How Building Lego Can Help Improve Your Public Speaking: Michael Chad Hoeppner

Do you ever have to deliver a presentation at work? Navigate  difficult conversations? Or simply just express yourself with clarity and confidence?  If you would like to improve your  communication skills this episode is just for you.Our guest today is Michael Chad Hoeppner,  a renowned communication coach, speaker, and the founder of GK Training and Communications. Michael has coached prominent CEOs, presidential candidates and Ivy League Deans on their communication skills.He’s just brought a book out, ‘Don’t Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life,' which I have just read. It’s a book with a difference. It’s fun and packed with practical exercises such as building with Lego and speaking with a cork in your mouth! It’s a great read and I think whatever your skills are in public speaking there is something for everybody!So, grab your notebook—or just your curiosity—and get ready for a conversation that might just change the way you show up and speak up!Michael's links:https://gktraining.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchadhoeppner/Book -  ‘Don’t Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life,'Connect with Undercurrent Stories:   https://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Public Footpaths, or to use the correct term, 'Public Rights of Way' are a unique national treasure in England and Wales. In fact there are over 149,000 miles of them!Interestingly there are a further estimated 49,000 miles of 'lost' Public Rights of Way which could be lost forever if they have not been recorded.Joining me to discuss footpaths and how you can help get involved in re-establishing these footpaths as Public Rights of Way is Jack Cornish. Jack  is head of paths at the Ramblers Association, Britain's largest walking charity. In 2017, he walked across the country from Land's End to John O'Groats, and he has dedicated the last seven years of his life to walking and recording the forgotten routes of England and Wales. He's just brought out his latest book: 'The Lost Paths, A History of How we walk from here to there.'Jack's links;https://www.instagram.com/cornishjack11/Website: https://www.jackfcornish.com/Book. 'The Lost Paths' https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/446761/the-lost-paths-by-cornish-jack/9781405951289Ramblershttps://www.ramblers.org.uk/Connect with Undercurrent Stories:   https://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

As the 21st century rolls on with a competitive workplace,  an ever changing working environment and the increasing use of AI you might well be asking how you stand out and how you can make yourself irreplaceable.One man that has been asking these questions over the past 15 years while running one of the world’s top executive search firms is my guest William Vanderbloemen. William is an entrepreneur, pastor, speaker, author, and CEO and founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group, an executive search firm serving churches, ministries, and faith-based organisations.Through extensive research of over 30,000 top leaders Wiilliam has identified the 12 habits that the best of the best have in common. His book, Be the Unicorn looks at such traits  as authenticity, responsiveness, agility, and the ability to problem solve. William's links;Book - Be the Unicorn https://www.vanderbloemen.com/https://www.instagram.com/wvanderbloemen/Connect with Undercurrent Stories:   https://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s often overlooked but always relevant, etiquette and manners.  Most of us learn these as we grow up but given all the cultural and technological changes that modern society has experienced it’s not always easy to know the best practises to adopt. Here to help navigate these changes I’m joined by Thomas Farley. Based in New York,  Thomas is known as 'Mr Manners' and is America’s trusted etiquette expert frequently appearing on national TV and working with clients such as the Walt Disney company, American Express, the  US Army and many more.Thomas's links:https://mister-manners.com/https://www.instagram.com/MisterManners/https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaspfarley/Connect with Undercurrent Stories:   https://www.undercurrentstories.com/ https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/ https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

James Cooper, a Christmasologist, (Yes there is such a word!), reveals the history of Christmas traditions in the UK over the last 1500 years.Speaking to Bob in this episode first aired in 2022, James takes us on a journey of discovery as he shares the unexplained stories behind the celebration of Christmas.Find out more on James's website;https://www.whychristmas.com/Connect with Undercurrent Stories:  Website: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on social media, and don’t forget to leave a review.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

 In this inspiring episode, Bob sits down with Chris Porcas, a timber merchant by day and a poet by night, who shares his fascinating journey into the world of poetry. Chris reveals how a chance encounter at a local poetry club ignited his passion for writing, eventually leading to the publication of his first book, The Road to Poetry.Chris discusses his creative process, how he balances his career and artistic pursuits, and the joys of performing poetry at open mic nights and poetry clubs. He also opens up about how he overcame personal doubts, navigated public performance nerves, and connected with others through his heartfelt rhyming couplets.Listen in as Chris shares his influences, his approach to self-publishing, and exciting plans for the future, including music projects, another book, and even a potential podcast of his own!Quotable Moments:“You don’t have to follow society’s script for slowing down. Your inner child never grows up if you have passion, hope, creativity, and humour.”“Why should we keep the gems of wisdom inside us to ourselves? If you’re frustrated with something, put it into poetry—you might just help someone else out there.”Where to Find Chris Porcas:Book: The Road to Poetry is available on Amazon (Paperback & Kindle).Website: chrisporcaspoetry.co.ukSocial Media: Follow Chris on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Links & Resources:Order The Road to Poetry on AmazonExplore Chris’s WebsiteEpisode Image - Sarah Garrod PhotographyConnect with Undercurrent Stories:  Website: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts on this episode, connect with Chris on social media, and don’t forget to leave a reviQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode we’re travelling millions of years into the past to uncover the secrets of Earth’s ancient history. My guest is Armin Schmitt a renowned palaeontologist based at Cambridge University and  author of the book, ‘The Lost World of the Dinosaurs.’We discuss the fascinating world of dinosaurs, their evolution, and their lasting impact on our understanding of life on Earth. Armin  explains the definition of dinosaurs, their size and duration on the planet, and how birds are their modern descendants. We hear about the significance of feathers, the global distribution of dinosaurs, their dietary habits, and the catastrophic asteroid impact that led to their extinction. Armin emphasises the adaptability and innovation of dinosaurs, challenging common misconceptions about their extinction. The episode concludes with some surprising  aspects of dinosaur life, including their feeding habits, social structures, and intelligence. Armin also shares insights into the challenges of paleontological research and offers advice for aspiring paleontologists, emphasising the importance of curiosity and continuous learning.Links: https://www.instagram.com/armin.schmitt/https://x.com/ArminSchmitthttps://www.youtube.com/@ArminTube72Book:'The Lost World of the Dinosaurs: Uncovering the Secrets of the Prehistoric Age'https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-World-Dinosaurs-Uncovering-Prehistoric/dp/1335081216Connect with Undercurrent Stories:  Website: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode we meet broadcasting legend Nick Bailey, who shares his remarkable journey from pirate radio with Radio Caroline to becoming the first voice on Classic FM.Nick shares his adventures and travels around the world living and working in countries such as Australia, Germany and Hong Kong and we hear stories  about some amazing characters on his journey. We get an insight into world events through the eyes of a traveller. Living on Gibraltar in the time when Franco's dictatorship was at its height through to the changes that were happening in Hong Kong as it was taken back by China. Nick also provides valuable advice for aspiring broadcasters and shares his future plans.I can thoroughly recommend  Nick's book, 'Across the Waves: From Radio Caroline to Classic FM.' In fact I couldn't put the book down and read in 5 days!For my review of the book click here. HighlightsNick Bailey was the first voice on Classic FM.Pirate radio played a crucial role in changing British music.He emphasises the importance of authenticity in broadcasting.Nick's experiences in Hong Kong shaped his views on free speech.He believes that modern presenters have less freedom than before.Nick encourages aspiring broadcasters to volunteer and gain experience.Travelling for work offers a more authentic experience than tourism.Links:Nick's website -  https://www.nickbaileyradio.com/To purchase book, (click link)  - 'Across the Waves: From Radio Caroline to Classic FM' Connect with Undercurrent Stories:  Website: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

If you haven't yet witnessed the incredible spectacle that is the Severn Bore, make a date to do so, it's well worth it.One of Britain's few natural phenomena, the Severn Bore is a large surge wave that can be seen in the estuary of the River Severn, where the tidal range is the 2nd highest in the world, being as much as 50 feet (approx. 15.4m). Graded from 1* to 5* the power of the wave is truly spectacular to witness, especially when there are many surfers, kayakers and paddleboarders surfing it (or trying to).But what is it actually like to take a ride with nature and surf this incredible wave?Today on the show I'm joined by one of those surfers. His name is Si Cale. Si is an experienced sea kayaker and surfer of the Bore with over 40 years kayak experience to date.Links:Si Cale Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@scaley12https://www.severn-bore.co.uk/Connect with Undercurrent Stories:  Website: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Alison Fragale—behavioural scientist, professor, and author of the groundbreaking book, Likeable Badass.Alison shares her expertise on what it takes to build respect, wield influence, and navigate the challenges of modern workplaces with confidence and authenticity. We discuss the fascinating psychology behind status, unpack the balance between warmth and competence, and learn why self-promotion isn’t just important—it’s essential. Plus, Alison offers practical exercises to help you negotiate better, advocate for yourself, and build meaningful relationships. Whether you’re aiming to level up in your career, strengthen your personal brand, or simply understand the science of influence, this episode is packed with actionable insights. I hope you enjoy the show.Links:https://alisonfragale.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonfragale/https://www.instagram.com/alisonfragale/Connect with Undercurrent Stories:  Website: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com