Do you want to know how to confidently connect with an unseen audience? David Otey will show us how to own the virtual stage. David Otey gets it. He understands the challenges of presenting technical material. In the 1990s, while working as a broadcast engineer, David made a presentation at a conference of his peers. Immediately after lunch (i.e., naptime), people began dozing off as he started to narrate his slides. He knew then something had to change. Thus, he began his study of effective communication. He was soon thrown into the fire, leading the training on a new digital technology for more than 10,000 TV engineers and technicians. During that time, he was able to get buy-in from hundreds of previously reluctant executives, vendors, and engineers across an entire industry. David now shares what he has learned on his journey with scientists and technical experts so they can effectively connect and engage with their audiences. As a TEDx speaker and coach, he has studied under world-champion speakers and is a Certified World Class Speaking CoachTM. Additionally, he has contributed to books in both engineering and communication, including the NAB Engineering Handbook and World Class Speaking in Action. He has authored two books, “The Speaker’s Quick Guide to Telling Better Stories” and “The Speaker’s Quick Guide to Technical Presentations.”

Stand Up and Speak Up

Walt Interviews David Otey – Own the Virtual Stage

Do you know how to have difficult conversations in order to advocate for yourself in all aspects of your life? Do you want to learn how? Ming Shelby has dedicated her career to inspiring students, teachers, and administrators through positive learning experiences. She believes that courage is the most critical ingredient for personal transformation. She is now building a community of courage beyond the classroom to support kids and adults. You can catch her sharing stories of courage on the podcast Courage Up! 

Walt Interviews Ming Shelby – Courage Up!

George Bernard Shaw said, “The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language.” Sandi Small is an accent coach. She trains American actors to British up their accent and their role. Sandi noticed that American actors were confused about the numerous British accents and many coaches are too generic in accent training: they teach all of the accents, but do not specialize in one. She decided to specialize in the standard British accent, otherwise known as ‘received pronunciation’ or RP. Sandi observed that American actors wishing to train in the British accent would need much more than a change in the phonetic sounds. They would be learning a different language in many respects, because British and American English differ in so many areas, such as vocabulary, grammar, word stresses, and voice intonation. She also noted a lack of cultural awareness from the American actors wishing to train in the British voice. Language and culture are interlinked. She decided to train American actors in inter-cultural awareness. Her holistic approach allows for a full immersion into the British accent. Sandi has a background in applied linguistics and has been a film buff for years, as well as a fan of classical theatre and literature. She has been in the teaching and training industry for 20 years, including schools, colleges, universities, and training centers. 

Walt Interviews Sandi Small – Divided by a Common Language

If you want anything in life, don’t wait for it to come to you. Go and make things happen. If you can lift others in the process, your chances of success increase even more. Michael Schirtzer is a standup comedian and slam poet born in New York and raised in Los Angeles. Since starting in the backroom of a comedy club in 2014, he and his writing have appeared on NBC Sports, The Jimmy Dore Show, TYT, and KPFK. He has also co-written and appeared in videos with Joe Hanson of Joe Goes receiving upwards of 5 million views. Michael produces and hosts a monthly comedy show in Malibu, CA, that features upcoming talent from the Los Angeles comedy scene and national headliners, including: Ian Edwards, Dean Delray, Tony Baker, Laurie Kilmartin, Debra Digiovanni, Jackie Kashian, and Jimmy Dore. 

Walt Interviews Michael Schirtzer – Don’t Wait For Things To Happen

Whether you are a speaker or not, there is no doubt that we all have expertise that can leave an impact in the world once it is shared. As the Founder of www.GetSpeakingGigsNow.com, Leisa Reid mentors business professionals and entrepreneurs who want to make an impact and ultimately attract their ideal clients through speaking. As a speaker herself, Leisa has successfully booked and delivered over 500 speaking engagements. In her book, Get Speaking Gigs Now, she shares her 7 Step System to Getting Booked, Staying Booked, and Attracting Your Ideal Clients Through Speaking. 

Walt Interviews Leisa Reid – Making An Impact Through Your Message

Do you truly know what being healthy means? Being healthy goes beyond the "normal" everyday life changes of exercising and eating healthy. It involves our mental health as well as our physical health. Deanna Blair is the founder of Spot the DOTS (Developing. Optimal. Talents. Soulfully - Connecting minds, bodies, and souls for a healthier lifestyle.) Deanna helps people understand that MENTAL ILLNESS can be overcome by creating healthier lifestyles and by changing our environment. By creating healthier lifestyles and eliminating hazardous toxins in our lives, we connect brighter minds and better bodies. We change the world one dot at a time, leading to living our most abundant life. She does this using Science-Based Evidence. The results are a much happier, healthier life with less stress. For over 30 years, Deanna has had first-hand experience. A series of life events, including living with her mom with mental illness, has led her to write her first book to be published in April of 2020. Deanna is also a member of the NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), where she facilitates a family mental health class and serves as a volunteer for Mental Health of America greater Dallas. Deanna is certified in Mental Health First Aid Youth and Adults, and in NAMI Homefront – A family program designed for military service members and veterans with PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Deanna's passion is helping others who need relief from anxiety, fears, health issues, or living a purposeful life. 

Walt Interviews Deanna Blair – Spot the DOTS - Mind, Body, and Soul

Megan Lyons has shared her game-changing approach to wellness with thousands of people through personalized health coaching, corporate and group wellness programs, and motivational and educational speaking. As founder and owner of The Lyons’ Share Wellness, she’s deeply passionate about inspiring others to feel their healthiest and happiest. Megan is the author of “Start Here: 7 Easy, Diet-Free Steps to Achieve Your Ultimate Health and Happiness,” a Top 10 Amazon Bestseller in Nutrition. Her Lyons’ Share Coaching Academy helps aspiring coaches streamline their business and skyrocket their success. Megan holds degrees and certifications from Harvard University, Northwestern University, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She also has a Masters in Holistic Nutrition and is Board Certified as a Holistic Nutritionist. Megan lectures widely at hospitals, corporations, and organizations. When she’s not health coaching, you can find her working out, teaching fitness classes, cooking, reading, traveling, and cheering on the Dallas Mavericks. She currently lives in Dallas with her husband, Kevin, and adorable dogs, Maverick and Riley. 

Walt Interviews Megan Lyons – From Surviving To Thriving

Listen today to learn why "funny is the honey that makes your stories stick." Ray Engan was a shy little boy who used to avoid talking to strangers by walking inside the safety of his Mom's wrap around skirts. He went on to a career in stand-up comedy, performing with and writing for some of America's best comedians. He left comedy for corporate America, and immediately found failure in the business world... until he added the skill of connecting through comedy to the business world. He became a decorated leader in several large companies and wound up as the sales manager of America's most award-winning small business. Ray has testified before a presidential task force, and appeared on MSNBC, as The Voice of Small Business in America. After reading a London Business School study on the value of humor and storytelling in the workplace, Ray went back and uncovered the processes he had used to create more productivity, increased sales with increased staff retention, and a faster training program. He reverse-engineered his success and uncovered a repeatable business success formula. Today he gives workshops around the country teaching America's business leaders how to create better, happier, more productive workers through humorous storytelling in the workplace, with his program, Leadership Through Laughter. Ray Engan is an award-winning motivational speaker, coach, and storyteller. He is the current President and CEO of Leadership Through Laughter. 

Walt Interviews Ray Engan – Why People Laugh

Thursday's 11 am PST - Walt Grassl's Stand Up and Speak Up is a talk show for sharing the stories of people who have taken a series of small steps to overcome their fears and now lead new, more fulfulling lives. Are you afraid to take that first step towards a different life?

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Stand Up and Speak Up

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