figures?

In this Speaker Tip Spotlight episode of Speaker Dynamics, Karin Reed offers practical, real-world guidance for presenting slides that do not follow best practices. She walks through how to guide executive attention to the numbers that actually matter, how to use clear verbal direction so people know exactly where to look, and how to manage data-heavy visuals without shrinking your presence. These are strategies you can use the very next time you present financials, dashboards, or standardized templates.

If you have ever felt overshadowed by a crowded deck or boxed in by a template you cannot change, this episode will feel both validating and useful. You may not control the slide design. You absolutely control how you show up and how your message lands.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Real Challenge of Presenting Busy Slides

01:20 Why Slide Design Best Practices Clash With Company Templates

02:15 Presenting Data-Heavy Slides Without Losing Executive Attention

03:00 Using Call-Outs to Improve Clarity When Presenting Slides

05:10 Visual and Verbal Cues for Presenting Slides Clearly

06:00 Why Laser Pointers Can Hurt Your PowerPoint Presentation

08:18 When to Remove a Slide and Strengthen Executive Presence

09:35 Three Proven Strategies for Presenting Slides With Confidence

10:34 Slide Design Best Practices and PowerPoint Tips Resource

Connect with Karin Reed:

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What if ChatGPT could help you think more clearly before you speak instead of just helping you sound polished?

Karin Reed sits down with Michael Shehane, founder of InStride Leadership, to explore how leaders are using ai tools for speakers like ChatGPT or Claude to sharpen clarity, strengthen judgment, and communicate with more intention under pressure. Drawing from his work with AI leaders in Silicon Valley, Michael explains why traditional preparation habits no longer match the pace of modern leadership and what actually helps now.

This episode explains that when we use AI tools for speakers, we should consider them a thinking partner rather than a replacement for human judgment. It shows how AI tools for speakers like ChatGPT or Claude can support better decisions, more confident communication, and more honest self-reflection without stripping away presence or authenticity. For leaders who want to communicate authentically at work, this conversation offers a practical and timely perspective on modern communication skills for leaders.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Leadership Communication and GenAI Explained

04:20 Why Traditional Presentation Preparation Is Failing Leaders

06:40 Using ChatGPT to Prepare and Clarify Your Message

16:05 Using ChatGPT During Meetings to Improve Communication

20:00 How Leaders Use AI to Review and Improve Communication

26:45 What AI Cannot Replace in Leadership Communication

29:20 Key Takeaway for Leaders Using ChatGPT

Connect with Michael Shehane:

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn 

Visit the InStride Leadership website 

Follow InStride Leadership on Instagram 

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

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Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

If you are serious about eliminating filler words, you have to notice them before your audience does. When listeners start counting your “um’s” and “like’s” instead of tracking your ideas, your executive presence and leadership communication both suffer.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why Eliminating Filler Words Strengthens Your Impact

02:15 Why Short, Focused Speaking Tips Work

04:05 What Filler Words Really Are And Why We Use Them

06:10 When Filler Words Pull Focus From Your Message

07:45 Why Eliminating Filler Words In Their Entirety Is The Wrong Goal

09:10 How To Replace Filler Words With Intentional Pauses

11:05 Using Awareness To Reduce Filler Words Naturally

13:20 Learning Communication Skills Through Speaker Dynamics University

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

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Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Do you really have to choose between being liked and being influential, or has that belief been quietly shaping how you speak and lead? In this conversation on effective communication for women, Karin Reed examines the hidden tradeoffs women are taught to make and how those habits affect executive presence.

At its core, this is a conversation about effective communication for women who want to lead with clarity, conviction, and real influence when speaking.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Being Liked vs Being Influential in Women Communication

02:08 Why Power and Likeability Are Not Opposites for Women Leaders

05:06 How Women Minimize Expertise in Professional Communication

08:49 How to Lead With the Recommendation in Women Communication

12:29 Imposing Syndrome and Asking for What You Need at Work

16:13 Rethinking Confidence in Women Communication

18:12 Why Visibility Matters in Virtual Communication

24:00 Authority Without Changing Your Voice or Identity

32:21 One Practice to Strengthen Women Communication and Influence

Connect with Dr. Kate Mason:

Connect with Dr. Kate on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Dr. Kate’s Substack

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Being remarkable is not a title you claim but the result of choosing to make a difference every single day. In this episode, Karin Reed revisits a favorite conversation with Guy Kawasaki to explore what actually makes someone remarkable. Drawing from his book Think Remarkable and decades of experience in technology and leadership, Guy challenges the idea that remarkableness comes from visibility, personal branding, or self-promotion. Instead, it grows out of meaningful work, service, and a commitment to improving something beyond yourself.

The conversation touches on communication, decision-making, and action. Guy shares why clarity and concision matter, why waiting for the perfect plan often stalls progress, and how his “turn and burn” philosophy encourages people to act and adjust rather than overthink. He also reframes common concerns around authenticity and modern tools like AI, pointing out that intent matters more than the tools themselves.

Guy shares stories and advice, especially for younger professionals, about showing up, doing the work others avoid, and letting impact speak louder than image. Being remarkable comes from growth, grit, grace, and the choices you make to genuinely make a difference.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 What It Really Means To Be Remarkable

05:57 Using AI And LLMs Without Losing Authenticity

09:46 The Philosophy Behind Think Remarkable

14:27 Growth, Grit, And Grace As A Framework For Impact

18:13 Why Making A Difference Comes Before Recognition

26:28 “Turn And Burn” Decision Making And Taking Action

33:41 The True Measure Of Success: Making A Difference

34:33 Career Advice: How To Become Indispensable

Connect with Guy Kawasaki:

Get Guy’s book, Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference

Learn more about Guy’s book, Think Remarkable

Tune in to Guy’s Remarkable People Podcast

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Business storytelling is the difference between a pitch that gets polite nods and one that gets funded. In this episode, we break down how business storytelling transforms a standard startup presentation into a compelling narrative that investors actually respond to. If you care about leadership communication, speaking with confidence, and learning how to communicate with influence, this conversation will change how you think about pitching.

Why most pitch decks fail before the second slide

How to use business storytelling to create executive presence in high-stakes rooms

The five psychological pressure points investors subconsciously look for

Why radical differentiation matters more than incremental improvement

How founders can develop confident communication without feeling salesy

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introducing “Fever Pitch” and Startup Storytelling

00:58 Ben Wiener’s Journey from VC to Author

03:02 Why Fiction Can Teach Startup Strategy

06:27 Storytelling as the Foundation of a Strong Pitch

07:34 Guy Kawasaki’s 10-20-30 Rule and Pitch Lessons

12:01 Why Most Startup Pitch Decks Fail

14:03 The HEART Framework Explained

19:51 What Investors Really Want to Hear First

26:18 Reframing Pitching as Partnership, Not Persuasion

32:07 The Business Power of Paying It Forward

33:38 Closing and Bonus Content Invitation

Connect with Ben Wiener:

Learn more about Ben Wiener’s book: Fever Pitch

Visit Ben Wiener’s website

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Discover how to articulate your professional value with clarity and confidence so your next career move feels intentional and fully aligned with your strengths.

Karin Reed and Briefcase Coach founder Sarah Johnston discuss why even the most accomplished professionals struggle to explain what they bring to the table. If you’ve ever stared at your résumé and wondered why it doesn’t feel like “you,” or questioned how to tell your story without sounding inflated or vague, this episode gives you a clearer path forward. Sarah offers a grounded look at what hiring teams actually pay attention to, why so many leaders lose sight of their own impact, and how a shift in perspective can change the way you show up on paper and in interviews. What would happen if you paused before updating your résumé and asked who you want to reach and what they need to see? How might your story change if you focused on real outcomes rather than a list of responsibilities?

Karin and Sarah also explore how LinkedIn shapes first impressions and why keywords, updated visuals, and a thoughtful About section matter more than most people realize. They close with a simple but meaningful challenge: set aside quiet time to build a value proposition statement that reflects your strengths and the direction you want to go. If you want a clearer sense of how to communicate your worth and make your next career move with intention, this episode will help you rethink how you present your work, your impact, and your voice.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introducing Sarah Johnston And The Importance Of Articulating Your Value

02:38 Identifying Your Target Role And Understanding What Employers Really Want

06:02 Why It’s Hard To See Your Own Strengths: “Inside The Jar” Insight

09:59 The RAS Formula: How To Lead With Impact On Your Resume

14:01 LinkedIn Strategy: Keywords, Storytelling, And Controlling Your Online Narrative

22:20 Quick LinkedIn Wins: Headline, Headshot, And Strategic Networking

25:56 Owning Your Achievements Without Feeling Like You’re Bragging

28:40 Your One Next Step: Creating A Powerful Value Proposition Statement

Connect with Sarah Johnston:

Visit Briefcase Coach

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Most of what we say isn’t planned, and communication expert Matt Abrahams wants us to stop fearing those moments and enjoy confident communication. Karin Reed talks with Matt, a Stanford lecturer and author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, about how to stay grounded when you’re put on the spot. Why do we freeze when asked an unexpected question or stumble through small talk? What if the key to confident communication isn’t perfection, but presence?

Matt shares how letting go of the pressure to sound brilliant (what he calls “maximizing mediocrity”) creates space for real connection. He also offers his “next play” mindset for moving past mistakes and explains why confident communication starts with active listening and clear focus. His mother’s advice sums it up perfectly: “Tell the time, don’t build the clock.”

By the end, you’ll see that spontaneous speaking is a skill you can practice. With a little preparation and curiosity, those unscripted moments can become chances for being influential and well liked, speaking with confidence, and eliminating your fear of public speaking and networking.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Spontaneous Speaking

02:31 Understanding Spontaneous Speaking

05:02 Overcoming Anxiety in Speaking

08:03 Maximizing Mediocrity for Confident Communication

10:25 The Importance of Listening

12:57 The Role of Body Language When Presenting

15:21 The F Word: Focus in Spontaneous Speaking

17:49 Mastering Small Talk

21:05 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Connect with Matt Abrahams:

Subscribe to Think Fast, Talk Smart on YouTube

Follow Think Fast, Talk Smart on X

Follow Think Fast, Talk Smart on Instagram

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Bill Harper, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of BrandBossHQ, talks about what really happens when you stop hiding behind perfection and start showing up as yourself on camera. How do you get past the fear of putting your face out there? What shifts when you stop worrying about being polished and start focusing on being real?

Joining Karin Reed in this episode, Bill shares how one reluctant step onto TikTok reshaped his business and sparked a whole new connection with his audience. He explains how a single comment from a viewer erased his hesitation, how authenticity can outshine production value, and why people crave genuine presence more than scripted marketing.

Together, Karin and Bill dig into what makes video such a powerful bridge for trust and why today’s leaders can’t afford to separate their personal voice from their brand. The episode leaves you thinking less about how to perform on camera and more about how to show up in a way that actually connects.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 From Camera Shyness to TikTok Success

02:09 How BrandBoss HQ Was Born During COVID

03:48 The Surprising Power of TikTok for Business Growth

06:58 Overcoming the Fear of Speaking on Camera

10:16 Shifting Your Mindset to Connect Authentically on Video

14:04 TikTok as a Platform for Learning and Mentorship

19:05 The Blending of Personal and Business Branding

20:03 Building Trust Through Authentic Content

26:01 One Positive Comment That Changed Everything

29:05 Bonus: Free Brand Audit Offer

Connect with Bill Harper:

Visit the BrandBossHQ website

60-day Brand Transformation Course

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Can artificial intelligence really coach us to be better communicators, or does true connection still require human intervention? Karin Reed is joined by returning guest, communication coach and tech strategist Maggie Miller, for a conversation about how AI is reshaping the way we prepare, present, and connect. What begins with Karin testing Microsoft’s Speaker Coach unfolds into a deeper look at where technology helps and where it falls short. Can an algorithm truly capture your tone, your energy, your presence in the room? Karin shares what AI gets right, things like pacing, filler words, and vocal variety, and what it still can’t grasp: nuance, emotion, and context.

Maggie brings her own evolution with AI to the discussion. She no longer sees it as a shortcut but as a creative partner that helps her think, plan, and communicate with more clarity. She introduces the idea of “digital twins” - AI versions of the people you want feedback from that can challenge your ideas and help you refine your message before you ever step into the room.

Together, Karin and Maggie explore how to build a relationship with AI that enhances authenticity instead of erasing it. How do you keep your voice while using these tools to grow? Where does technology end and human skill begin? This episode invites you to rethink what collaboration with AI can look like and how it might make you a more thoughtful, intentional communicator.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Will AI Take My Job?

01:35 What Microsoft Speaker Coach Gets Right and Wrong

06:25 Why Human Nuance Still Matters in Communication

08:04 From AI Tool to Teammate: A New Mindset

09:39 How Digital Twins Transform Presentation Prep

14:16 Training AI to Reflect Your Voice and Values

21:07 Preserving Creativity and Authenticity with AI

24:19 The Future of Communication: Human + AI Collaboration

Connect with Karin Reed:

Visit Speaker Dynamics

Explore Speaker Dynamics University

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn