The Public Speaking Podcast

Is it really possible to go from being super shy to speaking on international stages?

In this episode of The Public Speaking Podcast, hosts Lucas Reuterstig and Alexander Grabner Jarlung sit down with PhD scientist, international keynote speaker, and author of Neuro Excellence, Dr. Biliana Tod, who breaks down the neuroscience of fear, explaining why waiting until you "feel ready" is a trap that keeps 99% of aspiring speakers silent.

She dives into how she built her personal brand by documenting real-life brain experiments, the story of her first speaking agency representation, and why embracing discomfort on stage is the key to unlocking authentic communication.

Whether you are a corporate leader struggling with presentation anxiety or an aspiring speaker looking to turn your scientific expertise into a lucrative keynote career, this episode will provide the exact roadmap to develop your courage and take action.

Connect with Biliana

Website: https://bilianatod.com/en/home/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bilianatod

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/biliana-todorova-phd-🧭-8984647b 

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

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Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Public Speaking Podcast, hosts Lucas Reuterstig and Alexander Grabner Jarlung sit down with international keynote speaker and FullStack HR author Johannes Sundlo. 

As Johannes breaks down his journey into becoming a leading voice on artificial intelligence, bridging the gap between overhyped tech promises and the reality of modern presentation skills and workplace culture. He reveals how sharing these “AI promises” ideas helped him build undeniable authority, refine his message through critical audience feedback, and transition directly onto global keynote stages.

He also reveals the dark side of automation, warning speakers and corporate leaders against the generic, low-effort content that is currently killing trust with an audience.

This conversation exposes the critical balance between leveraging modern tools and preserving authentic executive presence.

Whether you are a corporate communicator or an aspiring keynote speaker trying to stand out in a crowded market, this episode delivers a masterclass in stage credibility, storytelling, and modern communication strategy.

If you want to enjoy Johanne’s SPEAKERx video, here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfL5n7V6Lq4&t=40s

Connect with Johannes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsundlo

Website: https://sundlo.com

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

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Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we always feel like going back to work it's such a horrible thing to do?  Have you ever wondered why we have normalized those behaviors?

In this dynamic episode of The Public Speaking Podcast, hosts Lucas Reuterstig and Alexander Grabner Jarlung discuss this global very common anxiety most of us suffer after vacation.

They explore the fundamental difference between being passionate about what you do and hating every single second of your daily tasks at work, exposing why so many corporate workers dread Monday mornings.

Beyond office culture, Lucas and Alex share actionable strategies for corporate leaders, executives, and public speakers looking to sharpen their workplace communication. They ask such small-talk questions like "How was your vacation?" are missed opportunities, offering a masterclass on how to leverage personal summer experiences for storytelling practice.

Don’t miss out this episode and learn how to master your storytelling from small talks, why coming back to work might seem like your worst nightmare and some small updates on where we’re going in the fall!

Follow us on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headgain.co/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

Join our community

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Connect with Alex

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarlung/

Linkedin: https://se.linkedin.com/in/alexander-grabner-jarlung

Connect with Lucas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_reuterstig/

Linkedin: https://se.linkedin.com/in/reuterstig 

Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered why some speakers get booked continuously while others present to empty rooms?

The answer to that question will be in this exclusive episode of The Public Speaking Podcast, hosted by Alexander Grabner-Jarlung

In this webinar he shares the hard lessons from his long 13 year career in public speaking. From having speaking lessons with David JP Phillips to speaking in front of an empty room of just 10 people, Alex breaks down the painful realities of the industry and how he transformed his approach to build a true career. He also addresses the common downfalls every speaker faces, from fear and information overload to relying on poor feedback, and outlines why simply having a great idea is never enough to get booked.

If you're an aspiring speaker, consultant, or seasoned executive wanting to scale your reach and secure stage opportunities, this masterclass provides the exact roadmap to level up your speaking business.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:44 - What’s the #1 Mistake Holding Speakers Back?

04:27 - The Promise: Real Advice for Getting Booked in 2026

06:58 - Alex's Story: Starting Out with David JP Phillips

08:44 - The Empty Room Nightmare: Facing Frustration & Failure

10:27 - Do You Really Have Something Worth Saying?

12:58 - Mistake #1: Having an Idea But No "Signature Talk"

13:48 - The "Brain Drain" Process: How to Narrow Down Your Topic

17:04 - Mistake #2: Listening to Self-Renowned Experts & Bad Feedback

20:57 - Mistake #3: Never Testing Your Speech on Real Audiences

24:18 - Mistake #4: The Danger of Not Having a Professional Recording

28:41 - Mistake #5: The Lack of a "Unicorn Effect" (Standing Out)

31:18 - The TURBO Framework: From Page to Stage

33:20 - Examples of Unicorn Moments (Climbing Ladders & Hot Sauce)

36:00 - Proof of Concept: Helping Speakers Reach 800,000+ TEDx Views

39:39 - Introducing SPEAKERx

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Website: https://headgain.com/

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Connect with Alex

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarlung/

Linkedin: https://se.linkedin.com/in/alexander-grabner-jarlung 

Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think avoiding conflict keeps the peace? What if your attempt to preserve harmony is secretly killing your business?

In this episode of The Public Speaking Podcast, we sit down with former marketing executive, systemic coach, and conflict resolution specialist Dierdre Messerli.

Dierdre reveals how the toxic habit of suppressing hard truths to keep things pleasant, creates massive "elephants in the room" that drain corporate efficiency and destroy trust. From post-meeting office gossip to silent boardroom awkwardness, she outlines why ignoring minor friction inevitably leads to major workplace blowups, employee turnover, and lost revenue.

For managers, executives, and public speakers, this episode breaks down actionable strategies for mastering psychological safety, leadership communication, and proactive conflict prevention.

Dierdre shares why effective leadership isn't about giving polished speeches, but about preparing thoroughly for uncomfortable discussions and listening with authentic empathy. Learn how to ditch generic industry advice, own your unique message on stage, and step into any room with the courage to turn tension into growth.

Dierdre’s SPEAKERx Signature Talk link: https://youtu.be/ETthb-4BatE?si=jFaOb9cKwth2Zf9q

Connect with Dierdre

Website: dierdremesserli.com & https://www.step-on.ch/

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dierdremesserli

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

Join our community

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Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the traits making you successful are the exact same ones pushing you toward a physical and mental crash?

In this episode of the Public Speaking Podcast, hosts Lucas Reuterstig and Alexander Grabner Jarlung sit down with Linda Berg, CliftonStrengths coach and founder of MindPartner AB, to discuss how stress secretly sabotages your voice.

Linda shares her raw, personal journey of surviving severe burnout. She exposes the terrifying reality of workplace stress, including the shocking statistic that hundreds of people die each year from excessive workloads, and explains why relying on your employer or the healthcare system to save you is a losing battle.

If you've ever felt too exhausted to prepare for a big meeting, this episode delivers your blueprint for sustainable success.

Watch to the end to learn how to cultivate deep self-awareness and build mental resilience so you can step onto any stage with authentic confidence, without sacrificing your mental health.

Connect with Linda

Website: https://yourmindpartner.com/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-berg-b88b3b52

Follow us on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headgain.co/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

Join our community

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Paid skool community: https://www.skool.com/speak

Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lucas and Alex sit down with crisis communications and media relations expert Jennie Zetterström to explore what really happens when the cameras turn on.

She has spent more than 20 years helping leaders, organizations, and public figures communicate in high-pressure situations where a single sentence can change public perception.

Together they unpack why so many media interviews go wrong, why business communication doesn't work in front of journalists, and how trust has become the most valuable skill in a world shaped by AI and constant information overload.

Jennie also shares the surprising lessons she learned long before becoming a communications consultant, how working as a waitress taught her to read people, adapt to different audiences, and build genuine trust through communication.

They talk about:

• Why smart leaders fail media interviews
• The difference between business logic and media logic
• Why preparation matters more than perfect delivery
• The biggest mistakes executives make on camera
• Why trust is becoming the most important communication skill
• How to adapt your message without losing authenticity
• The communication lesson Jennie learned waiting tables that still shapes her coaching today

Whether you're preparing for a podcast, an interview, a keynote, or a difficult conversation, this episode offers practical lessons on communicating with clarity, confidence, and credibility when the stakes are highest.

Connect with Jennie

Website: https://www.buzzmore.se/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-zetterstr%C3%B6m-4a447a75/

Follow us on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headgain.co/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

Join our community

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Paid skool community: https://www.skool.com/speak

Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lucas and Alex sit down with Swedish stand-up comedian and content creator Tomas Kaminski to explore what comedians understand about communication that most public speakers never learn.

Tomas shares how a career in teaching unexpectedly led him to the comedy stage, why making people laugh creates trust, and how bombing in front of a live audience became one of his greatest teachers.

The conversation goes far beyond comedy. They unpack the psychology of attention, the importance of preparation, why likability matters before authority, and how building an audience is just as important as building a great presentation.

Whether you're a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, coach, consultant, or simply someone who wants to communicate with more confidence, this episode offers practical lessons from one of the toughest stages in the world.

They talk about:

Why laughter instantly builds trust

What public speakers can learn from stand-up comedians

The reality of bombing on stage (and why it makes you better)

How comedians adapt when jokes don't land

Building an audience before building a business

Why preparation beats talent

The importance of finding your own voice

Growing a personal brand through consistency instead of shortcuts

If you've ever wondered how comedians can hold a room full of strangers for an hour, this conversation reveals principles that apply to every presentation, keynote, pitch, and business conversation.

Connect with Tomas

Website: https://www.instagram.com/tomas.kaminski/?hl=en

Instagram: https://www.tomaskaminski.com/

Linkedin: https://se.linkedin.com/in/tomas-kaminski-80b91280

Follow us on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headgain.co/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

Join our community

Free skool community: https://www.skool.com/beginner

Paid skool community: https://www.skool.com/speak

Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lucas and Alex sit down with entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant Jim Koetting.

Jim shares lessons from decades of building businesses, leading teams, speaking on stage, and helping organizations improve performance through better communication and stronger leadership.

They explore why leadership problems are often communication problems, how AI is changing the workplace, and why technology can amplify both great leaders and bad ones.

Jim also discusses the ideas behind his book Hijacked, explaining how screens, dopamine, and constant distraction are changing the way people think, communicate, and connect with others.

They talk about:

• Why AI makes you more of what you already are
• The communication skill every leader needs
• Why relationships matter more than talent
• How distraction is affecting modern workplaces
• Why listening is one of the most powerful leadership skills
• Building authority through public speaking

If you're interested in leadership, communication, public speaking, AI, productivity, or building stronger relationships, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Connect with Jim

Website: https://www.jimkoetting.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkoetting1/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimkoetting

Follow us on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headgain.co/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

Join our community

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Paid skool community: https://www.skool.com/speak

Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you losing people during presentations?

Is it the topic? Is it the speaker? Or is it something deeper?

In this episode we sit down and explore why some speakers can make the most boring topic sound fascinating while others can make skydiving sound boring. Lucas and Alex break down the real reasons you might be losing an audience, the mistakes that kill attention and why trying to sound "professional" often has the opposite effect.

They talk about:

• The real reason audiences lose interest

• Why filler words can destroy credibility

• The fastest way to kill a room in the first minute

• Storytelling vs. audience interaction

• Why people remember stories but forget information

• The danger of following presentation templates

• How to make even "boring" topics engaging

• Why being human beats being professional

If you've ever wondered why some presentations captivate a room while others make people reach for their phones, this episode will change the way you think about public speaking.

Follow us on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headgain.co/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepublicspeakingchannel

Website: https://headgain.com/

Join our community

Free skool community: https://www.skool.com/beginner

Paid skool community: https://www.skool.com/speak

Connect with Alex

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarlung/

Linkedin: https://se.linkedin.com/in/alexander-grabner-jarlung

Connect with Lucas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_reuterstig/

Linkedin: https://se.linkedin.com/in/reuterstig 

Get started on your public speaking journey today at https://skool.com/speak

It's where we host classes, courses, live calls and much more!

Join the Best Speaking Community on the Planet! 👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.