It’s always special to feel hometown support. We are grateful to the Conquering Columbus podcast and host Josh Whitt for having Ruth and Blythe on to talk about our upcoming book, The Motivated Speaker. This is was Ruth’s second time on this podcast, and it was the perfect place to share more about the inspiration behind the book and the journey leading up to its release. While our amazing co-author Acacia couldn’t join us for this episode appearance, her voice is all over the pages of the book. We can’t wait for you to read what we’ve created together. The book launches in just a few weeks. We are so excited to share it with the Columbus community and beyond.
Highlights from the Episode
- What sparked the book’s creation (02:30)
Ruth shares how inspiration struck during a keynote event where she learned about “threshold concepts” for writing. The team’s curiosity about whether similar threshold concepts apply to speaking led to the collaborative brainstorming process. - Threshold concepts and their importance (04:22)
Explanation of “threshold concepts” as transformative, troublesome ideas you must understand while doing something (e.g., heat in cooking or social interaction in communication). - The essence of feedback in public speaking (15:37)
Ruth and Blythe explore feedback as a pivotal tool for improving communication, highlighting that self-feedback (watching/listening to oneself) is often the most valuable. They emphasize techniques to give constructive and supportive feedback for self-improvement without undermining confidence. - Physical presence and executive presence (18:31)
How non-verbal communication, such as posture, eye contact, and body language, impacts speaker credibility. Ruth and Blythe provide anecdotes about how physical presence is often a critical—but overlooked—aspect of executive communication. - Overcoming nervousness through breathing techniques (22:25)
The conversation touches on how managing one’s nervous system, particularly through purposeful breathing, can greatly improve speaking confidence. - Technology tips (32:25)
How we’re using technology to communicate. - Who The Motivated Speaker is for (39:54)
The book is designed to serve professionals striving to level up their communication skills and practical applications in team settings. We have also created a keynote presentation to accompany The Motivated Speaker, which can be delivered to teams at your organization to enhance their communication skills.
Listen to the Full Episode
This conversation was just the beginning of what we hope will be many more discussions about the ideas in The Motivated Speaker. Listen to the full episode, and let us know what resonates with you!
THE MOTIVATED SPEAKER: Six Principles to Unlock Your Communication Potential
In this new book from Ruth Milligan, Acacia Duncan, and Blythe Coons, you will discover the six essential threshold concepts needed to give talks like the best TED speakers and Fortune 500 leaders. The Motivated Speaker, which is published by Wiley, delivers May 2025.