The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

Hosted by Sarah Archer: Speaker, Comedian, Author, Playwright and Coach

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344

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Aug 2026

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About the show

If you want to have a laugh whilst learning how to increase your confidence and public speaking skills, for personal or business growth, then you have come to the right place. Discover tips, tricks and strategies on how to speak and pitch using humour and performance. Find out how to better connect with people's pain points in a way that they will want to talk about and share, and get the low down on powering up your mind set. Sarah Archer, is a stand-up comedian, playwright, speaker and business woman. She is also author of 'Cracking Speech Mate! – How to use humour to make you an amazing speaker', and 'Straight to the Top – How to create and deliver a killer elevator pitch'. Communicating with authenticity and power, influencing through copy, spoken word and body language, managing negative thoughts and anxiety, building authority and trust, story-telling and comedy secrets...oh and we'll also cover focus and time management 'cause Sarah has a mind like a butterfly! Join her for fun and aha moments.

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August 20, 20261 hr 7 min

The Skill That Helps You Connect With Any Audience with Michelle Mills-Porter - 345

Most speakers spend far more time preparing their message than preparing to understand the people they're speaking to. And that can be an expensive mistake. In this episode, I'm joined by Michelle Mills-Porter, better known as The People Reader, to explore what it really means to understand human behaviour and why it's one of the most overlooked skills in speaking. We talk about the difference between communication and behaviour, how to understand audiences before you ever step on stage, why clients often have a very different problem from the one they think they're hiring you to solve, and how becoming a better reader of people can transform the way you connect, influence and build trust. If you've ever wished you could understand your audience, your clients or your event bookers just a little better... this conversation is a great place to start. What you'll discover: • How surviving the Boxing Day tsunami changed the direction of Michelle's life and work • Why understanding behaviour is very different from understanding communication • What it really means to become "The People Reader" • The biggest mistake people make when trying to understand others • Why clients often need a completely different solution from the one they ask for • How speakers can better understand an audience before they even step on stage • The balance between adapting to your audience and staying authentic • How understanding human behaviour changed Michelle's own storytelling • Three things every speaker should understand about the people sitting in front of them • The simple shift that helps you build stronger connections wherever you speak Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that on our YouTube Channel soon. Guest Information: Website: mmp.uk.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michellemillsporter Books & Resources*: Phone Genius: The art of non-visual communication by Michelle Mills-Porter The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman The Four Agreements: Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 7, 202620 min

Stop Winging It: Choreograph Your Talk Like a Performer - 344

Great speakers don't just rehearse what they're going to say. They rehearse how they want their audience to experience it. Yet mention choreography to many speakers and you'll often hear the same concern... "I don't want to look rehearsed." In this episode, I explain why that's one of the biggest myths in public speaking, and how thinking more like an actor or performer can dramatically increase your impact without making you sound scripted. I'll share the four principles I use with my coaching clients to choreograph talks, show you why every movement either strengthens or weakens your message, and explain how to identify the moments in your talk that deserve intentional delivery. Whether you're preparing a keynote, TEDx talk or presentation, this episode will help you create a talk that doesn't just sound better... it feels better to your audience. What you'll discover: • Why performers embrace choreography but speakers often resist it. • The biggest myth about authenticity and rehearsal. • The four principles of choreographing your talk. • How movement, stillness and silence all shape your audience's experience. • Why your audience follows your attention. • The movement addition that turned a story from interesting to mesmerising. • How to identify the three to five moments in your talk that deserve intentional choreography. • The six performance levers you can use to increase impact. • Why rehearsal should be your sandpit of success. Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>> Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc . Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 30, 20261 hr 3 min

What Moderating World Leaders Taught Me About Great Communication with Xenia Wickett - 343

Let's be honest... Most of us think moderating a panel is just introducing the speakers, asking a few questions and making sure nobody waffles on for too long. Turns out... it's a little more complicated than that. Xenia Wickett has moderated conversations with some of the most influential people in the world, CEOs and senior policymakers including people like Elon Musk and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Xenia has spent her career working at the highest levels of international affairs, advising governments and businesses, and moderating conversations. In this episode she shares what she's learned about guiding discussions, managing disagreement, reading an audience and asking the kinds of questions that unlock genuinely interesting conversations. Whether you ever plan to chair a panel or not, you'll come away with ideas that will make you a better speaker, interviewer and communicator. What you'll discover: • How Xenia found herself moderating some of the world's biggest conversations • Why moderation is far more than asking questions and keeping time • What interviewing CEOs and world leaders taught her about communication • How to challenge influential people without becoming confrontational • The subtle signs a conversation is losing the audience • How to keep discussions productive when opinions collide • The mistake many speakers make that frustrates moderators • Why listening is often a communicator's greatest superpower • Practical advice if you'd like to moderate panels yourself • The communication habits every speaker can borrow from great moderators Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that on our YouTube Channel shortly. Guest Information: Website: www.wickettadvisory.com Xenia's Blog: https://www.wickettadvisory.com/blog LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xenia-wickett-2686b0 Books & Resources*: Winnie the Pooh by A.A.Milne TEDx | 5 Tips for Asking Better Questions, Xenia Wickett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IuyCJUJgDk You can find Xenia's interview with Elon Musk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWCfqBb0YTE Blog: How to Moderate Powerful Conversations: https://www.wickettadvisory.com/post/how-to-moderate-powerful-conversations [Quick Tip] Talk Flow Tips: Create Seamless Transitions Like a Pro, Episode 326 Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc . Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 24, 202614 min

The Struggle IS the Story - Why Speakers Skip the Most Important Part - 342

Many speakers think that the sexiest part of their story for the audience is the before and after. They're wrong. The most valuable bit is often missed entirely or not given the space it deserves in your talk. In this episode, I'm covering what that missing part is, what leaving it out is costing you and why you might feel resistance to including it in your signature story. If you've ever felt your story isn't quite landing with your audience, or not getting you the results you want when you speak this episode might explain why ... and completely change the way you tell it. What you'll discover: • The storytelling mistake Sarah spotted happening judging this year's Speaker Awards • What The Odyssey can teach you about telling a memorable signature story • Why audiences care less about your success than you might think • The missing piece of your story that undermines trust • Why sharing your failures can make you more credible, not less • The reason audiences often admire your transformation but don't believe they can achieve it themselves • How expert blindness can sabotage your story • The simple questions that help you uncover the lessons hidden inside your story • How to include the struggle, even if you've only got a short speaking slot • Why the decisions you made matter more than the destination you reached • What caterpillars, butterflies and chicken recipes have to do with great storytelling Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>> Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc Episode 194, Storytelling. The Long and Short of It: https://thespeakingclub.com/episodes/tsc/194 Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 11, 20261 hr 19 min

The Speaking Strategy You Can't Learn from any Programme with Jenny Carrell - 341

Most speakers spend years learning strategies. How to find speaking gigs. How to craft a keynote. How to market themselves. How to build a speaking business. But what if one of the most important strategies isn't something anyone can teach you? In this episode, I'm joined by intuition coach Jenny Carrell to explore the role intuition plays in making better decisions, recognising the right opportunities and understanding the beliefs that quietly shape the speaking career you create. Whether you're naturally sceptical or already curious about intuition and manifestation, this conversation goes beyond the clichés to explore why success isn't always about doing more ... it can start with seeing yourself, your opportunities and your potential differently. Enjoy! What you'll discover: • Why Jenny believes intuition is far more practical than most people realise • The life-changing experience that took her from sceptic to intuition coach • How to tell the difference between intuition, fear and wishful thinking • What manifestation really means, and why it's often misunderstood • The manifestation story that even surprised Jenny • Why some speakers seem to attract opportunities while others unknowingly block them • How your self-perception shapes the opportunities that come your way • The subtle difference between pursuing speaking opportunities from scarcity versus alignment • Where intuition should play a role in choosing your message, niche and speaking gigs • Whether it's possible to manifest opportunities before you're truly ready for them • The limiting beliefs that keep many speakers stuck at free or low fee • Whether intuition is something you're born with, or a skill you can develop • Why your external success often starts with internal change • How to know whether your goal is coming from purpose… or ego • Three simple ways you can start attracting your dream speaking gigs Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that on my YouTube channel soon... Guest Information: Website: https://www.theintuitivepath.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_intuitive_path/ Books & Resources*: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Becoming Supernatural by Dr Joe Dispenza The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 8, 202620 min

The Secret to Sharing Emotional Stories - 340

Have you ever listened to a speaker share a deeply personal story ... and instead of feeling moved, you felt worried about them, a bit awkward and like the life had been sucked out of you? On the other side of the coin, you might have been in the room with a speaker who share the most harrowing story and yet when they've finished you feel moved, uplifted and energised. So what's the difference? In this episode, I explore what I believe is the secret to sharing emotional stories that create connection rather than discomfort, and why the most moving speakers aren't always the most emotional. If you've ever worried about sharing a personal story, or wondered why yours don't always land in the way you'd hoped, then this episode is for you. What you'll discover: • Why some emotional stories move an audience… while others leave them feeling awkward • The biggest mistake speakers make when sharing personal stories • Why speaking isn't acting ... and why that distinction matters • Why audiences don't need you to tell them how you felt • The hidden emotional layers inside every story • The simple questions that uncover the moments your audience will connect with most • Why behaviour is often more powerful than emotion words • How tiny details can create huge emotional impact • The storytelling principle comedians use that speakers can borrow • What an orchestra conductor can teach you about leading an audience's emotions • Why giving your audience space to make the connection themselves creates deeper engagement • Two brilliant examples of speakers who evoke emotion without becoming melodramatic • How to share deeply personal stories without overwhelming yourself, or your audience Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode here> Links to the Clips mentioned in the podcast episode: John Peters on CBC News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iBBEANwDSY&feature=youtu.be Andrew Garfield on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u_TswLQ4ws Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 22, 20261 hr 15 min

Why Most Speakers Leave Money on the Table at Events with Jonathan Dunnett - 339

You've spent loads of time and energy landing a gig. You deliver a fab talk. You meet a few people and get some compliments. Then you leave... relying on your talk to land you more opportunities. Jonathan Dunnett believes that's a huge waste of your time. With a background in competitive intelligence Jonathan has worked with organisations to leverage data and insight to gain the edge in the market place. Today, utilises his skills and experience working as a Speaker Growth Strategist. He partners with Speakers to help them increase visibility, (especially in AI search), build high value relationships and get booked. In this episode, Jonathan shares why relying only on your performance is one of the biggest mistakes speakers make. We explore how to approach speaking engagements more strategically, from identifying the right people before the event begins, to creating meaningful conversations, gathering valuable intelligence and following up in a way that generates genuine opportunities. If you're using speaking to grow your business, build relationships or generate leads, this episode will help you get far more value from every event you attend. What you'll discover: • Why Jonathan believes you can't scale serendipity — and what speakers should be doing instead • The hidden part of speaking that most people completely overlook • How one speaker had 500 ideal prospects in the room… and walked away with just eight leads • Why being charismatic and "working the room" isn't enough • Where speakers lose the biggest opportunities after an event • The surprising things businesses do at events that speakers should be copying • The simple mindset shift that can dramatically increase the ROI of every speaking engagement • How to use your position on the programme to create opportunities before you even step on stage • Why the smartest speakers treat events as research projects, not just lead-generation exercises • The valuable intelligence hiding in plain sight at conferences and networking events • A different way to think about networking if the idea of "working the room" makes you cringe • What AI search means for speakers — and why now is the time to pay attention • The first thing every speaker should do when they have an event coming up in the next 30 days • Why some speakers leave events with a handful of contacts while others leave with genuine business opportunities Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that on YouTube shortly. Guest Information: Website: https://jonathandunnett.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandunnett/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JonathanDunnett Books & Resources*: How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Speaking Resources:Stagecraft to Showreel, 2-day in-person event: https://livetraining.saraharcher.co.uk/stagecraft To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc . Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 28, 202657 min

The Psychology of a Speaker Reel That Gets You Booked with Max Partain

If you're using speaking to grow your business, at some point someone is going to ask for your speaker reel. And yet… most speaker reels completely miss the point. Many speakers think a reel is simply a montage of clips stitched together with dramatic music and audience shots. But event planners aren't just looking at footage. They're asking themselves: "Can I picture this person on my stage?" In this episode, I'm joined by Emmy-winning editor and speaker reel strategist Max Partain to unpack what actually makes a speaker reel work — and why some speakers instantly feel more credible, trustworthy and bookable on camera than others. We explore the psychology behind booking decisions, the subtle cues that shape perception, and the mistakes speakers make that quietly weaken their positioning before they've even stepped onto the stage. If you want to get booked more often, position yourself at a higher level, and stop cringing every time someone asks for your reel… this episode is packed with insight. Enjoy! What you'll discover: • Why Max calls himself a "speaker reel strategist" — not just an editor • The hidden questions event planners are asking while they watch your reel • Why clarity beats cleverness when it comes to getting booked • What winning an Emmy taught Max about storytelling, attention and trust • The subtle mistakes that make speakers look less credible on camera • Why polished footage alone won't make you feel bookable • The difference between speakers who command attention and those who simply "look professional" • The tiny visual and behavioural cues that make a speaker feel premium • How speaker reels help planners de-risk booking decisions • Why audience reaction shots are more important than most speakers realise • What editing hundreds of speakers taught Max about stage presence and connection • The first thing speakers should improve if they want to shift how they're perceived quickly Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>> Guest Information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxpartain/ Books & Resources*: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Speaking Resources: Stagecraft to Showreel, 2-day in-person event: https://livetraining.saraharcher.co.uk/stagecraft To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc . Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 21, 202617 min

Why Change Communications Fail: The Altitude Gap - 337

Why do so many change initiatives fail to create real buy-in… even when the strategy makes complete sense? In this episode, I'm unpacking something I call 'The Altitude Gap' — the psychological disconnect that often happens between leaders communicating change and the employees expected to live through it. Drawing on my experience in HR, leadership communication, direct marketing and storytelling, I explore why logic alone rarely moves people, how organisations accidentally create resistance, and why many change programmes struggle long before implementation even begins. I'll share: the communication mistake I see leaders make again and again why urgency without safety creates shutdown instead of movement how strategic storytelling helps people move from resistance to buy-in and the emotional sequence that makes change communication land If you lead people, communicate change, speak professionally or simply want to influence more effectively, this episode will help you understand why people don't always move when the logic seems obvious… and what to do about it. What you'll discover: • Why some change programmes start dying the moment the PowerPoint deck appears • The hidden communication gap that makes people quietly drag their feet • Why leaders are often talking about "the future"… while employees are worrying about Friday • The mistake most organisations make when trying to get people bought in • Why explaining things more clearly often doesn't solve the problem • What employees are usually thinking during change… but rarely say out loud • Why "we've tried this before" is often a symptom, not the real issue • The reason some change messages land like a wet firework • Why logic alone rarely gets human beings moving • The storytelling sequence that helps people stop resisting and start leaning in • How to create buy-in without sounding manipulative or corporate • Why people need to feel safe before they're willing to move • The difference between communicating the summit… and helping people survive the climb • How strategic storytelling can reduce fear, friction and pushback during change • Why the best leaders don't just communicate strategy — they communicate possibility Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>> Books & Resources: The Altitude Gap Guide: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/altitude To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc . Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 14, 202658 min

How to Create a Disney-Level Speaking Experience with Vance Morris - 336

A lot of speakers think their job starts when they walk on stage. But what if a huge chunk of your impact, and your future bookings, are being created long before that moment… and long after it ends? In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by former Disney leader and customer experience expert Vance Morris to explore what happens when speakers start thinking differently about customer experience. Because as a speaker, you have more "customers" than you think. They're: The event organiser * The person booking you * The AV team * The audience members talking about you afterwards * And every person interacting with your brand before, during, and after the stage And every one of those touchpoints shapes whether you get remembered, referred, or rebooked. In this conversation, Vance shares what speakers can learn from Disney about creating memorable experiences, building loyalty, and turning one speaking gig into multiple opportunities. We explore how the experience starts before you arrive, continues through your delivery, and extends long after the applause. Because a great talk matters. But the experience around it? That's often what fills the pipeline. What you'll discover: • The unexpected lesson from Vance's journey — from Disney to bankruptcy — that still shapes how he runs his business today • What most speakers get wrong about customer experience (and what Disney does differently) • Where speakers are quietly "bleeding profit" — and why they don't even see it • How to turn one speaking gig into multiple opportunities (without chasing the next booking) • The things speakers do that they think build loyalty… but actually push clients away • How to create a "Disney-level" experience that people remember — without it feeling forced or gimmicky • Why combining direct-response marketing with customer experience changes everything • What actually moved the needle in building Vance's speaking business — and what turned out to be a waste of time Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>> Guest Information: Website: https://vancemorris.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris/ Books & Resources*: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill The Ultimate Marketing System by Dan Kennedy 52 Ways to Wow Your Customer Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge To share your thoughts: · leave a comment below. · Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: · Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.