Welcome back to the Speaker Shine podcast! I am truly honored to host my special guest, Naomi, whose insights have profoundly influenced my own approach to speaking, dating back to a workshop she led at my Toastmasters club, the Munich Pros Masters. That workshop introduced me to the concept of speakers who "take the party to the audience" versus those who say they "bring the party to them", which felt "strangely powerful" when I adopted the latter approach.In this session, we delve into Naomi's journey from developing her distinct, powerful voice, which she attributes partially to her family history of having to fight her way to being heard, to finding rebellion and freedom through discovering jazz. She shares her deep belief in "Singing for All," arguing that nobody should be excluded from singing, as telling a child they cannot sing attacks a very central part of their personality and ability to communicate. We also explore her time in Toastmasters, where she found a community focused on speaking about "something that mattered". Naomi recounts the absolute highlight of coaching Cyril Junior Dim, who became the international champion of public speaking, a collaboration that emphasized him being real and joining the audience rather than "stop trying to be good". Finally, she offers wisdom derived from her German book, Postkarte aus Bali, which contains her philosophy of life, providing timeless advice for speakers, singers, and everyone seeking to communicate authentically.3 Key Takeaways from Naomi:1. The Core Mandate for Communication: The ultimate parting thought for speakers, singers, and all human beings is: "Stop trying to be Good. Just be real". Being likable is crucial, and it means being normal and natural, allowing yourself to be seen by others.2. The Speaker's Essential Trifecta: Naomi outlines the three most important priorities for speakers and singers: connection (connecting to the audience), empathy (understanding the audience and appreciating the effort it took them to be there), and likability (realizing that if you like somebody, that's the beginning of the relationship).3. The Power of Inclusion in Song: Naomi believes that everybody on God's earth should be encouraged to sing, regardless of whether they get the notes right. Singing is a much more primeval form of communication than speaking. She finds the "greatest adventure" and "real gift of inclusiveness" in helping people who previously felt ostracized to join in.

Ovidiu’s speaking career originated in Toastmasters, where he was known for being a competitor who "rocked the stage". His career quickly expanded, shifting from successful competitive speaking into professional training and event moderation. Initially, he started his business by organizing local "5 minute speeches" events because, as he put it, "nobody called me. So you know what? I'm going my I'm going to invite myself there on stage".

He delivered immersive, three-day training workshops, often held in the mountains to keep participants engaged and disconnected from the outside world, allowing them to feel "very happy with the activity of speaking".

When the pandemic forced a change in approach, Ovidiu pioneered online public speaking courses in Romania, successfully launching the weekly program "Speech Master." This shift proved advantageous, as his audience expanded globally to include Romanians from "all over the country and all over the world". He found that the online format provided participants with a crucial benefit: more time to prepare for their weekly speeches, leading to "unbelievable" evolution in structure and preparation.

Ovidiu insists that public speaking is a role, requiring dedication and responsibility. When a speaker goes on stage, they must "take this cape of the speaker" and assume everything that comes with that role. His highest priority for achieving success, whether in business or performance, is the effort put in beforehand, concluding with the powerful final tip: "Do not underestimate the power of rehearsals and preparation".

3 Key Takeaways

1. Rehearsal is the Foundation of Confidence and Career Growth.

Ovidiu stresses that the key to avoiding stress and nervousness is simple: preparation, because speakers are stressed when "they don't know their presentations" . Consistency is paramount: for a speech to become a "top speech" that could "change your life" or "change your business", rehearsal must be a priority, not an afterthought.

Ovidiu's Tip: "Do not underestimate the power of rehearsals and preparation".

2. The Speaker’s Role Requires Absolute Responsibility and Focus

When you step on stage, you must adopt the mindset of a performer assuming a role. This means leaving personal issues behind because the audience is owed 100% of your focus and effort. The audience comes "to get valuable from you," and for the duration of the presentation, "nothing else matters" in your world except your audience. The audience "don't care what happened to you a night before, an hour before".

Ovidiu's Tip: "You need to take this cape of the speaker, you need to get into the shoes of the speaker and assume everything that comes with that role".

3. Acting Discipline Fine-Tunes Delivery and Voice Connection (Acting Takeaway)

Ovidiu’s acting experience provided critical improvements to his public speaking style, particularly concerning voice control. Directors in theatre consistently advised him to "slow down, make a pause, don't hurry". This discipline helped him achieve a "better connection with [his] voice", which translated into better use of volume, rhythm, and the appropriate placement of accents and emphasis, helping him "bring the text to life" for his audiences.

Gustaf is the author of the book, ***Always Looking Up***, a title that carries a profound dual significance. Literally, it refers to his physical stature, as he is only **132 cm tall despite being 33 years old**, meaning he is frequently "looking up" when speaking to others.

Philosophically, the title underscores his commitment to being **positive, optimistic, and persistent** regardless of the challenges he faces in life. The inspiration for the book came from his father around winter 2019, who suggested Gustaf turn ten of his recent Toastmasters speeches into short stories. This initial idea launched a substantial commitment that spanned five years until the published book was finally held in his hand.The writing process was highly vulnerable and required Gustaf to combat insecurity and procrastination. He likened sending his draft to an editor as sending "a piece of me over the internet" for critique. To counter this fear and hesitation, he committed to public accountability by documenting his progress on an Instagram account, following the powerful advice that **if you don't feel any doubt, shame, or fear about making an announcement, you've waited too long**. This perseverance, nurtured by years of developing inner strength through playing sports and taking leadership roles within Toastmasters (where he has been a member for eight years), led to a contract with a Swedish publisher. The resulting book provided him with the **credibility** necessary for speaking engagements outside of Toastmasters, leading to paid events and regional recognition, including features on TV, radio, and the front cover of a regional newspaper. Gustaf's current strategy is to focus locally—all paid speaking engagements and the book are in Swedish—before expanding globally by releasing the book in English.3 Key Takeaways1. **The Message of Persistence and Optimism:** The book, *Always Looking Up*, is a literal reference to Gustaf's height (132 cm tall) and a metaphorical commitment to staying positive, optimistic, and persistent, regardless of any life challenges. This perseverance was necessary throughout the five years it took to turn the book idea into a published reality.2. **Overcoming Doubt Requires Public Action:** Writing was a deeply vulnerable experience, but Gustaf overcame the resistance and insecurity by using public accountability, notably by creating an Instagram account to document his journey. He embraced the key piece of advice: **if you don't feel any doubt, shame, fear about making this announcement, you've waited too long**.3. **Credibility is Essential for Speaking Success:** Gustaf emphasizes that the book and the journey of writing it gave him the vital credibility needed for paid speaking engagements and regional media coverage outside of his long involvement with Toastmasters. His advice to aspiring speakers is to focus on building this credibility and gaining experience by accepting every opportunity to speak, even if they are not paid.