178 episodes

Public speaking is scary.

Bridgett McGowen is an award-winning international professional speaker and introvert who, when she was laid-off from her full-time job, decided to launch her own speaking business. She sits down with other professional speakers and communication experts to give you experts’ most coveted secrets for how to be confident and poised on the microphone. You will get inspiration for how to to show up and deliver a message people love.

If you want to get past your fears of public speaking and you want real strategies for how to own the microphone, then this podcast is for you!

Own the Microphone CLNS Media Boston Sports

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 32 Ratings

Public speaking is scary.

Bridgett McGowen is an award-winning international professional speaker and introvert who, when she was laid-off from her full-time job, decided to launch her own speaking business. She sits down with other professional speakers and communication experts to give you experts’ most coveted secrets for how to be confident and poised on the microphone. You will get inspiration for how to to show up and deliver a message people love.

If you want to get past your fears of public speaking and you want real strategies for how to own the microphone, then this podcast is for you!

    Embrace Pain to Avoid Suffering and Gain Freedom

    Embrace Pain to Avoid Suffering and Gain Freedom

    Brian Bogert learned the hard way. That's why he implores others to do the same. Brian found true growth in challenging himself outside of his comfort zone. Bogert brings his personal story of growth and development into his presentations and believes embracing your inner vulnerabilities is an underutilized tool in the public speaking arsenal. Learn. Grow. Challenge. Repeat the cycle over again. 
    Bridgett McGowen:
    https://www.bridgettmcgowen.com/
    1:54
    How do you get everyone’s attention and then keep it throughout the entirety of the presentation. 
    Bogert on what the audience is thinking when you start a presentation: “Does this person have credibility, do they have expertise, do they have relevance and is there something that I can connect with and relate to.” 
    3:12
    The most important thing to know with public speaking, more important than what you say and how you say is, how you resonate with people’s emotions.
    3:55
    What if you are giving a presentation with a company deck? How do you add life and personality into a scripted presentation?
    Bogert: “Too many people depend on the script and don’t actually speak from the heart and believe in what they’re doing.” 
    6:40
    What got Brian Bogert into public speaking? How did he find an interest in it?
    7:35
    A personal story from Brian on nearly losing his life and how it opened his mind to not just speaking and being engaging but the ways to be engaging. 
    Brian Bogert: “What’s important is that we pause and be aware of the lessons we can extract from our stories
    12:07
    How Brian learned to embrace pain without suffering.
    12:50 
    The world is wrong for telling you to avoid pain. Embrace pain in order to avoid suffering and gain freedom.
    16:34
    Look at the moments in your life of the most profound growth...where did that growth come from? Did it come from pain? Rarely do massive growth moments from when everything is easy. 
    17:50
    What might seem like our own stories that are not distinct or unique can actually be great lessons to pass along to others. 
    18:15
    Why you should challenge yourself to share your personal growth with others.
    19:08
    Do you ever get nervous as a speaker? How do you manage nerves when speaking publicly?
    19:45
    Breathing strategies that are scientifically proven to reduce stress before speaking.
     22:22
    In public speaking you can measure everything you do through impact. 
    23:20
    Don’t misplace nervousness for being bad at public speaking. When nervousness turns into anxiety, then it can be a problem, but nervousness is not indicative of failure in public speaking.”  
    24:10
    How do you stay on top of your game? How do you ensure that you stay polished?
    25:02
    Why you should study other speakers...you’ll pick up on things the best speakers do.
     29:36
    Best way to get in touch with Brian: BrianBogert.comYou can also check out a free resource from Brian: Nolimitsprelude.comWhich includes a roadmap for the things you need to think about and consider when putting together a presentation.
    31:15
    The thing that keeps most people from taking action is: Fear 
    32:50
    If you want to Own the Microphone, become aware of what’s keeping you from getting on stage.

    Show notes:
    Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
    Bogert’s Bullets YouTube Page
    Listen and Subscribe to the Own the Microphone Podcast with Bridgett McGowen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 34 min
    Use Negative Energy as a Springboard to Positive Action

    Use Negative Energy as a Springboard to Positive Action

     Kevin is an expert in leadership development; Micro-prenerurship and small business start-up strategies. He is also a personal and professional branding coach and mentor.
     
    On today's episode Kevin and I discuss finding confidence in public speaking, what to do when technology fails or the unexpected happens and why the smallest details matter the most when it comes to public speaking. Kevin and I have a combined 60 years of professional speaking experience, so we have literally seen it all!
    1:58 
    How do you find confidence in public speaking, even if you are inexperienced, or don’t have an overly impressive resume.
     
    3:16
    How you should start in public speaking: finding a mentor or coach
     
    4:06
    The importance of passion in public speaking. “It really comes down to knowing yourself.”
     
    6:45
    Dig Deep: what does this mean and how you can use it to impact people through public speaking. What is it that lights a fire within you?
     
    7:39
    What’s the best way to get a presentation going? How do you get people going? What’s the best approach to trying to win over an audience and how do you start it?
     
    9:05
    The importance of storytelling in your presentation. 
     
    11:30
    How do you positively engage an audience when you have bad news? What’s the best way to convey news that is not positive?
    “Many people don’t realize how many great companies started during an economic downturn. What a great inspirational story. But you wouldn’t know that unless you study the history of business and business development.”
     
    15:13
    What do you do during a presentation when technology fails?
     “I go into every presentation with the assumption that my technology is going to fail.”
     
    15:40
    A story from Kevin Mavers on preparedness and what you should do when technology fails.
     
    19:10
    The importance of preparedness and getting to your presentation site early enough to ensure you have all contingencies accounted for.
     
    21:40
    The importance of paying attention to the smallest details and how all of the most seemingly minute details being ironed out can lead to overall success in public speaking.
     
    24:55
    In the modern world, where Zoom communication and audio/visual communication through digital means, ensure your surroundings represent you and your message.
     
    Show notes:
    Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiencesl 
     
    Kevin’s offering a 30-minute initial consultation to discuss your micro-preneurial dreams and 50% off the regular price for attendance in the 12-week Micro-preneurial Apprentice Program.
    You can find Kevin on the major social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
    KLMaevers@Maevers.biz
    307.222.4909
    Please make sure that you mention that you heard Kevin on the Own the Microphone Podcast.
    Listen and Subscribe to the Own the Microphone Podcast with Bridgett McGowen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 28 min
    Take Up Space

    Take Up Space

    On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes TWO guests from Vital Voice Training, Casey Erin Clark and Julie Fogh, who blend the toolbox of the professional actor with frameworks for embracing one’s speaking voice all over the country. Bridgett, Casey, and Julie discuss going out of your comfort zone, difficult audience members, common mistakes that speakers make, how to keep you audience engaged, and more!
    1:00
    How did Casey and Julie know they were able to empower others by using their voices?
    9:30
    One of the biggest mistakes speakers make when using their voice.
    16:50
    What should someone keep in mind to make sure that their message is recieved?
    25;50
    Favorite memories coaching at Vital Voice.
    30:45
    Questions for Bridgett.
    37:30
    Your voice can bring you joy.
    Listen and Subscribe to the Own the Microphone Podcast with Bridgett McGowen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 43 min
    Speak Into the Language of the Listener

    Speak Into the Language of the Listener

    On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes an award winning speaker, author and visionary strategist who is on a mission to inspire his audience to live out their god given purposes, and create credibility in the marketplace, Rob “YB” Youngblood. Bridgett and Rob discuss dealing with a difficult audience, YB's presentation topics, common mistakes that presenters make, why every speaker should have their own book, and more!
    1:00
    How did Rob “YB” Youngblood get into speaking?
    6:30
    How does Rob get past stubborn audiences?
    12:40
    What does YB typically speak on?
    16:00
    Pre presentation rituals.
    18:00
    Typical presentation mistakes.
    31:06
    A question for Bridgett.
    40:50
    One last tip on how to own the microphone.
    Listen and Subscribe to the Own the Microphone Podcast with Bridgett McGowen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 43 min
    Practice As If It’s the Big Stage

    Practice As If It’s the Big Stage

    On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a street cop turned speaker with 23+ years supporting law enforcement, military, nurses and firefighters and helping them tell their stories, Dave Leath. Bridgett and David discuss how Dave because a speaker, tips for listeners who want to become speakers, audience connection, speaking as an introvert, and more!
    1:00
    How did Dave Leath get into speaking?
    5:00
    Presentation musts.
    10:00
    What is Dave Leath's favorite topic to speak on? What is his favorite part of giving a presentation?
    15:00
    What is a positive impact of being an introvert when it comes to speaking?
    23:26
    A question for Bridgett.
    27:16
    One last tip.
    Listen and Subscribe to the Own the Microphone Podcast with Bridgett McGowen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 31 min
    Do It Afraid

    Do It Afraid

    On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker with 20+ years experience in the tech industry who believes it is necessary to ensure greater accessibility with less barriers, Angela V. Harris. Bridgett and Angela discuss memorable moments in presentations, pumping yourself up, best practices for online presentations, memorable presentations, and more!
    0:44
    Speaking world and pageant world, hwo did Angela V. Harris get into speaking?
    3:11
    Advice for listeners to speak up.
    6:50
    Most memorable moment in an audience.
    8:14
    Has Angela always been confident behind the microphone?
    10:19
    Biggest mistakes.
    13:20
    Connecting with your audience.
    18:30
    Favorite presentation.
    20:16
    A question for Bridgett.
    24:00
    One last tip on how to own the microphone.

    Listen and Subscribe to the Own the Microphone Podcast with Bridgett McGowen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
32 Ratings

32 Ratings

rdurantjr ,

A great resource for anyone looking to sharpen their public speaking skills.

A must-listen for both novices and seasoned speakers seeking to elevate their craft.
Expert guest brings their unique perspective to the art of communication. Bridgett's skillful interviewing style not only uncovers the depth of knowledge from her guests, but also keeps the episodes engaging and relatable.

Z Austin ,

Only expect value!

Bridgett, always delivers whether it’s writing, speaking, or interviewing high level professionals. The content gifts us with gems to add to our arsenal for the benefit of now or later. Thanks for all you do Bridgett!

CescaSun ,

Love Bridgett’s energy and actionable advice

If you want to become a better public speaker (and gain confidence), this podcast is a must-listen. I love how Bridgett asks very specific questions that lead to actionable takeaways. My favorite public speaking podcast, hands down.

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