The Presentation Whisperer Show

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn:

Why the biggest secret of effective presenting has nothing to do with slides, structure, or deliveryHow “selling” your message early changes the way an audience listensA behind-the-scenes story from delivering a keynote to over 1,100 hostage negotiators—and what made it workWhy spending time preparing the audience is just as important as preparing the contentHow learning to sell within a presentation can calm nerves and build instant confidenceWhat happens when you stop avoiding the word “sell” and start embracing it as a speaking skill

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling...

Duration: 00:06:36

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

What a true mic drop moment is — and how speakers actually create them.Whether anyone can become an audience-centered storyteller and consistently earn those moments.The five core story archetypes audiences want to hear and how they were first discovered.How to determine which archetype is right for your audience before you walk on stage.Where presenters unintentionally go wrong when choosing stories — including length and focus.A practical technique to shift immediately from “my story” thinking to “their story” thinking.A real keynote example where an audience-cente...

Duration: 00:38:24

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

The first thing a presenter should focus on when stepping in front of a distracted student audience.What today’s university students need most from the person at the front of the room.What truly motivates the modern student and how to sustain their interest.How to recognize when your delivery isn’t connecting — and how to adjust in the moment.How to read the energy of the room early and identify when you’re winning or losing the audience.Strategies for making complex or dry topics relevant...

Duration: 00:34:08

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

Whether stuntmen still get scared — and why fear doesn’t disappear even with experience.How fear followed Brett from the stunt world to the speaking stage, and whether it ever fully goes away.The discipline and mindset stunt preparation and keynote preparation share, including rehearsal and improv.The concept of an “emotional dashboard,” and how presenters can monitor it in real time while speaking.Why moments that appear chaotic are usually meticulously rehearsed, and how that translates to confident delivery.Techniques for staying fully present when adrenaline threatens...

Duration: 00:32:15

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn:

Why so many presenters instinctively deflect or minimize compliments.How rejecting praise quietly undermines confidence and professional presence.The difference between modesty and self-sabotage when responding to feedback.Why accepting a compliment is actually a gift to the person giving it.A simple mindset shift that reframes praise from awkward to meaningful.One easy phrase you can use immediately to accept compliments with confidence and grace.

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.

Learn more about Rob’s bo...

Duration: 00:04:59

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

How a good speaker becomes great, and the mindset shift that drives that growth.Whether greatness on stage is rooted more in natural talent — or learned technique.The essential ingredients of an unforgettable presentation, including timing.Why the opening and closing moments matter more than most speakers realize — and how to sharpen both.The common bad habit many speakers don’t realize they have… but every audience does.One actionable change a speaker can make before tomorrow’s presentation that makes an immediate difference.

To learn more about t...

Duration: 00:38:12

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

o The biggest mistakes speakers make when they treat virtual presentations like in-person events.
o The difference between confidence on camera and a magnetic virtual presence that pulls people in.
o How years behind and in front of the camera shaped Shirlee’s approach to virtual communication.
o The first impression checklist — what to adjust the moment the camera turns on.
o Which technical choices have the greatest influence on onscreen credibility.
o How storytelling must shift when you're speaking to a l...

Duration: 00:36:08

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

Stephanie’s “a-ha moment” that revealed the importance of speaking across generations — and why the message found her.The biggest mistake presenters make when speaking to mixed-generation or mixed-culture audiences.How Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers each process information differently — and what those differences mean for presenters.How the “what’s in it for me?” shifts depending on generational needs, and why authenticity still matters most.Practical tools and techniques presenters can use to “read the room” across different age groups in real time.How generational under...

Duration: 00:32:42

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn:

The hidden challenges of stepping in when expectations are stacked against you.Why preparation, adaptability, and resilience matter more than the spotlight you walk into.How a tough assignment, even one set up to fail, can become a defining moment in your speaking journeyAnd a few techniques that will help you remind an audience not what you are going to be talking about, but why

 

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.

Learn more about Rob...

Duration: 00:06:45

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn:

What happens cognitively and psychologically when communication becomes digital — and why trust becomes harder to build through a screen.Insights from Peggy’s book Trust at a Distance, including practical strategies for managing and presenting in remote environments.The four most common mistakes presenters make when moving from an in-person room to the virtual ZOOM stage, and how to fix them.How technology reshapes communication by removing context, adding distractions, reframing relationships, and increasing passivity.The biggest misconceptions presenters have about virtual and hybrid environments — and how to overco...

Duration: 00:33:17

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

What Markus discovered transitioning from professional sports to professional speaking—and why game day prep matters on both fields.Why storytelling is more than entertainment, and how Markus defines true connection from the stage.Why stories remain powerful in a world full of data, metrics, and shrinking attention spans.How Markus chooses which personal stories belong in his keynotes—and which ones don’t make the cut.Whether great stories should be adapted to each audience or whether universality wins.What the “custom suit story” is, and how it reinf...

Duration: 00:31:06

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

• How Craig currently delivers his talk, why it resonates locally, and what needs to shift for a corporate audience.

• The core message he feels called to share, and why it holds value for organizations, executives, and teams.

• The universal elements that work in both faith-based and professional environments, and how to amplify those moments.

• Which stories and leadership experiences translate well for corporate groups, given Craig’s background in sales and adversity leadership.

• How to adapt a personal, vulnerable mes...

Duration: 00:53:21

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn:

How worry hijacks your thinking by defaulting to negative “what if” scenarios.Why deliberate positive thinking is not denial—it’s a productive mental reset.A practical way to build positive habits using everyday headlines and situations.How “Positive Thinking, Positive Habits, Positive Results” becomes a repeatable system that reduces worry over time.

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.

Learn more about Rob’s books, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com.

Connect wit...

Duration: 00:07:46

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

Why fewer than 10% of speakers ever make a living doing what they love — and what separates the top performers from the rest.The defining behaviors and mindset that consistently show up in successful speakers.The essential presentation skills great speakers master that most others overlook.How confidence is built — not born — and the role preparation plays in transforming it.What “real commitment” looks like for someone determined to turn speaking into a career.Why having a great talk isn’t enough — and how building a following or brand changes eve...

Duration: 00:35:09

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn:

Why “nervous” is one of the least helpful words a presenter can useHow a single vocabulary change can alter your mindset under pressureThe difference between destructive nervousness and productive anxiousnessHow to channel that anxious energy into focus, readiness, and stronger performance

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.

Learn more about Rob’s books, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com.

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter...

Duration: 00:04:43

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

How to respond when your opening story or icebreaker lands flat.Why starting with a humorous video can be a powerful tool to gauge audience energy.What to do if your opening video or joke doesn’t get the reaction you expected.Why presenters often take a “dead room” personally — and how to avoid that trap.How “turning up the volume” can backfire and what to do instead.Creative questioning techniques that help thaw a cold or unresponsive audience.How to maintain composure when audience energy is low due to fat...

Duration: 00:44:05

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn:

The real difference between “nervousness” and “anxiousness” — and why words matterThe two-word mindset shift that transforms pressure into performanceHow to draw confidence from your personal track record of successWhy channeling anxious energy can actually make your presentations stronger

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.

Learn more about Rob’s books, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com.

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Rob’s LinkedIn Newsletter, When Every Word Matters

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Duration: 00:05:29

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

How to spot topics “on the horizon” and uncover ideas no one else is covering.What truly separates the most memorable presentations from those that fade fast.The essential ingredients — structure, story, and delivery — that make a talk click.How to use humor effectively without letting it overshadow your message.The subtle cues seasoned speakers look for to spot true mastery on stage.How to read an audience in real time and adjust your delivery to reengage them.Simple strategies to keep long-running material feeling fresh and alive.One powerful change you...

Duration: 00:42:26

In this episode of The Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

Why accepting that “not everyone will like you” can actually make you a stronger, more confident presenter.What authentic speakers have in common — and how they maintain composure under pressure.How presenting to a Vistage audience differs from speaking to a typical corporate crowd.The fine line between confidence and humility when taking feedback from your audience.A real-world story of when staying true to a controversial approach paid off.How over-adjusting to please an audience can backfire, and what to learn from it.Practical ways to use audi...

Duration: 00:38:52

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:
- How to take the temperature of the audience, and test whether the audience or you are off your game.
- Why overreacting or forcing energy can make things worse.
- What to do to regain control and connection when the room feels flat.

Because every presentation matters.

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.

Learn more about Rob’s books, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com...

Duration: 00:05:43

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:

What truly defines a “high-stakes” presentation — and why it’s about more than money or audience size.How to prepare for high-stakes presentations or facilitation engagements with essential stakeholders.Why audiences remember certain elements more than others, and how to emphasize what truly counts.A practical process or methodology for shaping impactful, high-pressure presentations.The common behaviors and mindsets top leaders share when the stakes couldn’t be higher.How preparation differs between high-stakes and routine presentations.Effective strategies for managing nerves when the audience feels “too important.”How to balance control...

Duration: 00:36:06

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn:

What behavioral science really means in the world of comedy, and how it influences the way audiences think, feel, and respond in the moment.How comedians turn failure, those inevitable “bombs," into valuable lessons, and what business professionals can learn about resilience and recovery from it.Why Kevin calls comedy skills “professional superpowers,” and how humor, timing, and presence translate directly into sharper communication and stronger leadership.The boundaries comedians draw on stage, and what that teaches corporate presenters about reading a room and respecting audience lines.How adaptability becomes a speake...

Duration: 00:38:52

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn:

The measurable impact body language has on audience connection — and what research says to silence the skeptics.How our bodies “broadcast” silent messages that reveal more than we think, and how to control the signals we send.Why business professionals often underestimate the power of body language in shaping credibility and trust.Real examples of presenters whose physical cues contradicted their words — and what that did to their message.The most common body language mistakes leaders and presenters make that quietly undermine their authority.Which traits — confidence, credibility, or charisma — show up most clea...

Duration: 00:47:06

In this Whisper Shot, you’ll learn:

What it means to “break the fourth wall” and why audiences never recover when you do.How to handle unexpected distractions, mistakes, or technical issues without losing your audience’s trust.Why the best presenters, and performers, never let the audience see them sweat.

 

Hosted by Rob Jolles; professional speaker, bestselling author, and four-decade veteran of the stage and training room.

Learn more about Rob’s books, training programs, and keynote work at ThePresentationWhisperer.com, or Jolles.com.

Connect with Rob on LinkedIn  or follow Ro...

Duration: 00:07:43

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn:

How Alvin opened with his personal journey and mmediately showing what it means to turn obstacles into boundless possibilities.Why he calls what he does a show—not a speech—and how that subtle shift changes everything about audience engagement.
The biggest mistakes speakers make when trying to inspire, and what it really takes to move people emotionally rather than just talk at them.How to set the tone from the moment you walk on stage, filling the room with energy and heart before saying a word.What Alvin has disc...

Duration: 00:36:50

Mark opened with his personal journey and landed it perfectly in the sweet spot at two minutes and twenty-five seconds.  Challenge met!

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you'll learn:When he first discovered that logic can actually block originality—and the case studies that proved it.o A real example of how linear thinking caused a presentation to blend in rather than stand out.o The mindset shift speakers need to make before they can move beyond logic with confidence.A go-to engagement technique he relies on to draw audiences in and keep them with him.One of his...

Duration: 00:42:18

In this Presentation Whisperer Show, you’ll learn:
o Why authenticity matters more than ever, and how speakers can prove they are who they say they are.
o How sharing experience over ego builds trust with audiences and clients.
o What makes sales audiences unique and how to design workshops that truly land with them.
o Specific techniques Coach Dan Gordon uses to engage, teach, and persuade in sales environments.
o How he books speaking gigs—whether through bureaus, referrals, or reputation.
o Practical advice for speakers looking to go pro in today’s mark...

Duration: 00:41:03

Step inside the world of presentations with professional speaker and bestselling author Rob Jolles.

A show for anyone who wants to speak with impact.

Through expert interviews, real-time coaching, and over three decades of battle-tested experience, Rob reveals what makes presentations truly resonate.

Whether you're a professional speaker, trainer, or simply someone who wants to do your very best, you'll walk away with practical tools and inspiring ideas to elevate any delivery.

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes. 

Subscribe now and discover why every presentation matters—including yours.

H...

Duration: 00:06:14