Speaker Dynamics | Leadership, Communication & Public Speaking

Karin Reed | Communication Expert for Leaders
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Speaker Dynamics is a podcast about public speaking, leadership communication, and executive presence in the moments that matter most. It’s for leaders, founders, and professionals who want to communicate with clarity, confidence, and influence—whether they’re speaking in a boardroom, on a virtual stage, or on camera. Hosted by Karin Reed, an Emmy award-winning communication expert, the show explores how strong public speaking skills are developed - it’s not something you are born with! Each episode examines the real mechanics behind effective communication, including how to structure a message, speak with confidence, project executive presence, and communicate authentically without losing authority. Speaker Dynamics is designed for people who know their ideas are strong but want their communication to reflect that strength, so when they speak, their message lands, their presence is felt, and their influence grows. Listeners are invited into conversations about: Public speaking for leaders leadership communication,  powerful presentations, virtual communication, speaking on camera, pitching ideas to investors or senior leaders, memorable messaging, effective communication for women, and navigating authenticity versus authority in high-stakes environments. You’ll also hear conversations about modern communication challenges, from leading virtual teams to using tools like GenAI to support presentations while maintaining a human voice. Popular guests include: Matt Abrahams Dorie Clark Guy Kawasaki JD Schramm Lisa McLeod More about Karin: Karin M. Reed is an Emmy award-winning journalist turned leadership communications expert.  A four-time author, she has been quoted as a thought leader by a plethora of media outlets, including Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, CNN and Business Insider and was named an “Author Who Inspires Us” by McKinsey and Company. Karin and her team have been the chosen training partner for some of the world’s most recognized companies – from Lenovo to Eli Lilly. She regularly teaches at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford.

  1. 1d ago

    EP68: Speaker Tip Spotlight | Presentation Skills: The Best Practice Tool You Already Have

    Most people would rather do almost anything than watch a recording of themselves. But avoiding that discomfort could mean missing out on one of the best ways to improve your presentation skills.   On this Speaker Tip Spotlight from Speaker Dynamics – Own the Room, Emmy Award-winning journalist and four-time author Karin Reed makes the case for hitting record, even when you'd rather not watch the playback. She admits she still dislikes watching herself after decades of speaking on camera. And when she shares the story of a client who made tremendous progress but could only focus on her uneven eyebrows, you'll understand just how easy it is to miss what actually matters.   Karin explains how to review a recording so your attention goes to the habits you can improve. That includes how you structure a presentation and the moments when your delivery slips. She also shares a simple voice memo exercise that takes just a couple of minutes at the end of your day and helps you cut down on filler words. You will hear why those filler words tend to slip out between thoughts. You may even find that your talk came across better than it felt at the moment.   Press play for a practical way to sharpen your presentation skills on your own time and build more effective presentations. Then take Karin’s bonus challenge and put what you've learned to work before your next presentation.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Presentation Practice Tool Most People Skip 00:34 Why Even Pros Hate Watching Themselves 01:50 The Client Who Fixated on Her Eyebrows 02:58 Focus on What You Can Actually Change 03:35 How to Review Your Recording With Grace 04:25 A Voice Memo Habit for Eliminating Filler Words 05:24 Why Filler Words Show Up Between Thoughts 06:20 Swap Filler Words for a Silent Pause 07:15 Your Talk May Land Better Than You Think 07:46 Bonus Challenge to Sharpen Your Presentation Skills   Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  2. Oct 20

    EP67: Speaking with Confidence in a Politically Charged Environment | Executive Presence for Leaders

    When headlines have your team on edge, the energy you carry into a room sets the tone for everyone in it. Speaking with confidence in a politically charged environment starts with knowing whether you are steady enough to lead the conversation at all.   Karin Reed welcomes Tinna Jackson to Speaker Dynamics - Own the Room. Tinna is President and CEO of Jackson Consulting Group and author of The Power Play Journal. Born and raised in Washington, DC, she built a career in politics, including work on Capitol Hill and in the U.S. Senate, before moving into executive coaching and leadership development.   Tinna explains how the energy leaders bring into a room shapes the way others respond. She shares why leaders should sometimes postpone a meeting rather than walk in emotionally unprepared. She also discusses three factors she believes influence promotion decisions, including one that often sparks disagreement. Tinna explains why insecurity can follow you into a new leadership role, why learning to delegate is part of the adjustment, and how a lack of self-awareness can undermine even the strongest message.   With politics affecting workplaces in different ways, Tinna offers advice on when leaders should address political issues at work and how to keep personal emotions from driving business decisions.   Press play for practical advice on speaking with confidence, leading difficult conversations, managing your emotions, and communicating clearly under pressure.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Politics Feels Impossible to Avoid at Work 01:18 From Southeast DC to Capitol Hill 05:33 Why Ego Keeps Your Message From Landing 07:34 Speaking with Confidence Starts With Your Energy 08:44 Skip the Meeting When You're Not Regulated 09:45 The Three Real Reasons People Get Promoted 13:43 Why You Don't Outgrow Insecurity 15:58 Should Leaders Address Politics at Work? 21:02 Building a Leadership Program for Women 22:47 Permission to Put Yourself First   Connect with Tinna Jackson: Visit the Jackson Consulting website Get your copy of The Power Play Journal Connect with Tinna on LinkedIn   Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  3. Oct 6

    EP66: Speaker Tip Spotlight: Is Your Virtual Presence Stuck in Lecture Hall Mode?

    Your virtual presence can change the second the red light goes on. Sometimes the problem is not what you know, but how you adjust your communication to the space.   Host Karin Reed opens this Speaker Tip Spotlight on Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room with a live interview that took a sharp turn. A warm, engaging professor went into full lecture mode the moment the cameras rolled, and Karin has a theory about why it happened. Her answer explains why experienced speakers sometimes sound stiff or overly formal on camera. Karin is a four-time author, Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, and communication expert who helps people own the room in person and virtually.   You will hear who Karin names as one of her favorite communicators of all time, and he hosted a kids' show. She explains why his approach is a master class in authentic presence on video. Karin also shares how she decides when to turn her energy up or pull it back, plus the mental picture she uses when speaking through a webcam. If speaking on camera and leading virtual meetings are part of your work, her advice offers a simple way to strengthen your virtual presence and communicate authentically. And her unexpected video role model makes the bonus content especially worth seeing.   Press play, try the mindset shift on your next call, and find out how to match your virtual presence to the space you are in.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Karin's Surprising Pick for Favorite Communicator 00:50 The Live Interview Where the Professor Turned Stiff 03:02 Treating Every Presentation Like a Conversation 04:05 Dialing Up Your Energy for a Big Room 05:05 Speaking Through a Webcam Means Dialing Back 06:20 Virtual Presence Starts With Picturing Your Viewer 07:27 Steve From Blue’s Clues as a Video Role Model 09:53 Where to Find the Bonus Content   Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  4. Sep 22

    EP65: Vocal Health for Speakers: Why Speaking Confidence Begins with a Healthy Voice

    Your voice can only take so many back-to-back meetings before it starts to give out. If you've ended a day of calls with almost no voice left, this episode explains why and what to do about it.   On Speaker Dynamics – Own the Room, Karin Reed talks with Kimberley Bentley, a professional singer, voice teacher, and vocal health coach, about the habits that protect your voice and the ones that quietly wreck it. Kim has spent years training singers and coaching presenters, educators, and other voice-dependent professionals, giving her a clear perspective on the habits that can put extra strain on your voice.   They get into why vocal fatigue from talking isn't only about how much you speak. Tension, volume, pace, and the way you use your voice can all play a role. Kim shares a quick trick for releasing that tension before a big presentation, and Karin offers a more discreet variation you can use while you're on stage.   Karin and Kim also cover staying hydrated for public speaking, including why Kim personally prefers room-temperature water and how speaking louder during virtual meetings can add to vocal fatigue.Kim breaks down breath support for public speaking and shares a few vocal warm ups for speakers that take less than five minutes.   Whether you are presenting, running a meeting or simply engaging in a one-on-one call, you need your voice to hold up. Press play and start treating vocal health like part of the job.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Vocal Health Matters for Every Communicator 01:52 Kim Bentley's Background as an Opera Performer 03:32 Classical Training, Jazz, and Finding Your Voice 04:28 Defining Vocal Health: Technique Versus Daily Hygiene 06:50 The Microphone Habit That Protects Your Voice 09:15 Releasing Physical Tension Before You Speak 12:28 Why Virtual Meetings Drain Your Voice Faster 13:10 Hydration, Steam, and Recovering From Vocal Fatigue 16:49 The Truth About Cold Water and Warm Drinks 27:21 Treating Speakers Like Vocal Athletes   Connect with Kimberley Bentley: Visit Kimberley's website Follow Kimberley on Instagram   Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  5. Sep 8

    EP64: Business Storytelling Revisited: What 63% of Listeners Remember

    Facts fade. Stories stick. That's the core lesson behind business storytelling, and it's the reason only 5% of listeners in one study could recall a presentation's data points while 63% remembered the story woven through it.   In this conversation, Karin Reed sits down with Andrea Brody, Speaker Dynamics Senior Communication Coach and creator of the Inspiring Through Storytelling workshop. Andrea spent years as a television reporter before she turned her storytelling instincts into a framework that helps professionals communicate with influence in high-stakes rooms.   Andrea breaks down the three-step formula she uses to help even self-described non-storytellers uncover material they didn't know they had. She explains why a “first, last, best, worst” exercise can surface a moment strong enough to move an entire room, and she walks through the different types of stories, from founder stories to customer stories, that build persuasive leadership communication depending on your audience.   You'll also hear the story of an NFL prospect who used one on-field moment to prove he was a leader worth drafting, a real-world example of how memorable messaging and business storytelling work together to earn buy-in for ideas far beyond the boardroom. Listen to hear how inspiring teams through communication starts with a story you already have.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Corporate Case for Storytelling Skills 01:57 Andrea's Journalism Roots and the Workshop Origin 04:02 The Research Behind Business Storytelling and Memory 05:24 The Neuroscience of Why Stories Move Us 08:19 Four Story Types Every Leader Should Know 10:14 What to Say to People Who "Can't" Tell Stories 12:03 Finding Everyday Stories With One Simple Exercise 14:18 A Workshop Breakthrough Moment That Changed the Room 19:54 The NFL Prospect Who Won the Room With One Story 22:27 Using Story to Inspire Teams Through Hard Times   Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  6. Aug 25

    EP63: How to Dress Like A Leader to Enhance Your Executive Presence

    Most professionals never think about how their clothes are already talking for them before a meeting starts. Karin Reed sits down with wardrobe stylist and certified color analyst Claire Roberts to fix that blind spot. What you wear shapes your executive presence before you say a single word, and Claire, owner of Claire Roberts Style, has spent nearly two decades helping people get that right.   Claire works primarily with executive women who are focused on strengthening their executive presence by using their wardrobe as a personal branding tool. She breaks down color analysis, a process for identifying the colors that work best with your natural coloring. She also explains why so many women reach for black assuming it slims them, and why that assumption often works against their specific coloring.   Karin and Claire dig into enclothed cognition, a concept backed by published research examining how what you wear can influence how you think, feel, act and perform. Claire connects this to confidence at work, explaining that when clients feel good in their clothes and stop second-guessing what they’re wearing, they can focus more fully on the job in front of them. She also shares how body language when presenting changes depending on what a person wears, from posture to how they move on stage.   Listen for Claire's take on vibrant color and stage presence, plus her advice for building a wardrobe that supports authentic leadership communication instead of working against it. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Closet Dilemma Every Professional Faces 01:30 Claire Roberts Joins Speaker Dynamics 02:17 From J.Crew Catalogs to Wardrobe Styling 05:26 Who Claire Works With and Why 07:45 How Office Dress Codes Shifted Since COVID 09:17 Connecting Wardrobe to Executive Presence 10:29 What Color Analysis Actually Means 13:05 The Myth That Black Is Always Slimming 15:07 Inside a Color Draping Session 17:01 Vibrant Colors and Executive Presence on Stage 20:52 The Science Behind Enclothed Cognition 22:36 Where to Find Claire's Bonus Content   Connect with Claire Roberts: Visit Claire's website  Follow Claire on Instagram  Connect with Claire on LinkedIn  Read Claire's interview on Voyage Raleigh   Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  7. Aug 11

    EP62: Presenting to Senior Leaders: How to Cut Someone Off Without Being Rude

    Presenting to senior leaders gets messy fast when someone hijacks your time with a tangent that pulls the room away from what you came to say. You need a way to reclaim control without seeming rude, and this episode delivers exactly that.   Karin Reed, an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and four-time author, hosts Speaker Dynamics. She built the technique from an unlikely source: a newscast earpiece that once fed her live directions from an impatient producer telling her to cut a guest off mid-answer.   In this episode, she breaks down the “paraphrase and pivot” technique, a meeting facilitation skill she still uses today. She walks through what happens when an executive derails your presentation with a question you never planned for, and how to answer without losing your place or your time slot.   She also applies the technique to panel moderation, describing the panelist who loves the sound of their own voice and the exact line she uses to hand the floor to someone else. Her example shows how to communicate with influence when time is short and everyone in the room has an opinion worth hearing.   Karin ties it all back to leadership communication that respects the room without letting one voice take it over, whether you're in a boardroom, on a panel, or in a weekly team meeting.   Press play to learn the phrase that keeps you in control the next time you're presenting to senior leaders.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Karin Reed's Live TV Story Behind the Paraphrase and Pivot Technique 01:46 How to Use Paraphrase and Pivot When Presenting to Senior Leaders 04:07 Staying in Control of Your Message During Executive Pushback 05:20 Applying Paraphrase and Pivot to Panel Moderation 08:23 Using Paraphrase and Pivot in Team Meetings and Where to Find the Checklist Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

  8. Jul 28

    EP61: Executive Presence: Why Hard Work Isn’t Enough to Get You Promoted

    You work hard, deliver results, and still get overlooked. This episode shows you how to build executive presence without changing who you are or pretending to be the loudest voice in the room.   On Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room, host Karin Reed sits down with Lorraine K. Lee, keynote speaker and bestselling author of Unforgettable Presence, to unpack why professional presence grows through small daily moments rather than big stage appearances.   Lorraine was a founding editor at LinkedIn. She was known for being influential and well-liked, yet the promotion she wanted never came. After a colleague received a promotion, they repeated one sentence from their manager that made the reason painfully clear. Lorraine reveals the full story, plus the promotion strategy to put in motion at least six months before review season.   You also get her pre-call checklist for on-camera confidence, a practical framework for leaders who often make their first impressions on screen. Introverts get a roadmap too. Lorraine names three hidden strengths, then explains how preparation can ease imposter syndrome and nerves around communication. Karin and Lorraine close with a lesson on articulating your value so senior leaders grasp your impact in seconds.   Press play to learn the small, intentional steps behind lasting executive presence and a career people finally notice.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why You Feel Like the Best Kept Secret at Work 01:07 The Story Behind Lorraine K. Lee's Book, Unforgettable Presence 04:12 Executive Presence vs Professional Presence 05:36 Common Mistakes That Hold Back Your Presence 06:48 How Introverts Can Stand Out at Work 10:59 Building On-Camera Confidence With the TEA Method 12:53 Why You Have to Explicitly Ask for a Promotion 15:29 Working Smarter Not Harder to Protect Your Reputation 18:14 Quick Wins for Improving Your LinkedIn Presence 23:25 The Power of Video Content on LinkedIn 24:10 One Mindset Shift to Be Seen as a Leader 26:02 The Big Takeaway on Building Lasting Presence   Connect with Lorraine K. Lee: Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn Follow Lorraine on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed: Visit Speaker Dynamics Explore Speaker Dynamics University Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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Speaker Dynamics is a podcast about public speaking, leadership communication, and executive presence in the moments that matter most. It’s for leaders, founders, and professionals who want to communicate with clarity, confidence, and influence—whether they’re speaking in a boardroom, on a virtual stage, or on camera. Hosted by Karin Reed, an Emmy award-winning communication expert, the show explores how strong public speaking skills are developed - it’s not something you are born with! Each episode examines the real mechanics behind effective communication, including how to structure a message, speak with confidence, project executive presence, and communicate authentically without losing authority. Speaker Dynamics is designed for people who know their ideas are strong but want their communication to reflect that strength, so when they speak, their message lands, their presence is felt, and their influence grows. Listeners are invited into conversations about: Public speaking for leaders leadership communication,  powerful presentations, virtual communication, speaking on camera, pitching ideas to investors or senior leaders, memorable messaging, effective communication for women, and navigating authenticity versus authority in high-stakes environments. You’ll also hear conversations about modern communication challenges, from leading virtual teams to using tools like GenAI to support presentations while maintaining a human voice. Popular guests include: Matt Abrahams Dorie Clark Guy Kawasaki JD Schramm Lisa McLeod More about Karin: Karin M. Reed is an Emmy award-winning journalist turned leadership communications expert.  A four-time author, she has been quoted as a thought leader by a plethora of media outlets, including Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, CNN and Business Insider and was named an “Author Who Inspires Us” by McKinsey and Company. Karin and her team have been the chosen training partner for some of the world’s most recognized companies – from Lenovo to Eli Lilly. She regularly teaches at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford.

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