Make It Kickass Kickass Conferences

Explore a world of community building and event success with our season 3 recap! From strategic planning to seamless execution, discover the interconnected tales of triumph in three key themes: strategy, process, and experience.
We'll recap:
the importance of authentic connections, curiosity, and intentional storytelling in event planning. the treasure trove of takeaways and wisdom from our guests this season to revolutionize your approach to event hosting
Key Topics and Takeaways00:01 - Recapping Themes in Make It Kickass
We had incredible guests this season and were amazed to find that even though they hadn't spoken to each other, they connected on similar stories. We covered three major topics throughout the season: strategy, process, and experience.
15:47 - Meaningful Event Experiences
Throughout the season we spoke to our guests about creating meaningful experiences for our attendees. We emphasized making sure attendees feel seen and heard, and setting expectations through communication. We also discussed applying a ‘lazy attitude’ to event production and how it can help reduce friction for attendees. Lastly, we discussed how technology can often get in the way, but emphasized that the goal is to design experiences that allow people to connect with each other on a human level.
31:59 - Storytelling's Power in Event Production
We discussed the importance of being conscious and intentional with the stories we tell and how this can create meaningful experiences for our attendees. We explored how we, as event producers, can craft the event story for our attendees and how this can help them connect with each other.
Want to dive deeper? Take our free 30 minute training, Community Event Mastery. Access it here.
See you in season 4!


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We discuss the practical storytelling insights drawn from our conversation with experienced storyteller Mike Pacchione. We chat about striking the right balance in narrative details and the tangible impact of shared language in storytelling.
Key Topics and Takeaways01:17 - Exploring the Power of Storytelling
When can details in a story become a red flag? We explore the line between providing enough detail to establish trust in the storyteller, and offering too much detail and creating distrust.
14:36 - Storytelling's Power in Shared Language
We explore how storytelling can be used to connect with people but can also be used to manipulate them😬. We examine how the details of stories can create a shared language among a group, strengthening their bonds. We reflect on our own experiences with people who are naturally talented at storytelling and how these tales can be remembered even after the teller is gone.
21:56 - Importance of Narrative in Event Hosting
We discuss the importance of narrative when creating a program or talk for an event. We also consider how context is essential for establishing empathy with an audience.
Want to dive deeper? Take our free 30 minute training, Community Event Mastery. Access it here.
Next episode: Wrapping up Season 3!


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What is the secret to delivering an unforgettable talk? That's what we're unpacking in our latest episode with Mike Pacchione. We get into the nuances of storytelling, differentiating between narratives and stories, and exploring how the right structure married with vivid details can paint vibrant pictures in the minds of the listeners that they’ll remember for years to come.
Guest BioMike Pacchione is an international speaker and speech coach who specializes in helping executives, athletes and entrepreneurs deliver smart and engaging messages to audiences of all sizes. Among his client list are James Clear, Laura Belgray, Don Miller, Amy Porterfield, Pat Flynn, Scott Hamilton, and more than 10,000 employees from companies like Apple, Google and Nike.
Connect with Mike at his website bestspeech.co!
Key Topics and Takeaways00:07 - Tell Better Stories With a Speech Coach
We sit down with Mike Pacchione to discuss tension, editing, and detail to tell better stories and build better talks.
10:23 - The Importance of Storytelling in Communication
We discuss storytelling vs narratives, storytelling's power to build communities and Mike's journey into speaking with ADHD.
27:51 - Leveraging Storytelling for Effective Presentations
Emphasizing relatable stories over remarkable ones, storytelling to create connections, and the vulnerability of sharing your story.
41:07 - Best Speech Coaching and Freebies
Tips on public speaking, storytelling, and engaging an audience.
Want to dive deeper? Take our free 30 minute training, Community Event Mastery. Access it here.
Additional ResourcesConnect with Mike at his website bestspeech.co!Check out the Best Speech Podcast with Mike Pacchione
Next episode: Exploring the Power and Influence of Storytelling


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We reflect on our conversation with Jordan Hayles and discuss making events inclusive and personally resonant while challenging conventional event planning norms. How do we strike a balance between structure and personal discovery, within a welcoming atmosphere?
Want to dive deeper? Take our free 30 minute training, Community Event Mastery. Access it here.
Key Topics and Takeaways02:07 - Conference Impact, Transformation and Exploration
We follow up on our interview with Jordan Hales, discussing how to make sure attendees leave an event transformed. We emphasize the importance of considering the full humanity of attendees and how to create moments of inclusiveness that remind us of our shared humanity.
10:57 - Creating Inclusive Event Spaces
How do we make events welcoming and inclusive for attendees, and how do we foster a sense of safety and freedom for participation? We look at providing structure and guidance without forcing engagement, and how to create an atmosphere that encourages people to take risks.
22:32 - The Cultural Significance of Dance
We explore the significance of dance in indigenous communities and how it has been lost in modern American culture. We discuss the importance of allowing people to express themselves through dance, and how movement and dance can embody every emotion.
Additional ResourcesWant to dive deeper? Take our free 30 minute training, Community Event Mastery. Access it here.

Next episode: Fine-Tuning the Art of Storytelling with Mike Pacchione


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Get ready to move and groove with Jordan Hayles! In our chat with Jordan, she passionately shares her journey to becoming a dance ambassador, and the power she believes movement holds in connecting people. She gives us insight into how she incorporates movement into conferences, bringing energy, engagement, and excitement to the event. You'll learn about her unique ability to fill people's hearts with music and dance and how it helps bring out the best in everyone.
Guest BioJordan Hayles is a multidisciplinary artist who works as a host & emcee of forward-thinking conferences online & across the globe through dance.  She calls herself a Dance Ambassador to the World, and encourages movement in the most ordinary and extraordinary ways … in places where movement is easily forgotten or unexpected like work and conferences!
Find out more about Jordan's work at jordanhayles.com
Key Topics and Takeaways09:15 - Movement Creating Connection
Jordan Hayles shares her philosophy that denying movement denies life. We discuss how movement unlocks something in the human spirit and how the collective energy of a group contributes to the overall event experience.
23:20 - Collective Expression
Jordan shares an epiphany about how the audience in an event can be part of a collective without without physical presence, and how the power of the music and choreography can be seen from a different perspective.
30:24 - Music and Connection
Jordan shares her experience as a musician and the spiritual connection she has with music. She speaks to the power of traveling with music, finding joy in different genres of music and fruits, and the importance of bringing humanity to events through music, movement, and storytelling. We explore how music, movement, and storytelling can create a deep connection between people and how Jordan facilitates exchange between people by helping them let their guard down and explore their own expression.
Additional ResourcesWork with Jordan!Want to dive deeper? Take our free 30 minute training, Community Event Mastery. Access it here.

Next episode: Making space for dancing and connection at events


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After our conversation with master improviser Gary Hirsch we sit down to discuss our biggest takeaways and how we can use that to create better community experiences.
Some of the topics we touch on this episode:
how event dynamics have dramatically shifted in the post-pandemic world how evolving priorities have affected interaction with events and how that is shaping event logisticshow online events have paved the way for synchronous social engagement, a feature often missing in traditional in-person events
Key Topics and Takeaways11:32 - Leadership Failures and Ignoring Community Impact
We talk about the problem of seeing people as numbers rather than unique individuals. We share a real example where an event organizer didn't think about the audience and added an interview with a political candidate that didn't fit the event's theme, causing a bad experience for everyone.
20:18 - Introverts, Networking, and the Importance of Acknowledgment and Connection at Events
How are introverts coping with events nowadays? We address the challenges introverts encounter during networking and talk through some tools and conversation starters to use. We also highlight the advantages of creating relaxed opportunities for attendees to connect without overcomplicating things.
25:45 - The Changing Landscape of Events
We discuss how people's expectations are evolving as people re-invest in live experiences to rekindle a sense of connection and excitement in their lives. The key message here is the importance of adapting to these shifts, whether you're an event organizer or an attendee, to create more meaningful and fulfilling experiences.
Want to dive deeper? Take our free 30 minute training, Community Event Mastery. Access it here.
Next episode: Dance and Connection in Community with Jordan Hayles


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy