Confessions of a Speaker Coach: A UT Student Asked, I Spilled the Tea ☕️
Recently, Kaitlin Hicks, a bright student from UT Austin's Rhetoric program, reached out to interview me for her class assignment. As part of her coursework, she needed to connect with an expert in either economics or rhetoric - her two majors. After finding me through her research (ChatGPT)😁, she came prepared with thoughtful questions about speechwriting and delivery. Here's a bit of our conversation...
Q: After your career in comedy and teaching, what makes coaching TEDx talks and keynotes fulfilling?
While comedy was incredible, coaching lets me dig deeper and help others transform their messages. It's not just about writing speeches - it's about helping people find their voice and share messages that matter. I think fulfillment happens when you're focused on lifting others up. It's also about bringing together different parts of yourself and allowing yourself to grow and explore. I discovered that coaching allows me to blend both the analytical part of me and my performance experience. I love it.
Q: What advice would you give someone interested in starting a business?
Bill Gates, said something like, "Everything is made up. When you realize this everything gets easier." This resonated with me. All structures and systems are created, so the real question is, what do you want to create? Who do you want to serve? My target audience is entrepreneurs who need creative expertise in the form of a speech, but I discovered this through experimentation in my late thirties. I often think about what would have happened if I'd seen myself as an entrepreneur earlier in life. My advice would be, start now, trust yourself and create something that serves others and your passion.
Q: With speechwriting, how do you maintain another person's essence while writing with your own words?
A lot of it is finding the words they already use and the great stuff they've already created. We start by immersing ourselves in anything they've written. Whether we're working with a first-time TEDx speaker or a seasoned keynote speaker, we study anything they'll allow us to read through or watch. The script will always need the speaker's touch before it's truly ready, but my head writer, Steve Hayward is a master. We regularly hear, "I don't want to change a thing." Writing is a talent and a skill that's developed just like anything else... but specializing in one particular form of writing is where I think we bring the magic.
Q: What takes an idea from just a good idea to a TED-worthy one?
TED recently updated their tagline to "ideas change everything," and I think it captures what separates a good idea from a TED-worthy one. While many remember TED talks for their inspirational moments or personal stories, the heart must be about solving a problem in a unique way. That's how I would break down the essence of a TED talk. Take people from where they are to where they could be. The other thing to keep in mind is that a TED talk has a universal audience as opposed to a niche audience. So a TED idea will allow almost everyone to see themselves in it or at least challenge us to think differently.
Q: What are some non-verbal tools that help you build credibility on stage?
I don't want to deep dive on hand gestures because those get too much attention in my opinion. But first, know that credibility starts before you even say a word on stage. It's in how you carry yourself in the lobby, how you interact with others before the event, even in your choice of attire. One thing you want to be cautious of is over-choreographing your speech. It can hurt your ability to be present and connect with your audience. Instead of memorizing specific hand gestures or movements, focus on feeling confident and centered. Your body will naturally express what you're feeling. The goal isn't perfection; it's connection. Also, this is the kind of thing that's very specific to the speaker and type of talk, so it's best to get a coach for this kind of work.
Q: What are some great ways to captivate an audience?
Capturing and maintaining attention is about creating a journey for your audience. Start strong - use a compelling question, a powerful statement, or drop your audience right into the middle of a story. But keeping attention? That's about mastering vocal variation. Think of your speech like a musical composition. You need dynamics - moments of intensity and moments of reflection. When sharing information, keep your tone clear and direct. When delivering powerful insights, slow down and let your voice carry the weight of the moment.
Q: How do you think comedy plays a role? Can comedy and credibility coexist in a speech?
Of course! Humor is a necessity. My colleague Josh Shipp perfectly captures this: "In a keynote, you make them laugh, you make them cry, you give them hope. In a TED talk, you make them laugh, you make them cry, you make them think." This balance of emotions reflects the human experience, so when done well, it will naturally add credibility because it makes your speech enjoyable! Humor also creates moments of connection and makes complex ideas more digestible. The key is using humor purposefully, at the right times.
Q: What is a common mistake speakers make that you often have to tweak?
Speakers often position themselves as the hero of their speech. It's just a thing we do as humans. And it can be confusing because sometimes you genuinely are a hero to others! But even when sharing personal triumph stories, it's more powerful to position your audience as the hero. This shift changes everything. Instead of self-congratulatory moments, you create opportunities for transformation. Your role becomes the guide, the sage - and that's where real impact happens.
