Explore every episode of the podcast The Speechwriter's Room

In advance of this year's MLK Day, Mary highlights the stories behind two of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches, starting with how gospel singer Mahalia Jackson influenced the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington and Clarence B. Jones' account of how the speechwriting process unfolded the night before the March. Then, Mary discusses how Dr. King used the tools of persuasion in his speech at the fourth annual AFL-CIO convention in 1961. The episode pulls excerpts from these two speeches to showcase Dr. King's gift for challenging people in power and inspiring people to join the struggle for civil rights.

More about Mahalia Jackson's advice to Dr. King at the March on Washington: https://www.vox.com/2016/1/18/10785882/martin-luther-king-dream-mahalia-jackson

and

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/opinion/mahalia-jackson-and-kings-rhetorical-improvisation.html

Transcript of Dr. King's speech at the March on Washington:

https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety

Clarence B. Jones' story in the Washington Post:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/14/AR2011011406266_pf.html

Transcript of Dr. King's speech at the AFL-CIO Convention in 1961: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/address-delivered-fourth-constitutional-convention-afl-cio

Recording of Dr. King's speech at the AFL-CIO Convention in 1961: https://laborhistorytoday.podbean.com/e/mlk-at-the-afl-cio-in-1961-encore/

Historian Michael B. Honey's book All Labor Has Dignity:

https://www.beacon.org/All-Labor-Has-Dignity-P921.aspx

To learn more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit storiedcommunications.com.

Two speechwriting legends join The Speechwriter’s Room on this episode.

In addition to authoring The Political Speechwriter’s Companion, Bob Lehrman and Eric Schnure both wrote for former-Vice President Al Gore in the White House and have penned remarks for dozens more elected leaders, celebrities, and business executives. They talk about writing conversationally and quickly, how the term “howdahells” came about, the pitfalls of writing jokes for politicians, and the credit that the author Kurt Vonnegut deserves for Bob Lehrman’s speechwriting career. They also discuss the techniques that make Oprah Winfrey’s speech at the 2018 Golden Globes so memorable. 

Learn more about Bob Lehrman here. 

Learn more about Eric Schnure here. 

To find out more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit storiedcommunications.com.

In this episode, Mary Robbins talks about what speechwriters can learn from joke writers. She shares clips from some of her favorite comedians and the techniques their punchlines share with speechwriting, like the primacy-recency effect, the rule of three, and callbacks.

Mary cites research on callbacks from Duke University, which can be found here: https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-fuqua-insights/how-marketers-can-harness-power-of-callbacks

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit storiedcommunications.com

Mary Robbins has been a speechwriter for 15 years, crafting remarks and narratives for leaders from the business world to the White House. Now, she's sharing some of what she's learned and inviting some of the best speechwriters in the business to discuss the techniques and quirky aspects of the speechwriting profession. Join us in The Speechwriter's Room.

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit storiedcommunications.com

Ashley Mitchell joins The Speechwriter’s Room for a conversation about the power of speeches in times of crisis, pulling from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s recent remarks at a press conference shortly after Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent on January 7, 2026. The two speechwriters talk about what speakers and leaders need to remember for crisis communications, including how to connect to an audience when a tragedy happens. Mary and Ashley also discuss the speech that Robert F. Kennedy gave in 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The “speechwriter’s Bible” that Ashley mentions: https://www.speechwriterscompanion.com/

Speechwriters of Color’s website: https://speechwritersofcolor.com/

Video of Mayor Jacob Frey’s remarks at a press conference on January 7th, 2026: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey tells ICE 'get the f--- out' in response to Minnesota shooting

Video of Robert F. Kennedy’s speech on April 4, 1968, after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indianapolis, 1968: Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King and a historic call for peace

In this episode of The Speechwriter's Room, Mary gets inspired from pep talks in sports movies and television shows. From values-driven messaging to issuing a call to action, these coaches have lots to show us about crafting any kind of persuasive speech.

In a made-up award show, The Speechwriter's Room presents the 2026 Acceptance Speech Awards. Mary discusses the techniques that make the winners' remarks notable - from storytelling to making a call to action specific.

For best use of a literary device, the award goes to Stephen Colbert at the Golden Globes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gncZJZS68zE

Best Call to Action in an acceptance speech goes to Doechii at the Grammy's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1whp7ndRCs

For stand-out acknowledgement in an acceptance speech, the winner is Jessie Buckley at the Golden Globes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PttOo6dA0_c

The winner for outstanding use of storytelling is Michael B. Jordan for his acceptance speech at the Actor Awards. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMZv07WD9VI

Best moment of humility in an acceptance speech goes to Harrison Ford at the Actor Awards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV_2CEa6Bbs

Jean Smart at the Golden Globes wins for best humble brag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU2In_AsHMc

For best "take down" in an acceptance speech, the winner is Amy Poehler at the Golden Globes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9XdPNy_ffk

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/

Ken Sofer, the founder of New Colossus Advisors and former policy advisor and former speechwriter to the President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, discusses the speechwriting process, how to drop into a speaker's voice, and the partnership between a speechwriter and the principal.

Ken takes us behind the scenes of crafting a speech for IRC President and CEO David Miliband in 2019 (transcript and video of the speech).

Find Ken online at his firm and in the videos that he puts together on foreign policy topics, like this one.

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit StoriedCommunications.com

What do infomercials and persuasive speeches have in common? In this episode, Mary explores the structure called Monroe's Motivated Sequence that can be found in persuasive speeches across history and in classic infomercials - from the Snuggie to the Miracle Blade.

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit storiedcommunications.com.

Today in The Speechwriter’s Room, Felicia Salazar talks about what it’s like to write history-making speeches in the White House for President Biden. Felicia worked with the President on his remarks to issue an apology for the United States’ forced Native American boarding school policy.

With storytelling and cultivating connection in her speech drafts, Felicia has also been an aide to the former Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland. In this episode, Felicia talks through the writing process for a speech that Secretary Haaland gave to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of Native American activism on Alcatraz Island. 

Felicia is currently the Deputy Campaign Manager for Haaland’s campaign to become New Mexico’s next governor. DebHaaland.com.

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit storiedcommunications.com.

From Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact to Bill Pullman in Independence Day, American cinema has offered up some iconic portrayals of fictional American presidents. These pretend U.S. leaders especially shine on screen when they deliver gut-wrenching and heartfelt speeches. In this episode, Mary takes a look at what real-life speakers and speechwriters can learn from some of the most memorable made-up presidential speeches from movies.

Kat Kane stops by The Speechwriter's Room to talk about her background in cable news, writing for a principal with possibly the busiest speaking schedule on the planet, and how she helps clients maintain their authenticity behind the podium.

Plus, while Kat is new to the Knicks bandwagon, she expertly details what made NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's speech at the Knicks championship parade so memorable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciimC-cE_eI

Kat Kane is a partner at the speechwriting firm Fenway Strategies.

To learn more about the host of The Speechwriter's Room, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/.

Communications pro and Taylor Swift scholar Seth Nelson visits The Speechwriter's Room to share lessons that speechwriters and speakers can learn from Taylor Swift, including how to create a moment, knowing your audience, and using vulnerability strategically.

Read Seth Nelson's original piece of writing on this topic here: https://www.frontwoodstrategies.com/our-work/taylor

Seth is the communications director at Evergreen Action. https://www.evergreenaction.com/people/seth-nelson/

For Ezra Zwaeli, poetry not only informs how he writes speeches, but how he approaches life. He joins The Speechwriter's Room for a discussion on what it's like to perform slam poetry, how to make wonky policies relatable in speeches, and how to foster creativity in a hectic work environment.

Ezra is the former director of speechwriting for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. In the conversation, Ezra describes the objectives for Mayor Wu’s opening statement to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2025, which can be found here: https://youtu.be/0i21cliuoXo.

In celebration of the Class of 2026, Mary takes a look back on commencement addresses from U.S. leaders that set the country on a new path. 

President Lyndon B. Johnson unveiled his plans for “The Great Society” in commencement remarks at the University of Michigan. After 9/11, President George W. Bush spoke at the United States Military Academy where he pressed his case for pre-emptive strikes in the war on terror. At American University’s graduation ceremony in 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech entitled “A Strategy of Peace.” 

Mary takes a deeper dive into the stories behind two specific commencement addresses. First, she discusses President Roosevelt’s remarks at the University of Virginia’s commencement in 1940, including the influence that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had on the final draft. In that speech, FDR announced that the United States would be delivering additional aid to Great Britain and the Allies.  

The episode concludes with Secretary of State George C. Marshall’s remarks at Harvard University in 1947. In this speech, he announced the Marshall Plan for Europe. 

Additional sources for this episode: 

No Ordinary Time: Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin 

https://fdrlibrary.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/found-in-the-archives-6/

https://uvamagazine.org/articles/the_hand_that_held_the_dagger

https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2001/winter/crafting-day-of-infamy-speech.html

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/html/1997/05/marshall.html

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/html/1997/05/marshall.speech.html

In this episode, Mary shares outtakes of her interviews with speechwriters Ashley Mitchell, Ken Sofer, and Felicia Salazar, all of which center on storytelling.

Ashley Mitchell describes one of the most important aspects of telling a story. The full version of President Barack Obama's campaign speech that Ashley references is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MjccRjErQw

Ken Sofer of New Colossus Advisers introduces a metaphor for how to build a narrative for an organization. Ken posts videos and insights on foreign policy, advocacy, and communications on his LinkedIn page.

Former Presidential speechwriter Felicia Salazar talks about how she captures leaders' voices through their stories. Felicia is currently the Deputy Campaign Manager for Deb Haaland as she runs for Governor of New Mexico.

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit:

https://storiedcommunications.com/

It turns out that musical theater can be a training ground for speechwriting techniques. In this episode, Mary explores the ways that musicals make emotional appeals, showcase character, and hit the final note -- all of which directly apply to the best speeches.

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/

This episode of The Speechwriter's Room features Hartley Voss, the chief speechwriter for the Democratic staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Before Hartley embarked on his path in speechwriting, he had built a career in Hollywood, writing on television shows like Mad Men and Orange is the New Black.

Hartley and Mary talk about the similarities between the working environments of Hollywood and Washington and their experience resolving disagreements during a speechwriting process. They also take a look at what is arguably the most famous speech from Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) https://www.c-span.org/clip/house-proceeding/dick-durbin-floor-speech-on-baseball-bats/4504704

"Bob and Eric's book" refers to the Political Speechwriter's Companion: https://collegepublishing.sagepub.com/products/the-political-speechwriters-companion-2-257507

In the episode, Hartley recommends

Pam Douglas's book on writing and producing for television:

https://mwp.com/product/writing-the-tv-drama-series-how-to-succeed-as-a-professional-writer-in-tv-4th-edition/

And Secret Stairs: https://secretstairs-la.com/

To learn more about Mary Robbins, visit storiedcommunications.com

A partner at Bully Pulpit International, a former White House speechwriter, and a mentor to many, Jeff Nussbaum stops by The Speechwriter’s Room to talk persuasion, soundbites, and where he goes “to get yelled at by hundreds of Democratic officials.” He also shares the story behind John Lewis’s speech at the March on Washington, which is featured in Jeff's book titled Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches that Would Have Rewritten History.

From vivid detail to storytelling to easily understood language, all speechwriters could take a page from country song writers. In this episode, Mary explores the speechwriting lessons that can be found in hit country songs from 1995.

The research from Princeton that Mary cites in the show can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acp.1178

The Columbia University study Mary references is here: https://business.columbia.edu/insights/business-society/hidden-impact-professional-jargon-how-language-reveals-status-and