Words that Change Lives

Words that Change Lives

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Words that Change Lives episodes

  • Ep 32: The Path to 10k Speaking Gigs

    Ready to step onto the grand stage and command top-tier fees for your speaking engagements? In this episode, Helen explores the art of speaking for £10,000 per gig. Whether you're an aspiring speaker or looking to elevate your existing speaking career, this episode provides a step-by-step journey from speaking for free to becoming a highly sought-after thought leader. Helen shares insights, real-world experiences, and strategic advice to help you turn your passion for speaking into a lucrative and impactful profession. 

    Here are the highlights:

    01:21 Paid talks expertise: events speaking and curation

    05:42 Charge fees or gain exposure for speaking engagements.

    09:19 Keynote coaching for credibility at 5k gigs.

    10:24 Create and refine your signature keynote talk.

    13:56 Keynote speakers must solve a 250k problem.

    17:15 Reach high-paying gigs with the right approach.

    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Want to become a credible speaker, commanding fees and landing paid gigs in the corporate world? 

    Book a turbo call and Helen will help you create an action plan

    https://helenpackham.as.me/?appointmentType=6646858



    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    19 min
  • Ep 31: Embracing Generational Diversity with Adele Stickland

    In an era where diverse generational perspectives shape our workplaces and personal lives, understanding and bridging these divides has never been more critical. In this episode, Helen talks to Adele Stickland to delve into generational diversity and the profound impact of effective communication.

    Adele, a coach, trainer, and speaker with an MSc in organisational psychology, brings a wealth of knowledge on managing difficult conversations and enhancing overall workplace dynamics. Together, Helen and Adele explore the nuances that define different generations—from Baby Boomers to Generation Alpha—highlighting their unique communication styles, challenges, and leadership approaches.

    Here are the highlights:

    03:35 Generational communication gap widened by technology evolution.

    06:12 Intergenerational leadership challenges in the digital age.

    09:59 Critical thinking is essential for senior leaders.

    15:42 Tech pioneers influence; senior leaders maintain workforce dynamics.

    20:53 Gen Z: highly aware, concerned, environmentally conscious.

    29:29 Entrenched behavior discourages speaking up.

    32:51 Generational workforce resistance addressed in TEDx talk.

    37:35 Showcasing expertise, passion, and generational contributions.

    41:45 Different messages resonate with different people.

    43:56 Focus on the message, not yourself.




    Connect with: Adele Stickland

    Adele Stickland is an experienced coach, trainer, and speaker, specialising in navigating difficult conversations and enhancing communication within the workplace. With an MSc in Organisational Psychology and as an ICF Accredited Coach, Adele combines her academic knowledge with real-world experience to help teams communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, and foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment.

    Adele’s approach is grounded in the belief that effective communication is the cornerstone of successful leadership and team dynamics. She is passionate about helping individuals and teams tackle challenging discussions head-on, whether it’s addressing conflict, providing feedback, or navigating sensitive topics. Her bespoke coaching and training programs empower leaders and employees alike to communicate with clarity, empathy, and purpose, ensuring that even the most challenging conversations lead to positive outcomes and stronger workplace relationships.

    Adele is a TEDx speaker who has delivered thought-provoking insights on generational dynamics in the workplace. Her engaging workshops and training sessions help organisations bridge generational gaps, align strategies with both individual and business goals, and build cohesive, high-performing teams.


    You can watch her TEDx talk here: https://youtu.be/2D77lXDtK0w?si=A6fLcV7UXdqNk4rD. 

    Website: www.adelestickland.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelestickland/


    Subscribe to her newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6902286150153703426 



    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Get instant, free access to my cracking the TEDx code workshop walking you through the steps to land a TEDx gig

    https://helenpackham.lpages.co/tedx-code-workshop/



    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    51 min
  • Ep 30: How to Build Presence

    In this episode, we dive deep into the world of presence—how we convey ourselves physically and vocally to create a lasting impression. Whether you’re an aspiring speaker, seasoned leader, or business owner, building presence can dramatically elevate the impact of your words. Drawing inspiration from the works of Amy Cuddy and Julian Treasure, Helen unpacks how body language and vocal tonality shape how others perceive us and how we feel about ourselves.

    Helen shares personal stories and offers actionable tips on how you can develop presence in your everyday life as well as when you’re giving keynotes, presentations, or public talks. You’ll discover how simple techniques can help you “take up space” and feel more confident, grounded, and in control.

    Here are the highlights:

    00:12 Powerful language for impactful communication.

    03:06 How to adopt a confident presence.

    07:43 Strategies for building presence with body language and communication.

    13:23 Moving with your story.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Presence by Amy Cuddy
    • Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk: Your body language may shape who you are
    • Julian Treasure’s TED Talk: How to speak so that people want to listen

    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Get instant, free access to my master series where I presence in more detail in the workshop ‘Impact.’ 


    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk



    17 min
  • Ep 29: Communicating across Cultures with Zoe Cousens

    In this episode, Helen dives into the complexities of communicating across cultures with her guest, Zoe Cousens. With over 30 years of experience in the investment sector and a strong track record of working in diverse countries such as the UK, Dubai, and Hong Kong, Zoe provides invaluable insights into the nuances of global communication. Together, they explore essential topics like conflict resolution, cultural sensitivity in leadership, and the foundational steps for building a successful coaching business. 

    Here are the highlights:


    06:09 Understanding cultural differences through work and travel.

    09:44 Helen reiterates immersion is essential to understand cultural differences.

    12:38 Cultural misunderstandings can lead to contract issues.

    19:16 Researched feasibility, and set up Women's Investment Network.

    21:18 Understanding cultural issues is important for leaders.

    28:26 Understanding cultural hierarchies is essential for leaders.

    32:13 Cultural differences in attitudes towards punctuality.

    36:09 Changed perspective, found Helen to work with, grateful for guidance.

    39:44 Helen shares that it is important to focus on foundational building blocks for clarity.


    Connect with Zoe Cousens

    Zoë began her long career in finance as one of the first women to work in the London Stock Exchange in the 1980's. She is based in Guernsey and has also worked in Dubai and Hong Kong. She is the Founder of the Women's Investment Network, a financial literacy program to inspire women to learn about money management, and encourage them to save and invest. 

     

    She is a regular speaker at events such as CBRE Women in Business, and has won several professional awards including the Global Women's Business Club Top Ten Voices 2024. She has been regularly interviewed and published in the UK and UAE media.

     

    Zoë enjoys assisting start-up founders with business advice and capital raising. Now aged 62, she is studying a Master's Degree in Executive Coaching & Mentoring, sharing her knowledge and expertise to help her clients to reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals.

     

    Website: https://thewomensinvestmentnetwork.com/about/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoecousens/


    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    If you are looking for ways to improve communication across your global teams get in touch at [email protected]


    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    43 min
  • Ep 28: Transform Boring Data Driven Presentations with These Tips

    Banish Boredom in the BoardRoom. Helen takes you through an essential skill for leaders, coaches, and business owners alike: transforming dull, data-driven presentations into captivating, impactful experiences. Drawing from her career in learning, development, and public speaking, Helen shares five expert tips grounded in dual coding theory - a psychological principle that enhances comprehension by combining verbal and visual information.

    In this episode, you'll learn how to replace tedious slides filled with text and charts with engaging storytelling, powerful visuals, memorable acronyms, thought-provoking metaphors, and accessible supplementary resources. Whether you're presenting quarterly sales figures, leading a project update, or conveying complex messages to your team, these strategies will help you connect emotionally with your audience, making your content not just heard, but retained and acted upon. 

    Here are the highlights:


    02:40 Enhancing the impact of spoken messages, ditching PowerPoint.

    06:39 Highlight outcomes, growth, teams and storytelling for presentations.

    08:11 Use relevant visuals and utilise acronyms.

    11:56 Provide alternative sources for presenting data effectively.


    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Get instant, free access to my master series where I explore storytelling and strategies to increase the impact of your communication in more detail. 


    Do your teams need support in enhancing their briefings and presentations? Get in touch and let’s explore how I can help.

    [email protected]


    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    16 min
  • Ep 27: Becoming a Thought Leader in Your Industry

    What does being a thought leader actually mean? 

    Sharing her personal journey and insights from her career in leadership development and entrepreneurship, Helen unpacks thought leadership’s evolution, the criticisms it has faced, and the importance in establishing credibility, trust, and influence in becoming known as a true thought leader.  

    She explores various types of thought leadership from industry-specific insights to visionary ideas and offers strategies to help you build your own thought leader status, leverage your unique expertise, engage with your audience, and create a lasting impact with your message. Whether you're aiming to win clients, secure promotions, or inspire others, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to positioning yourself as the go-to expert in your field. 

    Here are the highlights:

    00:28 Becoming known as an expert and influential leader.

    04:13 Spotting trends and expertise in industry criticism.

    08:40 Demonstrating expertise builds credibility and a positive image.

    12:17 Sharing thought leadership, innovative case studies, positioning.

    14:50 Value authenticity, visibility, engagement, and thought leadership.

    17:12 Define values, unique strengths, and audience understanding.

    22:52 Create valuable content to build a thought leader brand.

    25:18 Building thought leader status: consistency, visibility, articulation.


    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Take my free AIR assessment to measure your levels of thought leadership.


    Get instant, free access to my master series where I explore how to become a thought leader in more detail.


    Become a thought leader by landing a TEDx gig. Join my free cracking the TEDx code workshop for all the juicy details.


    My Ultimate Speaker programme takes you through the steps to become a thought leader in your field and build a professional profile through speaking. 


    Book a call to explore how I can help you become a thought leader in your industry.


    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    28 min
  • Ep 26: Take Off Your Professional Armour and Communicate More Authentically

    In this episode, Helen shares her personal journey from corporate life to business owner, revealing the invisible suit of armour she used to wear to feel more confident. She explores the pitfalls of maintaining rigid professional personas and offers practical strategies for removing that armour to connect more deeply and authentically with colleagues, clients, and audiences alike. Drawing on timeless models like the Johari Window, she provides actionable insights to break down barriers and foster genuine communication.

    Here are the highlights:

    05:51 Balancing personal branding with a professional image in business.

    08:32 Struggling to balance professional and personal life can lead to increased stress levels and hinder personal growth. 

    11:14 Business leaders must share openly to grow. 

    14:56 Embrace authentic communication and foster stronger professional relationships through mindful interaction and understanding.

    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Get instant, free access to my master series where I explore building presence in more detail ands confidence through body language in more detail. 


    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    17 min
  • Ep 25: Exactly What to Say with Phil M Jones

    Helen explores the art of powerful language and its transformative impact with the help of her special guest, Phil M Jones. Phil is a renowned entrepreneur behind five multimillion-dollar companies, an accomplished author of seven books, and a producer of acclaimed audiobooks on persuasion and influence. In this episode, they’ll uncover how strategic curiosity, purposeful questions, and creating inclusive environments can elevate your communication skills.

    Tune in to uncover exactly what to say to create lasting impressions, drive results, and maintain integrity in every conversation. 

    Here are the highlights:

    04:33 Becoming a professional involves relentless and ongoing practice.

    07:23 To achieve success, choose bravery, influence, and curiosity. 

    10:46 Misguided parental advice leads to self-awareness realisation.

    13:21 Inclusive space allows for right results and efficiency.

    17:03 Improve morning huddle to boost productivity effectively.

    22:31 Influence with integrity when asking for money and over deliver.

    26:20 Be better than your speaking fee.

    32:06 Creating a work environment that encourages speaking up poses a tough challenge. 

    34:37 Create a culture of allowing people to speak up.

    39:19 Using a tactical approach to handle objections effectively.

    48:07 Committed to raising consciousness through curiosity and empathy.

    50:29 Emotional understanding in communication surpasses technology's capabilities.


    Connect with: Phil M Jones

    An entrepreneurial success story and founder of 5 multimillion dollar companies, Phil M Jones is Strategic Advisor to pioneering leaders of the world’s biggest brands. The author of 7 best-selling books including the “Exactly” Book Series with over 2 million copies sold, he is the Producer of the “Most Listened To” Audiobook of all time and Innovator of the highly coveted “How to Persuade” audible production. To date, more than 800 different industries, across 59 countries and 5 continents have benefited from his input. Phil recently joined a long list of global leaders who serve in residence at High Point University’s Access to Innovators Program. 

    He had his first business at just 14 years of age and is the youngest recipient of the “British Excellence in Sales and Marketing” award.

    A sought after advisor to global brands, creator of the most listened to non-fiction audiobook of all time and a firm believer that almost every problem could be prevented or solved if more people just knew EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY.

    Here to help YOU make more of YOUR conversations count. 

    Find out more: https://exactlywhattosay.com/


    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Get instant, free access to my master series where I explore how to elevate the impact of your communication in more detail. 

    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    54 min
  • Ep 24: Stop Using Timelines in Your Stories and Do This Instead

    In this episode, Helen Packham challenges the conventional approach to storytelling by discouraging the use of straightforward timelines. Instead, she encourages you to explore more dynamic and engaging methods such as nonlinear narratives, thematic structures, flashbacks, multiple perspectives, and framing devices. Using examples from film and literature, she illustrates the power of these techniques to enhance emotional engagement, maintain audience interest, and deepen character and thematic development. Tune in as Helen provides practical strategies and tips for incorporating these storytelling methods into your talks and presentations, helping you create a more impactful narrative. If you're ready to uplevel your storytelling techniques this episode is for you. 

    Here are the highlights:

    01:03 Avoid timeline storytelling, share the impact instead.

    05:11 Structures can be theme-centered for engagement.

    09:10 Using framing devices enhances storytelling with layers.

    10:35 Create tension, immerse the audience, show character growth, end with a strong conclusions

    13:44 Use quotes as framing devices in presentations.


    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Get instant, free access to my master series where I explore storytelling in more detail. I share more on how you can develop your core story, and how you can use storytelling in your talks, meetings and presentations to increase their impact. 


    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk


    16 min
  • Ep 23: What to do When Your Core Story Isn't Linear with Lisa Sheerin

    In today’s episode, Helen interviews Lisa Sheerin, whose journey is a testament to the power of resilience and embracing a non-linear career path. In this episode, Lisa opens up about her initial struggles and frustrations in the acting industry, detailing her emotional challenges and the transformative decision to train as an indoor exercise coach during drama school. She shares how these unexpected roles in fitness and children's entertainment not only led to personal growth but also carved a unique path toward business success.

    They explore her innovative "Speak Proud" method for public speaking, designed especially for women to overcome imposter syndrome and deliver impactful presentations. Listen to learn more about the significance of nonlinear career trajectories, the fusion of diverse skills, and the undeniable power of words. 

    Here are the highlights:

    03:30 Finding your purpose and direction in life.

    07:32 Determined pursuit leads to successful drama school admission.

    11:02 Reflecting on emotional vocational learning experience fulfillment.

    14:28 Supportive pivotal moment leads to transformative role.

    17:14 Gender bias hindered youthful acting aspirations and feedback.

    22:31 Struggling with self-doubt and seeking external validation

    23:33 Struggles and nonlinear path led to success.

    30:57 Unique style led to a successful and fear-free career.

    33:42 COVID halted physical jobs, and prompted a self-reflection period.

    37:42 Embrace self-promotion and confidence in public speaking.

    40:16 Building confidence through positive self-talk and techniques.

    43:44 Inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and achieving success through vulnerability and passion.

    About Lisa Sheerin:

    Lisa founded Speak Proud as an executive public speaking coach, helping her clients in corporate roles, and those running businesses to embrace public speaking in order to accelerate their confidence and careers. 

     

    Through a combination of coaching and mentoring, using her Speak Proud Expert Method, Lisa helps unblock fears around public speaking, and using proven performance tools and techniques to soar high, on stage, and/or online.

     

     Lisa is a trained actor with over twenty years experience working in theatre, film and voice-over, with notable appearances at the Royal Court Theatre and Raindance Film Festival.

     

    Lisa is an accredited coach with the International Coaching Federation.

     

    Lisa also has a personal passion for coaching group exercise, and works as a spinning coach at Third Space health clubs.


    Connect with Lisa:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasheerinspeakproud/


    Listen to Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk (referenced in the podcast episode) ‘Flight of the Hummingbird: The curiosity driven life’:

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ZdvLwc7V7BUntW2GuTKe4


    Connect with Helen:

    Website: helenpackham.com

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham


    Get instant, free access to my master series where I explore storytelling in more detail. I share more on how you can develop your core story, and how you can use storytelling in your talks, meetings and presentations to increase their impact. 


    Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

    47 min

About Words that Change Lives

From the publisher's feed

Would you like to improve your ability to connect with others in a world where mutual understanding appears to be declining?