What really sets humans apart in the age of AI? Presence. In this episode, I’m joined by Martine Croxall (BBC presenter) and Neil Midgley (former lawyer-turned-journalist & media trainer) to unpack why communication isn’t a “soft skill” at all, it’s an essential skill for leaders who want to influence, persuade, and build a personal brand that actually feels real. We talk about media training vs presentation skills, the biggest communication faux pas (hello jargon + “delighted to announce…”), and why every interview or public appearance is an exchange of commercial value. You’ll also hear how to stay truthful without oversharing, how to avoid sounding scripted in the social media era, and how to show up as an amplified version of your “resting state self”, confident, warm, and credible. If you’re a lawyer, exec, founder, or leader who’s ever thought “I’m not a natural speaker” or “I just want to be authentic,” this episode will give you a practical framework (and a few laughs) to show up better, on stage, on podcasts, on panels, and in the room. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 2:27 – The AI era: why “presence” is the real differentiator 9:20 – Traits Martin sees in female leaders + transferable confidence 13:45 – Personal brand today: authenticity that isn’t performative 16:19 – “Amplify your resting state self” (authentic vs “media-trained”) 21:46 – Media training vs presentation skills: what each actually covers 28:05 – Biggest communication faux pas: jargon, no purpose, no stories 31:12 – Every interview is an exchange of commercial value 57:11 – Death by PowerPoint: why dense slides dilute your impact 1:16:02 – How to measure if your speaking is “working” + getting real feedback What we cover Why presence becomes the differentiator as AI automates technical tasks The difference between media training (answering questions) and presentation skills (speaking on your feet) The communication framework: audience, purpose, and one key message How to build a personal brand that’s true to you, not a performance Why clarity beats jargon when you want your message to travel Print interview strategy: the 8 quotes + 10-word headline approach The biggest presentation trap: slides as scripts and “death by PowerPoint” Why audiences disengage when they sense manufactured emotion How to use warmth, humor, and playfulness appropriately to connect Key takeaways Communication is not “soft.” It’s an essential leadership skill, especially in the AI era. The goal isn’t to become someone else, it’s to be a bigger, better version of you. Authenticity isn’t oversharing. You can be truthful while staying within professional and legal guardrails. Every public appearance is an exchange of value, know what value you want before you say yes. Start answers with the point, not the preamble. Attention is a two-second decision now. If your slides work as handouts, they’re probably too dense to support great delivery. When audiences smell fakery, they tune out, online and on stage. Guest Resources Upstage Training: https://upstagetraining.com Martine Croxall on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themartinecroxall/?hl=en Martine Croxall on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martine-croxall-b0988a5/ Neil Midgley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-midgley/ Lift Your Voice, Power Your Ambition: https://www.upstagetraining.com/2026   Connect with Me 🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlène-gisèle-bourliout/ ✉️ Subscribe to my Life Less Burnt Out Newsletter If this episode resonated with you, share it with a high-performing leader who’s brilliant at what they do — but knows their message deserves to land more powerfully.