The Public Speaker’s 10 Most Popular Episodes of 2015
Each year, I like to have some fun and figure out what were the top 10 podcasts of the previous 12 months.
Lisa B. Marshall
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The Public Speaker’s 10 Most Popular Episodes of 2015
These are the episodes that have gotten the most listens so far, and every year, my Top 10 of the previous year is in the top 10! So this is really the top 11 episodes, skipping the Top 10 Podcasts of 2014. I encourage you to listen to that one, too, though, because of all the great episodes highlighted.
This year, instead of a count-down, I’m doing a count-up, because well … I’m impatient! So I’ll be starting with the most popular episode of 2015. It’s always interesting to see the variety of subjects in the Top 10. It also makes me happy to know that I’m providing people with such broad interests and concerns.
So are you ready? Drum roll, please. And the winner is…
#1: In Communication, Less Is More
Frankly, this surprised me. The episode was about how to catch people’s attention and make sure they remember what you’re saying. And, of course, as the title suggests my advice was: Keep it short. This is one of the best pieces of advice I can give you. (OK, maybe I need to follow my own advice!) We live in a busy world, and with the advent of emails and texting, the expectation of “short” has been heightened. In this popular episode, I give hints on how to be short, concise, and memorable, in written communication, phone calls and messages, and public speaking. Where do you need this help the most?
#2: How to Avoid Awkward Silence
Awkward Silence is … well, awkward! No one likes it, but do you know how to avoid it? In this helpful episode, I tell you how to pace your conversation, how to keep in mind your “story” and draw out the other person’s, and how to ask questions that open up a deeper connection.
#3: Talk to Strangers (It’s Good for Your Health)
Do you regularly talk to the stranger next to you on the plane or in line at the food store? If not, you may want to start. Studies show that, even though most people think talking to strangers will be a negative experience, the truth is just the opposite, and it benefits us in so many ways.
In this interesting interview about trust at work, Dr. Greg Marcus, author of Busting Your Corporate Idol: Self-Help for the Chronically Overworked, describes the three different kinds of people you’ll meet at work. You’ll learn how to recognize them, how to work with or avoid them, and who to trust. He likens them to a Scorpion, Fox, and Wolf. Which one are you?
#5: How to Create Stronger Transitions in a Speech
It surprised me that transitions in speech would be the 5th most listened to podcast. It’s a rather overlooked detail. But transitions can make the difference between your presentation really making an impact or bombing. And I think you’ll be surprised at the three ways to make stronger transitions. They’re not what you would expect.
#6: Manipulative and Dishonest Co-Workers
This episode was based on a real problem one of my listeners had with a dishonest and manipulative co-worker. I address both issues, because a co-worker who lies causes different problems than a co-worker who manipulates, and they need to be addressed differently. If you have a difficult situation at work, this episode will help you.
#7: How to Fix a Bad First Impression
A bad first impression takes time and some effective strategies to overcome, but it’s really important to make the effort. We’ve all made first impressions we wish we could reverse. This episode will tell you how.
#8: Are You Straining Your Voice with Vocal Fry?
This was a surprise Top 10, but I’m glad to see it. I hope it means people are becoming aware of the damage they can do to their voices by using this gravely sound, commonly known as vocal fry. Sometimes it’s caused by strain, sometimes by bad vocal habits, and other times it’s done on purpose. Whatever the reason, it’s hurting you. In this episode, I give some simple steps to help correct and heal this problem.
#9: Celebrities Stir Controversy at the Golden Globes
Celebrities are known for speaking out on issues important to them, because they generally have a captive audience. Do you? When is it right to say something controversial, and what is the best way to do it? I give some helpful tips in this podcast.
This is a very important podcast. So many people hold themselves back by not taking the step to ask for something that will make their lives better, because they don’t know HOW. In this episode, I give you eight steps to get you what you want.
So, that’s it! The Best of 2015. Do you have a topic you’d like to learn more about in 2016? I’d love to hear from you. Email me at publicspeaker@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. Many of my top episodes are created to answer questions from listeners.
Finally, I wanted to thank you for your help. When you listen to the show and share it with others, it helps me to reach more people with my messages. I can’t tell you how personally satisfying it is when people write me to tell me that they gained confidence, improved their communication skills, and earned more money as a result of listening to this show. If you enjoyed the show this year, I’d like to ask you to leave me a review on iTunes or possibly purchase one of my books to give as a gift to someone to start out the new year on the right foot.
This is Lisa B. Marshall, helping you to lead and influence. As always, your success is my business.
About the Author
Lisa B. Marshall Lisa holds masters with duel degrees in interpersonal/intercultural communication and organizational communication. She’s the author of Smart Talk: The Public Speaker’s Guide to Success in Every Situation, as well as Ace Your Interview, Powerful Presenter, and Expert Presenter. Her work has been featured in CBS Money Watch, Ragan.com, Woman’s Day, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and many others. Her institutional clients include Johns Hopkins Medicine, Harvard University, NY Academy of Science, University of Pennsylvania, Genentech, and Roche.