As someone over 50, with oodles of experience and wisdom to share, should public speaking form a part of your 'portfolio' career?

In this episode of Crank The 3rd, host Trevor Young sits down with Carmen Sederino, a performance master, speaking strategist, and founder of Illuminated Story.

Carmen shares her journey from being a shy child to a trained actor to now, where she is helping individuals transform high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances.

Key Discussion Points:

• Carmen’s Background: She talks about her early career in retail leadership and her formal training in acting, which helped her excel in speaking and coaching roles.
• Professional Speaking Landscape: Carmen and Trevor explore the shifting dynamics in professional speaking post-pandemic, emphasising the blend of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.
• The Role of AI: Carmen discusses how AI can generate speeches but emphasises the irreplaceable nature of human connection and quality in speaking engagements.
• Strategies for Engaging Speaking: - Moving from information-based presentations to creating immersive experiences. - Focusing on authenticity over aspiration, highlighting the importance of genuine connection and vulnerability. - Creating meaning in messages rather than simply conveying matter.
• Illuminated Story Method: Carmen shares her approach to transforming presentations by focusing on both script content and engaging delivery techniques to create a memorable impact.
• Advice for Aspiring Speakers: Reflect on personal experiences, think about the message you want to share, and understand your audience to craft a unique speaking approach.

Practical Tips:

• Utilise sound and video strategically to enhance presentations.
• Engage with audiences through storytelling and interactive elements.
• Rehearse thoroughly to ensure a seamless and impactful delivery.

Carmen's advice? Ditch the PowerPoint, tell a story: "You are so much more interesting than your PowerPoint."

Carmen’s Contact Information:

• Visit Illuminated Story for more insights and access to a masterclass on improving public speaking skills.

Conclusion:

This episode is a deep dive into mastering the art of professional speaking, blending theatrical techniques with authentic storytelling to create lasting impressions.