I am stoked to have had this interview with Teri Kingston, one of Canada's top speaker coaches, where we go deep on what it takes to apply for a TEDx talk. To watch it go to the Classroom tab, click on the Experts Resources course, and click on 'Applying for TEDx with Teri Kingston'. And be sure to come back here and comment on what you found useful in the video. Also comment if there is someone else you know who would be good to put in the Expert Resources. @Jen Eriksen 👀 we may need to do one with you on the benefits of virtual events.

A director doesn't just show up on set with a camera. They pitch their vision to producers. They enroll actors. They attract funding, talent, and eventually, an audience — all by articulating a future that doesn't exist yet. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆. Your talk is your chance to be the director of your audience's transformation. You're not just delivering information — you're taking them on a journey from where they are now to where they could be. That requires a clear vision. A picture of the future state you want them to believe in, work toward, or feel compelled by. Without that vision, you're just presenting. With it, you're leading. The best speakers don't just inform. They enroll. What transformation are you inviting your audience into? 😉

Let everyone know who you are and where you are. And tell us of the most memorable live presentation you saw or gave. 😃

Every time you take the stage, you have the chance to do exactly that. But most speakers don't see it that way. They worry about what the audience expects. What the event organiser wants. What their industry peers will think. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵. And sometimes the worst bully isn't in the audience. It's the voice in your own head telling you that you're not ready, not qualified, not the right person to be up there. Frost also said: "Never be bullied into silence." Speaking from the stage is a privilege. It's also a responsibility. You get to choose what you stand for, what message you leave behind, and who you are in that moment. Don't let your inner critic or someone else's expectations make that choice for you. Define yourself. Every time. What's something you've learned about yourself through speaking? 😉