Ideas on Stage Podcast

Ideas on Stage
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The Ideas on Stage podcast is a monthly show about leadership communication. Each episode features top authors, speakers and experts sharing insights on business communication and public speaking. Our goal is to help you communicate with confidence and impact, whether at work or in everyday life. Past guests include: - Seth Godin - Guy Kawasaki - Daniel Pink - Terry Szuplat (Barack Obama's speechwriter) - Garr Reynolds - Dr. John Medina - Carmine Gallo - Dan Roam
 Watch or listen on your favourite podcast platform.

  1. May 13

    84. How to Build Relationships That Create Opportunities (Riley McGhee)

    “At the end of your life, all you really have are the relationships you’ve built – and the stories you can tell.” That idea stayed with me after this conversation. In business, we often talk about strategies, funnels and growth. But behind every opportunity – every client, every collaboration, every breakthrough – there’s a relationship. In this episode, I sit down with Riley McGhee to explore how those relationships actually begin. Not with a pitch. Not with a script. But with a simple, human conversation. Riley shares his Authentic Outreach framework – a practical way to reach out, build trust and create opportunities without sounding transactional or forced. We talk about why most outreach feels fake, how to start conversations that people want to respond to, and how to turn those conversations into meaningful business outcomes. But what made this conversation stand out for me is something deeper. Instead of just talking about tactics, Riley talks about the principles behind them. Why being genuinely interested in others makes you more interesting. Why many experts struggle to explain what they do. Why we often build offers based on what we think – instead of what the market actually needs. And he shares a powerful story of how one message to  @markleruste  led to a relationship that shaped his entire career. Because in the end, business is about people. What You’ll Learn: - Why most outreach fails (and what to do instead) - How to start conversations that feel natural - The 3-step framework to build real relationships - How to turn conversations into opportunities - Why clarity is the key to better offers and presentations In This Episode:  00:46 – What “Authentic Outreach” Really Means 04:51 – Why Outreach Feels Inauthentic (“Pitch Slap”) 08:09 – How to Start Conversations That Get Replies 11:39 – The 3 I’s Framework (Intro, Interest, Invite) 11:48 – Be Interested to Be Interesting 14:44 – Why “Being Normal” Wins in Business 28:08 – Turning Conversations into Opportunities (The Invite) 33:26 – Calls vs Webinars: What’s the Right Next Step? 37:51 – Why Most Offers Don’t Work 38:33 – Simplify to Clarify (Trim the Fat) 43:39 – The Curse of Knowledge in Sales 49:39 – The Message That Changed His Career 01:02:15 – Why Relationships Hold True Value If you want to build stronger relationships, communicate more clearly, and create more opportunities – this episode will change how you think about outreach. We hope you enjoy it. ——————— Riley McGhee:   - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileymcghee  - Website - & Newsletter: https://leverageaccelerator.co  Podcast & YouTube: https://leverageaccelerator.co/podcast  Recommended books:  - How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie  ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES  - Timeless Presenter (book) – early access: https://bit.ly/timeless-presenter-early-list  - Confident Presenter (book) – free copy: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-free - Business Presentation Revolution (book): https://www.ideasonstage.com/resources/books/business-presentation-revolution-book/  - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score  - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/events/    #IdeasOnStagePodcast #CommunicationSkills #BusinessDevelopment #ClientCommunication #RelationshipBuilding

    1h 5m

  2. Apr 8

    83. Storytelling Is Your Superpower (Carmine Gallo)

    A few days after a presentation, most people will forget most of what you said.So what should they remember?In this episode, I sit down with Carmine Gallo – three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Harvard instructor, and one of the world’s leading voices on communication. We explore why, despite AI and new platforms, the principles of persuasion haven’t changed in over 2,000 years.From Aristotle to TikTok, from Airbnb’s early struggles to the story behind NVIDIA and its founder, one idea keeps coming back:Storytelling is your superpower.We talk about why facts don’t persuade on their own, how to use “all is lost” moments to build trust, and how great communicators engineer moments people actually remember. We also discuss AI – not as a replacement, but as a tool that should never replace your voice.What You’ll Learn:- Why storytelling builds trust and drives decisions- How to use struggle to strengthen your message- Why people forget most presentations- How to create moments of attention- How to use AI without losing your voiceIn This Episode:03:14 – AI Changes Tools, Not Persuasion03:54 – Aristotle’s Formula Still Works Today06:15 – What Neuroscience Reveals About Attention09:14 – Ethos, Pathos, Logos in Business11:38 – Why Storytelling Is Our Superpower13:30 – The Origin Story That Won Investors19:11 – The “All Is Lost” Moment Explained21:20 – Airbnb’s Struggle and the Power of Detail24:14 – Why We Avoid Talking About Failure25:47 – The Square Pitch That Built Trust26:36 – How to Engineer “Wow Moments”29:31 – Why People Forget Most Presentations34:04 – The Hero’s Journey Made Practical36:17 – The Story Behind NVIDIA’s Rise41:32 – The AMP Framework (Ability, Message, Practice)45:19 – Why Message Matters More Than Delivery47:46 – How to Practice for Real Confidence51:05 – AI’s LimitsIf you want your ideas to be remembered – and acted on – this episode will change how you present.We hope you enjoy it.———————Carmine Gallo: - Website: https://www.carminegallo.com/ - Audiobook – Viral Voices: From TED Talks to TikTok, Persuasive Communication Skills for the Digital Age ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES - Timeless Presenter (book) – early access list: https://bit.ly/timeless-presenter-early-list - Confident Presenter (book) – free copy: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-free- Business Presentation Revolution (book): https://www.ideasonstage.com/resources/books/business-presentation-revolution-book/ - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/events/ #IdeasOnStagePodcast #CommunicationSkills #Storytelling #PublicSpeaking #LeadershipCommunication #Presentations

    53 min

  3. Mar 11

    82. How to Influence With Nothing to Offer (Nigel Taberner)

    In this episode of the Ideas on Stage podcast we spoke with Nigel Taberner.  Nigel is a former police officer and hostage negotiator. He served for 30 years within the police service, rising to the rank of Detective Inspector in counter terrorism policing. He now shares the skills that he learned as a hostage negotiator with business leaders and organisations, teaching them how to communicate better and negotiate when they have nothing to give away.  In this episode we talked about trust, listening and influence in negotiation. What You'll Learn: - Shape your mindset before tough conversations - Get people talking and listen with intent - Use simple phrases to open difficult discussions - Start strong with a clear opening line - Prepare well and avoid bias in negotiations In This Episode: 06:02 - Your Inner Voice Before Difficult Conversations 08:34 - Why Negotiation Is Just A Conversation 10:55 - Get Them Talking And Keep Them Talking 13:40 - Listening Is A Negotiator’s Superpower 17:21 - How To Create Space Without Asking Questions 36:00 - Use “I Get The Impression” In Tough Conversations  43:58 - Why Your Opening Line Matters Most 48:52 - Why Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Negotiations 54:30 - Why Nerves Peak Before You Start We hope you enjoy it!  ——————— Nigel Taberner:   - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-taberner/  - Website: https://www.nigeltaberner.com/ Recommended books:  - Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss - Influence by Robert Cialdini  ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES  - Books: ‘Confident Presenter’ – free copy https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-free and ‘Business Presentation Revolution’ https://www.ideasonstage.com/resources/books/business-presentation-revolution-book/ - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/events/     - Free Mini-Course: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-mini-course    #IdeasOnStagePodcast #CommunicationSkills #Leadership #Negotiation #ClientCommunication

    1h 4m

  4. Feb 11

    81. Build a Presence People Remember (Lorraine K. Lee)

    In this episode of the Ideas on Stage podcast we spoke with Lorraine K. Lee.  Lorraine K. Lee is a keynote speaker and the best-selling author of Unforgettable Presence. She also teaches popular courses at Stanford Continuing Studies and LinkedIn Learning. She is passionate about empowering leaders to elevate their presence, influence and impact. Her frameworks have been adopted by globally recognized organizations like Zoom, Amazon, Cisco and McKinsey & Company. Lorraine is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice with hundreds of thousands of followers, and previously spent over a decade as a founding editor at companies including LinkedIn and Prezi. Her insights are featured in top media outlets including CNBC, Bloomberg and Fast Company. In this episode we talked about developing an unforgettable professional presence. What You'll Learn: - How to develop a stronger professional presence online and in person - How to improve your LinkedIn profile and headline - How to lead meetings that create value - How to show up with confidence on video - How to grow your career by communicating with intention In This Episode: 01:13 - How Minimising Language Hurts Your Presence 06:04 - Why Your LinkedIn Profile Matters 08:04 - How to Improve Your LinkedIn Headline 14:37 - How Leaders Increase Team Visibility 16:40 - Leading Better Meetings 18:50 - How to Improve Your Video Presence 30:51 - How to Look More Strategic to Managers 31:28 - How to Share Your Communication Style with Your Team We hope you enjoy it!  ——————— Lorraine K. Lee: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineklee/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorraineklee/  - Read Unforgettable Presence: https://lorraineklee.com/unforgettable-presence/  - Newsletter: https://lorraineklee.com/subscribe/  Recommended books and authors:  - Managing Up by Melody Wilding - Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams  - Dan Pink  - Vanessa Van Edwards ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES  - Books: ‘Confident Presenter’ – free copy (https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-free) and ‘Business Presentation Revolution’ (https://www.ideasonstage.com/resources/books/business-presentation-revolution-book/) - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score   - Free Web Class: https://ideasonstage.com/uk/events/    - Free Mini-Course: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-mini-course #IdeasOnStagePodcast #ProfessionalPresence #LeadershipSkills #CareerGrowth #LinkedInTips

    39 min

  5. Jan 14

    80. The Psychology of Being Heard (Todd Kashdan)

    In this episode of the Ideas on Stage podcast we spoke with Todd Kashdan. Todd Kashdan is among the world’s top experts on the psychology of well-being, psychological strengths, mental agility and social relationships. His research has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes and the Hidden Brain podcast. Over 5 million readers enjoy his best-selling Substack newsletter: Provoked. Todd authored five books, including Curious?, The Upside of Your Darkside, and Designing Positive Psychology. In his latest, The Art of Insubordination, he details research on how we can change minds and design groups and society to be smarter and wiser. He teaches us how to be courageous enough to question the status quo with the intelligence to know when and how.  In this episode we talked about the psychology of being heard. What You'll Learn: - How to challenge ideas without creating conflict - How to spark and hold people’s curiosity - How to keep conversations open and productive - How to turn fear and nerves into useful energy - How to connect with your audience on a personal level In This Episode: 00:00 - Introduction 06:54 - How to Challenge Ideas Without Conflict 09:08 - How to Spark and Sustain Curiosity 11:42 - The Art of Keeping Conversations Open 18:34 - Don’t Try to Calm Down Before You Speak 20:44 - A Simple Trick to Manage Stage Nerves 22:55 - How to Turn Fear Into Energy 28:25 - How Using Names Builds Instant Connection We hope you enjoy it!  ——————— Todd Kashdan’s substack newsletter, Provoked: https://toddkashdan.substack.com/ Todd’s books:  - The Art of Insubordination - The Upside of Your Darkside - Curious? - Designing Positive Psychology - Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Positive Psychology Recommended book:  Femonomics: What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and How to Get the Most Out of Yours by Corinne Low (published in the USA with the title HAVING IT ALL) ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES  - Books: ‘Confident Presenter’ – free copy (https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-free) and ‘Business Presentation Revolution’ (ideasonstage.com/business-presentation-revolution/book/) - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score   - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/events/    - Free Mini-Course: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-mini-course

    42 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    79. Video Storytelling That Connects (Ravinol Chambers)

    In this episode of the Ideas on Stage podcast we spoke with Ravinol Chambers.  Ravinol is a filmmaker, storyteller and founder of Be Inspired Films, a B Corp creative agency helping purpose-driven organisations communicate with clarity and confidence. A former monk turned moviemaker, he’s spent more than a decade guiding leaders to show up on camera in a way that feels natural, human and compelling. His work spans TEDxLondon, the NHS, Oxford University and the Cabinet Office, with multiple international awards and six consecutive Drum Recommends wins for Best Video Production Company in the UK. Ravinol also hosts the Storytelling for Social Impact podcast and leads the Storytelling Clarity Sprint, helping teams cut through noise and tell the story that truly moves their audience. In this episode we talked about video storytelling for speakers, speaking with confidence on camera, and how organisations can share stories that truly connect. What You'll Learn: - How to make sure your stage talks are filmed well - What setup you need to record professional videos at home - How to combine sound and visuals to build strong video stories - How to tell stories that focus on people, not your company  - How to shape your message so your audience truly cares In This Episode: 00:00 - Introduction 09:18 - How to Prepare Video Teams Before Your Talk 10:54 - Why Speakers Shouldn’t Look at the Camera 13:33 - What TED Gets Right About Filming Talks 20:20 - The Minimum Setup to Film at Home 24:09 - How to Overcome Nerves on Camera 25:36 - Why Shorter Videos Take More Work 29:45 - Why Extra Energy Works on Camera 33:28 - How to Tell Stories Without Making Yourself the Hero 40:59 - How to Use B-Roll to Bring Stories Alive We hope you enjoy it!  ——————— Ravinol Chambers:  - Website: https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk/  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravchambers/  - Instagram: @beinspiredrav - Storytelling for Social Impact podcast: https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk/podcast  - Jack’s Story (Neurodiversity & Police project): https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk/#jacksstory  ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES  - Books: ‘Confident Presenter’ – free copy (https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-free) and ‘Business Presentation Revolution’ (ideasonstage.com/business-presentation-revolution/book/) - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score   - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/events/    - Free Mini-Course: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-mini-course   #IdeasOnStagePodcast #VideoStorytelling #StorytellingForBusiness #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills

    1h 19m

  7. 11/26/2025

    78. 90% of His Business Comes from Storytelling (Ciaran O’Donnell)

    In this episode of the Ideas on Stage Podcast, we share a conversation with Ciaran O’Donnell – originally recorded as part of the Ideas on Stage Academy. We decided to repurpose it as a podcast episode so more people can learn from his inspiring communication journey and practical insights. Ciaran is a Virtual Finance Director. He launched Virtual FD in 2010 to help growing businesses access Finance Director–level advice before they’re ready for a full-time hire. A qualified accountant since 1998, he spent 12 years at Hutchison Whampoa, Three, and Carphone Warehouse – all with entrepreneurial beginnings. Since then, he has advised more than 100 startups and fast-growth companies, helping them grow, prepare to sell and stay on track. Ciaran was named CFO of the Year at the British Accountancy Awards 2019 and is a Finance Director of the Year finalist in the Accounting Excellence Awards 2023 and 2024. In this episode, we talked about how Ciaran became a better communicator What You'll Learn: - Why improving your communication can transform your career - How to rehearse and internalise your message to sound natural - How to use stories that make people care  - How pauses, breathing and feedback strengthen your delivery - How better communication can attract clients and grow your business In This Episode: 00:00 - Introduction 04:15 - Why a CFO Decided to Speak Better 07:57 - How One Imperfect Video Sparked Growth 10:00 - How to Know You’re Improving as a Speaker 17:22 - How Internalising Transforms Your Delivery 21:25 - The “So What” Framework  38:50 - The Birthday Speech He’ll Never Forget 43:58 - How a Slow Breath Changes Everything 47:55 - The Three Levels of Useful Feedback 52:12 - A Masterclass in Sharing Your Origin Story 55:07 - How Storytelling Drove 90% of His Revenue We hope you enjoy it!  ——————— Ciaran O’Donnell: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciaranodonnell/  - Website: https://virtualfd.co/ - Ciaran’s first video: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6648942434724179968/  - A story about “It’s all about trust”: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ciaranodonnell_itsallabouttrust-storybridges-ownyournumbers-activity-7344251933672566787-KeWd  Mentions:  - Bernadette Jiwa  - Jimmy Cannon  - The Moth  Recommended books:  - Story Driven by Bernadette Jiwa  ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES  - Books: ‘Confident Presenter’ (https://www.ideasonstage.com/resources/confident-presenter-book/) and ‘Business Presentation Revolution’ (https://www.ideasonstage.com/business-presentation-revolution/book/) - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score   - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/events/    - Free Mini-Course: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-mini-course

    57 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    77. How to Look Your Best On Stage and On Camera (Kay Korsh)

    In this episode of the Ideas on Stage podcast we spoke with Kay Korsh. For over 20 years, Style Strategist Kay Korsh has been behind the scenes – dressing celebrities, consulting for luxury brands, and helping professional speakers dress in a way that aligns with their message. And that leads to more bookings, higher fees, and a whole lot more confidence on stage.  In this episode we talked about how your style shapes your presence – from common mistakes and myths to practical tips that help you look more like YOU on stage and on camera. What You'll Learn: - How to dress in a way that supports your message - What to avoid when preparing your look for a talk or video - Why looking like yourself helps you connect with your audience - How style influences the way people see and remember you - A small change that can improve how you show up immediately In This Episode: 00:00 - Introduction 08:49 - Align Your Look With the Venue 15:28 - Stop Dressing Like the Audience 41:36 - How to Instantly Improve Your Look We hope you enjoy it!  ——————— Kay Korsh:  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-korsh/  - Website: https://www.mindoverfashion.com/  - Colour Quiz for Speakers: https://kkorsh.outgrow.us/speakers-colourtest - How to Work with a Photographer: https://outfit.mindoverfashion.com/get-the-best-results-from-brand-photoshoot  ——————— IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES  - Books: ‘Confident Presenter’ (ideasonstage.com/resources/confident-presenter-book/) and ‘Business Presentation Revolution’ (ideasonstage.com/business-presentation-revolution/book/) - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: ideasonstage.com/score   - Free Web Class: ideasonstage.com/uk/events/    - Free Mini-Course: bit.ly/confident-presenter-mini-course

    48 min
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About

The Ideas on Stage podcast is a monthly show about leadership communication. Each episode features top authors, speakers and experts sharing insights on business communication and public speaking. Our goal is to help you communicate with confidence and impact, whether at work or in everyday life. Past guests include: - Seth Godin - Guy Kawasaki - Daniel Pink - Terry Szuplat (Barack Obama's speechwriter) - Garr Reynolds - Dr. John Medina - Carmine Gallo - Dan Roam
 Watch or listen on your favourite podcast platform.

Information

  • Creator
    Ideas on Stage
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 855518
  • Show Website
    Ideas on Stage Podcast