Authenticity and Avatars

Authenticity and Avatars

What Public Speakers Can Learn from the Divergent Series

by Jezra on March 27, 2014

I’m deep into the second novel in Veronica Roth’s dystopian young adult series, Divergent, and the more I read, the more I see parallels with public speaking. ***SPOILER ALERT: The main premise of Divergent is about to be revealed.*** The Divergent novels (Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant) are set in a world that’s separated, Apartheid-style, into five “factions”: Candor train throughout Read More

Public Speaking Coaching? It’s About You!

by Jezra on March 20, 2014

Why Does Public Speaking Coaching Matter? WNYC is my local NPR station. It has roughly a million unique listeners every week — more than any other public radio station in the U.S. (maybe the world!). So it was a total thrill when popular morning host Brian Lehrer kicked off a show on coaching with this quote from yours truly: Public Read More

Public Speaking Tip 32: For Great Public Speaking, Be Miserable (Not!)

by Jezra on October 1, 2013

Have you ever noticed (sure you have!) how comedians can get things dead on right? Dan Greenburg did it in his classic book, How to Make Yourself Miserable. This makes him a public speaking expert. Sort of. How to Be Miserable When You Speak in Public It isn’t enough to be miserable, according to Greenburg. If you want to not Read More

Public Speaking Tip 30: Want to Be a Great Public Speaker? It’s a Process!

by Jezra on September 24, 2013

The Public Speaking Process Is… Many Things People often ask me how long it will take for them to become a great public speaker — and of course, the answer is, “I don’t know.” That’s because I don’t know… How fast you learn… What great means to you… And, before we start speaker coaching, which public speaking process will Read More

Public Speaking Tip 14: Learn from Babies, the World’s Best Communicators

by Jezra on April 28, 2013

Who Are the World’s Best Communicators? TV stars like Oprah Winfrey? Politicians like Bill Clinton? Motivational speakers like Tony Robbins? The many speakers who deliver TED talks? I think the world’s best communicators are babies! Here’s why: Baby Communicators Make Themselves Heard Think back to the last time you were around a screaming infant. Chances Read More

"Thank you again for the wonderful training. Our team is still talking about it. "

Tracee Sanders, Senior Manager, Human Resources Share Our Strength (a national organization to end childhood hunger)

"The presentation was a great success, and I owe that to your help with both organizing my ideas and delivering my speech powerfully."

Kathryn Cooperman Absentee Bid Coordinator, Christie’s

"STUPENDOUS! Thanks for your help…"

Adam Strum Founder, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Wine Enthusiast Companies

I used your tips-for-introverts about (a) energy conservation prior to talks and (b) getting centered once up on stage just yesterday for some talks at Mayo and both tips were INCREDIBLY helpful and made a real difference.

Jeffery Huffman, M.D. Director, Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program, MGH; Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School

Jezra, it was such a pleasure having you speak to our Supervisory Staff. Your presentation was clear, concise and applicable to what we do, from the start to the end. You provided tips that Supervisors were able to implement as soon as that afternoon. We look forward to inviting you back! Thank you!

Darnell D. Young, OTR/L Director, Occupational Therapy NYCDOE|ORS|DSISS

I accepted a job on Friday! Thanks for helping me move forward with this quest.

Peter Cafiero Transportation Executive, WMATA (Washington DC Transit System)

You would have been proud of all of your team. They did a great job, even those who had virtually no public speaking experience."

Alan Dixon Managing Director & CEO, Evans Dixon Group

I am so delighted/happy/pleased/EXCITED to tell you that my talk went really well this morning! Thank you so much for working with me to set up a clear three-point message at the start of the presentation. It helped everything fall in place after that. I am relieved to have found you and appreciate your insights and your time!

Barbara Veith Guest Curator, Decorative Arts — The Brooklyn Museum

I just wanted to send along a warm thank you for hosting such an awesome workshop for our Student Leadership Board."

Sarah Andes Director of Programming, Generation Citizen

"I have been a keynote speaker for over ten years. I figured I had this speaking thing more or less down; why would I need a coach? But in just a few sessions with Jezra I discovered that there truly is an art to being your best speaking self, and Jezra is a master at unlocking that. She is patient and supportive, and full of great frameworks and exercises, such that while we workshopped just one speech I learned concepts that I can take with me across multiple venues. Thank you Jezra!"

Morgan Simon Author, "Real Impact: The New Economics of Social Change"; Founding Partner, The Candide Group