Presentation Thinking™

GhostRanch Communications
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Mikey and Molly have been beckoned by the gods to become legendary storytellers — a call impossible to refuse. Join our heroes as they dive deep down the rabbit hole, documenting their findings as they scour all industries and disciplines in search of outside insights, inside outlooks, and, well, anything and everything there is to know about the making (and delivery) of better presentations. This is Presentation Thinking™ Brought to you by www.GhostRanch.com — b2b marketers' partners in Presentation Excellence AND www.StoryCamp.com — A soft skills symposium in Park City, July 23-24, 2025

  1. #212. Steve Jobs Introduces the iPod 2001—and changes music forever

    Jun 18

    #212. Steve Jobs Introduces the iPod 2001—and changes music forever

    Continuing our journey in analyzing every Steve Jobs keynote ever given, Mikey and Molly re-visit the talk that would change the way we consume music forever—the introduction of the iPod in 2001.  Steve utilizes a classic Problem and Solution strategy in showing the various ways which 2001 offered music listening experiences (remember flash drives!?) and which route Apple endeavored to improve upon. For each pain point (memory, portability, etc.), Apple develops a clear and stylish solution.  Most interestingly, he saves the reveal of the device itself until much later than he typically does with product launches.  As the first music listening device of its kind, Steve first compares it to a deck of cards—a universal size and feel most people can understand—before pulling the device out of his pocket.  The rest is music history.  This is an episode for: keynote speakers, C-suite presenters and Apple/tech nerds. What’s in the Spice Cabinet?  Watch Steve’s 2001 introduction of the iPod, and explore Steve’s other keynotes: All About Steve Jobs Other episodes where we’re talking about Steve’s presentation skills: #197 - Damage control at Macworld Boston (1997) #192 - Steve Jobs film (2015) #187 - Steve introduces iMac (1998) #72 - Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Speech (2005) Get your hands on some vintage iPods: On eBay!

    33 min
  2. #211. Andrea Pacini is a Timeless Presenter—and you can be too

    Jun 12

    #211. Andrea Pacini is a Timeless Presenter—and you can be too

    When you hear the phrase “timeless presenter”, you might think of MLK, Steve Jobs, Oprah... For us at Presentation Thinking, we’re adding Andrea Pacini to that list.  Andrea Pacini is the head of Ideas on Stage UK and a decorated presentation coach with a slew of cool awards. Having already had a few epic conversations together on the pod, we were excited to hear all about Andrea’s latest book, Timeless Presenter.  This book is not a one-size-fits all framework, nor is it a recipe for success. It’s a bullet journal-like presentation of some of the most core principles in presenting.  From data viz examples that work to research-backed audience psychology to real-life anecdotes, Andrea has put together something truly—all together now—timeless.  This is an episode for: storytellers, presentation designers and speakers of all levels. What’s in the Spice Cabinet?  A couple of ways to get your hands on Andrea’s book, Timeless Presenter: Principles for Making Your Ideas Impossible to Ignore: Purchase here Get a FREE copy here Assess your presentation skills in less than 3 mins:  The Confident Presenter Scorecard Want to take it a step deeper? Sign up for Andrea's web class here What’s next for Andrea Pacini? “I’m thinking about a book for kids—but it has to do with communication. I’m thinking ‘empathy’...It’s just an idea for now.” Recommended speakers to go with Timeless Presenter? Andrea emphasizes that Science Thinkers make for great presenters like: Neil deGrasse Tyson Brian Cox Andrea’s walkout song? Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen When I mention that’s the song he selected in previous episodes, Andrea says “What matters is not what’s new, it’s what lasts.”

    53 min
  3. #210. TED Talkin’ with Montana Von Fliss: Stand out with a “silent sentence”

    Jun 4

    #210. TED Talkin’ with Montana Von Fliss: Stand out with a “silent sentence”

    Montana Von Fliss exudes confidence…even if she’s not actually feeling confident. How?  Like any good actress and executive speaker coach, she’s got a secret sauce—or, silent sentence—to share with us Presentation Thinkers.  In her 2025 TED Talk called How to Be Confident (even if you’re not), Montana runs through her tried and true tips for oozing confidence on any stage. Things like pausing for emphasis and employing the Superhero stance may sound like familiar wisdom, but Montana’s “Silent Sentence” is the piece tying all standard presentation advice together.  When utilized strategically, it’s the thing you don’t say out loud that can have the loudest impact. Understand your presentation purpose and craft your own Silent Sentence with Montana. This is an episode for: strategic storytellers and presenters of any kind.  What’s in the Spice Cabinet?  Watch Montana’s TED Talk for yourself How to Be Confident (even if you’re not) 2025 Follow Montana for more of her work MontanaVonFliss.com On LinkedIn! Sign up for Story Camp 2026 StoryCamp.com

    35 min
  4. #209. The virtual presentation help book you’ve been waiting for

    May 15

    #209. The virtual presentation help book you’ve been waiting for

    Rick Altman has been around PowerPoint since its inception. As an early adapter of graphics and publishing software and later the founder of the Presentation Summit, Rick’s experience with presentations has amounted to an expert-level body of experience. The latest installment comes with his new book, Crush Your Next Virtual Presentation: A Modern Guide for the Modern Communicator.Seeing a serious lack in the presentation advice space for virtual versions, which only grow each year, Rick has stepped up with an insanely useful guide.  There are visual examples at every turn, technical advice for ways in which to upgrade your camera, and breakdowns of the physicality (and psychology) of virtual spaces—all written with Rick’s witty wry voice, making the book anything but boring.   Zoom webinars and virtual conferences aren’t going away and Rick, as usual, finds himself thriving on the wave of adaptation.  This is an episode for: presenters of all kinds, but especially anyone that has to present virtually. What's in the Spice Cabinet? Get Rick’s book for yourself Crush Your Next Virtual Presentation: A Modern Guide for the Modern CommunicatorAttend the virtual Presentation Summit: Presentation Summit 2026: September 13th-16th Where is Rick getting inspiration right now? Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Follow Rick: BetterPresenting.com - “That’s my front door” On LinkedIn Rick’s walkout song? Midnight at the Oasis - Maria Muldaur

    54 min
  5. #208. TED Talkin’: Angus Fletcher on the power of plot twists

    Apr 20

    #208. TED Talkin’: Angus Fletcher on the power of plot twists

    Angus Fletcher is the ultimate Presentation Thinker.  Currently the Professor of Story Science at Ohio State University’s “Project Narrative”, the world’s leading think-tank for the study of how stories work, Angus started out in neuroscience, realized the brain isn’t data-driven, got into the story science and walked away with a PhD in Literature from Yale. (Phew!) He worked in Hollywood, helped design AI and now writes books and teaches. This varied background provides unique insights into niche perspectives such as the one provided in this 2025 TED Talk, Twist Your Fate: Overcoming Adversity with Your Story. Angus shares that a group of veterans were working through depression and PTSD and it wasn’t until trying journaling that there was a breakthrough.  It wasn’t necessarily the content of this veteran’s particular story, but the plot twists that allowed its author to realize what they were capable of. Angus dives into the science behind this story device and how it can help us in work and life—and, of course, presentations.  This is an episode for: speakers, writers and story nerds of all kinds. What’s in the Spice Cabinet?  Watch Angus’s TED Talk Twist your fate: Overcoming Adversity with your story Follow Angus’s work: His website We’re particularly obsessed with his FAQ page

    31 min
  6. #207. The big value of short films

    Apr 10

    #207. The big value of short films

    While the biggest Oscar buzz is reserved for flashy celebs and viral moments, a category usually overshadowed by those little golden statues is “Best Animated Short Film.” Animated shorts provide a masterclass in highly efficient storytelling, interesting visuals and proof that a film's runtime doesn't have to be over 2 hours to win an award (THERE, I said it!!).  Ranging from silly to heavy to wholesome, this year's nominees include incredible Wallace & Gromit-style stop-motion (The Girl Who Cried Pearls) and Domhnall Gleeson's sweet Irish voice narrating a classic 2D hand-drawn style (Retirement Plan).  Filmmaker and Designer Asha Alaji-Sharif joins Molly on this special podcast episode to dissect the storytelling strategies—both visual and structural—employed in these films and what we, as business-minded presentation enthusiasts, can learn from them. This is an episode for: designers and visual strategists, animation fans and anyone that gets inspired by film. What’s in the Spice Cabinet?  The five Oscar-nominated Animated Short Films from 2026 The Girl Who Cried Pearls Retirement Plan Forevergreen Butterfly (Papillon) The Three Sisters (We don’t believe this is anywhere online so we didn’t watch. If you have a link or know where to stream, please reach out!)  Where to follow Asha’s work: On Instagram At the Atlanta Film Festival - she is starring in 500 Seconds To Tell You Her own film, The Four Noble Truths, just won the award for Best Social Impact Documentary at the Atlanta Documentary Film Festival

    32 min
  7. #206. How to inspire students at your Alma Mater

    Apr 2

    #206. How to inspire students at your Alma Mater

    What type of presentation podcast would we be if we didn’t discuss the actual presentations that we gave?? We’ve been tracking Mikey’s Road to the TED Talk since the inception of this podcast—and a few weeks ago, he got one step closer.  Invited to speak at his Alma Mater, DePauw University in Indiana, Mikey infused today’s liberal arts pupils with a manifesto keynote in letting your creative pursuits fuel everything else in life.  Inspired by Nike’s tagline story and (of course) Steve Jobs’ quote that says “Creativity is just connecting things”, Mikey shares how he went about putting together this fresh talk, his implementation of Claude as a research partner, and how it all landed with the students in the room.  This is an episode for: emerging speakers and anyone putting together a new talk.   What’s in the Spice Cabinet?  Follow more of Mikey’s writing Via “The Dispatch” on LinkedIn Join us at Story Camp! November 3-6, 2026 in Boulder, CO Mikey’s walkout song (for this particular talk)? Steely Dan - My Old School (Or anything Beastie Boys)

    29 min
  8. #205. Harnessing humor with hilarious copywriter, Lianna Patch

    Mar 27

    #205. Harnessing humor with hilarious copywriter, Lianna Patch

    World’s funniest conversion copywriter Lianna Patch and founder of Punchline Copy joins Presentation Thinking (again!) to revisit our conversation from the early days of the podcast (Episode #39).  We get into what’s changed in the presenting world, what’s constant, and her latest talk called “Stage Presence in a Can.”  We also discuss the ways AI is affecting both copywriting and presenting and how best to leverage it as a tool. If you want to infuse your brand with a more authentic (and funny) voice and bring JOY to corporate culture, start with Lianna’s advice. Sonic signatures, dynamic voice, establishing rapport with the audience—Lianna has tons of real-life experience and really funny anecdotes.  This is an episode for: copywriters, presenters and comedy fans. Find more of Lianna’s funny work PunchlineCopy.com Follow her on LinkedIn Listen to the first time Lianna joined us on Presentation Thinking: Episode #39 Recent comedy faves: “Prodigal Daughter” - Taylor Tomlinson Book and podcast reccos mentioned: Death, Sex & Money (podcast) Bad at Keeping Secrets (podcast) David Nihill - Do you talk funny? (book) Advice for nervous presenters? “Everybody there wants to see you win.” Lianna’s walkout song?  “Anything VULFPECK” - consistent with her answer in Episode #39! The Birdwatcher

    42 min
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About

Mikey and Molly have been beckoned by the gods to become legendary storytellers — a call impossible to refuse. Join our heroes as they dive deep down the rabbit hole, documenting their findings as they scour all industries and disciplines in search of outside insights, inside outlooks, and, well, anything and everything there is to know about the making (and delivery) of better presentations. This is Presentation Thinking™ Brought to you by www.GhostRanch.com — b2b marketers' partners in Presentation Excellence AND www.StoryCamp.com — A soft skills symposium in Park City, July 23-24, 2025

Information

  • Creator
    GhostRanch Communications
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    211
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © GhostRanch Communications
  • Show Website
    Presentation Thinking™

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