Once in a while, an audience is less emotive than most, leaving a speaker to wonder, "Are they listening?"

Mark and Darren discuss that question today while providing perspective, context, and solid suggestions for presenting well in those circumstances.

SNIPPETS:

• Always be present

• Bring your 'A GAME'

• Don't let a stoic audience affect your mission

• External factors may affect audience response

• Not every audience emotes

• Create an environment that is conducive to listening

• Be aware of the atmosphere and read the room

• Consider the context of the event

• Look for the audience member who is ALL-IN

• Feed the audience members who feed you

• Find a way to eliminate a center aisle when possible

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

"I just need…" is a phrase that eager speakers often use when asking for advice. Oftentimes it's followed by "a few tweaks," "a punch-up," "to add humor," "a little polish," or something similar.

Today, Darren and Mark analyze this simple phrase and offer a perspective that will inspire you to examine it more closely. This episode will help you identify what you REALLY need, to be unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• You don't know what you don't know

• Don't just add a little humor; uncover it

• Your NEED could only be a WANT

• You may need much more than you think you do

• Learn what you need by watching yourself on video

• Consult pros and experts

• Change "I just need" to "What do I need?"

• Set ego aside

• Determine what's best for your audience

• Leave no stone unturned as you strive to serve your audience

• Seek ways to improve on every presentation

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

There is a popular adage that says, "If you don't ask, the answer is always 'No'."

In this episode, Mark and Darren talk about the benefits of asking for guidance, and how to respond, regardless of the answer. Asking can be your game-changer.

SNIPPETS:

• The answer is in the asking

• When you ask, you can become a mentor magnet

• Ask humbly, sincerely, honestly, and respectfully

• Learn all you can during your client pre-event call

• Ask more than one person/expert

• Be coachable and take their advice

• Respect their time and expertise

• Clarify your intent behind your ask

• Don't ask another question until you've followed the previous instructions

• Be understanding when the answer is 'No.'

• Don't take 'No' personally

• If the answer is 'No', ask for a referral or another resource

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

One way to increase audience buy-in is to customize your presentation.

Today, Darren and Mark dive into the why and how of customization. Applying these ideas will help any presenter to be unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Customizing isn't just using the company's logo and name on your slides

• Do some homework and conduct research on your client

• Get permission to speak with 10 significant audience members beforehand

• Learn all you can during your client pre-event call

• Two weeks in advance, find out what's top-of-mind for your audience

• Arrive at the event at least a day early

• Attend mixers and social gatherings at the event

• Pay attention to hallway conversations

• Connect your material to their world

• Be flexible enough to make adjustments in the moment

• Use the Fripp Speech Model; it is easily customizable

• Replace one of your stories/examples with one from your client

• Take photos and video at the event and insert them into your presentation

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

To truly win your audience, you must identify and address their pain points.

In this episode, Mark and Darren discuss the importance of understanding them and offer suggestions for uncovering them.

SNIPPETS:

• Pain points are triggers

• Learn your audience's pet peeves, pain points, and frustrations

• Identify what's top-of-mind to your audience

• Our responsibility is to connect our content to their pain

• Understanding pain points shows that you care

• To connect, you must first understand

• Understanding pain points can help you build community

• Research and confirm their pain points

• ASK about their pain points

• Stories from your life will connect to your audience's experience

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

The business of speaking can bring myriad complications and stressors.

But in the midst of all that, Darren and Mark offer a reminder to enjoy the privilege of the speaking experience. Remaining joyful despite all that comes our way, will help those around us to see us as unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Choose to find the fun…and the funny

• Remember your WHY

• Accept the challenges that come in the industry

• Relax. Breathe. Focus

• Use your frustrations as speech material

• Never lose perspective

• Don't forget the privilege

• Be thankful for the opportunity

It's easy to present principles, practices, and procedures, but the value is diminished when the speaker lacks experience. Today, Mark and Darren talk about the significance of bringing the lessons learned from your own successes and failure…the lessons that give you credibility and help make you unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Bring YOU to every presentation

• No one pays for regurgitated wisdom

• Transfer value from your own experience

• Share lessons from the life you live

• Credibility has an impact on your reputation

• Get experience in the area of your focus

• Let your passion drive you to do research

• Use your personal stories

• Live it, then give it

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Speakers often open a speech with a greeting, a story, a strong statement, or a question. However, comedians use a technique that many speakers haven't mastered. Humorist, Hollywood producer, and Stage Time faculty member Chris McGuire sits down with Darren and Mark to expand on this technique and shows how any presenter can find gold mines that can make you unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Do what comedians do

• It's all about connecting first

• Use a 'warm open'; don't jump right in or use small talk.

• "Before we get started…"

• Establish Commonality through Incongruity

• Uncover the Gold Mines like the humble surroundings

• Address the elephants in the room

• Talk about what you have in common with the audience

• Respect and connect

• Your audience should feel that you wrote your speech just for them

• Use callbacks

• Sharpen your Humor Detector

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Would you be willing to face an international audience of thousands with a clear message about personal faith?

Today, Mark and Darren talk with a man who did just that in the 2025 World Championship of Public Speaking. Taylor Candella shares his path to the final and the conviction that drove him to take a significant risk. Taking a risk can make you unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Don't listen to negative voices

• Commit to your promise

• Take a risk

• Push yourself to compete

• Select your test audience

• Feel the room in advance

• If speaking first in competition, set the tone

• Get ready with your 'race day ritual'

• The reward should outweigh the risk

• Deliver your risky message respectfully

• Speak with CONVICTION

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Imagine a life-threatening tragedy, a miraculous fight for recovery, later speaking to more than 2,700 global audiences, and then the international release of a major motion picture about your life.

That's the story of today's guest as Mark and Darren have a heart-to-heart chat with John O'Leary, subject of the 2025 film SOUL ON FIRE. John shares his journey and offers firm yet loving advice on professional speaking. He also dispenses wisdom and encouragement on living a meaningful life, from a perspective that will help any presenter to become unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Don't run from your scars

• Don't seek an average life

• Say "Yes!"

• Love your life even when it's ugly

• Your life: What GIFT

• You're invited to become a hero

• Remind others what courage looks like amidst pain

• You must step through the process of building your presentation

• Become better at building your business

• Tell the truth

• Be wide open to feedback

• Seek bigger impact; bigger stages and bigger paychecks will follow

• Focus on your craft and be humble

Check it out:

https://soulonfiremovie.com/