Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room

Can you learn how to pitch an idea by reading a novel? Author and venture capitalist Ben Wiener believes you can. His new book Fever Pitch explores how a fictional startup thriller can reveal the real narrative patterns that make investors lean in.

During this episode, Karin Reed sits down with Ben to talk about the experiences that shaped his approach and explains why storytelling gives founders an advantage when they need inves...

Discover how to articulate your professional value with clarity and confidence so your next career move feels intentional and fully aligned with your strengths.

Karin Reed and Briefcase Coach founder Sarah Johnston discuss why even the most accomplished professionals struggle to explain what they bring to the table. If you’ve ever stared at your résumé and wondered why it doesn’t feel like “you,” or questioned how to tell your st...

Most of what we say isn’t planned, and communication expert Matt Abrahams wants us to stop fearing those moments and start embracing them. Karin Reed talks with Matt, a Stanford lecturer and author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, about how to stay grounded when you’re put on the spot. Why do we freeze when asked an unexpected question or stumble through small talk? What if the key to speaking well off the cuff isn’t perfection, but ...

Bill Harper, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of BrandBossHQ, talks about what really happens when you stop hiding behind perfection and start showing up as yourself on camera. How do you get past the fear of putting your face out there? What shifts when you stop worrying about being polished and start focusing on being real?

Joining Karin Reed in this episode, Bill shares how one reluctant step onto TikTok reshaped his business an...

Can artificial intelligence really coach us to be better communicators, or does true connection still require human intervention? Karin Reed is joined by returning guest, communication coach and tech strategist Maggie Miller, for a conversation about how AI is reshaping the way we prepare, present, and connect. What begins with Karin testing Microsoft’s Speaker Coach unfolds into a deeper look at where technology helps and where it...

Authentic leadership online means showing up as yourself rather than hiding behind corporate polish.

Karin Reed sits down with Jess Jensen, the founder of Co-Pilot Communications, to talk about what it really takes for executives to build a digital presence that feels genuine and earns trust. After two decades leading digital strategy for global brands like Microsoft, Nestlé, Qualcomm, and Adidas, Jess has seen firsthand how the ...

Global teams can look united on the surface yet still struggle with distance, culture, and trust. Leaders often assume that what works in the office will work online, only to discover that virtual dynamics play by a very different set of rules.

Karin Reed sits down with global virtual team expert and author Theresa Hollema to unpack the realities of leading across borders. Theresa explains why team configuration matters, why cliq...

Silence can feel uncomfortable, yet it has the power to make every word count. How do pauses change the way others hear you? When does stopping at the right moment strengthen your message instead of weaken it?

Speaker Dynamics – Own The Room is back, and in this episode, Karin Reed explores silence as one of the most underused but transformative skills in communication. She shares how pausing before you speak can command attentio...

Most business presentations are packed with data no one remembers. Stories are what actually stick.

Karin Reed is joined by senior communication coach Andrea Brody for a conversation that redefines what storytelling looks like in a business setting. What makes someone pause, lean in, and actually remember what you said? Well, it’s probably not your bullet points.

Andrea shares insights from her Inspiring Through Storytelling wo...

Becoming a go-to media expert doesn’t happen by chance. There are multiple factors that make you the guest who is on speed dial. But what are those factors? 

Karin Reed talks with Paula Rizzo, an Emmy-winning producer, author and media trainer, about what it really takes to get booked by the media and asked back. Why do some experts become regulars while others never hear a word? What makes a producer stop scrolling and actually ...

Controlling a room full of senior leaders starts with knowing your mission and refusing to let interruptions derail it. So what happens when you walk into a meeting ready to present and the executives start cutting you off before you even reach slide two? Karin Reed knows the feeling, and she offers a smarter way to handle it without losing control or losing your nerve.

In this episode, Karin breaks down five practical strategies...

Most people think polish makes a speaker great. Authenticity is what makes an audience listen.

In this episode, Karin Reed talks with international keynote speaker and bestselling author Ryan Vet about what it really takes to build a professional speaking business. From a non-linear journey shaped by entrepreneurship and early Twitter fame to a moment of clarity sparked by unexpected feedback, Ryan shares how authenticity, not po...

Executive presence isn’t something you’re just born with. It’s built through intention, visibility, and the willingness to quiet your inner critic. These are some of the key takeaways from Karin Reed’s talk produced by e-learning titan, Madecraft, as part of their &Then speakers’ series.

Karin returns to a topic she’s known for—owning the room—but this time through a more personal lens. What does it take to show up with confi...

Rigid leadership is a thing of the past. In today’s unpredictable world, leaders who adapt are the ones who thrive. But what does true flexibility look like?

Karin Reed sits down with leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry to talk about the ideas in his latest book, “Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence.” He challenges the belief that leadership styles should stay fixed, arguing that clinging to one appr...

Milestones often go unnoticed in the moment, but looking back, they reveal the moments that shape careers, confidence, and impact.

As Speaker Dynamics turns one, Karin Reed reflects on the moments that defined her communication journey: an unexpected assignment that led to an Emmy, a simple legal pad sketch that became a career-defining framework, and the years of preparation that positioned her to help professionals navigate the...

Can remote teams recreate those spontaneous office moments, the quick chats and casual check-ins, without stepping into a building?

Karin Reed sits down with Lisette Sutherland, director of Collaboration Superpowers, to talk about spatial working, a fresh approach to remote work that brings a real sense of presence to virtual teams. Instead of relying on scheduled meetings, these digital office spaces create opportunities for spo...

Most New Year’s resolutions don’t last, but a few small shifts in how you communicate can lead to meaningful, lasting change.

Karin Reed shares three communication resolutions designed to help you show up with more confidence, clarity, and impact. She breaks down why winging it is a gamble, how listening can be a superpower, and why your voice deserves to be heard. Through personal stories and insights, she challenges common habi...

Great leadership starts with connecting as a person, not commanding from a position. In this episode, Karin Reed is joined by Mark Carpenter, the best-selling author of “Lead Like a Person, Not a Position,” to discuss how leaders can prioritize human connection over authority. Mark shares the personal regrets that fueled his mission to help leaders avoid the pitfalls of positional power and lead with empathy and humanity.

Through...

"If we're going to communicate something to anyone, particularly a large organization, we've got to ensure that they are aware of the condition that we're in, aware of the change." says John Cerqueira, founder of Pinwheel Associates. In this episode, John joins Karin Reed to explore the art of leading through change and communicating that well, offering strategies to ensure that transitions are not only understood but embraced.

J...