Do you feel like you have too much content in your presentations? Too many good things you can share with your audiences and you’re not sure how to select what to include? Most of us feel this way - and it’s our job as speakers to identify the most essential elements and convey them in a way the audience can understand and apply. One way to do this is to thread a story throughout your talk, where the people (could be you, a client, or someone else) in the story, the situation they’re in, the challenges they face, and how they overcome them becomes the lessons the audience learns. In this on-air coaching call, my guest Amber Hawley and I do exactly this as we go through her signature talk. We identify a client story Amber can use and then play with the timeline to keep it interesting. Amber recently graduated from our Master Your Speaking program. Our next Master Your Speaking program starts in mid-January and enrollment is open right now. You get to work one-on-one with us to create your signature talk PLUS you get 3 months of group coaching to learn how to position, promote, and market yourself to get better speaking engagements, including paid ones, and even your dream one. To learn more about the program and enroll today, go to https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. If you have questions and want to make sure it’s the right fit, schedule a call with us. There’s a button to do so on that same page or email [email protected]. About My Guest: Amber Hawley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of a group private practice. Amber is also co-host of the My Biz Bestie Podcast, Founder of CouplesFix, which provides relationship support to high achieving couples, and is a speaker. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power: on stages, in businesses, on boards, in the media, in politics, and in our communities. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/153 Connect with Amber: http://www.amberhawley.com Listen to Amber’s podcasts “Couples Fix” and “My Biz Bestie.” ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Join our Master Your Speaking coaching program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/mastery. Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 82: How to Create an Emotional Connection with Your Audience with Leanne Kabat [Coaching] Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories [Storytelling Series] Episode 139: Selecting the Best Stories to Include in Your Signature Talk with Marie Fiebach [Storytelling Series] JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.