Interview: Eleonora Russell

This special crossover episode features a panel discussion about how Artificial Intelligence is changing the speechwriting profession, hosted at the Professional Speechwriters Association’s 2026 World Conference last month in Washington, DC. The conversation not only covers the brass tacks of how speechwriters are interacting with AI, but also the broader strokes that underpin the “foundation of our civilization” as panelist Viv Groskop put it. It’s a fascinating snapshot of this live topic in the world of speechwriting.Moderator: Justine AdelizziPanelists: Mike Long Michael Franklin Brent Kerrigan Viv Groskop Sincere thanks to the Professional Speechwriters Association (https://prorhetoric.com) and Malone Media (https://www.malone-media.com) for making this episode possible.

Chai Karve stopped by The Speechwriter’s Room to talk about his time crafting remarks for Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. In the episode, Chai shares the story behind the story that anchored the conclusion for Governor Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State address. Chai also delves into a speech that President Lyndon Johnson gave in 1965 at the foot of the Statue of Liberty to sign a bill that remade the U.S. immigration system. In early 2026, Chai founded his own speechwriting and executive communications practice called Karve Comms.  To learn more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/.

Friend and professional wrestling fan Alex Wong joins Mary in The Speechwriter's Room for this episode. While Alex describes some of the finer points of pro wrestling, Mary makes connections back to speechwriting, from walk-ins, to crowd work, to dramatic storytelling, to signature lines.Sources for the speeches and clips that Mary pulls in can be found below.Kevin Nash's walk inDX versus the CorporationRep. Ashley Hinson's remarksSockoRey Mysterio interviewJames Talarico speechTo learn more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/

Speechwriter -- and soon-to-be keynoter at the Professional Speechwriters Association's 2026 World Conference -- Eleonora Russell drops by today's show.To register for the PSA World Conference in Washington, DC from October 26-28, 2026, go to: https://prorhetoric.com/event/psa-world-conference/In this episode, Eleonora Russell discusses what makes her speechwriting collaboration with Dutch naval officer, Admiral (ret.) Rob Bauer, click, as well as what it means to demonstrate "leadership by speech." Admiral Bauer and Eleonora Russell have co-written a book titled: "If You Want Peace, Prepare for War: A Blueprint for Deterrence."To learn more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/

In this episode, Mary serves up the insights that speechwriters can draw from cooking shows (with a special thanks to speechwriter Sarah Gruen for inspiring the theme). Mary starts with broad speechwriting lessons, like following a structure, to the sausage-making of various rhetorical devices and how to avoid fallacies when making logical arguments. The New York Times article that Mary references during the show can be found here: “Some Obama Enemies Are Made Totally of Straw.”To learn more about the host, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/. 

Speechwriter, humorist, Senior Director at West Wing Writers, and star baker Sarah Gruen stops by The Speechwriter's Room to share what it was like crafting remarks for the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Sarah also describes what publishing pieces under her own name has taught her about writing speeches for others. For our speech breakdown, Sarah chose the remarkable commencement address that Nora Ephron delivered at Wellesley College in 1996. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUzt5DrwCSwTranscript: https://www1.wellesley.edu/events/commencement/archives/1996COMMENCEMENTTo learn more about the host of the show, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/,

From vivid detail to storytelling to easily understood language, all speechwriters could take a page from country song writers. In this episode, Mary explores the speechwriting lessons that can be found in hit country songs from 1995. The research from Princeton that Mary cites in the show can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acp.1178The Columbia University study Mary references is here: https://business.columbia.edu/insights/business-society/hidden-impact-professional-jargon-how-language-reveals-status-and

A partner at Bully Pulpit International, a former White House speechwriter, and a mentor to many, Jeff Nussbaum stops by The Speechwriter’s Room to talk persuasion, soundbites, and where he goes “to get yelled at by hundreds of Democratic officials.” He also shares the story behind John Lewis’s speech at the March on Washington, which is featured in Jeff's book titled Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches that Would Have Rewritten History.

From Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact to Bill Pullman in Independence Day, American cinema has offered up some iconic portrayals of fictional American presidents. These pretend U.S. leaders especially shine on screen when they deliver gut-wrenching and heartfelt speeches. In this episode, Mary takes a look at what real-life speakers and speechwriters can learn from some of the most memorable made-up presidential speeches from movies.

Kat Kane stops by The Speechwriter's Room to talk about her background in cable news, writing for a principal with possibly the busiest speaking schedule on the planet, and how she helps clients maintain their authenticity behind the podium. Plus, while Kat is new to the Knicks bandwagon, she expertly details what made NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's speech at the Knicks championship parade so memorable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciimC-cE_eIKat Kane is a partner at the speechwriting firm Fenway Strategies.To learn more about the host of The Speechwriter's Room, Mary Robbins, visit https://www.storiedcommunications.com/.