Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube

There comes a moment when you want to be a better speaker or communicator.

It may happen in your early career or maybe when you are in a leadership position. But both situations find you where two things are true at once: you are eager to want to level up but don’t have the ready tools to do so.
 
This is where The Motivated Speaker can help.

pre-order your copy here

Amazon
Barnes & noble
Porchlight
Bookshop

THE MOTIVATED SPEAKER

six principles to unlock your communication potential

Delivers May 2025

In this book you will discover the six essential threshold concepts needed to give talks like the best TED speakers and Fortune 500 leaders.
 
The practical and accessible approach will help you establish powerful habits in your speaking practice. You’ll understand what’s preventing you from being influential and persuasive, and build a new foundation toward being a highly effective communicator.
 
This trailblazing book goes beyond cliches like “overcome your fear” and obvious advice like “don’t read your speech.” It dives deep into the transformative, integrative, and challenging ideas that will enable you to sustainably level up your speaking.

what readers are saying about The Motivated Speaker

“Practical and endlessly engaging, reading The Motivated Speaker felt like being coached by a team of the most compassionate and insightful mentors in the field. The authors have accomplished something remarkable: they’ve distilled the challenges and joys of public speaking into six transformative concepts that anyone can grasp and apply.”

DAVID STALEY PhD

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

“This book is a must-read for anyone looking to conquer the public speaking stage—whether you’re a rookie finding your voice or a seasoned speaker who’s maybe just a little too confident (like I was before working with these amazing authors). Packed with sharp insights and practical tips, it’s a fast track to unlocking your full potential and truly owning the spotlight.”

Tim Raderstorf, DNP, RN, FAAN

President, Raderstorf Consulting

“An engaging, accessible, and informative look at what it takes to be an effective speaker—so relevant as we seek to retain human communication and connection in a world increasingly driven by technology. The stories “from the trenches,” culled from the authors’ years of experience, bring the concepts alive and help ground the reader’s understanding. If you’re interested in delivering better, more compelling presentations, The Motivated Speaker is a must-have resource.”

BETSY ALLEN

Writer, Editor, and English Instructor, James Madison University

“In any organization, leaders need exceptional presentation skills, but teaching these skills can be a significant challenge. For over ten years, we have partnered with the Articulation team to assist our leaders in succession in delivering effective and actionable communication. The Motivated Speaker sheds light on what sets their coaching and training apart. They go beyond teaching mere skills; they foster a transformative mindset shift within leaders.”

NICHOLE KNEEDLER

Chief Talent Officer, EVP, Huntington National Bank

“In my role, I invite physicians, scientists, and scholars to translate their leading-edge work to broad audiences of potential supporters and advocates. I’ve been a longtime client and champion of Articulation’s work in helping with this work, and this book allows me to keep their thinking and counsel at close reach.”

PATTY HILL-CALLAHAN

VP for Advancement, Mount Saint Mary’s University

what readers are saying about The Motivated Speaker

“Practical and endlessly engaging, reading The Motivated Speaker felt like being coached by a team of the most compassionate and insightful mentors in the field. The authors have accomplished something remarkable: they’ve distilled the challenges and joys of public speaking into six transformative concepts that anyone can grasp and apply.”

DAVID STALEY, PhD

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

“This book is a must-read for anyone looking to conquer the public speaking stage—whether you’re a rookie finding your voice or a seasoned speaker who’s maybe just a little too confident (like I was before working with these amazing authors). Packed with sharp insights and practical tips, it’s a fast track to unlocking your full potential and truly owning the spotlight.”

Tim Raderstorf, DNP, RN, FAAN

President, Raderstorf Consulting

“An engaging, accessible, and informative look at what it takes to be an effective speaker—so relevant as we seek to retain human communication and connection in a world increasingly driven by technology. The stories “from the trenches,” culled from the authors’ years of experience, bring the concepts alive and help ground the reader’s understanding. If you’re interested in delivering better, more compelling presentations, The Motivated Speaker is a must-have resource.”

BETSY ALLEN

Writer, Editor, and English Instructor, James Madison University

“In any organization, leaders need exceptional presentation skills, but teaching these skills can be a significant challenge. For over ten years, we have partnered with the Articulation team to assist our leaders in succession in delivering effective and actionable communication. The Motivated Speaker sheds light on what sets their coaching and training apart. They go beyond teaching mere skills; they foster a transformative mindset shift within leaders.”

NICHOLE KNEEDLER

Chief Talent Officer, EVP, Huntington National Bank

“In my role, I invite physicians, scientists, and scholars to translate their leading-edge work to broad audiences of potential supporters and advocates. I’ve been a longtime client and champion of Articulation’s work in helping with this work, and this book allows me to keep their thinking and counsel at close reach.”

PATTY HILL-CALLAHAN

VP for Advancement, Mount Saint Mary’s University

what readers are saying about The Motivated Speaker

“Practical and endlessly engaging, reading The Motivated Speaker felt like being coached by a team of the most compassionate and insightful mentors in the field. The authors have accomplished something remarkable: they’ve distilled the challenges and joys of public speaking into six transformative concepts that anyone can grasp and apply.”

DAVID STALEY, PhD

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

“This book is a must-read for anyone looking to conquer the public speaking stage—whether you’re a rookie finding your voice or a seasoned speaker who’s maybe just a little too confident (like I was before working with these amazing authors). Packed with sharp insights and practical tips, it’s a fast track to unlocking your full potential and truly owning the spotlight.”

Tim Raderstorf, DNP, RN, FAAN

President, Raderstorf Consulting

“An engaging, accessible, and informative look at what it takes to be an effective speaker—so relevant as we seek to retain human communication and connection in a world increasingly driven by technology. The stories “from the trenches,” culled from the authors’ years of experience, bring the concepts alive and help ground the reader’s understanding. If you’re interested in delivering better, more compelling presentations, The Motivated Speaker is a must-have resource.”

BETSY ALLEN

Writer, Editor, and English Instructor, James Madison University

“In any organization, leaders need exceptional presentation skills, but teaching these skills can be a significant challenge. For over ten years, we have partnered with the Articulation team to assist our leaders in succession in delivering effective and actionable communication. The Motivated Speaker sheds light on what sets their coaching and training apart. They go beyond teaching mere skills; they foster a transformative mindset shift within leaders.”

NICHOLE KNEEDLER

Chief Talent Officer, EVP, Huntington National Bank

“In my role, I invite physicians, scientists, and scholars to translate their leading-edge work to broad audiences of potential supporters and advocates. I’ve been a longtime client and champion of Articulation’s work in helping with this work, and this book allows me to keep their thinking and counsel at close reach.”

PATTY HILL-CALLAHAN

VP for Advancement, Mount Saint Mary’s University

From Words to Impact: 3 Takeaways from The Motivated Speaker

takeaway 1

Gain a clear understanding of what it takes to be a great communicator.

takeaway 2

Uncover the dispositions, behaviors, and skills of the best speakers and learn how to develop them in yourself.

takeaway 3

Navigate the latest technologies to augment your public speaking development.

about the authors

Ruth Milligan, Acacia Duncan and Blythe Coons are executive communication coaches practicing together in the same Columbus, Ohio-based enterprise, Articulation. Ruth has a background in speechwriting, public relations, and consulting. She is the founder of TEDxColumbus. Acacia and Blythe bring extensive backgrounds in business, coaching, and facilitation. Both are also deeply rooted in theater, with degrees and professional credits as actors, writers, and directors.

At Articulation, they coach and train hundreds of speakers and business leaders each year, and they share in the lessons from each engagement. As a result, they’ve gained insights into the behavior patterns that help some people succeed, and others not, when speaking, presenting, pitching and communicating in general. This book is a work of curiosity and passion to help any motivated speaker be their best.

Find their individual biographies here:  Ruth  |  Acacia  |  Blythe

Left to right: Articulation executive communication coaches Blythe Coons, Ruth Milligan, and Acacia Duncan.

REGISTER FOR UPDATES

Book Form Send to Mailchimp and close on submit
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube

Quick Links

Subscribe so we can keep in touch:

Subscribe to Mailchimp
First
Last

Subscribe so we can keep in touch:

Subscribe to Mailchimp
First
Last

Quick Links

Contact Us