The Presentation Whisperer Show

Rob Jolles
  • 4.9 (13)
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Step inside the world of presentations with professional speaker and bestselling author Rob Jolles as he hosts The Presentation Whisperer. Through candid conversations with top professional speakers, seasoned trainers, and authors finding their voice, Rob uncovers the secrets behind powerful delivery. He’ll share trainer-tested techniques for holding a room’s attention for hours, or even days. And when a presentation isn’t hitting the mark, you’ll discover how to diagnose the problem and transform it into something that truly connects. With a mix of expert interviews, real-time coaching, and Rob’s own four decades of battle-tested experience on stages and in training rooms around the world, The Presentation Whisperer goes beyond the surface to reveal what really makes a presentation resonate. Whether you’re a keynote speaker, a trainer, or simply someone with a message to share, you’ll walk away with practical tools and inspiring ideas to elevate your delivery. Because every presentation matters.

  1. 10h ago

    How to Become a Bureau's Go-To Speaker

    In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn: • How John became known as "The Pitch Whisperer" and the common mistake he saw speakers making. • What speakers need to understand before pursuing relationships with speaker bureaus. • How to create genuine value for a bureau instead of simply asking for speaking opportunities. • What makes a bureau feel confident recommending and pitching a speaker to clients. • What strong positioning looks like and why it helps speakers stand out in a crowded marketplace. • Why some speakers have compelling stories but are still difficult for bureaus to describe and sell. • What John means by being "stuck in the friend zone at work" and how speakers can avoid it. • The most common reasons speakers get listed by bureaus but rarely get booked. • Practical ways to make it dramatically easier for bureaus to pitch you during client conversations. • The very first step speakers should take this week to begin building stronger bureau relationships. To learn more about this guest: John Livesay | LinkedIn Instagram @thepitchwhisperer Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    How to Become a Bureau's Go-To Speaker

  2. 2d ago

    The Moment Your Difference Becomes Your Superpower

    In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you will learn: o Why so many speakers feel pressure to look, sound, and behave like everyone else on stage o How and why embracing what makes you different can become a competitive advantage rather than a limitation o Whether there was a defining moment when your accent stopped being a liability and became part of your value as a speaker o Why it is often easier to talk about “embracing differences” than it is to actually do it in practice o How speakers can identify the unique traits, stories, and characteristics that audiences actually remember o How fears around accent, appearance, age, or background can be reframed so they don’t control performance on stage o How confidence shifts when speakers move from “speaking for free” to positioning themselves as professionals o What role confidence plays in helping speakers be seen as credible professionals rather than volunteers o When speakers typically notice that the very traits they once hid are the ones audiences and planners are drawn to o How to build relationships that lead to stronger opportunities, referrals, and consistent speaking demand o What you would say to speakers who feel they don’t fit the traditional image of a professional speaker but still want to succeed To learn more about this guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mss-francois-31350a1b3/  Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    The Moment Your Difference Becomes Your Superpower

  3. Aug 6

    Mental Movement: The Secret to Virtual Engagement

    In this Whisper Shot, you'll learn: o Why adults struggle to stay engaged during lengthy virtual sessions. o The difference between physical movement and mental movement. o How breakout rooms can increase attention and participation. o Why polls are an effective tool for re-engaging distracted audiences. o How screen sharing can be used strategically to create variety and focus. o The hidden risks of relying too heavily on PowerPoint during virtual presentations. o Why too many slides can actually contribute to audience disengagement. o How short breaks can improve attention and retention during longer meetings. o The value of using a countdown timer during breaks. o Practical ways to keep virtual audiences engaged from beginning to end. To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.ThePresentationWhisperer.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    Mental Movement: The Secret to Virtual Engagement

  4. Aug 4

    Why Great Presenters Think Like Coaches

    In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show you will learn: How shifting from “having the answers” to guiding discovery can dramatically increase audience engagement.  The key differences between delivering a keynote and facilitating a workshop or live session.  Why many presenters default to “expert mode,” and how that can unintentionally reduce connection and interaction.  How coaching principles can be used to create moments where audiences uncover insights for themselves.  Practical facilitation techniques that increase participation and make people feel included in the conversation.  How asking better questions changes the energy, flow, and ownership inside a room.  The balance between guiding a discussion and over-controlling it as a presenter or facilitator.  Whether facilitation skills can strengthen even highly structured keynote presentations.  Common mistakes presenters make when trying to involve audiences, and how to avoid them.  A practical first step for becoming a more engaging facilitator starting immediately.  To learn more about this guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rusty-tugman/ Website: https://rustytugman.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    Why Great Presenters Think Like Coaches

  5. Jul 30

    The Coaching Advantage

    In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn: • Why knowing your subject isn't enough to be a great presenter. • How personalized coaching accelerates speaking improvement. • Why coaching often outperforms classes and presentation workshops. • When it's time to hire a presentation coach. • The role Toastmasters can play for aspiring professional speakers. • How coaching adapts to different personalities and presentation styles. • How great coaches balance encouragement with honest feedback. • When to challenge a speaker—and when to offer support. • How virtual presentations have changed coaching, and what hasn't. • The first step to becoming a better presenter in the next 30 days. To learn more about this guest: milo shapiro.com  http://PublicDynamics.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    The Coaching Advantage

  6. Jul 28

    Turning Uncomfortable Messages Into Memorable Presentations

    In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn: How to present information audiences need to hear, even when they’d rather avoid the topic. When humor strengthens a serious presentation—and when it can unintentionally weaken the message. Why analogies are such powerful tools for explaining emotionally charged or high-conflict subjects. An example of an analogy that helped an audience better understand a critical safety issue. Techniques for keeping audiences engaged when discussing heavy, uncomfortable, or frightening material. How to create psychological safety while still conveying the seriousness of the subject. Ways to educate audiences about risk without leaving them feeling fearful or overwhelmed. Why storytelling often creates a stronger connection than facts and statistics alone. Practical advice for making technical, compliance, safety, and other "necessary but not exciting" presentations more engaging. The common elements found in presentations that inspire audiences to stay engaged, learn, and take meaningful action. To learn more about this guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thediamondarrowgroup YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thediamondarrowgroup TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thediamondarrowgroup Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDiamondArrowGroup IG: https://www.instagram.com/thediamondarrowgroup Website: https://www.thediamondarrowgroup.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    Turning Uncomfortable Messages Into Memorable Presentations

  7. Jul 23

    Why Great Presenters Crave Pressure

    In this Whisper Shot, you'll learn: o Why the word "anxious" can be more productive than the word "nervous." o How anxiety can be channeled into focus and energy. o The hidden danger of becoming too comfortable in your role. o Why experienced professionals often battle complacency more than nerves. o How having something at stake improves performance. o What presenters can learn from Michael Jordan's approach to motivation. o Why great performers actively seek out challenges and pressure. o How to create motivation when none appears to exist. o The difference between performing with intensity and performing flat. o Why gratitude for pressure can help you bring your best to every presentation.   To learn more about Rob and his work, visit www.Jolles.com Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    Why Great Presenters Crave Pressure

  8. Jul 21

    What Makes Audiences Buy In

    In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn: • The difference between getting audiences to believe what you're saying and getting them to believe in you. • Why some polished speakers still fail to move audiences emotionally or intellectually. • The key elements that create belief, trust, and influence during a presentation. • How audience trust is shaped by both content and delivery. • What lessons from Hollywood storytelling translate directly to presenting and persuasion. • Common mistakes speakers make when they try too hard to sound like thought leaders. • Whether expertise, authenticity, confidence, or another factor builds credibility fastest. • How great presenters balance logic and emotion without sounding manipulative. • How business successes and failures can strengthen a speaker's ability to connect with audiences. • One practical change speakers can make immediately to become more influential and persuasive.   To learn more about this guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/  Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room. Learn more about Rob’s books, coaching, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

    What Makes Audiences Buy In
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About

Step inside the world of presentations with professional speaker and bestselling author Rob Jolles as he hosts The Presentation Whisperer. Through candid conversations with top professional speakers, seasoned trainers, and authors finding their voice, Rob uncovers the secrets behind powerful delivery. He’ll share trainer-tested techniques for holding a room’s attention for hours, or even days. And when a presentation isn’t hitting the mark, you’ll discover how to diagnose the problem and transform it into something that truly connects. With a mix of expert interviews, real-time coaching, and Rob’s own four decades of battle-tested experience on stages and in training rooms around the world, The Presentation Whisperer goes beyond the surface to reveal what really makes a presentation resonate. Whether you’re a keynote speaker, a trainer, or simply someone with a message to share, you’ll walk away with practical tools and inspiring ideas to elevate your delivery. Because every presentation matters.

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