Speaker Dynamics | Leadership, Communication & Public Speaking

Hosted by Karin Reed | Communication Expert for Leaders

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Oct 2026

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Speaker Dynamics is a podcast about public speaking, leadership communication, and executive presence in the moments that matter most. It’s for leaders, founders, and professionals who want to communicate with clarity, confidence, and influence—whether they’re speaking in a boardroom, on a virtual stage, or on camera. Hosted by Karin Reed, an Emmy award-winning communication expert, the show explores how strong public speaking skills are developed - it’s not something you are born with! Each episode examines the real mechanics behind effective communication, including how to structure a message, speak with confidence, project executive presence, and communicate authentically without losing authority. Speaker Dynamics is designed for people who know their ideas are strong but want their communication to reflect that strength, so when they speak, their message lands, their presence is felt, and their influence grows. Listeners are invited into conversations about: Public speaking for leaders leadership communication, powerful presentations, virtual communication, speaking on camera, pitching ideas to investors or senior leaders, memorable messaging, effective communication for women, and navigating authenticity versus authority in high-stakes environments. You’ll also hear conversations about modern communication challenges, from leading virtual teams to using tools like GenAI to support presentations while maintaining a human voice. Popular guests include: Matt Abrahams Dorie Clark Guy Kawasaki JD Schramm Lisa McLeod More about Karin: Karin M. Reed is an Emmy award-winning journalist turned leadership communications expert. A four-time author, she has been quoted as a thought leader by a plethora of media outlets, including Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, CNN and Business Insider and was named an “Author Who Inspires Us” by McKinsey and Company. Karin and her team have been the chosen training partner for some of the world’s most recognized companies – from Lenovo to Eli Lilly. She regularly teaches at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford.

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October 20, 2026Episode 9126 min

EP67: Speaking with Confidence in a Politically Charged Environment | Executive Presence for Leaders

When headlines have your team on edge, the energy you carry into a room sets the tone for everyone in it. Speaking with confidence in a politically charged environment starts with knowing whether you are steady enough to lead the conversation at all. Karin Reed welcomes Tinna Jackson to Speaker Dynamics - Own the Room. Tinna is President and CEO of Jackson Consulting Group and author of The Power Play Journal. Born and raised in Washington, DC, she built a career in politics, including work on Capitol Hill and in the U.S. Senate, before moving into executive coaching and leadership development. Tinna explains how the energy leaders bring into a room shapes the way others respond. She shares why leaders should sometimes postpone a meeting rather than walk in emotionally unprepared. She also discusses three factors she believes influence promotion decisions, including one that often sparks disagreement. Tinna explains why insecurity can follow you into a new leadership role, why learning to delegate is part of the adjustment, and how a lack of self-awareness can undermine even the strongest message. With politics affecting workplaces in different ways, Tinna offers advice on when leaders should address political issues at work and how to keep personal emotions from driving business decisions. Press play for practical advice on speaking with confidence, leading difficult conversations, managing your emotions, and communicating clearly under pressure. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Politics Feels Impossible to Avoid at Work 01:18 From Southeast DC to Capitol Hill 05:33 Why Ego Keeps Your Message From Landing 07:34 Speaking with Confidence Starts With Your Energy 08:44 Skip the Meeting When You're Not Regulated 09:45 The Three Real Reasons People Get Promoted 13:43 Why You Don't Outgrow Insecurity 15:58 Should Leaders Address Politics at Work? 21:02 Building a Leadership Program for Women 22:47 Permission to Put Yourself First Connect with Tinna Jackson: Visit the Jackson Consulting website Get your copy of The Power Play Journal Connect with Tinna on LinkedIn Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

October 6, 2026Episode 9011 min

EP66: Speaker Tip Spotlight: Is Your Virtual Presence Stuck in Lecture Hall Mode?

Your virtual presence can change the second the red light goes on. Sometimes the problem is not what you know, but how you adjust your communication to the space. Host Karin Reed opens this Speaker Tip Spotlight on Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room with a live interview that took a sharp turn. A warm, engaging professor went into full lecture mode the moment the cameras rolled, and Karin has a theory about why it happened. Her answer explains why experienced speakers sometimes sound stiff or overly formal on camera. Karin is a four-time author, Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, and communication expert who helps people own the room in person and virtually. You will hear who Karin names as one of her favorite communicators of all time, and he hosted a kids' show. She explains why his approach is a master class in authentic presence on video. Karin also shares how she decides when to turn her energy up or pull it back, plus the mental picture she uses when speaking through a webcam. If speaking on camera and leading virtual meetings are part of your work, her advice offers a simple way to strengthen your virtual presence and communicate authentically. And her unexpected video role model makes the bonus content especially worth seeing. Press play, try the mindset shift on your next call, and find out how to match your virtual presence to the space you are in. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Karin's Surprising Pick for Favorite Communicator 00:50 The Live Interview Where the Professor Turned Stiff 03:02 Treating Every Presentation Like a Conversation 04:05 Dialing Up Your Energy for a Big Room 05:05 Speaking Through a Webcam Means Dialing Back 06:20 Virtual Presence Starts With Picturing Your Viewer 07:27 Steve From Blue’s Clues as a Video Role Model 09:53 Where to Find the Bonus Content Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

September 22, 2026Episode 8830 min

EP65: Vocal Health for Speakers: Why Speaking Confidence Begins with a Healthy Voice

Your voice can only take so many back-to-back meetings before it starts to give out. If you've ended a day of calls with almost no voice left, this episode explains why and what to do about it. On Speaker Dynamics – Own the Room, Karin Reed talks with Kimberley Bentley, a professional singer, voice teacher, and vocal health coach, about the habits that protect your voice and the ones that quietly wreck it. Kim has spent years training singers and coaching presenters, educators, and other voice-dependent professionals, giving her a clear perspective on the habits that can put extra strain on your voice. They get into why vocal fatigue from talking isn't only about how much you speak. Tension, volume, pace, and the way you use your voice can all play a role. Kim shares a quick trick for releasing that tension before a big presentation, and Karin offers a more discreet variation you can use while you're on stage. Karin and Kim also cover staying hydrated for public speaking, including why Kim personally prefers room-temperature water and how speaking louder during virtual meetings can add to vocal fatigue.Kim breaks down breath support for public speaking and shares a few vocal warm ups for speakers that take less than five minutes. Whether you are presenting, running a meeting or simply engaging in a one-on-one call, you need your voice to hold up. Press play and start treating vocal health like part of the job. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Vocal Health Matters for Every Communicator 01:52 Kim Bentley's Background as an Opera Performer 03:32 Classical Training, Jazz, and Finding Your Voice 04:28 Defining Vocal Health: Technique Versus Daily Hygiene 06:50 The Microphone Habit That Protects Your Voice 09:15 Releasing Physical Tension Before You Speak 12:28 Why Virtual Meetings Drain Your Voice Faster 13:10 Hydration, Steam, and Recovering From Vocal Fatigue 16:49 The Truth About Cold Water and Warm Drinks 27:21 Treating Speakers Like Vocal Athletes Connect with Kimberley Bentley: Visit Kimberley's website Follow Kimberley on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

September 8, 2026Episode 8725 min

EP64: Business Storytelling Revisited: What 63% of Listeners Remember

Facts fade. Stories stick. That's the core lesson behind business storytelling, and it's the reason only 5% of listeners in one study could recall a presentation's data points while 63% remembered the story woven through it. In this conversation, Karin Reed sits down with Andrea Brody, Speaker Dynamics Senior Communication Coach and creator of the Inspiring Through Storytelling workshop. Andrea spent years as a television reporter before she turned her storytelling instincts into a framework that helps professionals communicate with influence in high-stakes rooms. Andrea breaks down the three-step formula she uses to help even self-described non-storytellers uncover material they didn't know they had. She explains why a “first, last, best, worst” exercise can surface a moment strong enough to move an entire room, and she walks through the different types of stories, from founder stories to customer stories, that build persuasive leadership communication depending on your audience. You'll also hear the story of an NFL prospect who used one on-field moment to prove he was a leader worth drafting, a real-world example of how memorable messaging and business storytelling work together to earn buy-in for ideas far beyond the boardroom. Listen to hear how inspiring teams through communication starts with a story you already have. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Corporate Case for Storytelling Skills 01:57 Andrea's Journalism Roots and the Workshop Origin 04:02 The Research Behind Business Storytelling and Memory 05:24 The Neuroscience of Why Stories Move Us 08:19 Four Story Types Every Leader Should Know 10:14 What to Say to People Who "Can't" Tell Stories 12:03 Finding Everyday Stories With One Simple Exercise 14:18 A Workshop Breakthrough Moment That Changed the Room 19:54 The NFL Prospect Who Won the Room With One Story 22:27 Using Story to Inspire Teams Through Hard Times Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

August 25, 2026Episode 8524 min

EP63: How to Dress Like A Leader to Enhance Your Executive Presence

Most professionals never think about how their clothes are already talking for them before a meeting starts. Karin Reed sits down with wardrobe stylist and certified color analyst Claire Roberts to fix that blind spot. What you wear shapes your executive presence before you say a single word, and Claire, owner of Claire Roberts Style, has spent nearly two decades helping people get that right. Claire works primarily with executive women who are focused on strengthening their executive presence by using their wardrobe as a personal branding tool. She breaks down color analysis, a process for identifying the colors that work best with your natural coloring. She also explains why so many women reach for black assuming it slims them, and why that assumption often works against their specific coloring. Karin and Claire dig into enclothed cognition, a concept backed by published research examining how what you wear can influence how you think, feel, act and perform. Claire connects this to confidence at work, explaining that when clients feel good in their clothes and stop second-guessing what they’re wearing, they can focus more fully on the job in front of them. She also shares how body language when presenting changes depending on what a person wears, from posture to how they move on stage. Listen for Claire's take on vibrant color and stage presence, plus her advice for building a wardrobe that supports authentic leadership communication instead of working against it. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Closet Dilemma Every Professional Faces 01:30 Claire Roberts Joins Speaker Dynamics 02:17 From J.Crew Catalogs to Wardrobe Styling 05:26 Who Claire Works With and Why 07:45 How Office Dress Codes Shifted Since COVID 09:17 Connecting Wardrobe to Executive Presence 10:29 What Color Analysis Actually Means 13:05 The Myth That Black Is Always Slimming 15:07 Inside a Color Draping Session 17:01 Vibrant Colors and Executive Presence on Stage 20:52 The Science Behind Enclothed Cognition 22:36 Where to Find Claire's Bonus Content Connect with Claire Roberts: Visit Claire's website Follow Claire on Instagram Connect with Claire on LinkedIn Read Claire's interview on Voyage Raleigh Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

August 11, 2026Episode 8410 min

EP62: Presenting to Senior Leaders: How to Cut Someone Off Without Being Rude

Presenting to senior leaders gets messy fast when someone hijacks your time with a tangent that pulls the room away from what you came to say. You need a way to reclaim control without seeming rude, and this episode delivers exactly that. Karin Reed, an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and four-time author, hosts Speaker Dynamics. She built the technique from an unlikely source: a newscast earpiece that once fed her live directions from an impatient producer telling her to cut a guest off mid-answer. In this episode, she breaks down the “paraphrase and pivot” technique, a meeting facilitation skill she still uses today. She walks through what happens when an executive derails your presentation with a question you never planned for, and how to answer without losing your place or your time slot. She also applies the technique to panel moderation, describing the panelist who loves the sound of their own voice and the exact line she uses to hand the floor to someone else. Her example shows how to communicate with influence when time is short and everyone in the room has an opinion worth hearing. Karin ties it all back to leadership communication that respects the room without letting one voice take it over, whether you're in a boardroom, on a panel, or in a weekly team meeting. Press play to learn the phrase that keeps you in control the next time you're presenting to senior leaders. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Karin Reed's Live TV Story Behind the Paraphrase and Pivot Technique 01:46 How to Use Paraphrase and Pivot When Presenting to Senior Leaders 04:07 Staying in Control of Your Message During Executive Pushback 05:20 Applying Paraphrase and Pivot to Panel Moderation 08:23 Using Paraphrase and Pivot in Team Meetings and Where to Find the Checklist Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

July 28, 2026Episode 8327 min

EP61: Executive Presence: Why Hard Work Isn’t Enough to Get You Promoted

You work hard, deliver results, and still get overlooked. This episode shows you how to build executive presence without changing who you are or pretending to be the loudest voice in the room. On Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room, host Karin Reed sits down with Lorraine K. Lee, keynote speaker and bestselling author of Unforgettable Presence, to unpack why professional presence grows through small daily moments rather than big stage appearances. Lorraine was a founding editor at LinkedIn. She was known for being influential and well-liked, yet the promotion she wanted never came. After a colleague received a promotion, they repeated one sentence from their manager that made the reason painfully clear. Lorraine reveals the full story, plus the promotion strategy to put in motion at least six months before review season. You also get her pre-call checklist for on-camera confidence, a practical framework for leaders who often make their first impressions on screen. Introverts get a roadmap too. Lorraine names three hidden strengths, then explains how preparation can ease imposter syndrome and nerves around communication. Karin and Lorraine close with a lesson on articulating your value so senior leaders grasp your impact in seconds. Press play to learn the small, intentional steps behind lasting executive presence and a career people finally notice. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why You Feel Like the Best Kept Secret at Work 01:07 The Story Behind Lorraine K. Lee's Book, Unforgettable Presence 04:12 Executive Presence vs Professional Presence 05:36 Common Mistakes That Hold Back Your Presence 06:48 How Introverts Can Stand Out at Work 10:59 Building On-Camera Confidence With the TEA Method 12:53 Why You Have to Explicitly Ask for a Promotion 15:29 Working Smarter Not Harder to Protect Your Reputation 18:14 Quick Wins for Improving Your LinkedIn Presence 23:25 The Power of Video Content on LinkedIn 24:10 One Mindset Shift to Be Seen as a Leader 26:02 The Big Takeaway on Building Lasting Presence Connect with Lorraine K. Lee: Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn Follow Lorraine on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

July 14, 2026Episode 8216 min

EP60: What Good Communication Training Looks Like and What to Avoid

The wrong communication training can do more damage than no training at all. Some coaches yell. Some interrupt every stumble. One even fired a water gun at clients for using filler words. On this episode of Speaker Dynamics: Own The Room - Speaker Tip Spotlight, host Karin Reed makes the case for a different philosophy of communication training, one built on respect for the courage it takes to work on your own voice. Standing up to present already ranks among the most stressful moments in professional life. The person guiding your growth should never add to that fear. Real progress happens when people feel safe enough to be vulnerable, and any trainer who tears your people down is wasting your investment. Karin shares what to look for and what to run from before you sign with a training firm. A coach who quotes a price before asking about your goals is a red flag. Confident communication grows through practice, application, and honest feedback. The right level of support depends on your goals, from executive presence coaching for leaders hoping to inspire the organization as a whole… to workshops where teams strengthen their presentation skills together. Whether you are choosing communication training for leaders across your enterprise or seeking a coach for yourself, this episode helps you find a partner who builds people up. Your voice deserves training rooted in respect. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Story Behind This Week's Communication Training Topic 02:10 Why Speaker Dynamics Builds Confidence Instead of Fear 04:31 Hyper-Customized Executive Coaching for Presenting to Senior Leaders 06:50 Inside the MVPs of Performance Success in Group Workshops 09:12 Using Video Feedback to Sharpen Presentation Delivery 11:27 Scaling Training Enterprise-Wide Through Speaker Dynamics University 13:49 Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Communication Training Firm Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

June 30, 2026Episode 8135 min

EP59: Crisis Communication and Executive Presence: A PR Strategist's Honest Guide for Leaders

When a crisis hits, most leaders panic or pretend nothing is wrong. Both moves backfire. Crisis communication is one of the most misunderstood skills in leadership. PR strategist Lee Caraher has spent more than twenty years watching companies make the same avoidable mistakes. On this episode of Speaker Dynamics, host Karin Reed sits down with Lee, CEO of Double Forte and a self-described professional straight talker, for an honest look at what leading through a crisis demands. There is no spin that fixes a bad decision, and Lee says so without hesitation. Most crises are not PR problems. They are leadership and decision-making problems. The first job in any crisis is getting back to zero. Tell the truth. Stand firm on the company’s values. Lead with real humility. For anyone focused on executive presence and authentic leadership communication, this conversation gives you a clearer picture of what leading under pressure actually demands. Lee breaks down the difference between moving fast and moving smart. She explains why transparency works as a protection strategy, not only a moral stance, and she shares the red flags to watch for when hiring a crisis communications firm. Leadership communication starts with integrity before image. Executive presence gets built in moments like these, and this episode shows you exactly how. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Crisis Communication Is Really a Leadership Problem 02:18 Meet Lee Caraher, CEO of Double Forte 05:00 How Double Forte Helps Leaders Communicate With Impact 07:18 The Different Types of Crisis and What Leaders Can Control 11:19 Why Transparency Is Your Best Crisis Strategy 13:27 Fast and Fuzzy: The Right Way to Respond Under Pressure 17:10 How to Move From Uncertainty to Clarity During a Crisis 18:31 The Four-Step Framework for Crisis Response 20:16 Biggest Mistakes Leaders Make When a Crisis Hits 23:12 A Real-World Crisis Case Study From SEGA 26:58 Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Crisis PR Firm 31:19 Knowing Your Expertise and When to Bring in Outside Help Connect with Lee Caraher: Visit Lee's website Connect with Lee on LinkedIn Follow Lee on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

June 16, 2026Episode 8011 min

EP58: Speaker Tip Spotlight: Three Teleprompter Tips That Make You Sound Natural on Camera

Most people sound like a completely different person the moment a teleprompter turns on. It does not have to be that way. As an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and communication expert, Karin Reed knows why even confident leaders can suddenly feel stiff, scripted, and disconnected on camera. In this episode of Speaker Dynamics: Own The Room - Speaker Tip Spotlight, Karin shares her top teleprompter tips for anyone who wants to show up on camera with the same ease they bring to a live conversation. The core problem is not the technology. It is the gap between written language and spoken language. When leaders pour polished copy into a teleprompter script and expect it to sound natural, it rarely does. Closing that gap starts long before you hit record. These teleprompter tips also go beyond the script itself. Karin gets into how your body language when presenting on camera either supports your message or undermines it. Holding yourself rigid does not just look stiff. It actually makes speaking harder. Video communication for leaders requires the same physical expressiveness you would bring to any room and the teleprompter should not take that away from you. This episode gives anyone building on-camera confidence a clear place to start. Authentic leadership communication is not about flawless delivery. It is about staying recognizably yourself even when you are reading every word. Speaking on camera well is a learnable skill and this episode lays out exactly where to start. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why the Teleprompter Trips Up Even Confident Speakers 02:03 Three Teleprompter Tips for Speaking on Camera With Ease 04:19 Tip 1: Write the Way You Speak 06:39 Tip 2: Mark Up Your Script for Emphasis and Pausing 09:03 Tip 3: Use Your Body and Practice Your Skills on Camera Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm