The Speechwriter's Room

Speechwriter -- and soon-to-be keynoter at the Professional Speechwriters Association's 2026 World Conference -- Eleonora Russell drops by today's show.

To register for the PSA World Conference in Washington, DC from October 26-28, 2026, go to: https://prorhetoric.com/event/psa-world-conference/

In this episode, Eleonora Russell discusses what makes her speechwriting collaboration with Dutch naval officer, Admiral (ret.) Rob Bauer, click, as well as what it means to demonstrate "leadership by speech." Admiral Bauer and Eleonora Russell have co-written a book titled: "If You Want Peace, Prepare for War: A Blueprint for Deterrence."

To learn more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/

In this episode, Mary serves up the insights that speechwriters can draw from cooking shows (with a special thanks to speechwriter Sarah Gruen for inspiring the theme). Mary starts with broad speechwriting lessons, like following a structure, to the sausage-making of various rhetorical devices and how to avoid fallacies when making logical arguments. 

The New York Times article that Mary references during the show can be found here: “Some Obama Enemies Are Made Totally of Straw.”

To learn more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/. 

Speechwriter, humorist, Senior Director at West Wing Writers, and star baker Sarah Gruen stops by The Speechwriter's Room to share what it was like crafting remarks for the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Sarah also describes what publishing pieces under her own name has taught her about writing speeches for others.

For our speech breakdown, Sarah chose the remarkable commencement address that Nora Ephron delivered at Wellesley College in 1996.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUzt5DrwCSw

Transcript: https://www1.wellesley.edu/events/commencement/archives/1996COMMENCEMENT

To learn more about the host of the show, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/,

From vivid detail to storytelling to easily understood language, all speechwriters could take a page from country song writers. In this episode, Mary explores the speechwriting lessons that can be found in hit country songs from 1995.

The research from Princeton that Mary cites in the show can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acp.1178

The Columbia University study Mary references is here: https://business.columbia.edu/insights/business-society/hidden-impact-professional-jargon-how-language-reveals-status-and

A partner at Bully Pulpit International, a former White House speechwriter, and a mentor to many, Jeff Nussbaum stops by The Speechwriter’s Room to talk persuasion, soundbites, and where he goes “to get yelled at by hundreds of Democratic officials.” He also shares the story behind John Lewis’s speech at the March on Washington, which is featured in Jeff's book titled Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches that Would Have Rewritten History.

From Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact to Bill Pullman in Independence Day, American cinema has offered up some iconic portrayals of fictional American presidents. These pretend U.S. leaders especially shine on screen when they deliver gut-wrenching and heartfelt speeches. In this episode, Mary takes a look at what real-life speakers and speechwriters can learn from some of the most memorable made-up presidential speeches from movies.

Kat Kane stops by The Speechwriter's Room to talk about her background in cable news, writing for a principal with possibly the busiest speaking schedule on the planet, and how she helps clients maintain their authenticity behind the podium.

Plus, while Kat is new to the Knicks bandwagon, she expertly details what made NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's speech at the Knicks championship parade so memorable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciimC-cE_eI

Kat Kane is a partner at the speechwriting firm Fenway Strategies.

To learn more about the host of The Speechwriter's Room, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/.

Communications pro and Taylor Swift scholar Seth Nelson visits The Speechwriter's Room to share lessons that speechwriters and speakers can learn from Taylor Swift, including how to create a moment, knowing your audience, and using vulnerability strategically.

Read Seth Nelson's original piece of writing on this topic here: https://www.frontwoodstrategies.com/our-work/taylor

Seth is the communications director at Evergreen Action. https://www.evergreenaction.com/people/seth-nelson/

For Ezra Zwaeli, poetry not only informs how he writes speeches, but how he approaches life. He joins The Speechwriter's Room for a discussion on what it's like to perform slam poetry, how to make wonky policies relatable in speeches, and how to foster creativity in a hectic work environment.

Ezra is the former director of speechwriting for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. In the conversation, Ezra describes the objectives for Mayor Wu’s opening statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2025, which can be found here: https://youtu.be/0i21cliuoXo.

In celebration of the Class of 2026, Mary takes a look back on commencement addresses from U.S. leaders that set the country on a new path. 

President Lyndon B. Johnson unveiled his plans for “The Great Society” in commencement remarks at the University of Michigan. After 9/11, President George W. Bush spoke at the United States Military Academy where he pressed his case for pre-emptive strikes in the war on terror. At American University’s graduation ceremony in 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech entitled “A Strategy of Peace.” 

Mary takes a deeper dive into the stories behind two specific commencement addresses. First, she discusses President Roosevelt’s remarks at the University of Virginia’s commencement in 1940, including the influence that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had on the final draft. In that speech, FDR announced that the United States would be delivering additional aid to Great Britain and the Allies.  

The episode concludes with Secretary of State George C. Marshall’s remarks at Harvard University in 1947. In this speech, he announced the Marshall Plan for Europe. 

Additional sources for this episode: 

No Ordinary Time: Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin 

https://fdrlibrary.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/found-in-the-archives-6/

https://uvamagazine.org/articles/the_hand_that_held_the_dagger

https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2001/winter/crafting-day-of-infamy-speech.html

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/html/1997/05/marshall.html

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/html/1997/05/marshall.speech.html