The Power of Story and Science

Alan Cote: Practice, Practice, Practice

In this episode, you will pick up on the surprising parallels between host and guest. Both were engineers before changing direction and becoming speakers. Both found help and an impetus for that change through Toastmasters. And even the last names rhyme! Alan Cote talks about overcoming his stutter, and shares some excellent speaking tips for today’s virtual presenters.

 

To follow up with Alan, go to http://ChatWithAlan.com

 

Beth Boaz: Arm Yourself with Every Skill You Can

In this episode, you will meet Beth Boaz, who credits her communication skills with advancing her engineering career. You will hear how her early interests led her into engineering, how she overcame obstacles as a female engineer, and how one colleague pestered her into joining Toastmasters, where she honed her leadership skills in some surprising ways.

Contact Beth by email using Beth@BethBoaz.com.

Contact program host David P. Otey using David@DavidOtey.com.

Ed Tate: Focus and Prepare

Focus on what your audience needs. Rehearse your “planned spontaneity.” And watch all your videos four different ways! These tips and others helped former technology executive Ed Tate win the World Championship of Public Speaking. But more than that, by using these and other tips, Ed has helped many speakers achieve confidence and better results. Listen in on my conversation with Ed Tate.

To learn more about Ed Tate, visit https://edtate.com/.

To learn more about program host David Otey, visit https://davidotey.com/.

Bill Williams: "I'm all about context"

Science is about uncovering mysteries. And today’s guest gets that. He’s a scientist and a journal editor who says that sometimes, that mystery comes through—even in scientific writing. Join me as I have a conversation with Bill Williams, a pharmaceutical scientist with a background in both industry and academia. You’ll be surprised at what a former student says is the most important thing he learned.

Contact Bill Williams using bill.williams@austin.utexas.edu or go to https://pharmacy.utexas.edu/.

To learn more about podcast host David P. Otey, please visit https://davidotey.com/meet-david/.

Stacey Tannenbaum: Your Authentic Self

This is the episode that proves scientists are not all introverts! Dr. Stacey Tannenbaum is a Senior Director of Pharmacometrics. (I’ll let her explain what that means.) What our conversation means for you is a fresh way of looking at how to make even the most esoteric science interesting. Graphic novels? Lobster hats? It’s all here! And it’s all part of being your authentic self.

Connect with Stacey by going to https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-tannenbaum-4296a6/. If you send a connection request, be sure to reference hearing her on this program. To learn more about the International Society of Pharmacometrics, which she co-founded, visit http://go-isop.org/.

To connect with program host David P. Otey and to pick up a free resource that will help you avoid common mistakes as a technical presenter, visit his site at https://davidotey.com/.

Craig Valentine: Conflict, Cure, and Change

In this episode, you will hear a conversation with one of the best storytellers on the planet. That’s not hyperbole. Craig Valentine won the World Championship of Public Speaking on the strength of his storytelling skills. Why does that matter to you? Because stories are your best tool for connecting your information with your audience’s imagination. And Craig is about to show you how to do just that.

For more of Craig’s storytelling wisdom, visit http://52speakingtips.com/.  

Andrew Cooper: Passion and Enthusiasm

Can you speak on saving energy and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions with passion and enthusiasm? Andrew Cooper is known for doing just that. In this episode, you will hear how this engineer-turned-energy-specialist has used his communication skills to change the culture of his organization and the people who are part of it. And who knows? You might even learn how to save some money on your energy bill.  

 

Find Andrew Cooper on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcooperenergy/.

What Does Your Audience Need?

This episode draws its content from Chapter Two of the soon-to-be-released third volume in the “Speaker’s Quick Guide” series of books by podcast host David P. Otey. The book is titled The Speaker’s Quick Guide to Presenting with Confidence: Overcome Self-doubt and Embrace the Power of your Message. It will be released this spring. Today we explore the question, “How can I be more audience-focused?”

 

Information on the release of the book, along with other books in the series, can be found by visiting https://davidotey.com/public-speaking-books/.

 

This episode is sponsored by the online course “Own the Virtual Stage: Confidently Connect with an Unseen Audience.” More information is at https://www.ownthevirtualstage.com/.

Anthony Poponi: Meeting a Need

When Anthony Poponi was a scientist working on wastewater, flow meant one thing. Now that he speaks on the science of positive psychology, flow means something entirely different. In this episode, you will hear Anthony explain how doing scientific research led him to realize that what he truly enjoyed was something quite different. And that might be true for you as well.

 

Reach Anthony by going to https://anthonypoponi.com/.

Carol Otey, Ph.D.: Making Stories Memorable

When your topic is talking about science and your sister is a scientist, having her on the show is not nepotism; it’s a logical next step. In this episode, you’ll hear from cell biologist Carol Otey, Ph.D., as she talks about the story of her discovery of a new protein, and about the important role stories have played in her teaching. With characters as diverse and memorable as Blanche, Stella, and Kaiser Wilhelm, Dr. Otey’s classroom stories have helped educate a generation of physicians and pharmacists. Find out why!

 

If your curiosity is piqued, reach out to Dr. Otey at Carol_Otey@med.unc.edu.