Own the Microphone

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a teacher turned speaker who helps start ups get from A-Z, and creator of the company Flywheel Results, Rob Durant. Bridgett and Rob discuss how Rob became a speaker, Robs time as a teacher, his company, challenges when speaking, making sure the audience cares about your topic, being an introvert, and more! 0:40 How did being...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker with 20+ years consulting organizations while focusing on talent development and capital management, Cornelius Dowdell. Bridgett and Cornelius discuss how Neil became a speaker, learning into your expertise, changing your presentation based audience size, self employment, developing human interaction skills, and more...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a keynote speaker and founder of Emerging Excellence LLC whose goal is to help people understand that harnessing the power of change begins with how we think, Rickie Burney. Bridgett and Rickie discuss common mistakes that speakers make, how Rickie got into the speaking world, getting into Toastmasters, and more! To learn more...

This week, part 2 of a 2 part episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a top leadership motivational speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning businesswoman who educates leaders and business women on influencing, impacting and inspiring others to increase profits, productivity, and positivity, Pegine Echevarria. Bridgett and Pegine discuss expressing yourself on stage, hand m...

This week, part 1 of a 2 part episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a top leadership motivational speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning businesswoman who educates leaders and business women on influencing, impacting and inspiring others to increase profits, productivity, and positivity, Pegine Echevarria. Bridgett and Pegine discuss stage presence, the three core topic...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a public relations professional, executive coach and public speaker whose main goal is addressing gaps in presentation skills and preparing business leaders for the new normal, Rosemary Ravinal. Bridgett and Rosemary discuss Rosemary's early struggles, putting yourself out there, the importance of the opening and closing of yo...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a best selling author, keynote speaker, and startup investor with a passion for educating the public and leveling the playing field for women, Fran Hauser. Bridgett and Fran discuss nailing the opening and closing of your presentation, how to get ideas for keynotes, fireside chats, Fran's upcoming keynote presentation, and mor...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker, coach, and facilitator, whose specializes in motivational and mental health topics with passions for supreme accountability, cultural competency, and lemons, Leesa Askew. Bridgett and Leesa discuss how Leesa got to where she is today, the fact that silence is ok, winning vs. losing, and more! S - Storytelling: Craft...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker and author with years of experience learning and teaching the effective ways of communication and negotiation, Derek Lott. Bridgett and Derek discuss being a successful communicator, the importance of listening, focusing on 99% of the audience, being comfortable and confident, and more! Visit www.derekclott.com to bo...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an international, award winning speaker and Army Veteran that hosts transformational events for professionals Jesse Cruz. Bridgett and Jesse discuss speaking on what you know, the payoffs of speaking, incorporating life lessons into your presentations, and more! 0:52 How long has Jesse Cruz been a speaker and what are the topi...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a keynote inspirational speaker with 5 + years experience helping listeners make it past every day struggles, Scotty J. Prendergast. Bridgett and Scotty discuss Scottys speaking topics, must haves, knowing your audience, takeaways, being true to yourself, and more! Visit www.scottypinspiration.com to book Scotty for speaking e...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes founder and CEO of Nostalgia: Black, and freelance writer whose core business model is preserving black cultural history, Deah Berry Mitchell. Bridgett and Deah discuss how Deah got to where she is today, the topics Deah speaks on, AHA moments, their time as college roommates, and more! Visit www.deahberrymitchell.com to book...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an outspoken speaker, professor, author and mentor with over 20 years experience helping audience members use creative solutions to find exceptional results, Ginnette Baker. Bridgett and Ginnette discuss being relatable to audience members, dealing with difficult audience members, over coming many obstacles, the power of adapt...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker, trainer, mentor, author and military veteran who is considered Americas #1 life Trainer with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and organizations maximize potential, Dr. Will Moreland. Bridgett and Dr. Will discuss speech presentation, power of choice, difficult audience members, confidence, and more! 1...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker with 20+ years in the training, learning, and talent development industries, whose goal is to share the impact of learning while measuring the impact of training, learning and development, Kevin M. Yates. Bridgett and Kevin discuss impacting the audience, the impact of learning, what Kevin presents on, and more! Visi...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a powerhouse on keynote stages and training arenas with 25 years plus experience speaking on sales, leadership, communication and negotiation skills Paul Bramson. Bridgett and Paul discuss the benefits of great questioning skills, listening skills, not making assumptions, good vs. great presentations, and more! Visit www.paulb...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker, CEO and award winning diversity and inclusion leader, and her best friend, Simone E. Morris. Bridgett and Simone discuss what speaks success, tech checks, Simone's speaking topics, and more! To schedule Simone for a high-impact DEI speaking engagement, visit www.simonemorris.com, and to engage Simone and her team fo...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an author and speaker who travels the world speaking of women's leadership and advancement,Betsy Myers. Bridgett and Betsy discuss Betsy's favorite topic to speak on, the "heart space", the ABC's of speaking, how to deal with presentation mishaps, and more! Visit https://betsymyers.com/ to learn more about Betsy and to get her...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a former police officer and current keynote speaker who travels the world spreading the word speaking on how past tragedy can help you share a new perspective on life, rebirth, and transformation, Jason Schecterle. Bridgett and Jason discuss Jason's accident in the line of duty, how he got to where he is today, memorable prese...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes the owner of the effective virtual presentation space who helps organizations achieve success with virtual learning platforms, Cindy Huggett. Bridgett and Cindy discuss how Cindy got to where she is today, public versus virtual presentations, and more! 1:00 How did Cindy Huggett get to where she is? 3:00 Biggest missteps that...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an award winning speaker, best selling author, CEO, and facilitator with over 20 years experience, Diana Howles. The focus of this episode, part four of a four part series, is visuals when it comes to presentations. Bridgett and Diana discuss when it is necessary to have a slide deck, environment, audience connection, online p...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an award winning speaker, best selling author, CEO, and facilitator with over 20 years experience, Diana Howles. The focus of this episode, part three of a four part series, is how to limit the use of filler words during a presentation. 5:10 Vocalized pausing. 13:10 Project your voice. 15:32 Learned language, is it necessary?...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an award winning speaker, best selling author, CEO, and facilitator with over 20 years experience, Diana Howles. The focus of this episode, part two of a four part series, is what to do when you are told that you speak too fast in your presentations. 3:00 Energy and anxiety. 6:40 How do we fix the speed problem? 11:40 Insertin...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an award winning speaker, best selling author, CEO, and facilitator with over 20 years experience, Diana Howles. The focus of this episode, part one of a four part series, is keeping the audience attention throughout the entire presentation. Bridgett and Diana discuss introductions and conclusions, establishing credibility, ci...

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a Speaker, Senior Professional Educator, and Director of Education, Robert Onorato. The focus of this episode, part four of a four part series, is how to deal with nervousness when it comes to a presentation. Bridgett and Robert discuss what to do if you are nervous, nerves vs. anxiety, technical difficulties, and more! 1:58 N...