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Host and speaking coach Chris McAuley interviews keynote speaker, facilitator, and coach Kevin Bulmer, creator of the Little Engines small business community and Little Engines Live event series. Bulmer shares his career path from radio to auto racing talk radio, track announcer, and eventually sales/marketing director and general manager of Delaware Speedway, then event management and radio sales supporting small and mid-sized businesses. After a major life reset around 2011–2012, he left radio in 2017 to pursue speaking, later founding NSM Brand Media during COVID and growing Little Engines into its fourth year. He discusses preparing for keynotes by researching audiences, rehearsing out loud while moving, respecting time limits, and connecting emotionally through vulnerability, humor, and sincerity. Bulmer also describes his formats (keynotes, half-day team sessions, breakout workshops, emceeing/moderation), recommends the book “Fans First,” and shares how to find him at realsuccessnavigator.com and wethinkyoucan.com.

00:00 Podcast Opening
00:43 Meet Kevin Bulmer
02:20 From Radio to Racetrack
03:43 Rebuilding After Divorce
05:20 Going Solo and COVID Pivot
07:48 Speaker Calling Moment
11:39 First Keynote Experiment
13:45 Keynotes Workshops and Emceeing
16:41 Inside Little Engines Live
20:45 How Kevin Prepares Talks
23:59 Rehearsal and Earning Attention
26:17 Hobby Horse Entrance
26:50 Stage Blocking Basics
28:38 Finish Early Rule
29:16 Less Words More Feeling
30:55 Vulnerability And Sincerity
33:55 Handling Nerves And Unknowns
37:22 Performance Mindset
41:08 Creative Risks On Stage
43:19 Rapid Fire Questions
48:09 Where To Find Kevin
49:12 Final Sign Off

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Speak with Presence: Insights from Sonnet Simmons

Host and speaking coach Chris McAuley introduces his podcast on how confident communication shapes career, reputation, and opportunity, then interviews keynote speaker and vocal presence coach Sonnet Simmons. Simmons shares her background as a singer-songwriter with music licensed for ads and media, her work helping independent artists navigate music licensing, and how client demand led her into leadership communication and “true voice” coaching. She and McAuley discuss authenticity, speaking from the heart, building trust through vocal sound, and handling high-stakes spontaneous communication with structure and practice. Simmons outlines her keynote prep process (outline, recording, slides, video rehearsal), emphasizes audience connection, and recommends vocal warmups. They explore nerves as manageable through breath, the value of stories, and identifying protective vocal patterns (breathiness, vocal fry, uptalk) through awareness and recording.

00:00 Podcast Opening

00:47 Meet Sonnet Simmons

02:37 Music Career Origins

05:51 Finding True Voice

07:57 Authenticity From Heart

11:46 Sound of Trust Keynote

13:07 Handling High Stakes Moments

17:45 Preparation And Practice

25:13 Owning The Material

27:08 Speaking From The Heart

27:22 Storytelling That Connects

29:13 Managing Nerves With Breath

30:38 Breath Training And Performance

32:07 Breath Before You Speak

34:01 Finding Your True Voice

35:57 Vocal Patterns To Notice

37:55 Record Yourself For Feedback

40:58 Rapid Fire Favorites

43:53 Travel Dreams And Wrap Up

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Embodied Resilience: Neurodivergence, Mind–Body Care, and Speaking with Authentic Connection (with Robert Sims)

Chris McAuley introduces his podcast on confident, clear communication and interviews Robert Sims, CEO/owner and therapist at Embodied Resilience Wellness Clinic in Ontario. Sims explains the clinic’s wraparound model integrating mental and physical care—psychotherapy for individuals and couples alongside physiotherapy and massage—grounded in connection, authenticity, lived experience, and a specialization in neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, and AuDHD). He shares his path from TV broadcasting and security work into social work, reconnecting with Indigenous community and worldview, completing his MSW/RSW, and later identifying as AuDHD, which informed the clinic’s focus on neurodivergence-related comorbidities. Sims describes future plans to add services like nurse practitioners and other modalities, discusses tailoring presentations to audiences, using interactive storytelling and purposeful self-disclosure to build community and reciprocity, and reframing speaking nerves as excitement. He recommends books on therapeutic role-playing and “Dungeon Crawler Carl,” streams “Person of Interest,” and shares how to find Embodied Resilience online and via a weekly YouTube live, “All Things Neurodivergence.”

00:00 Podcast Cold Open
00:56 Meet Robert Sims
02:02 Embodied Resilience Clinic
02:54 What Neurodivergence Means
04:23 Robert’s Career Journey
06:54 Late Diagnosis and Mission
09:23 Mind Body Speaking Connection
11:45 Growing the Clinic Vision
12:37 Medicine Wheel Worldview
14:03 Workshop Prep Process
16:49 Tailoring and Flexibility
18:20 Authenticity Over Scripts
22:30 Staying On Track
24:00 Purposeful Anecdotes
24:43 Stories Build Connection
26:31 Creating Community Live
27:55 Interactive Presenting
29:41 Pauses And Questions
31:46 Turning Nerves Excitement
35:31 Rapid Fire Questions
39:19 Where To Find Robert
40:40 Closing Thanks And Outro

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Reporting Warning Signs: Chris McCauley with Security Risk Consultant and Keynote Speaker Dean Correa

Chris McCauley introduces his podcast on how confident communication shapes professional opportunity, then interviews Toronto-based security risk consultant and keynote speaker Dean Correa. Dean recounts moving from retail management at Gap and Starbucks into security after shadowing Starbucks’ security manager, later leading security programs in Canada and Latin America, helping launch Walmart Canada’s security program, and starting a consultancy to provide risk assessments, investigations, business continuity planning, workplace violence avoidance training, and outsourced security support. He describes supporting Walmart’s Olympic sponsorship planning for Vancouver 2010, including coordination with law enforcement and supply-chain and traffic risks. Motivated by workplace murders he experienced, Dean’s keynote message urges reporting incidents that cause fear or concern. The conversation also covers effective speaking tactics: using stories, pauses, audience interaction, flexible Q&A, simple language, and preparation routines.

00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:47 Meet Dean Correa
02:56 Dean Career Journey
04:47 Consulting Focus Areas
05:55 Vancouver Olympics Security
07:41 Narrowing Your Niche
08:52 Violence Stories And Mission
10:46 Keynote Craft And Engagement
16:08 Interactive Speaking Techniques
19:59 Audience Driven Q And A
22:37 Pauses Movement And Clarity
23:50 Ditch the Jargon
24:24 Read the Room
25:05 Keep Them Engaged
25:45 When References Miss
26:17 Slides Videos and Stickiness
26:43 No Notes Needed
28:37 Freedom Within Framework
31:39 Recover From Mistakes
34:22 Embrace the Nerves
35:19 Pre Talk Routine
36:30 Memorize One Key Line
39:02 Power Questions and Wrap Up

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In this episode of 'Speak Like Your Wealth Depends On It,' host Chris McCauley engages in a riveting discussion with Michelle Dahlen Berg, an accomplished audio producer, performer, and educator at Texas State University. The conversation delves into Michelle’s background in theater and music, revealing how she uses her expertise to teach applied theater and acting. They explore practical strategies for grounding oneself during presentations, the power of storytelling, and the importance of intentional movement on stage. Michelle shares insights from her teaching experience and offers valuable tips for engaging an audience effectively. The episode also touches on Michelle's favorite books, TV series, and her dream profession if she weren't doing what she does now.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

02:23 Personal Challenges and Family Struggles

03:53 Background and Upbringing

04:36 Current Living Situations and Weather

07:23 Historical Reflections and Social Issues

13:58 Podcast and Voice Work

18:21 Teaching and Applied Theater

24:28 Connecting with an Audience

32:12 Relating to Your Audience

34:16 Handling Nerves and Audience Expectations

36:04 Finding and Telling Stories

42:25 Engaging Presentation Techniques

44:39 Intentional Movement and Gestures

51:12 The Power of Stillness and Silence

55:07 Rapid Fire Questions and Recommendations

01:01:59 Conclusion and Contact Information

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In this episode of 'Speak Like Your Wealth Depends On It,' host Chris McAuley interviews Preeti Boler, founder of Empowered By Design and creator of the Shift Code Model. Preeti discusses her journey from a construction lawyer to a behavioral strategist and the importance of behavioral intelligence in leadership. She introduces her Shift Code Model, which helps leaders identify and transform their behavior patterns. The conversation covers the power of silence, authenticity, and impactful speaking techniques. Preeti also shares her three-step practice for speaking with impact and the importance of intentionality in leadership. Tune in for actionable insights on improving your leadership presence and speaking skills.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:51 Meet Our Guest: Preeti Boler

01:39 Preeti's Background and Shift Code Model

08:18 The Four Quadrants of Leadership

11:08 The Shift Code Compass

18:41 Speaking with Impact

25:43 The Power of Silence

31:43 Reflecting on Early Social Interactions

32:16 A Career Lesson in Speaking Up

33:40 Crafting Impactful Presentations

37:34 The Power of Storytelling in Presentations

42:11 Personal Interests and Recommendations

46:17 Final Thoughts and Advice

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In this episode of 'Speak Like Your Wealth Depends On It,' host Chris McAuley converses with communication and relationship expert Michelle Tillis Lederman. Michelle shares her journey from a finance professional to a celebrated speaker and coach, detailing her initial struggles with public speaking and how she overcame them. The episode dives deep into effective strategies for connecting with audiences, managing stage fright, and the power of storytelling. Michelle also offers practical advice for leaders to communicate more effectively and connect meaningfully with their teams. For more tips on mastering public speaking, visit Chris's website and explore his specialized coaching program.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:51 Guest Introduction: Michelle Tillis Lederman

03:16 Michelle's Journey from Finance to Communication Expert

04:37 Overcoming Stage Fright and Building Speaking Skills

07:56 The Importance of Connection in Leadership and Speaking

09:54 Engaging Your Audience: Tips and Techniques

16:36 The Power of Storytelling in Presentations

21:25 The Importance of Visuals in Presentations

22:46 Engaging the Audience with Movement and Interaction

25:11 The Power of Vocal Variation

29:02 Dealing with Nervousness and Fear

34:03 Personal Insights and Recommendations

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In this captivating episode of "Speak Like Your Wealth Depends On It", host Chris McAuley welcomes renowned motivational speaker and author Wanda Davis. The discussion delves into Wanda's impressive journey from a biochemistry background to becoming a sought-after speaker and personal growth guide.

Chris and Wanda explore the art of authentic public speaking, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, emotional engagement, and the power of presence. Wanda shares her experiences with different paths to wellness, including meditation and energy work, and reveals insights from her children's book, 'From Head to Heart'.

The episode is packed with practical advice on overcoming stage fright, the integral role of stories in presentations, and the evolving landscape of virtual speaking engagements.

Tune in to explore how you can unleash the power of your voice and deliver impactful speeches.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:55 Meet Wanda Davis: A Journey from Head to Heart

01:37 Wanda's Professional Background and Personal Growth

04:18 Discovering Meditation and Energy Work

15:18 The Power of Stories in Public Speaking

21:22 Crafting an Engaging Presentation

26:36 The Power of Minimalism in Speech

27:06 Using Voice to Engage Your Audience

28:55 The Role of Slides in Presentations

32:33 Virtual Presentations: Challenges and Opportunities

36:25 Overcoming Stage Fright

37:36 The Art of Memorization in Speaking

41:05 Personal Insights and Recommendations

48:23 Final Thoughts and Contact Information