13 episodes

If you could present yourself really well, in an authentic way which connected powerfully with your audience on stage, on Zoom, at a networking event or around the board table, you would be creating your Speak Performance.

"Speaking—Or an Approximation Thereof—with Ges Ray" is an invitation to think about and experiment with your presentation skills, your Speak Performance, in a fun, challenging and occasionally bonkers way.

The last thing we want when watching or listening to a presenter is the same old same old delivered in the same dull, depressing way. Yet most speaking coaches train their students in the same mechanical, dull techniques while students hope for a magical transformation into a dynamic, imaginative and engaging presenter.

NO DULLNESS HERE! This is one of our unofficial mottos at Speak Performance and the Speaking podcast.

PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING ADVISORY: this podcast is for adults only, those who cannot cope with satire, sarcasm, scatalogical material or self-mockery are STRONGLY ADVISED to find a dull, predictable podcast about presenting in a dull, predictable manner elsewhere.

Speaking—Or an Approximation Thereof—with Ges Ray Ges Ray

    • Business

If you could present yourself really well, in an authentic way which connected powerfully with your audience on stage, on Zoom, at a networking event or around the board table, you would be creating your Speak Performance.

"Speaking—Or an Approximation Thereof—with Ges Ray" is an invitation to think about and experiment with your presentation skills, your Speak Performance, in a fun, challenging and occasionally bonkers way.

The last thing we want when watching or listening to a presenter is the same old same old delivered in the same dull, depressing way. Yet most speaking coaches train their students in the same mechanical, dull techniques while students hope for a magical transformation into a dynamic, imaginative and engaging presenter.

NO DULLNESS HERE! This is one of our unofficial mottos at Speak Performance and the Speaking podcast.

PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING ADVISORY: this podcast is for adults only, those who cannot cope with satire, sarcasm, scatalogical material or self-mockery are STRONGLY ADVISED to find a dull, predictable podcast about presenting in a dull, predictable manner elsewhere.

    By EC! Engage and Compel—the foundation of your Speak Performance!

    By EC! Engage and Compel—the foundation of your Speak Performance!

    ECHO Part 1: Engage and Compel
    Do you start your speech with your name, your career breakdown, your awards and qualifications? If so, then you are in for a treat as Ges Ray and the assembled motley crew throw you into the deep end with something much more scintillating, stimulating and seductive.

    And if you already know how vital the opening of any presentation is, then here are powerful ways to raise your Speak Performance.
    As always...
    PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING ADVISORY: this podcast is for adults only, those who cannot cope with satire, sarcasm, scatalogical material or self-mockery are STRONGLY ADVISED to find a dull, predictable podcast about presenting in a dull, predictable manner elsewhere.

    • 21 min
    Happy Endings 1—The Princess and the Pea

    Happy Endings 1—The Princess and the Pea

    Here is your first bonus podcast experience: a retelling of the classic tale...
    Are you sitting comfortably? Then your storyteller, Ges Ray, will begin... 
     
    There once was a prince who wanted to get married. Alas, he could not find a real princess... until one Saturday night a strange visitor arrives at the palace. So, the prince’s mother, Queen Gudrun, devises a little test to discover the truth behind the mystery. 

    • 12 min
    HO! HO! HO! Haunt and Obsess your Audience

    HO! HO! HO! Haunt and Obsess your Audience

    ECHO Part 2: Haunt and Obsess
    Presenting or speaking in public isn't just about make a good impression at the event. Making sure people remember what they've experienced and put their new insights into practice is what elevates your Speak Performance.
    Ges Ray and the assembled motley crew step you through two critical areas that allow your message to land powerfully and to live in the hearts, minds and actions of your audience long after the event is over. It is time to Haunt and Obsess them...
    PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING ADVISORY: this podcast is for adults only, those who cannot cope with satire, sarcasm, scatalogical material or self-mockery are STRONGLY ADVISED to find a dull, predictable podcast about presenting in a dull, predictable manner elsewhere.

    • 21 min
    Happy Endings 2: Aggie

    Happy Endings 2: Aggie

    Your second bonus episode: can you recognise this contemporary reworking?
     
    Tonight’s tale follows the experiences of a young girl as she braves the challenges of life, loss and delicious baked goods. 

    • 17 min
    The right words, but not necessarily in the right order—Why SCRIPTING is critical for your Speak Performance!

    The right words, but not necessarily in the right order—Why SCRIPTING is critical for your Speak Performance!

    Some speakers ponder a few ideas on a Sunday afternoon, cobble together a rough set of notes on the Tuesday, and then on Wednesday meander to the stage and ramble around it—boring the audience to death.
    Scripting, crafting your thoughts, shaping your message for maximum impact is not just useful for a big talk, but can be handy in everyday situations.
    Ges Ray describes the power of scripting and his assembled motley crew demonstrate just how not to do it...

    Perhaps counter to your expectations, preparing scripts can allow you to be much more present and valuable to the audience in the moment.
    PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING ADVISORY: this podcast is for adults only, those who cannot cope with satire, sarcasm, scatalogical material or self-mockery are STRONGLY ADVISED to find a dull, predictable podcast about presenting in a dull, predictable manner elsewhere.
     

    • 22 min
    Happy Endings 3: Mansell and Grizzle

    Happy Endings 3: Mansell and Grizzle

    Your third bonus episode: by now you should be able to translate Mansell and Grizzle yourself...
     
    Mansell and Grizzle are vile. Utterly and completely vile. So vile in fact, when they start filming death-defying stunts for their social media channels, Mansell and Grizzle’s parents go to work on rectifying the defying part of the challenges. 

    • 20 min

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