Ep. 368 - 2026 World Championship of Public Speaking - THE CHAMPS CRITIQUE

The 2026 Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking  was held in August, and this special episode was requested by many. Darren and Mark are joined by fellow World Champions David Brooks (1990), Ed Tate (2000), Lance Miler (2005), and Aaron Beverly (2019) as they offer their observations and share their thoughts on the 2026 Finals.   SNIPPETS: • The WCPS should be the best speakers in their best setting. • The WCPS should be a showcase event and a marketing tool   • Energy at contest time is critical   • Get audience perspectives on what works and what doesn't   • Avoid using local references   • Don't stop when you make a mistake in rehearsal   • Provide levity amidst heavy moments   • The speaker who wins the audience wins the contest   • Give the audience something different   • Be demographically strategic   • Measure pauses in heartbeats; a pause is a device   • Silence is a message   • Disturb the audience's predicted thinking patterns   • Internalize your message to better handle on-stage mishaps                       Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

It's been said that great speeches aren't written; they're re-written. Today Darren and Mark learn the ins and outs of great writing from author/speaker/minister Vince Antonucci. His techniques are simple and practical, and when applied well, they will help you to become UNFORGETTABLE.   SNIPPETS: • Be clear; clarity counts • Simplicity and clarity are genius   • Avoid speaking in abstractions   • Never assume that your audience knows anything   • Avoid the curse of knowledge   • Be concrete instead of abstract   • Write the way you speak   • GHOST writing is really COLLABORATIVE writing   • The first chapter, sentence, and line are most important   • Edit at the word level   • Simplify, simplify, simplify   • Rehearse out loud   • Apply the 10 Phases of Speech Writing

How do we find stories that change lives? In this episode, Mark & Darren get answers from award-winning filmmaker Stephen Kendrick of the Kendrick Brothers. They dive into story techniques and the mindset behind powerful storytelling. Stephen's tips will help you to become UNFORGETTABLE.   SNIPPETS: • Use realistic context • Lead with a teaser, create a hook, and keep them curious   • Help them understand, agree, commit and become ambassadors/advocates   • Edit wisely, sometimes rearranging scenes   • Shepherd the audience's emotions   • Land with truth that matters   • Don't impress, IMPACT   • Love your audience and serve their needs   • Your experience carries weight, tell your story   • Don't impress, IMPACT   • Distill your message and make sure they get the gold   • Use rhythm and pauses   • Be humble, but confident   Stephen Kendrick's upcoming theatrical release: October 16, 2026 https://flywheelignitionofthesoulmovie.com/   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com  

Peer collaboration may be just what you need to get breakthroughs and insights. Reflecting on a recent CREATE YOUR UNFORGETTABLE KEYNOTE 3-Day workshop, Darren & Mark discuss the benefits of both having and being a brainstorm buddy. They also expound on the value of having brainstorm buddies from unexpected sources.   SNIPPETS: • Gives a different perspective • Has a heart to help   • Opens our thinking   • Have a Zoom coffee   • Draw from the expertise of others   • Look outside your industry   • Consider neighbors, teens, and others in your social circle   • Tap into a brain unlike yours   • They help you to be more creative in less time   • They can help you test new material   • AI helps, but cannot replace human interaction   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Most presenters serve a niche audience, but how should they navigate serving diverse audiences? Today Mark and Darren talk with Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali, Dewan to the Prince of Arcot, from the Royal Family in Chennai, India. Asif shares the techniques and mindset that he applies to address a broad range of audience demographics…from kids to diplomats to United Nations audiences. His expertise and experience will help any presenter to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Read widely • Be willing to share your knowledge   • Be eager to learn from young and more mature alike   • Help young people to turn information into knowledge   • Help different generations to have confidence in each other   • Understand how generations change over time   • Enjoy speaking and the audience will enjoy it too   • Get energy from every audience regardless of age, and give it back to them   • Become like every audience   • Choose appropriate language for specific audience demographic and situation   • Be minimal with the media   • Be flexible   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Darren often says: "We must connect before we can educate, inspire or persuade." Today, Darren and Mark talk with veteran late-night comedy writer and Human Humor Detector Chris McGuire about the importance of connecting quickly. Chris lays out a proven strategy that will help any presenter to connect early and effectively…especially when speaking to high-stakes audiences.   SNIPPETS: • You must connect early • Audiences immediately want to know what's in it for them   • Become a pain point detective   • Show that you see them and you get them   • Use the language of the room   • Open a case file   • Verify you research   • Use 'bits' and 'run a comedic play' to do the heavy lifting   • Use location humor   • Use custom humor   • Without connection, content is irrelevant

"LinkedIn is always changing! How do we stay current?" This question is on the minds of many, and today Mark and Darren get answers from LinkedIn Top Voice Richard Bliss. As they discuss critical changes to the platform, Richard shares the simple but necessary adjustments that will help us maximize our reach on LinkedIn.   SNIPPETS: • LinkedIn is BUSINESS MEDIA, not a social media platform • We must change our mindset about the platform   • It tracks and analyzes our behaviors   • It will warn users and suspend them if necessary   • Beware LinkedIn jail   • Be purposeful and show your value in your profile   • Your ABOUT section should not be a resume/CV   • You are on stage on LinkedIn   • Don't just be a cheerleader with 'likes' and 'congrats'   • Ditch multiple hashtags; they fragment your message   • Use 100-150 words to accompany videos, which should be 30 seconds or less   • Saving posts is a value indicator   • LinkedIn is your digital identity, it provides legitimacy   Attend Richard and Darren's Workshop August 7-8, 2026 https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/linkedin-deep-dive-for-professional-speakers/ DISCOUNT CODE : POD25   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

There is no guarantee that audiences will remember every nugget and act after a presentation. This is especially true when leading workshops and multi-day programs. Darren and Mark expound on two tools that make this easier: KEEPERS and ACTION ITEMS. They explain how these tools help program attendees retain content and follow up on their own action plans more consistently.   SNIPPETS: • KEEPERS are 'ahas', ACTION ITEMS are to-dos • Keepers can come from the presenter(s) and other attendees   • Invite attendees to share their Keepers and Action Items   • Common Keepers show what 'lands'   • Allocate 2 or 3-minute periods to update throughout the day   • Sharing their Keepers & Action Items is an engaging experience   • Keepers & Action Items show ROI to managers   • Inspire Action Items that are immediately implementable   • Verbalizing Action Items is a public declaration of commitment   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/  Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Virtual presentations are here to stay and as presenters we must keep our audiences interested and engaged, sometimes for multi-day programs.  Mark and Darren have conducted virtual programs for several years and today they are joined by Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis as they share proven techniques for keeping virtual audiences engaged.   SNIPPETS: • Have a co-host or co-presenter • Be prepared for technical difficulties   • Dress professionally on camera   • Avoid eating/drinking on camera unless it is germane   • Be aware that your audience faces multiple distractions   • It is our responsibility as experts to provide relevant content.   • Practice and record your presentation   • Watch as an audience member   • Address potential distractions in your background   • Master PACE ELEMENTS   • Own your platform   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Stories well told can be inspiring, entertaining and enlightening. However, sometimes speakers inadvertently omit the most compelling elements of their stories. Today Darren and Mark discuss the STORY DIG…a process for excavating the backstory, character motivation, and emotional depth that the speaker is too close to see themselves.   SNIPPETS: • Get a qualified coach to ask the right questions • Dig deeper   • There's a WHY behind every story   • Uncover the emotional component behind the story   • Find what goes beyond the hero's apparent primary goal   • Look for relatable details that connect your audience to you   • Find moments that help you to tell a better story   • When we are too close to our story, we miss compelling moments   • Uncover material that you may not use…yet   • Unearth forgotten experiences   • Find the gold inside you   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com