Embark Liz Solar

She is a TED-talking, eLearning, tech-savvy, belly-dancing, wine-sipping presentation coach, and she's my guest today on Embark.

Ongoing Mastery's Kirsten Rourke worked freelance with training vendors for over 20 years, gaining expertise in adjusting to environments on the fly and fixing training programs that weren’t working for clients’ needs. She's been an e-Learning developer, staff instructional designer, and production manager for a large international team. In addition to being a Certified Technical Trainer, Kirsten has a Master’s of Education in Instructional Design.

She shifted her business to Rourke Training LLC in January 2022 to bring a focus on performance, engagement, and instructional design to leaders who know they need to adapt to their speaking environment and audience in the moment without stress. 
 
In this episode we discuss the key to engagement, even in the virtual meting, the growing industry of instructional design,  the ubiquitous AI discussion, her stint at Burger King University,  a favorite belly dancing performances and her recommendation for a quaffable spring wine.

Thanks for joining the conversation.

"Everything rests on your ability to communicate." Catherine Johns walks - and talks - the talk.

I have the  pleasure to share a fantastic conversation where we discuss how to gracefully navigate the dreaded Zoom talk, as well as how to own the stage, even when you are being heckled, er, challenged by an unruly audience member.

Hear Catherine's take on how the overthinking speaker gets centered, where to place yourself on stage, and when to move and why a bot will never replace her.

About Catherine:
Catherine John's guides executives and entrepreneurs to craft a clear compelling message and deliver it with confidence charisma, and maybe a quirk.

If you're from the Midwest, you may remember Catherine from Chicago radio as a morning show personality and talk show host. She perfected the art of making information interesting. While she invited interaction and probably develop to some incredible improvisational skills, she has consulted with companies like JP Morgan, Bank of America, and good year to elevate their presentation skills.

She provides coaching and training on executive presence, client communication and public speaking, along with special sessions for women on professional presence.

Find her book, Show and Shine: Simple Steps to Boost Your Confidence and Charisma on Amazon

Tired of the news cycle? Sick of the constant drip, drip, drip of downbeat information?

So are we, so Jack and I decided less news media consumption, more turning up the volume and indulging our passion for listening to music.

We couldn't help but watch the State of the Union Address, though.  We wander into political territory, before going to the happy place of sharing favorite bands, and wondering if Rock 'n Roll is still a thing. If it's not, is it time to re-think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?  Broaden the tent to encompass all genres? I like that idea. It feels democratic, and  since I embrace all kinds of music, it seems right.

We also talk about altered states, aka cosmetic surgery. Many celebrities are doing an about face on their old - er, former - faces, with mixed results. What do you think?

Also, in light of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, there is incredible need and ways for your to help. Check your local consulates to donate in-kind items like blankets, tents, jackets, diapers, hats, gloves and other clothing.

You can also donate to unicefusa.org or https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.
Thank you. 


Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Reach out at  liz@embarkthepodcast.com.

Thanks for listening.

You have two ears and one mouth, so you probably listen twice as much as you talk.
Nah, not even close. Most of us, in fact, don't know how to listen. We've never really been taught.

Can we learn  how to listen?

Glad you asked. We have a listening expert, a PhD in Listening. Okay, she's a PhD in Communications.  Dr. Laura Janusik wasn't always a great listener. She thought she was smarter than whoever was talking, and uncomfortable with lulls in the conversation was a 'filler-inner." Like most of us. She got over it, though and so can we.

Our conversation covers text and subtext, what respectful listening is and why you don't need to agree to just listen and understand.

Laura Janusik one of the world’s leading experts in teaching and training listening is  a dynamic trainer, researcher, speaker, coach, and consultant, 
She uses her MBA and PhD in Communication to help coaches listen well, hear more, and change lives. Her approach to communication, both oral and written, is practical and other-centered. 

Past president of the International Listening Association, Laura is published both nationally and internationally. Her research and ideas are cited in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and US News and World Report. Read more here.
 

How's your year going? Jack has dubbed the month of January 'the Monday of the year', and it's feeling that way with the crazy shenanigans going on in the House of Representatives, secret documents unearthed in garages and tell-all bios by whiny Royals. Although we not-so-secretly crave a crown of our own. (I'm polishing mine now.)

Jack and I do find  silver linings, and cock-eyed optimists that we are, share admiration for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin and gratitude for his remarkable recovery from cardiac arrest his suffered two weeks ago. It's always a win when we all come together to rally behind someone. 

We also talk about the power of awe, the wonder we find in nature, people we admire, the miracle of birth. Those things that put our lives and perspective. A reminder we are not the center of the earth but part of something greater than ourselves.

All the same, we think y'all are pretty great. 

Send in your comments, ideas and feedback at  liz@embarkthepodcast.com.

Thanks for listening.

Now that most of us are remote, there's a whole lot of writing going on. Emails, social posts, newsletters, web content.  Writing, or at least good writing, is something many of us find difficult.  Erin Lebacqz is here and guides us  to show up as our best selves, on paper(or screen),  at least.

We talk about why conciseness and clarity matter, and how how you can convey a respectful, empathetic message to people, regardless of their beliefs, background, educational level and experiences.  Why verbs can be a communicators best friend, and how to use them to best effect.

Hear about writing intelligence, which is much like emotional intelligence, but with, you know, written words.  In other words, Erin shares how we can come across and a caring expert who responds to the reader's needs.

About Erin:

Author and international educator Erin Lebacqz helps you write with clarity, confidence, and emotional intelligence. Erin’s curriculum and book, High-Value Writing, capture Erin’s 25 years of experience working with business and academic writers around the world. 
Erin’s interactive sessions engage learners in purposeful discussions that respect their desire for intellectual growth while also providing practical strategies learners can immediately apply in the workplace. 
You can learn more about Erin’s instructional style through her videos on her YouTube channel: High-Value Writing.

Connect with Erin on LinkedIn