Speaking Tips

 

Balm for the Soul

In an unprecedented dark time, we desperately need a balm to dress our wounds and heal our spirits. For many of us, trust in government and democracy has been shattered. Where are the leaders who are honest with the American people and shoulder their responsibilities...

Patience

We were thrilled when 2021 seemed to be the year when COVID-19 would be under control. But even the best-laid battle plan rarely survives contact with the enemy. As we publish this week's tip, only 2.8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered-- far...

Story Time

As we pass Hanukkah and the Christmas season, stories associated with each are bright in our memory. Hanukkah has relatively minor religious significance in the Jewish faith, but by employing a symbol (menorah) and the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights in the temple,...

Giants in our Midst

In a time of turmoil, brought about by the pandemic and a contentious election, it's easy to allow our darker angels to prevail. But now that there is a vaccine to combat the virus, it's also time to offset the rhetoric of hatred and divisiveness...

Finish Strong

A dear friend of David’s passed away this week. In 1965, Archie Harrison was competing in the Oklahoma State Wrestling Championship. He was getting beaten badly, but in the last fifteen seconds of his match, pinned his opponent. His team won university scholarships and launched...

Clarity

In 1982, a unique film called Koyaanisqatsi premiered at the Santa Fe Film Festival. In the Hopi language, Koyaanisqatsi means "life out of balance," or literally "chaotic life." This film without dialogue visually covered what the filmmakers considered human interference with nature and the subsequent negative consequences. Today, with...

Emotional Gestures

In the Netflix series The Crown (Season 4) Princess Diana is coached on deportment. In one scene, Diana rehearses a speech she will give in support of her husband’s charity. Her coach tells Diana “You use your hands far too much…our gestures reveal us…best not...

Whittaker Wheeze

Emily Harrington, the elite athlete who recently solo-climbed El Capitan was the subject of last week’s tip. But we’re an equal opportunity supporter. Jim Whittaker served as President and CEO of REI for 25 years.But beginning in the 1960’s, Jim and his brother Lou were...

The Woman Rocks

“The process of putting yourself out there, the process of getting scared, the process of being uncomfortable. The uncertainty of it all is what makes it valuable—it’s what makes us realize who we are.” You may think this quote was by a keynote speaker expressing...

Fishin’ Friends

In this difficult time, wracked with political upheaval, social turmoil and a pandemic, we could all use a dose of good cheer. Many new movies are focused on the dark side and pessimism. Even though critics may feel its beneath them to appreciate a feel-good...