Speaking to Influence

September 11, 2001 changed the lives of millions. Twenty years later we can see the rippling impact that day has had on our relationships, the way we do business, and the way we communicate. During this episode Laura shares how 9/11 has impacted generation connection and why it’s important to continue learning from the past in order to address today’s communication issues.   To le...

Video is a necessary part of any communication strategy. Using your phone to record video is an easy way to obtain high quality content with minimal equipment. On this episode Laura breaks down the reasons why selfie videos are the best way for you to connect authentically and consistently with your audience. She will share the common limiting beliefs that are keeping you hidden behind the camera...

Ralph Galati shares how his organization’s passion for helping Veterans continues to inspire communities to connect and support individuals transitioning into civilian life. Listen in as Laura and Ralph discuss the importance of written and verbal communication skills in leaders, understanding the unique language of military personnel, and how to communicate via a chain of command. Ralph als...

Angela Liddle shares how cautious communication strengthens relationships and creates community hope over time. Listen in as Laura and Angela discuss how the PAFSA is working to communicate with family and community members to bring awareness and light into conversation concerning abused children. During this conversation Angela shares what it means to “focus on small soundbites” when...

When the stakes are high, how do you communicate your needs in a concise way that builds trust? Christine Jacobs joins Laura to discuss the profound impact of educating and advocating for adoption. Listen in as Laura and Christine explore the common myths of adoption eligibility, how Christine builds relationships to advocate for children, and why there are no unwanted children, just unfound famil...

What’s the difference between public speaking and being a podcast guest? The key to successful guesting is in the preparation. In this episode Laura breaks down the key equipment, research, and preparation tips you need to know to represent yourself and your organization in a clear and engaging way. Laura also gives insights into the interview process from the host perspective and how to go...

Bruce Sham shares how staying focused on solutions has helped navigate delicate conversation and forge strong relationships around wealth management. Listen in as Laura and Bruce discuss how to connect to clients through stories, identifying the varied needs of each person you speak with, why a quality microphone is critical for virtual communication, and how to initiate hard conversations with se...

Sean Kelly discusses the importance of connecting with and serving your team as they adjust to the next phase of working post-pandemic. Listen in as Laura and Sean discuss being adaptable when communicating with leaders and team members of your organization, creating new ways for teams to connect virtually, the importance of being vulnerable with your team, and how Sean finds joy in the process of...

Elaine Cheong discusses how her organization is creating a platform Asian voices to be heard and how she is focused on building connections throughout her community. Listen in as Laura and Elaine discuss dealing with culture differences and how cultures show respect, the delicacies of communicating authentically in multiple languages, and how we can support diverse teams to develop the ability to...

Are you experiencing fear and overwhelm when it comes to asking for a promotion or communicating with your team? You could be experiencing imposter syndrome. During this episode Laura shares how a trip to Costa Rica helped her understand the feelings that come up when experiencing a promotion or success and the key symptoms of imposter syndrome that you may be missing.   To learn more about D...

Catherine Cahill shares how her organization is navigating live events in a post pandemic world. Listen in as Laura and Catherine discuss how the performing arts industry is staying adaptable, understanding the mindset of your audience, and why Catherine loves influencing and communicating with her community. They also discuss the importance of listening when outside of your comfort zone. Catherin...

How are you communicating your solutions with your team? On today’s episode Shani Boone shares how she focuses on the way she frames her message based on what resonates with her audience. Listen in as Laura and Shani discuss creative problem solving, telling a story with the numbers, and earning your audience’s trust. They also explore ways to keep your virtual communication clear and...

Are you looking for a new way to share your message with the world? On today’s episode Vikrant Shaurya shares how book publishing helps you clarify, package, and distribute the message your audience needs to hear. Listen in as Laura and Vikrant discuss how he makes the book writing process simple through systems, the downside to making decisions without clarity, and how to find the right sup...

Communication starts with yourself. On today’s episode Michael E. Gerber explains the difference between working for yourself and building a business around what you do. Laura and Michael discuss the common mistakes most small businesses make when it comes to communicating their offers to the world and how Michael’s Eightfold Path helps you go from a company of one to one thousand. The...

Today Ron Carucci shares the key factors of establishing an effective leadership dynamic in your organization. Listen in as Ron and Laura discuss the importance of dignity in the workplace, blind spots in leadership, and why feeling safe to ask questions is pivotal for a trusting workplace culture. Ron Carucci is co-founder and managing partner at Navalent, working with CEOs and executives pursuin...

On today’s episode Laura breaks down the key components of a captivating elevator pitch and how you can maximize your influence while networking. Laura shares what to avoid when crafting your pitch, how to help people understand your value, and the benefits of focusing on simplicity first.   Download Laura’s list of recommended equipment to optimize your personal and professional...

Today Jesse Doubek shares his journey of learning through failure and how his ability to observe and create systems has inspired digital entrepreneurs today. Listen in as Laura and Jesse discuss how he was able to scale his services by establishing himself as an expert, the value of having quick access to all data points when focusing on lead generation, and how his organization has focused on tea...

On today’s episode Dr. Ivan Misner discusses what it takes to make great contacts while networking and how they can serve you in business. Listen in as Laura and Dr. Misner discuss putting safety first during the pandemic, building business through referral, and the importance of being a leader that shares your vision with your team. Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder & Chief Visionary Offic...

Today’s episode features a discussion with Erik Huberman and how his focus on individual and group communication has impacted his personal leadership growth and the success of the company. Listen in as Laura and Erik discuss how he pushes his executive team out of their comfort zone, why you should focus on the positive when speaking to the group, and the difference between asking questions...

On today’s episode Karen Shakoske explains how she focuses on communication and recognition to keep her team energized and productive during the pandemic. Laura and Karen also explore how Karen identifies the best way to reward her team, how they use DiSC assessments to identify strengths, and the essential interpersonal skills you need to lead a team effectively. Karen Shakoske leads Market...

Today Loren Howard shares how he grew his organization by investing in key employees from the very beginning. Join Laura and Loren as they discuss the importance of finding talent that aligns with your company’s values, the distinction between humility and humiliation, and how Loren focused on organic company growth while maintaining “gold standard” leadership. Loren Howard, Seri...

Mark Nikolich joins Laura to discuss how his organization prioritizes communication with team members and why he continues to focus on “reading in the room” in new, virtual ways. Listen in as Mark shares how public speaking helped him become a successful CEO and how he looks for indicators that his audience is understanding his message when speaking virtually. Laura and Mark also explo...

On today’s episode Laura reveals the profound impact high quality sound equipment can have on your leadership presence while on video. Listen is as she explain the role of your microphone in your leadership voice and the power of your influence as well as a simple way to assess your current microphone and improve your setup. She’ll also explore why “Zoom fatigue” occurs and...

Today on Speaking to Influence Lauren Swartz shares the challenges of working with the community to make global connections while being unable to travel. Listen in as Laura and Lauren discuss code switching and the importance of being able to communicate with people on all different levels and how making someone comfortable allows you to get your message across. Lauren also shares the challenges o...

On today’s episode Chris Caine discusses the speed of electronic communication and how that time frame impacts audience influence. Laura and Chris explore how to convey complete thoughts with brevity, the difference between being explicit vs. implicit when communicating, and the need to answer a question first before explaining further. Christopher G. Caine is President of the  Center f...