If people are counting your filler words instead of listening to your message, something important is getting lost.

This solo episode introduces Speaking Tip Spotlight, a new short-form format where Karin Reed tackles common communication challenges with focused, practical guidance. The first topic takes on filler words and why they show up so often when we speak. Karin explains what filler words actually signal and when they become a distraction for listeners. She shares how to spot the moments where filler words do the most damage, especially during transitions, and why intentional pauses are often a better choice.

This episode centers on awareness, not self-criticism. With simple techniques like recording yourself or using visual reminders, speakers can reduce filler words and communicate with more clarity and control.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why Filler Words Immediately Distract Your Audience

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 All Filler Words 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

Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

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?

Karin Reed talks with Dr. Kate Mason about a core tension when women communicate: the pressure to soften authority in order to stay likable. Drawing from her book Powerfully Likeable, Dr. Mason challenges the idea that warmth and influence sit on opposite ends of the spectrum and explains how clarity, presence, and conviction can coexist.

This episode explores why women often minimize expertise, overexplain decisions, or hesitate to ask for time and resources. Dr. Mason introduces the idea of “imposing syndrome” and offers shifts that help women communicate with confidence without becoming performative. What changes when you lead with your recommendation? How does women’s communication shift when you trust that your voice already belongs in the room?

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

Can you learn how to pitch an idea by reading a novel? Author and venture capitalist Ben Wiener believes you can. His new book Fever Pitch explores how a fictional startup thriller can reveal the real narrative patterns that make investors lean in.

During this episode, Karin Reed sits down with Ben to talk about the experiences that shaped his approach and explains why storytelling gives founders an advantage when they need investors to understand the heart of their idea. His HEART framework grows out of that belief and invites founders to think about belief, stakes, alternatives, differentiation, and team strength in a more intentional way. They also touch on the emotional side of pitching and how a shift in mindset can help founders speak from conviction instead of pressure. 

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 start embracing them. 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 speaking well off the cuff 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 strong 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 to connect with confidence.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Spontaneous Speaking

02:31 Understanding Spontaneous Speaking

05:02 Overcoming Anxiety in Speaking

08:03 Maximizing Mediocrity for Better Communication

10:25 The Importance of Listening

12:57 The Role of Body Language

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

Authentic leadership online means showing up as yourself rather than hiding behind corporate polish.

Karin Reed sits down with Jess Jensen, the founder of Co-Pilot Communications, to talk about what it really takes for executives to build a digital presence that feels genuine and earns trust. After two decades leading digital strategy for global brands like Microsoft, Nestlé, Qualcomm, and Adidas, Jess has seen firsthand how the landscape has shifted. People no longer want polished brand statements - they want to hear from leaders directly. So how do you decide who you’re really speaking to? What values do you want to be known for? And how can you use your story to spark connection in a way that feels true to you?

Jess shares a framework that helps leaders find clarity on their audience, their voice, and the platforms where they can make the most impact. She also explains why the comments section is where relationships are actually built and why leaning into your own experiences is the key to lasting influence. This conversation is an invitation to think differently about your presence online and to step into it with honesty, confidence, and purpose.

For Speaker Dynamics podcast listeners, Jess is offering a free 25-minute LinkedIn audit. Quick, practical reviews for business owners and senior executives who think their profile might be holding them back. Go to copilotcommunications.com and under contact, book time with me. Mention this podcast and you’ll get a real-time audit, and a handful of actionable next steps.

No cost. No catch. Just clarity. And a thank you for listening to the show.

Book here: https://calendly.com/jessjensen-copilotcommunications/25min 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Authenticity Over Perfection in Leadership

01:39 The Mission Behind Co-Pilot Communications

05:52 From Corporate Brands to Human Voices on Social Media

10:06 Five Steps to Building an Authentic Digital Brand

21:27 Why Relationships Are Built in the Comments

27:38 Your Story as the Most Powerful Differentiator

Connect with Jess Jensen:

Subscribe to Jess’ Newsletter

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn

Connect with Karin Reed:

Speaker Dynamics

Speaker Dynamics University

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Global teams can look united on the surface yet still struggle with distance, culture, and trust. Leaders often assume that what works in the office will work online, only to discover that virtual dynamics play by a very different set of rules.

Karin Reed sits down with global virtual team expert and author Theresa Hollema to unpack the realities of leading across borders. Theresa explains why team configuration matters, why cliques form when a handful of colleagues share the same space, and why some teams actually found fully remote work easier during the pandemic.

Their conversation points out the subtle choices that shape global collaboration: how meetings are structured, what messages are sent by turning a camera on or off, and how a follow-up call can feel like micromanagement in one culture but genuine care in another.

Theresa also introduces a framework from her book “Virtual Teams Across Cultures” that reveals how culture influences teams within the group, between locations, and through outside local factors. Her insights offer a path forward for leaders who want to build trust, encourage inclusivity, and unlock the innovation that diverse virtual teams can deliver.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Global Virtual Teams

01:18 Why Virtual Leadership Differs From Office Work

06:45 Hybrid Pitfalls: Proximity Bias and Cliques

08:22 Psychological Distance Across Locations

10:04 Turning Cultural Diversity Into Innovation

12:14 Practical Ways to Build Cultural Competence

17:32 Leader Readiness for Cross-Cultural Dilemmas

19:04 One-on-Ones That Build Trust

21:40 Camera Use and Signals of Trust

23:21 Post-Meeting Follow-Up: Care vs Micromanagement

Connect with Theresa Hollema:

Virtual Across Cultures

Theresa’s Book: Virtual Teams Across Cultures

Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn

Connect with Karin Reed:

Speaker Dynamics

Speaker Dynamics University

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn