Words that Change Lives

Ready to step onto the grand stage and command top-tier fees for your speaking engagements? In this episode, Helen explores the art of speaking for £10,000 per gig. Whether you're an aspiring speaker or looking to elevate your existing speaking career, this episode provides a step-by-step journey from speaking for free to becoming a highly sought-after thought leader. Helen shares insights, real-w...

In an era where diverse generational perspectives shape our workplaces and personal lives, understanding and bridging these divides has never been more critical. In this episode, Helen talks to Adele Stickland to delve into generational diversity and the profound impact of effective communication. Adele, a coach, trainer, and speaker with an MSc in organisational psychology, brings a wealth of kno...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of presence—how we convey ourselves physically and vocally to create a lasting impression. Whether you’re an aspiring speaker, seasoned leader, or business owner, building presence can dramatically elevate the impact of your words. Drawing inspiration from the works of Amy Cuddy and Julian Treasure, Helen unpacks how body language and vocal tonality sha...

In this episode, Helen dives into the complexities of communicating across cultures with her guest, Zoe Cousens. With over 30 years of experience in the investment sector and a strong track record of working in diverse countries such as the UK, Dubai, and Hong Kong, Zoe provides invaluable insights into the nuances of global communication. Together, they explore essential topics like conflict reso...

Banish Boredom in the BoardRoom. Helen takes you through an essential skill for leaders, coaches, and business owners alike: transforming dull, data-driven presentations into captivating, impactful experiences. Drawing from her career in learning, development, and public speaking, Helen shares five expert tips grounded in dual coding theory - a psychological principle that enhances comprehension b...

What does being a thought leader actually mean?  Sharing her personal journey and insights from her career in leadership development and entrepreneurship, Helen unpacks thought leadership’s evolution, the criticisms it has faced, and the importance in establishing credibility, trust, and influence in becoming known as a true thought leader.   She explores various types of thought le...

In this episode, Helen shares her personal journey from corporate life to business owner, revealing the invisible suit of armour she used to wear to feel more confident. She explores the pitfalls of maintaining rigid professional personas and offers practical strategies for removing that armour to connect more deeply and authentically with colleagues, clients, and audiences alike. Drawing on timel...

Helen explores the art of powerful language and its transformative impact with the help of her special guest, Phil M Jones. Phil is a renowned entrepreneur behind five multimillion-dollar companies, an accomplished author of seven books, and a producer of acclaimed audiobooks on persuasion and influence. In this episode, they’ll uncover how strategic curiosity, purposeful questions, and creating i...

In this episode, Helen Packham challenges the conventional approach to storytelling by discouraging the use of straightforward timelines. Instead, she encourages you to explore more dynamic and engaging methods such as nonlinear narratives, thematic structures, flashbacks, multiple perspectives, and framing devices. Using examples from film and literature, she illustrates the power of these techni...

In today’s episode, Helen interviews Lisa Sheerin, whose journey is a testament to the power of resilience and embracing a non-linear career path. In this episode, Lisa opens up about her initial struggles and frustrations in the acting industry, detailing her emotional challenges and the transformative decision to train as an indoor exercise coach during drama school. She shares how these unexpec...

Today, Helen opens up about her own journey from a shy, easily-embarrassed child to becoming a confident communicator. She explains the profound impact of social anxiety on personal relationships, career advancement, and mental health, while also touching on the biological and psychological factors at play. Tune in to learn six actionable steps to help you feel more confident and reduce anxiety in...

Today’s episode is all about crafting your signature keynote talk. Whether you're looking to inspire, educate, or mobilise an audience, a well-structured keynote can be your greatest tool.  Keynotes have been a cornerstone of human history, from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. We'll be breaking down the essential elements — the “big remedy...

Today we're exploring the art of storytelling. A tool I've leveraged throughout my career to help introverted leaders, coaches, and small business owners alike. In this episode, we'll unravel 11 story structures that can elevate your social media content, presentations, and keynote talks. From sequential storytelling to case studies, analogies, and more, today's insights will provide you with acti...

Today Helen explores the pivotal “pit moments” that define our stories and shape our lives with Jason Archdale. Jason is a mental wellness life coach and professional speaker, who shares his own journey through overwhelming challenges, including mental health struggles and a suicide attempt. He opens up about his transition from a proud soldier to facing the intricacies of civilian life, dealing w...

Welcome to a special reflective episode of the Words That Change Lives podcast. I am taking a moment to look back at the incredible journey of the podcast so far. With 17 episodes under our belt, I take a moment to share insights, learning experiences, and vulnerabilities encountered along the way.  I discuss the importance of having a vision, evaluating and evolving your content, finding ins...

Host Helen Packham explores the art of productive disagreement with special guest Ian Leslie, author of "How to Disagree."  Today's conversation covers the defensive nature of disagreement, the importance of viewpoint diversity, and the need to balance competitiveness with collaboration.  Ian shares insights from his extensive work on human behaviour, workplace culture, and his compellin...

In this bite-sized episode, Helen shares a unique and captivating strategy for landing corporate gigs. Inspired by the iconic scene from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," she walks you through a four-step approach that takes you from crafting your expert method to building long-term relationships with corporate clients.  Whether you're looking to break into the corporate world or enhance y...

In today's episode, Helen and her special guest Jo Twiselton explore the world of effective communication. Jo is an expert in organisational change, drawing from a rich background in PR, marketing, and coaching leaders across diverse sectors.  Jo shares her innovative "4 Fundamentals of Human Change" method, a comprehensive framework designed to enhance well-being, resilience, connection, and...

In this episode, Helen discusses the importance of confidently articulating your message without relying on scripts or prompts, and how this can lead to a more impactful connection with your audience. Expert to learn the psychology behind encoding, storing, and retrieving information to help you speak authentically and engage effectively without the need for notes or visual aids. Tune in to discov...

In this episode of Words That Change Lives, Helen delves into the world of TEDx talks and the process of landing a TEDx speaking gig. Drawing from her experience as a TEDx speaker and coach, she shares insights on overcoming internal barriers, nailing down the idea worth spreading and understanding the external obstacles in the application process. By cracking the TEDx code, she provides guidance...

In this episode, I sit down with Shiggi Paktor, who's carved a niche for herself in the world of audio, from her days as a college DJ to becoming a sound engineering expert. We discuss everything from her love affair with vinyl and DJing, the world of podcasting, audiobook production, and the art of emotional storytelling through sound. Plus, we'll tackle the fascinating interplay between visuals...

This episode explores the TEDx journey of Tony Brooks, a leadership psychologist and author, who recently gave his TEDx talk exploring the complex dance between survival thinking and creativity.  Helen and Tony discuss the intricacies of applying and preparing for a TEDx talk under the theme of "creativity through adversity" and how Tony's upcoming book aims to tackle survival psychology in m...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating intersection of AI and humanity with special guest John Spencer Williams, an author, entrepreneur and a visionary in the realm of AI.  John will share his insights on the hypnotic power of storytelling, its roots in human history, and its contemporary digital transformation. We also examine the pressing question of human connection and isolation i...

In this episode, Helen Packham shares her personal journey of overcoming fear and delivering a TEDx talk with only 24 hours' notice. From her experiences, she delves into the essential components of developing an "idea worth spreading.” She discusses the importance of aligning your idea with the event's theme, ensuring its clarity and societal relevance, and exploring different types of unique ang...

Today's episode brings us the breathtaking story of Zoe Cross, a distinguished speaker who's overcome the obstacle of facial paralysis to master the art of communication and share her message with the world. Zoe navigates life with Moebius syndrome and has made the bold choice to not let differences dim her light. Zoe and I delve into her emotional journey to TEDx Frankfurt, and her incredible TED...