Professional Speaking: Known. Booked. Paid.

SUMMARY Most of us spend our lives trying to blend in; at work, in friendships, even on stage. But the harder we chase acceptance, the more invisible we become. In this episode, I share my own story of being pushed out of the very communities I once belonged to, and how that rejection became the catalyst for finding my voice. You’ll learn why “not fitting in” is often the beginning of true influen...

Leaders don’t fail because they lack ideas — they fail because they can’t communicate them. In this episode, I sit down with Lucille Ossai, award-winning communications trainer and author of Influence and Thrive . From Lagos Business School to global boardrooms, Lucille has helped leaders transform how they connect, persuade, and inspire. We unpack her 3 rules of effective communication and why ma...

Feeling ignored is one of the most quietly painful experiences a person can have -- whether it's happening at work, in relationships, or when you're putting yourself out there online and hearing nothing back. In this episode John is joined by coaching colleague James for an honest, personal conversation about what it actually feels like to be ignored, why it cuts so deep, and what you can do about...

Mastering Human Interaction: Insights from a Former US Secret Service Agent with Brad Beeler SUMMARY In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball welcomes Brad Beeler, a former US Secret Service agent. Brad shares profound insights from his experiences in high-stakes environments to help decode human behaviour, build trust, and improve communication. Key topics discussed include the effect...

Identifying and Overcoming Common Charisma Killers in Your Presentations Summary In this episode, presentation coach John discusses why some presentations fail to connect despite clear, confident, and sometimes even humorous delivery. He introduces three common 'charisma killers'—overexplaining, incongruent energy, and lack of curiosity. John shares real client stories to illustrate these points a...

Unlocking the Secrets of Comedy with Joel Morris Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball delves into the intricacies of comedy with Joel Morris, the prolific comedy writer behind beloved characters like Paddington Bear and Philomena Cunk. Joel discusses his book, 'Be Funny or Die,' shedding light on the rhythm of humour, the similarities between jokes and music, and the univer...

Mastering Podcast Guesting: Strategies for Speakers, Coaches, and Experts Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball, an award-winning keynote and presentation skills coach, reveals the secrets of being a strategic podcast guest. He discusses the pitfalls of relying on agencies, the importance of finding the right shows, and the essential practices for turning podcast appearances...

Harnessing Unity for Impactful Public Speaking: Insights from Robert Cialdini In this episode, the concept of 'unity' as an influential principle from Robert Cialdini's revised book 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion' is explored. The host discusses the emotional power of unity in connecting with audiences and emphasizes that unity is about finding shared values and experiences rather than p...

Mastering Email Marketing with Kennedy: Turn Followers into Clients & Cash Summary: In this episode of Present Influence, we're joined by Kennedy, a renowned name in the world of email marketing. If you're a coach, speaker, or entrepreneur tired of chasing social media trends and ready to build a high-converting email list, this conversation is for you. Kennedy delves into the psychology behin...

Harnessing Commitment and Consistency: Ethical Influence for Speakers Summary This episode delves into the power of commitment and consistency from Dr. Robert Cialdini's Influence Framework, specifically for public speakers. The discussion covers how small 'yeses' can lead to bigger outcomes and why people stick to their decisions. The episode offers practical tips for speakers to ethically apply...

Unlocking Presentation Mastery with Mark Robinson: From Technical Expert to Influential Speaker Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball chats with speaking coach and presentation skills expert Mark Robinson about transforming technical experts into compelling speakers. Mark offers insights on avoiding detail overload, the power of storytelling, and the significance of stage pr...

Mastering Reciprocity: Elevate Your Speaking Career Ethically Summary In this episode, the speaker delves into the psychology of reciprocity, one of Robert Cialdini's key principles of influence, and how it can be leveraged ethically by speakers to gain more gigs, referrals, and rebookings without rewriting presentations or begging for business. The discussion includes practical strategies like ma...

What does your outfit say about your authority before you even speak? In this insightful and practical episode of Present Influence , I sit down with Kay Korsh , an international speaker and style advisor who helps professional speakers elevate their credibility, presence, and personal brand through their wardrobe choices. Whether you're speaking in front of 5,000 or just hopping on a Zoom worksho...

Show Notes: The Power of Liking for Speakers Welcome back! In this solo episode, John dives into one of Robert Cialdini’s most underrated principles of influence—liking. If you’ve ever wondered why some speakers seem to get booked again and again, or how you can turn your audience into true fans without changing a word of your keynote, this episode is for you. Introduction: Why Liking Matters John...

Debunking the 7% Communication Myth In this episode, we debunk the widely spread myth that only 7% of communication is through words, while the remaining 93% is through tone and facial expressions. The host explains the origins of this misconception from Albert Mehrabian's research on emotional communication. The video clarifies that the 7% figure pertains to how we interpret emotions, not overall...

Embracing the Nomadic Mindset: Presence and Connection on Stage In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball discusses the nomadic mindset with international speaker and author Kevin Cottam. They explore how ancient nomadic wisdom can enhance modern speakers' adaptability, presence, and connection with their audiences. Through stories from Mongolia to Morocco, Kevin shares insights on the...

How to Use Social Proof to Boost Your Speaking Career (Without Faking It) If you've ever felt invisible as a speaker, like you're great on stage but not getting the referrals, rebookings, or conversions you deserve, this episode is for you. We're diving into Cialdini’s principle of social proof and how it applies specifically to public and professional speakers . You’ll learn how to use testimonia...

As speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs, we spend countless hours refining our message and perfecting our delivery—but how often do we invest in the vehicle that delivers it: our health? In this powerful episode of Present Influence , host John Ball sits down with health and fitness coach Esther Avant to explore the overlooked connection between physical wellness and professional presence. If you'...

Mastering Authority: Leveraging Credibility as a Speaker Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball explores the principle of authority and how it can impact a speaker's credibility. John delves into Dr. Robert Cialdini's concept of authority and shares personal anecdotes and experiments that highlight its power. He provides actionable insights on how speakers can project authori...

Mastering the Art of Facilitation with Therese Miclot Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball welcomes expert facilitator and author Therese Miclot to discuss the crucial role of facilitation in meetings and presentations. Therese compares facilitation to the leavening agent in baking, emphasising its often overlooked but essential impact. They explore key elements such as min...

Mastering Scarcity: Unlocking Cialdini's Principles for Speakers This episode dives into the psychology behind the principle of scarcity from Cialdini's persuasion techniques and its impact on audience behavior. The speaker highlights how scarcity can create urgency and increase value perception, sharing personal anecdotes and practical tips for speakers, coaches, and consultants to use this princ...

Unlocking Confidence Through Vocal Power with Voice Coach Jimmy Cannon Summary In this insightful episode of the Present Influence Podcast, John Ball interviews speaking coach and voice expert Jimmy Cannon. The discussion centres around how improving your voice and vocal style can significantly boost your confidence, enhancing your effectiveness as a professional communicator. Jimmy shares his jou...

The Hidden Cost of Professionalism: Embracing Authenticity as a Professional Speaker Summary In this episode of Present Influence, John Ball explores how some concepts of professionalism can hinder the effectiveness of professional speakers. He delves into the importance of authenticity and individuality, explaining how holding back personal stories and characteristics can limit one's impact. Draw...

Unlock the Power of Storytelling with Danny Brassell Summary In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball welcomes storytelling expert and professional speaker Danny Brassell. Danny shares insights into the significance of storytelling as a tool for connecting with audiences and increasing sales. He discusses his journey from journalism to teaching and eventually becoming a highly successf...

John's storytelling contest entry: "No happy endings" Summary This episode offers a unique twist as host John Ball shares a personal and vulnerable story he delivered in a storytelling competition. John discusses the challenges of storytelling, including balancing humour with emotion and ensuring the story's core message shines through. The episode concludes with John's triumph in the storytelling...