Speaking Tips

 

Ooo-Weet

Read the tip title aloud, exaggerating your enunciation. This is a standard vocal warmup used by theatre professionals. We’re sure you have your own rituals before you work or compete, but you may not have an efficient way to warm up your voice. Beyond the...

The Hunger

We were fortunate to attend the fourth year of Santa Fe’s International Literary Festival. It’s thrilling to be in the same room with authors who peer deeply into the human condition and deliver insights via storytelling. Many authors in attendance also teach, including Heather Cox Richardson,...

Hall of Mirrors

Remember Elizabeth Holmes, notorious for raising over 700 million dollars for a blood-testing box that didn’t work? Now, her new life partner Billy Evans is raising millions for his Haemanthus device, which he touts as “The Future of Diagnostics.” The invention is eerily similar to...

Shock and Awe

Ralph Fiennes’ character in the film Conclave had an eye-opening statement. “There is one sin which I have come to fear above all others---certainty. If there was only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery, and therefore no need for faith.”We’ve always recommended...

The Gloaming

There is a time each day when it’s neither day nor night. The ancient Celts named it the Gloaming—we call it dusk or twilight. The earth seems to pause and breathe as it eases into the next phase. It’s a time when anything can happen,...

I Power

Last week we read a NY Times article on religion and spirituality in America. Although worth a read, we weren’t truly engaged until the author revealed her personal connection. No surprise. Many writers and speakers, out of politeness or habit, favor reporting on an issue...

Desert Bloom

In the high desert of New Mexico, spring is finally making an appearance. While other parts of the country are awash in blooms, at 7,000 ft, not so much. This makes new blossoms on our trees, bushes and plants more dramatic and pleasing. Colorful flowers...

Obedient or Good

Earlier this week, we saw an American treasure. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed a solo concert along with commentary about his life and influences on his music. In his teens, after studying and playing the cello from the age of four, Ma’s father asked him to do...

Power Multiplier

When you tune into entertainment award shows, you’ll notice actors gushing about fellow cast members. This high praise comes from working on complicated projects with looming deadlines.David performed in Otherwise Engaged at the Berkeley Rep. The cast was inspired by an intelligent script, so they...

Bounce Back

Who hasn’t blown a pitch, failed to connect with an audience, or muffed an important presentation?  But when we’re ready to get back on our feet, we need inspiration and rehearsal.Lindsey Vonn is 40, ancient in terms of Olympian skiers. She competed from 2002 -...