Public Speaking for Fun & Profit | with Colin Ryan

Colin Ryan
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Public Speaking for Fun & Profit is for you -- the professional who wants to become a more confident, compelling speaker. So whether you're looking to advance your career, lead more effectively, get paid to speak, or simply stop dreading the next time someone hands you a microphone, welcome! Hosted by professional keynote speaker and speaking coach Colin Ryan, drawing on 15+ years of speaking, coaching, stand-up comedy and storytelling to give you real-world lessons that will help you transform your presentations from something you HAVE to do into something you LOVE to do.

  1. Sep 17

    2 Great Lessons from Bad Presenters

    Bad presentations can be incredibly useful, especially when you know what to look for. Seasoned public speaker and public speaking coach Colin Ryan breaks down two common decisions he’s seen presenters make that unintentionally alienate their audiences. More importantly, he looks at how easily those moments could have created connection instead, and elevated the experience for the presenter and their audience. This isn’t about making fun of bad presenters. It’s about recognizing that even experienced speakers can make choices that create distance between themselves and their audience. And the good news is that those choices are usually fixable. Colin shares two examples that can help you connect more naturally, communicate your message more effectively, and become the kind of presenter people actually want to listen to. ---- Thanks for listening! Want tailored support? Colin Ryan trains leaders and teams in the financial psychology of their clients and on building trust with colleagues, so they can drive the results they want most. He also coaches professionals to give dynamic presentations so they have more fun and make more impact when public speaking. Free resources and more at ⁠⁠colinryanspeaks.com

  2. Jul 15

    The Keynote Disaster That Taught Me How Trust Actually Works

    The Trust Toolkit helps professionals become better influential communicators who get results. In this episode, host Colin Ryan shares what happened when his presentation remote died mid-speech, in front of 100 people, during a talk about... public speaking. What could've been a disaster became one of the most talked-about moments of the day, and a masterclass in what really builds trust with clients, teams, and audiences. In this episode: Why a tech failure mid-keynote turned into the most memorable part of the talkThe exact thought that got Colin through 60+ seconds of dead air in front of a live roomWhy "don't be perfect, be present" is a proven strategyWhat happens to your listener when they see you sweat.The surprising link between building trust with others and building trust in yourself If you've ever felt like you had to be flawless to be credible, this episode will reframe how you think about the moments that go wrong. Thanks for listening! Want tailored support? Colin Ryan trains leaders and teams in the financial psychology of their clients and on building trust with colleagues, so they can drive the results they want most. He also coaches professionals to give dynamic presentations so they have more fun and make more impact when public speaking. Free resources and more at ⁠colinryanspeaks.com

  3. May 15

    You Deserve to Disappoint Others

    In this episode of The Trust Toolkit, Colin Ryan explores a simple but uncomfortable truth: you deserve to disappoint others. Inspired by a powerful audience moment in his keynote at a leadership summit for financial professionals, Colin talks about the impossible standards many high performers carry, the pressure to never let anyone down, and why self-trust begins with making peace with being imperfect. Through honest stories, humor, and reflections on mental health, he explores how self-kindness doesn’t make us weaker leaders — it makes us safer, more human, and ultimately more effective ones. Thanks for listening! Want tailored support? Colin Ryan trains leaders and teams in the financial psychology of their clients and on building trust with colleagues, so they can drive the results they want most. Free resources and more at colinryanspeaks.com

  4. Apr 15

    Lose the Point, Win the Client

    We all mess up with clients. The difference between advisors who lose trust and those who deepen it often comes down to what happens in the moments after the mistake. In this episode, Colin shares a relatable, personal story about a family miscommunication — and how he almost responded with the exact wrong kind of apology. Colin breaks down three ways to respond when you get something wrong: the reaction that damages trust, the one that repairs it, and the one that actually strengthens trust and restores the relationship. If you've ever had to say "I'm sorry" to a client or customer (or loved one), and wondered if you said it right, this one's for you. ------------------ If this episode resonated, there are more ways Colin can help. When it comes to the people-side of work—with clients, colleagues, and teams—results depend on your ability to create trust. If you want to increase performance within your team, or you achieve more sales, more referrals, and stronger client relationships, Colin offers engaging keynotes, interactive trainings, and one-on-one coaching designed to help professionals communicate more clearly and connect more deeply. To learn more or start a conversation, reach out at colin@colinryanspeaks.com Or download Colin’s free guide and explore resources for your next team event or sales meeting at:www.colinryanspeaks.com/resources

  5. Apr 2

    How to Tell Stories WITHOUT Talking About Yourself

    Colin Ryan has spent his entire career telling stories—and not in the vague, “everyone’s a storyteller” kind of way. He’s performed on The Moth, NPR, and PBS, and had his work featured in Reader’s Digest "The Best Stories in America" Collection. But his real work has lived in the business world—where storytelling has recently become trendy… and often misunderstood. In this episode, Colin breaks down what most professionals get wrong about storytelling at work. Too often, stories are long, self-focused, and unclear—leaving audiences disengaged instead of inspired. What’s missing? A simple, repeatable way to tell short, powerful stories that connect your experience to your client’s reality. But here’s the twist: Colin argues that the real value of storytelling isn’t actually about telling better stories. It’s about something far more important—something that drives trust, buy-in, and meaningful action in every conversation you have. If you’ve ever felt like your ideas aren’t landing, your clients aren’t fully engaged, or your message isn’t sticking—this episode will change how you think about storytelling entirely. ---------------------------------- If this episode resonated, there are more ways Colin can help. When it comes to the people-side of work—with clients, colleagues, and teams—results depend on your ability to create trust. If you’re looking for more sales, more referrals, and stronger client relationships, Colin offers engaging keynotes, interactive trainings, and one-on-one coaching designed to help professionals communicate more clearly and connect more deeply. To learn more or start a conversation, reach out at colin@colinryanspeaks.com Or download Colin’s free guide and explore resources for your next team event or sales meeting at:www.colinryanspeaks.com/resources

  6. Mar 31

    From Public Speaking to The Trust Toolkit

    I'm doubling down on the success of this podcast's first focus: public speaking, networking, pitching, and selling. I'm going to focus on the element beneath all of that: trust. I’ve given roughly 1,000 speeches, often talking about money, a subject most people don’t openly discuss. And I know I’m doing my job well when something shifts in the room. People open up.They engage.They become a little more honest, a little more vulnerable. And later, they tell me they actually made a change—because of one conversation, one talk, one moment. And when I step back and look at that, I realize… that only happens when there’s trust. Over the years, I’ve also worked with a lot of financial professionals—on communication, on client relationships, on how to better understand the people they’re trying to help. And there’s a gap I see again and again: There are people who need help…and people who genuinely want to help…but something doesn’t connect. And more and more, I believe that the bridge across that gap is trust. Going forward, this is The Trust Toolkit. I’m still going to share practical communication tools—things you can use in your next conversation, your next presentation, your next important moment. But everything is going to be grounded in this idea of:How do we communicate in a way that builds trust and actually moves people to action?

  7. Jan 9

    From Stereotype to Standout: Becoming a Financial Professional Clients Genuinely Trust

    In this episode, Colin Ryan explores why trust is the real differentiator for financial professionals in today’s skeptical environment. Drawing on his experiences with accountants, advisors, students, and industry leaders, Colin delves into the historical baggage that plagues the financial services industry -- from movie-inspired stereotypes to past misconducts -- and the challenges that make honest financial conversations difficult, but so important. You will gain insights into: The roots of distrust in the financial industry and how media and culture fuel these perceptions.Real-life stories from college campuses illustrating the disconnect between consumers and financial experts.Proven strategies to break negative stereotypes, such as focusing on empathy, transparency, and active listening.Practical tips to stand out as a trusted advisor, including championing clients, being non-judgmental, and bringing genuine care to every conversation.Data-driven benefits of trust-building, from better client engagement to long-term loyalty and advocacy.Why trust is not just a “soft skill,” but a measurable, observable outcome that directly impacts your professional results.Tune in to learn how to become the kind of financial professional people remember—and refer—by prioritizing trust over transactions. ------ Want to Bring This to Your Team? If you're nodding along thinking "my team needs to hear this," let's make it happen. I deliver the Trust Advantage keynote for financial services organizations that want their professionals to stand out, connect authentically, and build client relationships that last. Your team will learn: Why trust beats tactics every timeHow to turn skeptical prospects into engaged clientsThe neuroscience behind conversations that actually workPractical tools they can use in their very next meetingReady to talk? Visit ColinRyanSpeaks.com/keynote-trust-advantage to learn more. Let's turn your next event into something your team actually remembers—and uses.

  8. 05/08/2025

    What Comedy Taught Me About Better Storytelling

    🎙️ What can five years of stand-up comedy teach you about storytelling? A lot ! In this episode, Colin deconstructs his stand-up comedy journey to show you how to craft stories that don't just inform, but truly connect. He'll reveal key ways comedians turn everyday moments into unforgettable narratives—and how you can too. You’ll learn: The Relatability Hack: How even a mundane moment can become everyone’s shared truth Narrative Alchemy: Use a simple structure to tap into suspense-building power The Brevity Muscle: Why brevity isn’t just polite—it’s magnetic From identical twin mix-ups to cutting the fluff, this episode delivers storytelling tools that help you connect, captivate, and stay memorable. Perfect for speakers, presenters, and anyone ready to turn stories into strategic assets. 🎤 Pro Tip: Don’t “tell a story.” Share a strategic example.

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4.9
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About

Public Speaking for Fun & Profit is for you -- the professional who wants to become a more confident, compelling speaker. So whether you're looking to advance your career, lead more effectively, get paid to speak, or simply stop dreading the next time someone hands you a microphone, welcome! Hosted by professional keynote speaker and speaking coach Colin Ryan, drawing on 15+ years of speaking, coaching, stand-up comedy and storytelling to give you real-world lessons that will help you transform your presentations from something you HAVE to do into something you LOVE to do.

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