The Agile Speaker

Hosted by Maryanne Johnston

Business Technology Education

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Latest episode

Oct 2025

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About the show

Public speaking, presenting and pitching are usually considered stressful and uncomfortable situations whether you are presenting for the first time or have experience. There are so many unknowns… or are there? Communication expert Maryanne Johnston believes that presenting confidently and naturally is a science that anyone can learn and indeed become agile with. She shares tips and techniques on how to remain in control and come across as relaxed and natural in what can be an unnatural situation. We send a really useful email to clients each month. You'll be the first to receive tips, advice and insights to help you feel more confident, make impact and be yourself - consistently. You'll also be the first to know when we publish new educational articles and podcasts You can sign up on my website at maryannejohnston.co.uk It's easy to unsubscribe at anytime.

Listen to episodes

29 recent

October 30, 2025Episode 447 min

How to Resolve Conflict: Your Questions Answered

In this final episode of How to Resolve Conflict, Maryanne is joined once again by mediator and leadership expert Drew Drummond to answer real questions about handling conflict in everyday life and work. From dealing with people who take everything personally to knowing when (and how) to step into tension, this Q&A brings together grounded self-awareness and practical strategies.Drew shares tools to help you respond rather than react, find perspective through trusted others and create the conditions for honest communication - even when emotions run high. Together, Maryanne and Drew explore how we can move beyond "winning" or "losing" a disagreement and instead focus on understanding, choice and humanity.If you want a calmer approach to conflict, this episode is your toolkit for doing just that - with clarity, care and confidence.If you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

February 20, 2025Episode 325 min

Self Care in Conflict - Tools to Help You Manage Stress and Stay Calm

Self-Care in Conflict: Tools to Help Manage Stress and Stay CalmNavigating conflict can be emotionally draining—but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your wellbeing. In this episode, Maryanne and Drew share three practical strategies to help you manage stress and stay grounded: Self-Monitoring, Having a Hill Road, and Finding a Trusted Other.Through personal stories - from dog walks to cold showers - they explore how these tools can keep you calm, clear-headed, and connected to what matters most, even in challenging moments.Tune in for tips to look after yourself and those around you throughout the conflict process.We'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic and address any questions or comments you might have in a bonus episode. Get in touch via email: mj@maryannejohnston.co.ukIf you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

February 13, 2025Episode 247 min

Navigating Conflict: A 4 Step Process for Resolution

Navigating Conflict: Avoidance or Management?Is conflict something to fear - or an opportunity for growth? In Episode 2, Maryanne and Drew explore the difference between avoiding conflict and managing it effectively. They challenge common perceptions, showing how conflict, when approached with perspective and patience, can be a positive and empowering experience.You’ll learn their adaptable 4-step toolkit to navigate emotive, high-stakes situations step by step, helping you move toward a satisfactory outcome for all - even when the stakes feel high.Join the conversation and let me know if the toolkit works for you! Email your thoughts and questions to mj@maryannejohnston.co.ukIf you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

February 6, 2025Episode 128 min

How to Resolve Conflict: Understanding Personality Traits

How to Resolve Conflict: Understanding Personality TraitsResolving conflict isn’t about finding the “right” answer - it’s about fostering understanding, ensuring everyone feels heard, and moving forward with mutual satisfaction and calm. In this episode, Maryanne and Drew explore four key personality traits that can be used as tools to navigate conflict effectively.You’ll discover how recognising these traits and adapting your approach can lead to meaningful resolution, no matter the type of conflict. And when resolution feels out of reach, they’ll share advice on when and how to seek support.Tune in for practical insights that will help you tackle conflict with clarity and agility.Find out more about Drew and his work here.We'd love to read your comments and experiences or feature your questions in our bonus episode! Get in touch here.If you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

November 15, 2024Episode 439 min

Self-Doubt to Self-Trust: Rebuilding Belief in Yourself

In this episode, we explore how a lack of self-trust, not just confidence, can contribute to stress and anxiety in various situations like job interviews, career changes, or returning to work after family leave. We also touch on how menopause can affect self-trust with symptoms like brain fog and low mood. Joining me is Antonia Siegel, a mindset and behavior change coach from Healthy Habits, to discuss strategies for rebuilding self-trust and thriving through life's challenges.If you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

March 11, 2024Episode 316 min

How to use breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety

In this episode, we get hands-on!Antonia explains to us how breathwork can regulate the stress hormone and reduce stress levels.She takes us through a powerful breathing technique that can help to control the stress we feel and get us into the right headspace before presenting.If you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

March 11, 2024Episode 234 min

Managing Stress When We Present

75% of the population fears public speaking. Avoiding it isn't always an option though and imagine the opportunities you could miss if you aren't able to fully engage!We can take control and we always have a choice.In this episode, Maryanne and Antonia discuss Imposter Syndrome and practical techniques to control your stress levels. They chat about their experiences and what works for them.You can learn more about Antonia and her work here:Healthy HabitsIf you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

February 8, 2024Episode 847 min

Spotlight on the Speaker with Ken Whipp, Programme Director of Scale Up Scotland

If you're a company with Scottish connections, looking to scale up then you might want to listen to this podcast. Ken Whipp is the Programme Director of Scale Up Scotland. Their ambition is to support fellow entrepreneurs to build world class, scalable businesses by sharing experience, access and networks to drive dynamic growth.Maryanne has delivered workshops with their cohorts and enjoyed asking Ken about how important being a good speaker is to leaders who are scaling their businesses. Scale Up Scotlandhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwhipp/The Hunter FoundationIf you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

February 6, 2024Episode 122 min

What is stress and how does it show up?

The World Health Organisation deems stress to be the health epidemic of the 21st Century.In this episode, Antonia and Maryanne discuss what stress is, where it comes from and how it manifests itself within us.If we can understand our stress response, we can find ways to manage it.Healthy HabitsIf you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

January 31, 2024Episode 955 min

Spotlight on the Speaker with Professor Caroline Barelle, CEO & Founder of Elasmogen

Caroline Barelle is a force of nature.She is also the CEO and Founder of Elasmogen, a biopharmaceutical company in Aberdeen, Scotland. Elasmogen is rapidly progressing a pipeline of next-generation, differentiated soloMER products for the treatment of solid tumour cancers and auto-immune inflammatory diseases.She has won the Scottish Life Sciences Award for Rising Star – Extraordinary Talent, Entrepreneurial Scotland’s Summit Award for Academic Entrepreneur of the Year and Most Innovative Company at BioFit2018’s Start-up Slam. Be prepared for entertaining stories of her experiences of presenting throughout her career to all sorts of audiences.Elasmogenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-barelle-94631032/Scotland's Life Sciences AwardsEntrepreneurial ScotlandBioFITIf you found this episode useful, please like, share and subscribe! Even better, why not write a short review to help us spread the word. Thank you for listening.

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