Speaking to Influence

This week, Yesi Morillo shares the importance of staying ready to take advantage of opportunities so that you are prepared for any moment to be able to discuss what you are working on.  “The elevator is one of the most underused networking tolls on Earth.”  In this episode Yesi shares how interactions in the elevator have led to successful introductions in her rise from administrative assistant to...

This week Christine Ostrowski shares how an almost two hundred year old school is continually adapting to improve the lives of their students and team.  By treating employees like clients to understand what they need to give every resource possible to their students, everyone wins. Here are a few things that you will learn in this episode: How being on a dragon boat team can prepare for successful...

In this week’s episode, Retired FDNY Battalion Chief John LaBarbera of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation board shares with Laura the important work that the foundation is doing and the obstacles that they face including with communication. Here are a few things that you will learn in this episode: How to overcome the challenge of a non-receptive audience. Sharing the difficulties with communication...

This week, Laura discusses the importance of humor and executive presence. Laura shares her tips for adding “fun” to your presentation while keeping it professional and engaging your audience. Here are a few things that you will learn in this episode: How to be more interesting, entertaining, and captivating to an audience. Energy variation is at the heart of a successful presentation. Humor can e...

This week in the second part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Productions.  You can listen to the first episode here: https://omny.fm/shows/speaking-to-influence/how-to-inspire-in-uncertain-times-part-i Here are a few things that you will learn...

This week in the first part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Productions.  Here are a few things that you will learn in this episode: How you can set the tone of a conversation with empathy as well as calmness. Sharing how to prepare with commun...

This is Part Two the first two part podcast by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Productions, Laura is joined by Nikelle King and Rachael Jones to discuss the incredible communication skills of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  If you missed Part 1 you can find that in Episode 139 of Speaking to Influence. Here are a few things that you will learn in this episode: How Dr. King used repetitive phra...

This week in the first two part podcast by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Productions, Laura is joined by Nikelle King and Rachael Jones to discuss the incredible communication skills of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Here are a few things that you will learn in this episode: How Dr. King used repetitive phrases in his speeches to leave his audiences remembering key points of his speeches. S...

This week Geoff Gross discusses how important it is to overcome most clients expectations of receiving poor service or no service at all.  Geoff shares with Laura how he overcomes this “expectation” with writing handwritten notes and making personal calls such as when he had to call a Supreme Court justice and acknowledge his company’s error.   Here are a few things that you will learn in this epi...

This week Kelley Morse shares the communication strategies that allow her to connect with leaders and employees, helping them put the puzzles pieces together. Listen in as Laura and Kelley discuss how to give constructive feedback, understanding how the audience wants to be involved in presentations, and why your team should be trusted to learn from their mistakes.   Here are a few things you’ll l...

On today’s episode we’re ending the year on a high note and bringing forward the best 24-Hour Influence Challenges of the year. Join Laura as she curates the most important lessons taught by our guests and encourages you to take one final challenge as you head into the new year!   Here are a few things you’ll learn during this episode: The importance of increasing your conscious awareness How to b...

This week Melinda Emerson shares how to communicate effectively as a small business owner. Listen in as Laura and Melinda discuss strategies for managing others, making the most of networking events, and how to handle your inner critic. Melinda also reveals key characteristics every entrepreneur needs to create a sustainable business.   Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation:...

This week Peter Joniec explores the steps he’s taken to help build a successful company and the communication strategies critical for sustaining a positive workplace culture. Listen in as Laura and Peter discuss handling hot-button topics with stakeholders like the recession and inflation, how Peter’s team navigated the work-from-home transition during Covid, and how to integrate new people into t...

The most challenging aspect of client communication is conveying your value and what makes you different in the marketplace. This week Marc Brownstein discusses how his agency helps businesses establish brand longevity and make them unstoppable. Listen in as Laura and Marc explore the contagious nature of being passionate about your work, why people are scared of selling, and how Marc’s agency is...

This week Rachael Jones shares how her organization is turning stakeholders into teammates and making value-based care work for everyone involved. Listen in as Laura and Rachael discuss issues that cause friction around patient care, how Rachael navigated being an outsider and bringing a team together after a merger, the clarifying questions that matter most.   Here are a few things you’ll learn d...

Donors create transformations in the lives of individuals they may never meet, making the process of tracking and curating stories critical for maintaining donor relationships in the non-profit world. This week Laura speaks with Dave Rowan who explores how he communicates the transformative powers of donors in a way that showcases change and conveys the emotional value of stakeholder investments....

If fear has been stopping you from sharing your story with others, you won’t want to miss this episode. Today Laura is sitting down with the most influential guests of 2022 to explore why their episodes made such an impact, landing in the top 100 and top 200 rankings on Apple podcasts. Listen in as Cindy Lewis, Dana Reyngoudt , and Kathy Govier discuss how they prepared to share their stories, wha...

Allocating corporate funds to causes can be critical for many nonprofit organizations. This week Samantha Sayward explains how an organization’s investment in nonprofit research can impact the financial future of any organization. Listen in as Laura and Samantha discuss how to share the impact of participating in a solution, being accountable for your actions as a leader, and how the Alzheimer’s A...

Navigating the needs of a team of independent contractors requires clarity and simplicity. This week Charles Stiles shares how he works with a large pool of independent talent, managing expectations and aligning their goals to the individual businesses they serve. Listen in as Laura and Charles discuss how Mystery Shoppers help businesses stay customer focused, how Charles manages individual and o...

When politicians take the stage, there’s more at stake than votes. This week Laura breaks down the influential aspects of a political debate and what we can learn as speakers and leaders from candidates and their arguments. Listen in as Laura shares how she evaluates individual speakers, what to look for in a strong debate candidate, and how she will be analyzing the debate between PA political ca...

Clarity and candor are the cornerstones of any great conversation, but for the CIA they are the critical link between information and policymakers. This week Jennifer Ewbank shares how her role in Digital Innovation at the CIA helps carry technical conversations for stakeholders across the agency, breaking down barriers and building trust at all levels. In this conversation Laura and Jennifer disc...

Creating a workforce of individuals devoted to local and international issues is critical for global companies that want to impact meaningful change in the world. This week Dr. Shannon Hader shares how the School of International Service at American University in Washington D.C. is merging scholarship with big thinking to create a generation of leaders that can handle hot topics, stay adaptable in...

What makes a lasting impression on an audience? This week Laura reveals the truth behind “infotainment” and how to engage and influence your audience in a memorable way. Listen in as she explores how infotainment raises your game, how to help people focus on what you have to say, and why people WANT to listen to what you have to say.   Here are a few things you’ll learn during this conversation: T...

When you have conversations with your team, are you looking to understand information or control the situation? According to HR expert Nathan Peirson, intention and authenticity are critical for engaging individuals and having meaningful conversations. This week Laura and Nathan discuss how leaders can put greater intentions behind their conversations and focus on engagement in order to drive perf...

Your input matters beyond your expertise. Lincoln University President Brenda Allen transitioned from a professor to an administrative role and quickly learned the importance of showing up to the executive table when invited. This week Laura and Brenda discuss the importance of higher education for critical thinking, problem-solving, and career preparedness. Brenda also explores how to navigate th...