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.

Welcome to this episode of the Speaker Shine Podcast, featuring speaker, singer, and professional leader, Find Your Voice by Hana Brellah.Hana shares her journey from her "first love," singing—which began in childhood using a big wooden spoon as a microphone—to becoming a multilingual songwriter and public speaker. Drawing on her extensive background, including her education as a pharmacist, she now runs "Find Your Voice by Hana Brellah," a company dedicated to coaching leaders to improve their communication clarity and consistency. Hana firmly states that communication is critical, asserting it is **not a "soft skill" or "sideline hustle"** and must be prioritized equally with strategy and finance. She discusses her commitment to continuous growth through Toastmasters, which she describes as her "speaking gym," and reflects on the rewarding journey toward her significant goal of becoming a TEDx speaker.Here are 3 key takeaways for the viewer from this insightful conversation:1. **Performance Skills from Singing are Highly Transferable to Speaking**. Hana learned essential stage tips, collaboration, and audience engagement skills from performing solo, singing in choirs, and engaging with the conductor. She also found that **songwriting is akin to risk-taking** because it involves exposing oneself and one's original message, much like public speaking. She leverages these analogies in her keynotes, comparing topics like leadership to the dynamic between a choir and its conductor.

2. **Communication for Leaders Must Be Prioritized and Constantly Improved**. Hana emphasizes that leaders are the face and voice of their organizations, meaning their communication directly impacts trust, reputation, and competitive positioning. However, studies suggest that only 5% of leaders seek feedback on their communication, indicating many may speak exactly the same way they did ten years prior. Hana stresses that leaders need a **"sparring partner" or outsider coach** to receive honest feedback, which helps them gain awareness and ensures they are consistently improving.

3. **Growth Comes from Intentional Living and Consistent Practice**. Hana refers to Toastmasters as her **"speaking gym"** where she consistently practices prepared speeches, impromptu speaking (learning to let go of control), and enjoys the "power" of the Contest Chair/Moderator role in setting the event's tone. She has set a resolution to live 2025 "with intention," aligning all her actions with her purpose—which is finding her voice and helping others find theirs—and this includes the crucial step of learning to **"say no more often"** to activities that do not align with her why. She notes that the "becoming journey" toward goals, like becoming a TEDx speaker, is often more rewarding than the final achievement itself.

Speaker Shine Podcast: Body, Purpose, and the Art of Connection with Ben

Ben, an expert coach from Berlin, grounds his work in the connection between the brain, the body, and purpose (mental, physical, and emotional aspects of performance). He uses somatic exercises (practices derived from the Greek soma, meaning body) to build physical self-awareness, believing that change starts with the body and influences how we think, feel, and do things. The host immediately noticed a change in energy and flow simply by choosing to stand during the podcast. Ben's early viral video featuring a half-naked picture humorously demonstrated tips on using the physical body to influence thought and action.

Ben provides practical advice for the startup scene using the quick and effective three H pitch technique for founders: the Hook (to draw people in emotionally), the Hope (the aspiration or impact they wish to achieve), and the Help or 'ask' (the specific need for investment, community, or knowledge).

Ben "fell into" professional moderation and event hosting through volunteer leadership roles in Toastmasters. He clarifies that the moderator's primary role is to be the connection between the audience and the stage. While acting as an ambassador for the organizer, a successful moderator strives for the speakers to shine, not for the MC to steal the spotlight.

Key Takeaways

• Connection is the Red Thread: The ability to be a good moderator or host hinges on connection with the audience and the speakers.
• Preparation is Everything: Moderators must conduct research, including building personal connection with guests beforehand by asking for personal, humanizing details (e.g., being a volunteer firefighter) to incorporate into introductions. Cultural research (e.g., local language greetings) helps the audience feel seen.
• The 5-Minute Prep: Before going on stage, the goal is to be less stressed, leading to confidence. Utilize physical techniques like deep belly breathing, sighing, grounding (feeling feet on the floor), and opening up the chest and shoulders to counter the instinct to contract.
• Professional Philosophy: Be a "diva on stage" (perform great) but a "delight offstage" (be helpful, follow up, and easy to work with) to maximize future opportunities.
• Physicality Matters: Standing up during a pitch or conversation increases engagement and brings a sense of aliveness. Utilizing the body's posture and movement reinforces communication.

From Shy Child to Global Speaker - The Unfiltered Journey of Sangbreeta Moitra

As a child in a school play, Sangbreeta’s biggest wish was simple: "I want to be a tree." She just wanted to blend into the background.It's a feeling many of us know well. But how do you go from being the quiet "tree" to commanding a global stage?

🎙️ Our latest guest on the Speaker Shine podcast, Sangbreeta, has lived this exact journey. She traded a secure career in biotechnology for her true calling, and her story is one of raw honesty, resilience, and rediscovery.This episode is a deep dive into Sangbreeta's remarkable path—from that shy child encouraged by a teacher, to a celebrated keynote speaker and the voice behind the powerful TEDx talk, "Transform Your Presence." We explore the pivotal moments and impossible choices that defined her career.

Key Insights from Our Conversation:

🌱 The Power of Rediscovery: After amassing what she estimates were over 1,500 competition experiences in public speaking as a child, she was told to drop it as "just a hobby." Years later, choosing to revisit that passion was her "red letter day"—the start of a "domino effect" that changed everything. It’s a masterclass in the courage it takes to listen to your inner child.

⚖️ The Unfiltered Reality of Ambition & Motherhood: In a story that will stop you in your tracks, Sangbreeta shares the moment she had to choose between canceling an opening keynote or being an "awful mother." With her baby's temperature over 39, she found herself on the phone with an emergency GP just 15 minutes before walking on stage. His simple words—"You're a good mother"—gave her the strength to wipe away the tears and deliver. This is the definition of "mental elasticity."

🧠 Strategic Coaching, Not Just Speech Feedback: Sangbreeta's approach is about long-term strategy, not short-term fixes. Driven by the question, "I wanted to know what is it that I don't know that I don't know," she became ICF-certified to help leaders being promoted into executive roles command a room with shareholders and in town halls. It's about building influence and authority, a method now at the core of her new Mastermind program.This isn't just another success story; it's a raw, unfiltered look at what it truly takes to reclaim a childhood passion while navigating the extreme pressures of career and motherhood.

Ready for a dose of real inspiration?

Martin Rusbjerg won the International Speech Contest of Toastmasters District 95 (Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden) in the year 2023-24

His award winning speech can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTw8M4JylEg

Martin shares his journey in speaking from a young age in school, church and work. How he went from a quiet kid and realized that Math was not his forte but he did have the Gift of the Gab! He explains his challenges with weight and transforms that journey for the listener to a bigger message. I loved the way, he used the weighing scale as a prop and masterfully crafted the message around it. It is great to see how he took his learning from Toastmasters and used it in leading at work with his improved communication skills.

Here are few quotes from Martin:

"A scale can only measure your connection to gravity and not how much you're worth."

"We connect through emotions rather than rationality."

"It is that you can't teach somebody they shouldn't smoke if you smoke yourself."

"And if you want to go beyond, like if you want members to go beyond, you need to go beyond."