For today’s podcast, I met with Dr. Katherine Helm as we break down the do’s and don’ts of public speaking. From facial expressions, why it’s important to get vulnerable, presenting details, attributions, how to share more of your story, to making sure the audience is with you every step of the way…we cover everything you need to know before you step on stage.

Tune in to Thought Leaders Amplified — Behind-The-Scenes Public Speaking Training for a TEDx Talk with Kathryn Janicek & Dr. Katherine Helm.

What You Will Discover: 

✔️Have a natural performance quality. Facial expressions can get lost and forced, especially when you’ve practiced the same piece repeatedly. Be conscious as you speak to naturally convey the emotion when needed.

✔️ Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Being on stage is a golden opportunity for you to show your authentic self. Share the most intimate (and necessary) details of your story to create a lasting impact.

✔️ Present real-world examples. Bring the audience closer to your story before they can say, “I can’t relate.” This helps them connect your message to their experiences and deeply understand the core of your speech.

✔️Assume your audience knows nothing. When mentioning celebrities or prominent figures, give a title or a description so they won’t feel out of the loop. Present all the important facts of your story along with the emotions your past self would have felt. Act as if your audience is your therapist.

Katherine Helm, PhD is a Professor of Psychology and Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling at Lewis University, Romeoville, IL. She is also a practicing psychologist. Her clinical expertise is in working with a wide range of clients including couples. Katherine has authored several publications about racial and cultural issues in mental health, couples’ issues, and pedagogy in multicultural courses. She has participated in counselor training at multiple levels and was a 2021 recipient of the Clinical Supervisor of the Year award from the Illinois Counselor Educators and Supervisors division of the Illinois Counseling Association.  Katherine is a sought-after presenter, professional trainer, clinical supervisor, and author.

Want to see how Dr. Helm’s TEDx Talk turned out? You can watch it on her website here: https://www.drkhelmconsulting.com

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJanicekProductions

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Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Major General John Borling has taken this to heart as he continues to carve his path of success and strength to this day.

A retired US Air Force pilot with a career spanning 37 years, a Vietnam War prisoner, a business chairman of a biotech company, and a weekly column writer, he joins us today to share his advice on dealing with trauma, being an effective and vulnerable leader, and avoiding arrogance and burnout.

Want to learn more? 🎬 Watch the full episode of Thought Leaders Amplified — Secrets of Success From a Prisoner of War With Major General John Borling. 

What You Will Discover: 

✔️Just keep marching. Thoreau said, “The mass of man leads lives of quiet desperation. Confirmed desperation is resignation.” John Borling advises to never resign and continue progressing.

✔️ Lean on others. How did John Borling survive 6 ½  years in a Hanoi prison? Talking with others – even between walls. He opened himself up to his fellow inmates’ skills and personalities and learned French in the process.

✔️Know when to fight. Leaders must accept that they’re also imperfect. That means rest is crucial to avoid burnout. “When the struggle times come, that’s when you do it. You have to get all the altitude you can,” John Borling says.

✔️ Serve beyond yourself. Self-improvement can be for the greater good. But the true meaning of life comes from committing to helping others.

✔️ Look back, but don’t stare. It’s perfectly okay to remember your past traumas and failures. As you wrestle with the sadness, regret, anger, and loneliness, fight as much as you can to move forward.

✔️ Shine a light on your mistakes right away. It’s all part of being human. Pushing it aside will only make it worse. Showing that level of vulnerability propels your credibility as a thought leader.

Major General John L. Borling was born in Chicago. He studied at the University of Illinois and Augustana College prior to graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1963. He received his pilot wings in August 1964, then completed F-4 fighter training. In 1966, after 97 combat missions in Southeast Asia, he was shot down by ground fire northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Seriously injured, he was captured and spent 6 1/2 years as a prisoner of war. He returned to the United States and resumed his military career to include command of fighter, bomber, tanker, missile, and support units at squadron, group, and division levels. He is a command pilot and has flown many different aircraft. High-level staff experience includes the White House, the Pentagon, Strategic Air Command as director of operations for the conflicts in Panama and Iraq, and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

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Book recommendation: 

Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton - written by Major General USAF Ret. John Borling

On Leadership by John W. Gardner https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-John-W-Gardner/dp/0029113121 

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJanicekProductions

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I held on to these Elton John tickets for two years. 

The pandemic kept delaying the show… and then Elton got sick.

I was starting to wonder: “Would Elton fully recover? Would he be too nervous singing in front of a huge crowd again (because of the pandemic)?”

When he got on stage, I swear he put every ounce of his being into that show.

And he didn’t need to.

That’s definitely something we can all learn from.

Learn more in the full episode of Thought Leaders Amplified 🎬  How to prepare before public speaking — a lesson from Elton John. 

What You Will Discover: 

✔️ Give your best in every performance. Watching Elton John perform wasn’t just a fun time. It was a lesson in thought leadership. He gave his best in every single song — as if he’s never reached peak success in his 50-year career.

✔️Capture your audience. We live in a world where we don’t have time to warm up. Catch people right off the top. Whether you’re ready or not, entertain. Give them a reason to stick around and listen to you!

✔️Remain grateful for the opportunity. It’s so easy to get used to your work. But when the spotlight is on you, be thankful you’re there. This once-in-a-lifetime chance has been given to you for a reason.

✔️ Captivate your listeners. You only have a few seconds to get your audience’s attention before they switch to another podcast or video. Engage them and make them want to stay!

✔️ Once you hit the stage, be ready to entertain. You’ve put hours of preparation and practice into your speaking gig. Get out there and be the true thought leader you are.

✔️ Make your first sound bite a headline. The first few words always matter. Be it on a social media post, an ad, a podcast episode, or a speech. Learn from the pros. Encapsulate all the excitement going on in your organization in the most concise way possible.

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Ready for more tips, tricks, and techniques on public speaking, media interviews, and standing out in front of any audience? 🔴 SUBSCRIBE 🔴  to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KathrynJanicekProductions

==============================================

👥 Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynja... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynjanicek 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynjanicek 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathrynjanicek