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93. No Sweat Public Speaking: Fred E. Miller on Overcoming Fear and Mastering the Art of Communication

What's The Point? - Discover Your Purpose

Release Date: 02/13/2025

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What's The Point? - Discover Your Purpose

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The Power of Public Speaking
In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Fred E. Miller, an internationally recognized speaker, best-selling author, and public speaking coach. Fred has spent years helping people overcome their fear of speaking, improve their networking skills, and deliver presentations with confidence. His books, NO SWEAT Public Speaking! and NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!, have guided countless professionals toward becoming stronger communicators. If you've ever struggled with public speaking—or want to take your presentation skills to the next level—this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways:

  • Why Public Speaking Matters: How speaking opportunities translate into business, career, and leadership growth.
  • Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking: Why the fear of failure holds people back and how to push past it.
  • Lessons from Toastmasters: How joining Toastmasters transformed Fred’s approach to communication.
  • The Power of Storytelling: Why people remember stories and how they create lasting connections.
  • Career Shifts and Taking Risks: Fred’s leap from corporate life at Procter & Gamble to becoming a business owner.
  • The Secret to a Great Elevator Speech: Crafting a concise, clear, and compelling introduction that opens doors.
  • Presentation Best Practices: The importance of using slides correctly, practicing effectively, and engaging your audience.
  • Why Everyone Needs a Coach: How professional coaching accelerates growth and helps identify blind spots.
  • Travel and Communication: How traveling the world reinforces the importance of connection and effective communication.

Fred E. Miller reminds us that public speaking is a skill that can open doors to new opportunities. Whether you’re in business, leadership, or just looking to communicate more effectively, mastering the art of speaking can make all the difference. His message is clear: never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.

Don’t miss an episode of What’s the Point?! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and share this episode with someone who wants to improve their public speaking skills. Confidence starts with taking the first step—so why not start today?

 

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Quick Episode Summary: 

  • 0:00 Bill introduces Fred E. Miller and his expertise in public speaking.
  • 1:17 Fred shares his journey into public speaking and the impact of Toastmasters.
  • 5:00 The connection between fear, failure, and public speaking.
  • 10:00 How Fred transitioned from corporate life to entrepreneurship.
  • 15:00 The critical role of storytelling in making an impact as a speaker.
  • 22:00 Why professional coaching matters in public speaking and personal growth.
  • 28:00 The essential elements of an effective elevator speech.
  • 35:00 The importance of practice, preparation, and continuous learning.
  • 41:00 Final thoughts: Fred’s powerful message on lifelong learning.