We spent February on the formula for delivering a great story. In March we’re talking about how to deliver it. Every great story has a problem. But what kind of problem is going to spike your audience’s cortisol so they’ll pay attention long … [Read more...] about Citizens of different countries
A dumpster fire on a ship in a storm with sea monsters
Proper storytelling is both a science and an art. A magnificent, multi-layered, intractable problem is the core of every great story. When we describe a problem in vivid language, our audience’s brains get activated. They HAVE to know how the … [Read more...] about A dumpster fire on a ship in a storm with sea monsters
Binging til my eyeballs bleed
I am that person who can watch a great show for eight hours, until 2:30 am if necessary, because I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. I am not alone. Our brains love completing patterns but they hate incomplete patterns more. Here’s Brené Brown: … [Read more...] about Binging til my eyeballs bleed
Step by step
A flash of insight is an amazing thing: “Oh, I see! I totally get what I should do!” But then, even though we get it, we don’t always do the new thing. Why? Because behavioral change is a physiological process, not a mental one. If we want to … [Read more...] about Step by step
Here we go again!
Welcome to the new year! I hope that your holiday break was restful and restorative, that your inbox and calendar are not overstuffed on re-entry, and that you feel refreshed and ready to tackle 2026! 2025 made it clear that we are living through … [Read more...] about Here we go again!
Why?
Do you know your Why? Simon Sinek’s ubiquitous work has taught us why our Why matters. When you communicate from your Why, your purpose shines through in everything you say and do. Your audiences feel it. You reach not just their heads, but their … [Read more...] about Why?
Your talk is a gift
The holidays are here, which makes me think of gifts, which reminds me of the key thing I tell every single client I meet: “Your talk is a gift, not a performance.” Why? Because if you want someone’s attention, what you’re saying must be … [Read more...] about Your talk is a gift
May you live in interesting times
Is that famous expression, “May you live in interesting times” a curse? A blessing? Both? If you’re part of the tech industry like I am, we are indeed living through interesting times. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, confounding. But we are … [Read more...] about May you live in interesting times
A taxonomy of questions
While working with a product GM a few weeks ago to prep for a critical launch, he wanted the shortest possible briefing doc. Can you blame him? A product launch is about so much more than the press briefings. There was A LOT on his mind!! We came … [Read more...] about A taxonomy of questions
Your brain or your mind
Your brain and your mind are not the same thing. They work in concert a lot (sometimes in ways we love, sometimes in ways we don’t). But sometimes they oppose each other. Every human brain has an amygdala, whose job is to keep you following … [Read more...] about Your brain or your mind
