The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

In this quick tip episode, I'm letting you in on one of the most overlooked — but totally game-changing — parts of any talk: the segue.

It's that moment between a killer story and your next point where everything suddenly feels… awkward.

Where the energy drops, the audience blinks, and you find yourself muttering: "Anyway… moving on." 😬

Yeah. That bit.

Whether you're telling a personal story, landing a teaching point, or sliding into your call-to-action — how you move between moments can make or break your talk.

Inside my weekly Skills Lab, my clients have been working this — and in this episode, I'm sharing the best bits to help you turn your transitions from clunky to captivating.

What you'll discover: • Why bad segues make your talk feel like a school play (and how to fix it) • How to stop saying "anyway…" and start sounding like a pro • The "bridge words" that glue your talk together seamlessly • How to move from story to insight (and insight to CTA) without killing the vibe • The CTA mistake that makes you sound like a sales bot — and what to do instead • Real-life lab exercises that helped speakers go from stiff to slick in less than 60 minutes

Whether you're prepping for a keynote, pitching your programme from stage, or just want your talk to flow like Netflix, this episode will give you the tools to speak smoother, sell smarter, and sound like a total pro.

Enjoy — and try not to say "anyway" after this. 😉

Chris Voss was the FBI's lead international hostage negotiator… but these days, he's helping CEOs, speakers, and sales pros negotiate million-pound deals, win high-stakes conversations, and get results — without pushing, pitching, or people-pleasing.

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by the author of Never Split the Difference to explore how you can use his real-world-tested negotiation techniques to build trust fast, shift resistant clients into action, and speak with more power and presence.

And yes — I even used one of his own tactics to get him to say "yes" to coming on the show! Whether you're trying to book more speaking gigs, close better clients, or simply influence with integrity — this one's packed with actionable diamonds!

What you'll discover:

• How Chris Voss went from SWAT and undercover ops to suicide hotlines and high-stakes hostage negotiation — and why it made him one of the world's top communication experts.
• What compelled Chris to share his FBI-developed negotiation system with the world instead of retiring into the sunset — and how that decision shaped Never Split the Difference.
• The one negotiation tactic that sounds great on paper… but can actually backfire, and what to do instead.
• Chris's ride-or-die technique — the one negotiation move he'd keep if all others were off the table.
• The common "influence" move that actually kills deals faster than anything — and what to replace it with.
• How Chris would handle a client who's stalling on a deadline or payment — and the exact question he'd use to move them into action.
• The subtle ways Chris reads and influences a room when he's speaking — and how his FBI experience shapes his delivery and timing.
• Why "labelling the room" during a talk can deepen audience connection — and how to read silent resistance and adjust in the moment.
• What the concept of the "Black Swan" means for public speaking — and how spotting the right insight can completely change your impact.
• How to make your audience feel in control (even if you're the one guiding them) — and why that's the secret to ethical influence and increased action.
• Why "Yes is nothing without how" — and how to use this principle in your calls to action so that people actually follow through after your talk.

Enjoy!

I first came across Adele Bates when I was judging the Storytelling category at the Speaker Awards—and her talk really stood out and grabbed my attention.

It was powerful, authentic, challenging and captivating.

She didn't just tell the story. She performed it. Her talk built drama and connected emotionally to the audience, leading you to see a new perspective.

Based on that performance and the fact that she went on to win the award for best storyteller, I knew I had to get her on the show.

Not only did I want her to unpack the craft behind that talk, but I also wanted to dig into the powerful work she's doing at the intersection of education, leadership, and human behaviour.

Adele has over 20 years' experience working in some of the most challenging educational environments—mainstream, special, and alternative provision. Her journey has taken her from classrooms where she's had juice poured over her head and skateboards hurled at her… to research trips across the globe… to keynote stages and international recognition.

She is the author of "Miss, I Don't Give A Sh*t: Engaging with Challenging Behaviour in Schools. And today she and her team also work with organisations and leaders to tackle challenging dynamics in the workplace.

Whether you're a speaker, leader, educator or changemaker, Adele's stories and insights will challenge your thinking, stir your empathy, and give you practical tools for connection and communication.

What You'll Discover:

• What triggered Adele to set off on a quest to discover a different way of approaching dealing with challenging behaviour.
• The key values that guide Adele's work with both students and corporate leaders.
• How to hold high expectations and compassion without burning out.
• The real disconnect between behaviour policies and lived experience in schools.
• The surprise career Adele had before she became a teacher and how she made the transition from educator to paid keynote speaker.
• The big mistake she made with a speaking client that she would never make again.
• Why it doesn't matter if you are introverted or extroverted to be successful as a speaker.
• How she developed the award-winning storytelling section of her talk.
• The single piece of feedback that transformed her speaking presence.

All things Adele:

Nicola S. Morgan is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and author who helps individuals and organisations transform chaos into calm, and emotional strain into sustainable strength. With a background in education and behavioural change, she specialises in resilience, emotional wellbeing, and effective behaviour strategies—skills she's delivered to thousands of professionals across schools, public services, and corporate teams.

Nicola's powerful storytelling and practical frameworks have earned her accolades, including Best TEDx Talk 2024 at the Speaker Awards, where her talk resonated deeply with audiences navigating stress and uncertainty.

She's not just a speaker—she's walked the talk. From overcoming a fear of deep water to completing a swim across the English Channel, Nicola's own journey fuels her message about courage, mindset, and unfinished business.

Whether she's helping a school leader navigate conflict or guiding a speaker to handle stage pressure with grace, Nicola equips people with the tools to stay calm, connected, and effective—even under stress.

What You'll Discover:

• What drove Nicola to swim the English Channel… despite a fear of deep water
• How "unfinished business" can become a secret weapon for confidence and growth
• The behind-the-scenes story of her award-winning TEDx talk—and whether that captain's comment haunted or inspired her
• The surprising moment she realised she had a message the world needed to hear
• The resilience skill that works just as well in a school staffroom as it does in a high-stakes boardroom
• Why the strongest speakers aren't the toughest—but the most flexible
• The personal 'Nicola-ism' she uses before taking the stage to stay grounded and in control
• The biggest mindset shift she had to make moving from teacher and writer to keynote speaker
• A simple behaviour shift that can instantly boost your speaker presence
• The #1 lie your brain tells you when you're under pressure—and how to shut it down fast

Enjoy!

"Just breathe" is one of the most common pieces of advice given to speakers and performers who feel anxious about stepping onto the stage (be that online or in person) — but what if the way you're breathing is actually making things worse?

Breathing might seem like an automatic function, but the truth is, most of us are doing it wrong… and it's costing us calm, clarity, and confidence.

My guest, Manny Rodriguez, learned this the hard way.

After enlisting in the Army at 28, Manny suffered a back injury that led to years of heavy-duty prescription drugs, a near-death experience, and an 18-year journey to reclaim his health and peace of mind.

His key turning point? Breathing.

Manny's recovery introduced him to tactical breathing — a practice originally used by special forces to stay calm under pressure — and he's now teaching it to first responders, senior citizens, corporate leaders, and speakers who want to master their nervous system and show up with power and presence.

In this episode, Manny shares his extraordinary story, why breathwork is the real foundation of public speaking, and the practical tools he uses to help people go from panicked to present.

If you've ever felt like nerves are running the show when you speak — or you just want to feel more in control of your mind and body — this conversation is a must-listen.

What You'll Discover:

• Why healing his nervous system was the real key to Manny finding his voice
• How trauma affects your breath — and why that matters for speakers
• What 'tactical breathing' is and how it helps you stay calm in chaos
• The surprising reason 'box breathing' might actually backfire, rather than help you and what you can do about it
• Manny's AIRSPEND model to create a breathing foundation that supports speaking, performance, and calm
• How simply breathing through your nose can change your sleep, focus, and energy
• The link between posture, breath, and vocal power
• How reconnecting with your body improves your presence on stage
• The difference between reacting and responding — and how breathwork shifts the balance

Enjoy!