411: Reframing Public Speaking: From Elite Skill to Everyday Power with Dr. Karen Corbin

Is public speaking an elusive talent reserved for a select few, or is it a powerful tool we can all master?

In this thought-provoking episode, we challenge the long-held belief that public speaking is only for the “naturally gifted.”

I’m thrilled to have Dr. Karen Corbin back on the podcast, as we dive deep into the art of communication and explore how anyone, from scientists to young professionals, can harness their voice to make a meaningful impact.

If you’ve ever felt self-conscious or critical about your speaking abilities, this episode is for you.

Karen and I explore how we can all make public speaking less intimidating and more approachable, turning it from an elite skill into an everyday power that elevates your personal and professional life.

Karen and I talk about:

• Why storytelling isn’t just for the “gifted” but a skill anyone can cultivate to connect, influence, and inspire

• The practical steps she took to shift from self-doubt to speaking with confidence and clarity

• The surprising moments that changed her perspective on who should have a voice and how to make it heard

• Real-life examples of how communicating effectively can open doors, reshape careers, and empower you to step into your own spotlight

• How Karen navigates the corporate world and her personal brand

About My Guest: Karen D. Corbin, PhD, RD is the Owner and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak® and an Associate Investigator at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute. She is an expert in human nutrition and metabolism. Her scientific career is devoted to finding new approaches to prevent and treat diseases like diabetes and fatty liver disease. She is also an expert in scientific storytelling.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/411/

Karen’s website: https://www.geeksthatspeak.com/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

• Dr. Karen Corbin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-corbin-phd-rd-75229111/

Recommendations:

Science Friday on NPR is a fantastic resource for listening to scientists from all different disciplines = https://www.sciencefriday.com

TED talk = “What you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s” by Lisa Genova = https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_genova_what_you_can_do_to_prevent_alzheimer_s?language=en

For those interested in diabetes, this is a good podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diabetes-discourse/id885083634?i=1000656300786

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 398: Storytelling for Leaders: Crafting Narratives that Inspire and Persuade

• Episode 339: Creating Compelling TED-Style Talks Based on Academic Research with Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza

• Episode 138: Scientists Need to Tell Stories Too with Dr. Karen Corbin

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable