Speaker Dynamics | Leadership, Communication & Public Speaking
This podcast teaches leaders and professionals how to deliver impactful messages in business settings. Host Karin Reed, a communication expert, shares actionable tips on public speaking, pitching ideas, and inspiring teams. Each episode features expert guests and practical advice to help you own any room.
Episodes
EP57: Generational Differences in Communication: How Each Generation Defines Good Communication
What happens when communication coaches from different generations sit down and ask who actually gets to define what great communication looks like?
Host Karin Reed tackles generational differences in communication head-on in this episode of Speaker Dynamics Own The Room, joined by mother-daughter coaching duo Laurie Schloff, President of Partners in Communication, Inc., and Hava Horowitz, Senio
EP56: Speaker Tip Spotlight: The 3 Cs of Leadership Communication That Move Any Audience
The most powerful leadership communication doesn't come from a script. It comes from a speaker who means every word.
On Speaker Dynamics Own The Room - Speaker Tip Spotlight, host Karin Reed shares something that doesn't happen often in her line of work. She cried backstage at a conference. Not because something went wrong, but because a speaker she had spent months coaching delivered a keynote
EP55: The Meeting Doctor and the On-Camera Coach: AI Notetakers and Engagement in Virtual and Hybrid Meetings
AI can summarize your meeting, but it cannot replace the judgment, presence, or leadership communication that actually moves people.
On this episode of Speaker Dynamics – Own the Room, Karin Reed sits down with her longtime co-author and collaborator Dr. Joe Allen, known as "The Meeting Doctor" and Director of the Center for Meeting Effectiveness, for a conversation about where meetings, AI, and
EP54: Speaking with Confidence on Stage
Even experienced speakers can lose their footing when they stop trusting the way they communicate best.
In this Speaker Tip Spotlight episode of Speaker Dynamics – Own the Room, Karin Reed pulls back the curtain on a keynote that tested her own speaking with confidence and offers a useful reminder for anyone who wants to show up with more authority in high-stakes moments. She shares what happens
EP53: Why Effective Team Communication Starts With Getting People in the Right Role with Mark Murphy
Most teams do not fall apart because people lack talent. They fall apart because the wrong voices shape the conversation and nobody notices until the damage is done.
This episode on leadership communication shows why talented teams still make weak decisions and what leaders can do to change that. Drawing from the book Team Players: The Five Critical Roles You Need to Build a Winning Team, Karin
EP52: Speaker Tip Spotlight: Speaking with Confidence When Every Other Camera Is Off
Speaking with confidence in virtual meetings often begins with a simple decision: do you turn your camera on when no one else does? In this Speaker Tip Spotlight, Karin Reed discusses how speaking with confidence shows up in virtual communication. If you want stronger on-camera communication and a more intentional virtual presence, this episode explains how being seen influences how others receive
EP51: Speaking With Confidence: Why Pep Talks Backfire and What to Say Instead
Speaking with confidence can become harder after a well-intentioned pep talk. What feels encouraging in the moment often turns into pressure that undermines trust and performance. In this episode, Karin Reed sits down with Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, to examine why common praise patterns make speaking with confidence more difficult over time, both for children and for em
EP50: Busy PowerPoint Slides? Here’s How to Present Them Clearly
Presenting slides filled with dense data and rigid corporate templates can feel like you are fighting your own materials. You know the slide is too busy. You know it could be cleaner. Yet you are required to show every number. So how do you keep the room with you instead of losing them to a wall of figures?
In this Speaker Tip Spotlight episode of Speaker Dynamics, Karin Reed offers practical, r
EP49: AI Tools For Speakers - How Leaders Use GenAI To Improve Communication
What if ChatGPT could help you think more clearly before you speak instead of just helping you sound polished?
Karin Reed sits down with Michael Shehane, founder of InStride Leadership, to explore how leaders are using ai tools for speakers like ChatGPT or Claude to sharpen clarity, strengthen judgment, and communicate with more intention under pressure. Drawing from his work with AI leaders in
EP48: Eliminating Filler Words When... uh... Speaking | Speaker Tip Spotlight
If you are serious about eliminating filler words, you have to notice them before your audience does. When listeners start counting your “um’s” and “like’s” instead of tracking your ideas, your executive presence and leadership communication both suffer.
This solo episode launches Speaker Tip Spotlight, a short-form series focused on practical strategies for speaking with confidence and communica
EP47: Effective Communication for Women: The Likeability Trap That’s Holding You Back (with Dr. Kate Mason)
Do you really have to choose between being liked and being influential, or has that belief been quietly shaping how you speak and lead? In this conversation on effective communication for women, Karin Reed examines the hidden tradeoffs women are taught to make and how those habits affect executive presence.
Karin talks with Dr. Kate Mason, author of Powerfully Likeable, about the tension at the c
EP46: Be Remarkable in 2026 with Guy Kawasaki
Being remarkable is not a title you claim but the result of choosing to make a difference every single day. In this episode, Karin Reed revisits a favorite conversation with Guy Kawasaki to explore what actually makes someone remarkable. Drawing from his book Think Remarkable and decades of experience in technology and leadership, Guy challenges the idea that remarkableness comes from visibility,
EP45: Business Storytelling That Wins Funding - How to Pitch So People Lean In With Ben Wiener
Business storytelling is the difference between a pitch that gets polite nods and one that gets funded. In this episode, we break down how business storytelling transforms a standard startup presentation into a compelling narrative that investors actually respond to. If you care about leadership communication, speaking with confidence, and learning how to communicate with influence, this conversat
EP44: Job Search 101: Personal Brand on LinkedIn & Controlling Your Online Narrative
Discover how to articulate your professional value with clarity and confidence so your next career move feels intentional and fully aligned with your strengths.
Karin Reed and Briefcase Coach founder Sarah Johnston discuss why even the most accomplished professionals struggle to explain what they bring to the table. If you’ve ever stared at your résumé and wondered why it doesn’t feel like “you,
EP43: Tips for Making Small Talk & Enjoying Confident Communication with Matt Abrahams
Most of what we say isn’t planned, and communication expert Matt Abrahams wants us to stop fearing those moments and enjoy confident communication. Karin Reed talks with Matt, a Stanford lecturer and author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, about how to stay grounded when you’re put on the spot. Why do we freeze when asked an unexpected question or stumble through small talk? What if the key to confi
EP42: Talk to TikTok with Bill Harper
Bill Harper, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of BrandBossHQ, talks about what really happens when you stop hiding behind perfection and start showing up as yourself on camera. How do you get past the fear of putting your face out there? What shifts when you stop worrying about being polished and start focusing on being real?
Joining Karin Reed in this episode, Bill shares how one reluctant step o
EP41: Using GenAI for Presentations: Sharper Idea Generation, Storytelling & Practice Tools
Curious about using GenAI for presentations but not sure where to start? In this episode of Speaker Dynamics, Karin Reed sits down with communication coach and tech specialist Maggie Miller to explore how using GenAI for presentations can make you a stronger, more confident speaker rather than a robotic one.
Maggie shares how she moved from skepticism to strategy. She first experimented with AI
EP40: Strategically Real on Socials
Authentic leadership online means showing up as yourself rather than hiding behind corporate polish.
Karin Reed sits down with Jess Jensen, the founder of Co-Pilot Communications, to talk about what it really takes for executives to build a digital presence that feels genuine and earns trust. After two decades leading digital strategy for global brands like Microsoft, Nestlé, Qualcomm, and Adida
EP39: Leading Virtual Teams: What Changes When Your Team Is Global
Leading Virtual Teams requires more than replicating office habits on a digital platform. What looks aligned on the surface can quickly fracture when distance, culture, and trust are not intentionally addressed. For leaders focused on Speaking Like a Leader in a global environment, communication choices carry even greater weight.
In this episode, Karin Reed sits down with global virtual team exp
EP38: The Power of Silence
Silence can feel uncomfortable, yet it has the power to make every word count. How do pauses change the way others hear you? When does stopping at the right moment strengthen your message instead of weaken it?
Speaker Dynamics – Own The Room is back, and in this episode, Karin Reed explores silence as one of the most underused but transformative skills in communication. She shares how pausing be
EP37: Inspiring through Storytelling
Most business presentations are packed with data no one remembers. Stories are what actually stick.
Karin Reed is joined by senior communication coach Andrea Brody for a conversation that redefines what storytelling looks like in a business setting. What makes someone pause, lean in, and actually remember what you said? Well, it’s probably not your bullet points.
Andrea shares insights from he
EP36: Pitch Perfect - Becoming a Media Expert with Paula Rizzo
Becoming a go-to media expert doesn’t happen by chance. There are multiple factors that make you the guest who is on speed dial. But what are those factors?
Karin Reed talks with Paula Rizzo, an Emmy-winning producer, author and media trainer, about what it really takes to get booked by the media and asked back. Why do some experts become regulars while others never hear a word? What makes a pr
EP35: Will You Let Me Finish?
Controlling a room full of senior leaders starts with knowing your mission and refusing to let interruptions derail it. So what happens when you walk into a meeting ready to present and the executives start cutting you off before you even reach slide two? Karin Reed knows the feeling, and she offers a smarter way to handle it without losing control or losing your nerve.
In this episode, Karin br
EP34: Tales from the Trenches of the Speakers Circuit
Most people think polish makes a speaker great. Authenticity is what makes an audience listen.
In this episode, Karin Reed talks with international keynote speaker and bestselling author Ryan Vet about what it really takes to build a professional speaking business. From a non-linear journey shaped by entrepreneurship and early Twitter fame to a moment of clarity sparked by unexpected feedback, R
EP33: An Executive Presence Toolkit
Executive presence isn’t something you’re just born with. It’s built through intention, visibility, and the willingness to quiet your inner critic. These are some of the key takeaways from Karin Reed’s talk produced by e-learning titan, Madecraft, as part of their &Then speakers’ series.
Karin returns to a topic she’s known for—owning the room—but this time through a more personal lens. What
EP32: Leadership Communication: Flexible Leadership in Uncertain Times (with Kevin Eikenberry)
In a world where change is constant, leadership communication can no longer rely on habit or personality type. If you lead a team, present to stakeholders, or guide strategy, the way you communicate directly shapes results. Rigid leadership communication simply does not work anymore.
In this episode, Kevin Eikenberry joins Karin Reed to challenge the idea that leaders should stick to one style
EP31: The Assignment I Didn’t Want That Led to a Career in Leadership Communicatio
Milestones rarely announce themselves in the moment. They often look like assignments you did not ask for, skills that felt ordinary, or opportunities that seemed off-track. Only later do you see how they shaped your career.
As Speaker Dynamics marks its first anniversary, Karin Reed reflects on the moments that led her into a career focused on leadership communication, executive presence, and coa
EP30: Virtual Communication Skills: Why Presence Matters More Than Proximity
Are your virtual communication skills strong enough to create real connection when your team is fully remote?
Return-to-office mandates promise culture and collaboration, but they often miss the real issue. The gap is not proximity. It is presence. In this conversation, Karin Reed sits down with Lisette Sutherland to unpack how spatial working may reshape the way we think about leading virtual te
EP29: Influence When Speaking: The 3 Habits That Strengthen Executive Presence
Influence when speaking is not built through big declarations. It is built through daily communication habits that shape how others see and hear you.
In this episode, Karin Reed shares three shifts that strengthen your virtual presence, sharpen your executive communication, and increase your influence when speaking in high-stakes moments. Whether you are presenting in a boardroom or speaking on ca
EP28: Connect As A Person For Authentic Leadership Communication and Executive Presence
Are you leading like a person or hiding behind your title? This conversation gets to the heart of leadership communication and the difference between authority and connection. Karin Reed sits down with Mark Carpenter, author of Lead Like a Person, Not a Position, to explore why positional power is costing leaders more than they realize.
In today’s workplace, leadership communication is less abou
EP27: Executive Presence: Aligning Strategy and Emotion During Change
Most change initiatives fail because of poor leadership communication, not bad strategy. When leaders decide to pivot, they usually have data, analysis, and alignment at the top. What often gets missed is how that decision lands emotionally across the organization.
In this conversation, John Cerqueira shares what effective leadership communication really looks like during change management. He b
EP26: Best of 2024: Own the Room
“One of my favorite things about doing this podcast has been the opportunity to learn new things. And I hope that you've had the same opportunity as well in listening to these conversations. I'm really excited to continue the conversation next year with all of you,” shares Karin Reed, as she reflects on the podcast’s journey. She expresses heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support from listen
EP25: Executive Presence: The Hidden Power of Owning Your Mistakes
What does executive presence look like when you have just made a mistake?
Mark Graban, host of My Favorite Mistake and author of The Mistakes That Make Us, shares a surprising truth. Real executive presence is not about perfection. It is about confident communication when things go wrong.
Mark has interviewed nearly 300 leaders, including members of Congress and high profile entrepreneurs, and ask
EP24: Using GenAI for Powerful Presentations
“AI is there to support storytelling, but not take it over,” says Maggie Miller, Speaker Dynamics’ communication coach and tech specialist, as she joins Karin Reed to discuss how generative AI, like ChatGPT, is reshaping presentation skills. Maggie shares how tools like ChatGPT save time, spark creativity, and even offer real-time feedback for presenters looking to refine their delivery.
Can AI
EP23: Don't Give Away Your Power When Virtual
Retaining your power in virtual communication means building a presence that resonates and holds influence, even from behind a screen. So, how do we adjust our approach to make sure our impact truly connects in virtual settings?
In this episode, Karin Reed unpacks what it takes to communicate powerfully online. Reflecting on a colleague’s observation that 80% of people appear significantly more
EP22: How to Build Executive Presence by Strengthening Your Personal Power
Why do some people command a room instantly while others struggle to be heard? Executive presence is often treated like a mystery trait, yet Chris Lipp argues it is rooted in something far more practical and trainable. It begins with personal power.
In this conversation, you will rethink executive presence from the inside out. Chris explains why titles and authority do not create real influence
EP21: Leading Yourself with Elizabeth Lotardo
“Leading yourself is about controlling the controllable. And sometimes that is your own mindset and only your own mindset,” says Elizabeth Lotardo, a consultant, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and author of “Leading Yourself.” She joins Karin Reed in this episode to talk about the power of self-leadership and how it enables anyone, no matter their role, to take charge of their work life. She focuse
EP20: Mission Possible: Fight Imposter Syndrome with Julia Korn
“What do Michelle Obama, Sheryl Sandberg, and potentially you all have in common? Imposter syndrome,” begins Karin Reed. She’s joined by Julia Korn, founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide, to dive into how widespread imposter syndrome truly is—impacting 70% of people across all demographics. It’s a universal feeling, and Julia explains that—contrary to popular belief—imposter syndrome is not ex
EP19: Speaking Like a Leader: Stop Avoiding the Conversations That Matter Most
Speaking Like a Leader is tested most when the stakes are high and emotions run stronger than we would like. In this conversation on leadership communication, Karin Reed sits down with Emily Gregory, co-author of Crucial Conversations, to explore why avoiding hard feedback quietly erodes trust. Speaking Like a Leader means stepping into discomfort instead of sidestepping it. If leadership communic
EP18: Pay Attention People!
“Imagine what it’s like trying to keep people’s attention in a virtual meeting—one they might not be interested in, a meeting they might even feel they don’t belong in. Yet, there they are, and it’s your job to keep them focused and get business done,” begins Karin Reed.
In this episode, Karin addresses the challenges of keeping participants engaged in virtual meetings and offers practical strat
EP17: Women in the Workplace: Communicating Your Worth
“Wouldn’t it be great if you had someone to guide you through writing your next chapter? Marcy Bullock is one of those people,” says Karin Reed in today’s episode of Speaker Dynamics - “Own the Room.” Joining Karin, Marcy emphasizes the importance of viewing life and career as a series of chapters, encouraging us to focus on “what’s next” rather than feeling overwhelmed by planning our entire futu
EP16: Five Ways to Build Authentic Leadership Communication
Executive presence used to mean fitting a mold. Sound a certain way. Look a certain way. Smooth out the edges. Today, executive presence is rooted in authentic leadership communication. Instead of sanding down what makes you unique, she explains how leaning into who you are strengthens your authentic leadership communication and helps you communicate with influence.
Through real stories, Karin o
EP15: Hybrid Meetings: Designing for Real Participation and Better Results
Hybrid meetings are not going away. In fact, hybrid meetings may become the most common format you lead this year. The real question is not whether you prefer them. It is whether you know how to run them well.
In this episode, Karin Reed sits down with Dr. Joe Allen, co-author of Suddenly Virtual and Suddenly Hybrid, to unpack the research behind hybrid meetings and why they can outperform both
EP14: It’s Not About the Ring Light
“It is critical that our digital impression is a good one, reflecting your personal leadership brand and your corporate brand,” says Karin Reed. Is your digital impression a good one? In this episode, Karin delves into the importance of creating a strong digital impression and maintaining a compelling virtual presence. She shares insights from her TV journalism career, illustrating how appearance
EP13: Playing the Long Game with Dorie Clark
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asks Karin Reed. She argues this question is just as relevant for adults as it is for children, leading to a discussion about balancing immediate productivity with strategic, long-term goals. In this episode, Karin talks with Wall Street Journal bestselling author Dorie Clark about the critical practice of long-term thinking in a society fixated on immedi
EP12: Five Lessons Learned from My Time in TV News
What we say and how we say it matters, whether we are speaking over the airwaves or in front of the boardroom. In this episode, Karin Reed shares how the lessons she learned as an award-winning broadcast journalist shape her approach to her work today in the business world—lessons that you can apply in your role as well. Whether she is pointing out potential pitfalls or highlighting how you can co
EP11: Think Remarkable with Guy Kawasaki
“If you want to be remarkable, you seek to make a difference,” says renowned author and chief evangelist Guy Kawasaki. In this episode, Karin Reed sits down with one of her professional heroes to delve into the essence of his latest book, “Think Remarkable.”
Kawasaki shares his innovative approach to writing, using AI tools like ChatGPT and Quillbot to enhance his process without compromising qu
EP10: What Do I Do with My Hands?
“Body language can be tricky when you are presenting. Sometimes, you just don't know what to do with yourself, but your body is always speaking,” says Karin Reed. “How do you ensure that your body is saying what you want it to?” she asks. In this episode, Karin explains the critical role of body language during presentations. She opens with a common dilemma faced by speakers—what to do with their
EP09: Telling the Data Story
“Storytelling with statistics is not difficult, but it is demanding,” says JD Schramm. The distinguished speaker, author, and educator, who has taught at top institutions like Stanford and Columbia, sits down with Karin Reed to tackle a critical challenge in leadership: presenting complex data without succumbing to the dreaded “Death by PowerPoint.”
Leaders often fall into common pitfalls when p
EP08: Structure Sets You Free
"Being a fantastic speaker doesn't necessarily mean your audience will remember what you say," Karin Reed explains as she emphasizes the importance of structured communication to ensure the audience not only enjoys the presentation but also retains the key messages.
Karin shares an anecdote from a conference where a renowned, technically proficient keynote speaker delivered a polished but ultima
EP07: Leadership Communication: A View from the C-Suite
Jenn Chase, CMO at SAS, trades the ice rink for the boardroom as she opens up to Karin Reed on the Speaker Dynamics podcast about her unique path to leadership. Their discussion dives into the critical connection between leadership and communication, shedding light on how a leader’s message resonates within the confines of their team and echoes throughout the broader business landscape.
Jenn tal
EP06: Be Present - Avoiding the Verbal Gaffe
In crucial conversations, we often become our own worst critics, caught between the voice that speaks out loud and another that judges us internally. This internal conflict can derail us in how we communicate. However, effective strategies exist to manage it. Emmy-winning broadcast journalist and communication thought leader Karin Reed highlights the critical role of being fully present during com
EP05: Communicating with Noble Purpose with Lisa Earle McLeod
Imagine you are leading a team where every member is as passionate about the company's impact as you are. Host Karin Reed discusses challenging traditional leadership narratives with guest Lisa Earle McLeod, a global expert on purpose-driven business and bestselling author of “Selling with Noble Purpose” and "Leading with Noble Purpose.” In this episode of Speaker Dynamics: Own the Room, they expl
EP04: Eye Contact When Speaking: The Mistake Leaders Make in Virtual and Hybrid Meetings
Most of us were taught to look people in the eye. Simple advice, until you are presenting on camera, leading a hybrid meeting, or toggling between slides and a room full of people. Eye contact when speaking is no longer automatic, yet it remains one of the strongest signals of trust, credibility, and executive presence.
Karin Reed unpacks the hidden language of eye contact and why it shapes conn
EP03: Protecting your Face – Prepping for Big Presentations
"It was a career defining moment...but not in a good way." Host Karin Reed shares her personal experience of a disastrous presentation and reveals the crucial lesson she learned: protecting your face is essential for a successful presentation.
As conference season approaches and listeners may be preparing for career-defining opportunities, Karin shares her expertise to help you make the most of
EP02: Speaking Well When Put On The Spot with Matt Abrahams
Does the thought of being suddenly called upon to speak in a meeting or standing up to explain something to a large group send your heart racing and palms sweating? You're not alone. This episode of Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room dives deep into the art of mastering those pulse-pounding moments, transforming them from sources of anxiety into opportunities for impactful communication. Emmy-winning
EP01: Owning the Room When There IS No Room
Ever wondered why some speakers captivate the room, holding every gaze, commanding attention effortlessly whether they're in person or on a screen? What if you could unlock that secret for yourself? Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Speaker Dynamics - Own the Room," where your host, Karin Reed, an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, four-time author, and renowned communication expert, unve
Own The Room - Trailer
Have you ever been captivated by a great speaker and wondered how they make it look so effortless? Trust me, while it may look effortless, it likely took a lot of effort to get there. How do I know? Because I’ve helped thousands of coaching clients take their speaking skills from bland to “bravo!”, and I’m ready to help you too.
In this twice monthly podcast, I’ll teach you how to deliver a mess
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