Small Shifts That Make a Huge Difference in Your Presentation Impact & Results with Karen Cochran

Small Shifts That Make a Huge Difference in Your Presentation Impact & Results with Karen Cochran

Do you feel like your presentations are good, but maybe not yet great? The kind that gets people talking, taking action, and reaching out long after the event?


That’s exactly what happened for my guest, Karen Cochran, founder of Philanthropy Innovators.


Karen has led teams that have raised over $1 billion (yes, billion with a “B”!) - and after attending our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator Workshop and working with me on her presentation makeover, she delivered what attendees called “the most valuable session at the conference.”


In this episode, you’ll hear how Karen transformed her talk by making small but powerful shifts in storytelling, structure, and connection—and how those changes led to remarkable results.


We dig into:

  • The difference between informing and transforming your audience
  • How storytelling creates connection, especially in philanthropy and leadership
  • Why suspense and foreshadowing keep audiences engaged (and how Karen used this brilliantly!)
  • The key mindset shift from “writer” to “speaker” that helps your ideas land with clarity

Karen also shares how storytelling in fundraising parallels effective public speaking. Both are about listening, connecting, and understanding what truly matters to your audience.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in “the expert trap”—overloading your slides with information instead of making emotional connections—this episode will show you what happens when you let your stories and your personality shine.

Listen in and imagine what could change for you with just a few strategic tweaks to your talk.


Links:


Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/449/


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


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


Book a Presentation Makeover: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/presentation-makeover/


Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/


Connect on LinkedIn:


Related Podcast Episodes:


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

Episoder(491)

You are the Messenger: How to Activate the Idea that’s Been Calling You

You are the Messenger: How to Activate the Idea that’s Been Calling You

Have you ever had an idea that tugged at you, asking to be brought to life? In this episode, I share why I believe so strongly that you are the exact messenger for your idea and your audience. Not som...

27 Mar 202527min

426: Every Talk Needs Humor: Here are 5 Ways to Make Your Audience Laugh

426: Every Talk Needs Humor: Here are 5 Ways to Make Your Audience Laugh

Have you ever wondered if you really need to add humor to your business presentations, keynotes, or conference talks? Maybe you think, I’m just here to share valuable information - why should I try to...

19 Mar 202515min

3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking [Best Of]

3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking [Best Of]

I know you want to grow your business and brand and have a bigger impact as a thought leader. But, as high-achievers, there are beliefs we have that get us stuck in the expert trap. We believe that we...

3 Mar 202527min

425: The Story You're Most Reluctant to Share is the One You Should

425: The Story You're Most Reluctant to Share is the One You Should

Is there a story you’re reluctant to share? The one that still makes you cringe a little, that feels raw and vulnerable? That’s probably the exact story you should be telling - not just for your audie...

24 Feb 202516min

424: Evolving Your Brand is a Must: How to Align Who You Are, Even the Messy Parts

424: Evolving Your Brand is a Must: How to Align Who You Are, Even the Messy Parts

We hear all the time that we should “reinvent” ourselves to stay relevant. Or that we should ignore or dismiss aspects of our careers that no longer seem to “fit” with what we’re doing now. I’m not su...

3 Feb 202516min

423: Feeling Stuck or at a Plateau with Your Brand or Visibility? It's Time to Break the Rules

423: Feeling Stuck or at a Plateau with Your Brand or Visibility? It's Time to Break the Rules

Are you feeling stuck or stagnant, bored and burnt out creating the same-old content?  Or maybe you’re enjoying the content you’re creating and the topics you speak about, but you’ve hit a plateau. Yo...

9 Des 202424min

422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn

422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn

Have you ever attended a keynote that truly wowed you—one that stood out, engaged the audience, and provided an unforgettable experience? Let’s face it, most keynotes do the job, but very few deliver ...

2 Des 202437min

421: 100x Your Speaking in a Day: Insights from Our Recent In-Person Workshop

421: 100x Your Speaking in a Day: Insights from Our Recent In-Person Workshop

Have you ever wondered how you can improve your speaking skills and truly connect with your audience? I’m joined by Wendy McManus and Tara Lassiter, who recently attended our 1-day in-person speaking ...

25 Nov 202429min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
stopp-verden
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
e24-podden
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
pengepodden-2
finansredaksjonen
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
pengesnakk
utbytte
okonomiamatorene
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
liberal-halvtime
stormkast-med-valebrokk-stordalen
lederpodden
rss-politisk-preik
rss-markedspuls-2
lederskap-nhhs-podkast-om-ledelse