The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking – Details, episodes & analysis

Chris Voss was the FBI's lead international hostage negotiator… but these days, he's helping CEOs, speakers, and sales pros negotiate million-pound deals, win high-stakes conversations, and get results — without pushing, pitching, or people-pleasing.

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by the author of Never Split the Difference to explore how you can use his real-world-tested negotiation techniques to build trust fast, shift resistant clients into action, and speak with more power and presence.

And yes — I even used one of his own tactics to get him to say "yes" to coming on the show!
Whether you're trying to book more speaking gigs, close better clients, or simply influence with integrity — this one's packed with actionable diamonds!

What you'll discover:

• How Chris Voss went from SWAT and undercover ops to suicide hotlines and high-stakes hostage negotiation — and why it made him one of the world's top communication experts.
• What compelled Chris to share his FBI-developed negotiation system with the world instead of retiring into the sunset — and how that decision shaped Never Split the Difference.
• The one negotiation tactic that sounds great on paper… but can actually backfire, and what to do instead.
• Chris's ride-or-die technique — the one negotiation move he'd keep if all others were off the table.
• The common "influence" move that actually kills deals faster than anything — and what to replace it with.
• How Chris would handle a client who's stalling on a deadline or payment — and the exact question he'd use to move them into action.
• The subtle ways Chris reads and influences a room when he's speaking — and how his FBI experience shapes his delivery and timing.
• Why "labelling the room" during a talk can deepen audience connection — and how to read silent resistance and adjust in the moment.
• What the concept of the "Black Swan" means for public speaking — and how spotting the right insight can completely change your impact.
• How to make your audience feel in control (even if you're the one guiding them) — and why that's the secret to ethical influence and increased action.
• Why "Yes is nothing without how" — and how to use this principle in your calls to action so that people actually follow through after your talk.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Guest Information:
Website: https://www.blackswanltd.com/chris-voss  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervoss 

Books & Resources*:

Start with No by Jim Camp

The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler

Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

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.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

I first came across Adele Bates when I was judging the Storytelling category at the Speaker Awards—and her talk really stood out and grabbed my attention.

It was powerful, authentic, challenging and captivating. 

She didn't just tell the story. She performed it. Her talk built drama and connected emotionally to the audience, leading you to see a new perspective. 

Based on that performance and the fact that she went on to win the award for best storyteller, I knew I had to get her on the show. 

Not only did I want her to unpack the craft behind that talk, but I also wanted to dig into the powerful work she's doing at the intersection of education, leadership, and human behaviour.

Adele has over 20 years' experience working in some of the most challenging educational environments—mainstream, special, and alternative provision. Her journey has taken her from classrooms where she's had juice poured over her head and skateboards hurled at her… to research trips across the globe… to keynote stages and international recognition.

She is the author of "Miss, I Don't Give A Sh*t: Engaging with Challenging Behaviour in Schools. And today she and her team also work with organisations and leaders to tackle challenging dynamics in the workplace. 

Whether you're a speaker, leader, educator or changemaker, Adele's stories and insights will challenge your thinking, stir your empathy, and give you practical tools for connection and communication.

What You'll Discover:

• What triggered Adele to set off on a quest to discover a different way of approaching dealing with challenging behaviour.
• The key values that guide Adele's work with both students and corporate leaders.
• How to hold high expectations and compassion without burning out.
• The real disconnect between behaviour policies and lived experience in schools.
• The surprise career Adele had before she became a teacher and how she made the transition from educator to paid keynote speaker.
• The big mistake she made with a speaking client that she would never make again.
• Why it doesn't matter if you are introverted or extroverted to be successful as a speaker.
• How she developed the award-winning storytelling section of her talk.
• The single piece of feedback that transformed her speaking presence.
  
  

All things Adele:

Website: adelebateseducation.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-bates-03b566208/ 

Books & Resources*:

Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer 

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:                                                  

• 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.

• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

My guest today is Heather Lillico. I was so inspired by an article I read from Heather on the Tiny Buddha website, where she outed herself as a nutritionist who out of the limelight was actually struggling with an eating disorder, that I was curious to find out more.

What I discovered is that her journey of managing and mastering anxiety is not only inspiring, but could really help those of you who are struggling to manage anxiety around speaking. 

I know so many speakers and aspiring speakers struggle with this and it can really sabotage results, or worse get in the way of you getting started in the first place. 

Heather is a Holistic Nutritionist, Yoga & Meditation Teacher, and Anxiety Warrior. She teaches anxious, people-pleasing perfectionists how to step into a more confident version of themselves with a natural & holistic approach. 

She is the creator of the anxiety support app, Cultivating Calm, and believes we can all make mental space for what really matters.

Heather's been through the trenches and come out stronger, and in this episode, she's sharing the real, practical tools you need to stop letting fear run the show.

We dive into:

• Why anxiety is more than just a feeling—and what it's really trying to tell you
• The surprising link between what you eat and how confident you feel on stage
• A simple mindset shift that can turn anxiety into excitement
• A powerful technique to calm those pre-stage jitters in seconds
• The biggest mistake speakers make that actually fuels their fear (and what to do instead)
• Why waiting for 'confidence' before you act is a losing game

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here:

All things Heather:

• Website: Heather's Website
• Instagram: @HeatherLillico
• Cultivating Calm App: Download Here
• Tiny Buddha Article

Books & Resources*:

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thích Nhất Hạnh, et al 

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:                                                  

• 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.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Firstly, he writes some of the most engaging and authentic posts I've seen on LinkedIN that get a lot of traction

Secondly, one of his posts made reference to an experience he had whilst waiting to do a talk recently, and I knew that this would be useful to you.

Thirdly, he is a brilliant leader and has a powerful vision for his company and his team that I am sure will be an inspiration to you. 

So … who is he?

Well Gavin is the Managing Director of Howarths, and his company helps thousands of other businesses manage one of the most challenging aspects of navigating growth - taking on and managing people.

Howarths advises companies on HR, Employment law, Health & Safety, and getting the best out of a team, and their client retention rate is incredibly high. 

In this show we cover what it takes to be a great leader and create a high performance culture underpinned by people who love to come to work. 

But we of course also look at how Gavin has embraced authentic storytelling in his talks and linkedIn posts to grow a big following and attract more clients. 

Enjoy!

What you'll discover:

• The key events that led Gavin to what he does today.
• Gavin's view on the three things that are most critical for sustainable success.
• Why Gavin gets reminded he is going to die 5 times a day.
• How Howarths develop and encourage personality and individuality at work and why it's important to the business.
• The qualities of a great leader.
• Why Gavin hates the term 'soft skills'.
• What happened when Gavin did a talk in a room full of business power houses.
• How Gavin managed his thinking whilst waiting to go on stage. 
• The process Gavin uses to create his LinkedIn content.
• The mantra that underpins Howarth's business success.

All things Gavin:

Website -  www.howarths-uk.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinhowarth/

https://www.wecroak.com

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. 

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

•   leave a comment below.
•   Share this show on Twitter, 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.
•    Subscribe on iTunes.

Getting the right stories together and crafting appropriate jokes are the first thing you need to get right, but that doesn't guarantee things will go the way you want. That's because there is another issue that I see tripping people up in this area, and often they're not even aware that they're doing it.

That's what I want to cover today. 

I'm going to share exactly what this problem is and also show you what you need to do to stop it from sabotaging your success.

Enjoy!

What you'll learn:

• Why you should consider using stories and humour in your talks.
• What you need to think about when choosing your material. 
• The trap that many speakers fall into when using stories and humour in their talks. 
• How you can influence the audience reaction to your talk by the way that you're thinking about it.
• Why you could be teaching your audience not to laugh and what to do instead..
• The connection point between an analogy and your message and why it needs to be strongly made. 

And more!!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

UNICEF UKRAINE AID

RED CROSS UKRAINE AID

Nail Your Signature Talk Programme

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

The Speaking Club Facebook Group

The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc

www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

•   leave a comment below.
•   Share this show on Twitter, 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.
•    Subscribe on iTunes.

In this show, I'm going to share all the reasons why you need a pitch, the big mistakes people make, and the ingredients of a great pitch.

My aim is that you understand what you need to do to create a pitch that works, and gives you the confidence to share about what you do, or your idea or project in a way that will shine. 

If you want to always be ready to take your shot, then this is for you!

Enjoy!

What you'll learn:

• Why you need to understand how to create a compelling pitch.
• The biggest mistakes people make with pitches.
• The elements of a great pitch.
• Why you need to be aware of your 'perceived' weak points.
• A simple pitch structure.

And more!!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

UNICEF UKRAINE AID

RED CROSS UKRAINE AID

Nail Your Signature Talk Programme

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

The Speaking Club Facebook Group

The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc

www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

•   leave a comment below.
•   Share this show on Twitter, 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.
•    Subscribe on iTunes.

Devora Zack has carved out a reputation as a networking guru, and what she has to share about authentic networking is valid whether you're doing it online or eyeball to eyeball. 

She's been featured in many publications and media such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, Women's Health and Fast Company - to name but a few!

Stefan Thomas believes that putting effort into building and sustaining relationships at scale, over time, has benefits for every person, whether they own their own business, work for a company, or do a mixture of both. The trouble is that as Stefan says:

"What most people think networking is, and what it actually is, are two very different things."

Peter Beaumont has led the marketing teams for some of the most iconic global brands, in a career spanning over 80 countries. In that time he figured out the secret to managing and building strategic business relationships, and now he speaks and consults with other companies using his six step process to help them develop more powerful connections and take things to the next level.

Brandon Fong learned lessons at a young age from his parents that enabled him to master three of the most important skills that an entrepreneur needs for success. At 22 using those skills he made a connection that would change his life. He has continued to build on those skills and today he is on the journey to his own seven figure business and is helping entrepreneurs use his 'Magic Connection' method to develop relationships that will change their lives too.

Enjoy!

What you'll discover: 

Devora:

• Four great tips for getting the most out of a networking event.
• Why you should follow up and what to consider in your follow-up to increase the chances of them saying yes.
• How to avoid the traps that damage rapport.
• Addressing the balance of speaking and listening in networking conversations.

Stefan:

• Whether you should always agree to 121 follow ups. 
• Getting the balance right in 121 conversations between asking versus telling.
• Why you should take advantage of longer speaking slots in networking meetings.
• Why storytelling is important for successful networking and marketing.

Peter:

• How to define the key relationships you need to influence and develop.
• The important ingredients for developing strategic partnerships.
• How you know if you're doing 'human to human' business relationships right. 

Brandon:

• The 'Ikea effect' and how you can use this principle to add value to people who are more successful than you.
• The slipstream technique and how you can use it to accelerate your success.
• Brandon's 'Magic Connection' method and the three ingredients for success.
• The benefits of 'no' oriented questions and how to use them.
• An example of an email using Brandon's 'magic connection' method, which helped him change his life at 22. 

Guest Links:

All things Devora:

Website: https://www.myonlyconnect.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devora.zack 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devora-zack

Books*:

Networking for People Who Hate Networking

Singletasking: Get More Done One Thing at a Time

Managing for People Who Hate Managing

All things Stefan:

stefanthomas.biz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanthomasnetworking/

https://www.instagram.com/thenetworkingretreat/

Books*:

Instant Networking by Stefan Thomas

Business Networking for Dummies by Stefan Thomas

Win the Room by Stefan Thomas

All things Brandon:

https://brandon-fong.com

Search for the The 7 Figure Millennials Podcast

Magic Connection Method: www.magicconnectionmethod.com 

• Coupon Code for the accelerator program: 7FM

More advanced training and bonuses: www.bfo.ng/tsc  

Twitter: @BrandonSFong

All things Peter:

Website: http://connxn.net

LinkedIn: Peter M Beaumont

Twitter: @pbeaumConnXN

Email: peter.beaumont@ConnXN.net 

Books*:
The Relationship Roadmap - Peter Beaumont

Full Episode Links

The Inside Track to Networking Like a Boss! With Devora Zack - 128

How to Build and Grow Your Professional Network with Stefan Thomas - 201

How to Captivate the Room When You're Networking on Zoom - 144

How to Make that One Connection That Could Change Everything with Brandon Fong - 147

Why You Need to Be More Strategic About Business Relationships with Peter Beaumont - 143

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. 

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:                                                  

• Leave a comment below.
• Share this show on Twitter, 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.
•  Subscribe on iTunes.

With a Master's in Health Science, Verla Fortier is a former Director of Surgery at The Toronto Hospitals in Toronto, Ontario and a retired Associate Professor of Nursing at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 

She is also a returning guest to The Speaking Club, and she is back because she has written a new book that I believe will save lives.

In episode 88, her first interview with me, she shared her own story of what happened when she was diagnosed with systemic lupus just a few days before she was due to retire to her hometown of Manitoba. 

That led to her writing her first book, 'Take Back Your Outside Mindset', creating a podcast, and becoming a speaker and expert about green space. If you haven't heard that interview then do have a listen.

At around the same time she received her lupus diagnosis, Verla's lifelong friend Lesley, died of a sudden cardiac arrest on a three day road trip. Verla couldn't understand why it happened, because Lesley had been a healthy woman. 

The mystery surrounding Lesley's passing stopped Verla from being able to accept and grieve the passing of her best friend. It haunted her so much that as soon as she was strong enough, she set out to solve it.

Her latest book is the result of that investigation, and what Verla discovered about what happened to her friend on that road trip is shocking.

Enjoy!

What you'll discover:

• Why Verla felt compelled to write this book.
• How Verla unraveled the mystery of her best friend's death. 
• Verla's thoughts on why conventional medicine so far behind in relation to this research.
• What your heart variability measurement is and how it can act as an early warning system for ill health and save lives.
• Some of the myths and mistakes around managing your heart health that are putting people at risk.
• How to look after your heart if you live in a city
• Why you need to take more responsibility for protecting your heart.
• How going outside for just three minutes a day can make you more sexy.
• How Verla is planning to use speaking to get the message out there.

All things Verla:

Website - Treesmendus.com

Take Back Your Outside Mindset by Verla Fortier

Take Back Your Outside Mindset Workbook by Verla Fortier

Optimise Your Heart Rate by Verla Fortier

Resources:

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme. 

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

•   leave a comment below.
•   Share this show on Twitter, 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.
•    Subscribe on iTunes.

So … in this show I want to answer two questions for you:

1. Why are most organisations crap at effecting change?
2. How can stories help leaders to make change happen successfully?

And just so that we're on the same page … to me successful change means minimal deviation from plan and budget, minimal disruption and minimal loss of employee goodwill.

Enjoy!

What you'll learn:

• Why most organisations struggle to implement change successfully 
• The Star Trek story that illustrates why change is hard.
• Why I fell out of love with the 80's Highlander film and how that can help you win hearts and minds.
• The map for a story led change talk
• How to use that map to create your talk
• Why you should pay extra attention to the questions you get asked by your audience
• The three different groups you will find in every change scenario.
• Why you don't need to be creative to use stories in your talks

And more!!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

UNICEF UKRAINE AID

RED CROSS UKRAINE AID

Nail Your Signature Talk Programme

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

The Speaking Club Facebook Group

The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc

www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

•   leave a comment below.
•   Share this show on Twitter, 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.
•    Subscribe on iTunes.

But one thing that AnnMarie was very clear on was that once the book is written whether you're with a publishing company or self-publishing - the marketing and promotion of that book pretty much rests with you.

You probably won't be surprised to hear that speaking is one of the most effective ways to build an audience and make more book sales.

But you don't often get specific advice about what to put in the talk and how to adapt it for the multiple speaking mediums that you can use to get your message out there.

That's where this episode comes in.

Enjoy!

What you'll learn:

• Why you need to spend time creating a talk about your book
• The ingredients that need to be in the talk about your book
• Ideas for creating your book promotion campaign
• How you can adapt that talk for different platforms
• Tips for making the pitch to talk

And more!!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

UNICEF UKRAINE AID

RED CROSS UKRAINE AID

Nail Your Signature Talk Programme

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

The Speaking Club Facebook Group

The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc

www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch 

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

•   leave a comment below.
•   Share this show on Twitter, 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.
•    Subscribe on iTunes.