Whether you are speaking to a room full of strangers or holding the mic at your best friend’s wedding, the goal is the same: keep them with you. And not just physically. You want heads nodding, eyes locked in, energy exchanged. You want people to feel something, remember something. You want your message to stick.

That takes more than just a strong opening line or a witty joke. It takes strategy. It takes storytelling. It takes a little something unexpected.

I have been binge watching Hawai’i 5-0 on Paramount+ for the last two weeks, so in this article, we are channeling some of that energy and diving into how to hook your audience—and hold them—like a pro. The title says it all: Hook ‘em, Danno.

We are also bringing in a little communication theory this week and discussing Expectancy Violation Theory—because breaking the “rules” can be one of your best tools.

What Is Expectancy Violation Theory?

Expectancy Violation Theory (EVT) suggests that people have expectations in communicat...

If your brain doesn’t work in bullet points.

If your voice has been buried under shame, burnout, or other people’s expectations.

If you are carrying a story that is too layered, too messy, too painful—or too beautiful—to “just write it already”...

You are not broken. You are not behind. You are not alone. You just need a different rhythm. 

You need the COB Method.

The COB Method—short for Collect, Organize, Build—is a framework made for folks like you. It’s for the nonlinear thinkers, deep feelers, messy processors, and people who heal and create at the same time.

If any of these describe you, keep reading. If you feel like you are running with 87 tabs open and the squirrel moments on repeat, keep reading. If you want to write or tell your story but feel completely overwhelmed by the way you were taught to write, KEEP READING!

The COB Method was designed with you in mind. Unlike the writing processes you were taught in grade school, this method will allow you to fully embrace al...

We live in a world flooded with information, advertisements, and social media content. Some of it is real, and so much of it is AI generated. The online world is noisy place (to say the least).

With so much noise and a plethora of distractions, how do you and your business have any chance of standing out? How do you get people to not only notice you but to connect with and remember you?

You marketers out there are thinking things like paid ads, marketing strategy, a fancy pitch, and reaching as many people as possible…

But,

The answer isn’t in fancy marketing tricks, flashy graphics, or even the most well-researched sales pitch. It’s in something far simpler—your story.

Storytelling isn’t just a technique for speakers, authors, or entertainers. It is the heartbeat of every successful brand and business. 

As Carmine Gallo says, "Storytelling is not something we do. Storytelling is who we are." 

Using stories helps to build trust, create emotional connections, and inspire action. ...

As a child growing up in rural west-central Utah, I only knew one color: white.

Sure, there were a few Latino kids at my school, but overwhelmingly, my world was white—white classmates, white teachers, white neighbors. That was my norm. Then came sixth grade, and with it, the arrival of a single African-American student. One student. One beautiful, intriguing, interesting student who stood out simply by existing.

I did not have the language back then to describe what I was experiencing, but looking back, that was my very first encounter with diversity. And it left an impression.

Still, no one talked about it. Diversity and inclusion were not words we used. Equity was not a concept we were taught. I do not recall a single lesson, assembly, or conversation in school that asked us to reflect on the variety of human experiences that exist beyond our own. Diversity in communication didn’t exist, because other than that one student, we were basically one size fits all and there was no per...

At the end of the day, our words are what remain. The stories we share, the lessons we teach, and the connections we create—they outlive us, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire, even when we’re no longer in the room.

Many people think of storytelling as something they do in the moment, but the truth is, storytelling is more than something we do, it is who we are. 

When you step onto a stage—whether it’s a conference, a podcast, a meeting, or even a conversation over coffee—you are shaping how people remember you and what they take from your message.

The question isn’t if your story will leave a legacy. The question is: what kind of legacy will you leave?

Too often, people hesitate to share their stories because of the narratives in their heads…those pesky limiting beliefs that we always deal with. They think:

• “I don’t have anything important to say.” 
• “My experiences aren’t unique enough.”
• “I’m not a great storyteller.”
• “No one will want to listen to me.”
• “I am...

We’ve all heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” But let’s be honest—perfection isn’t the goal. Confidence is. I prefer to say “Practice makes PERMANENT” because you will perform in the way that you rehearse!

Whether you’re preparing for a keynote speech, a business presentation, or simply sharing your story in front of an audience, how you practice will make all the difference. Great speakers don’t just wing it—they prepare with purpose. 

The secret isn’t rehearsing until you’ve memorized every word—you are not a robot simply memorizing a sequence of words. The real secret to effective rehearsal is doing it in a way that builds familiarity with your content, confidence in your voice, flexibility and adaptation, and a strong connection with your audience.

In today’s article we will talk about how to practice effectively so that you walk onto any stage feeling confident, prepared, and powerful, not panicked.

1. Rehearse Out Loud—Not Just in Your Head

It’s one thing to read thr...

Self-doubt has a sneaky way of showing up right when you’re about to do something big. 

Whether it’s stepping onto a stage, speaking up in a meeting, or sharing your story with the world, that little voice inside whispers, “Who do you think you are? What if you fail? What if no one cares?”

But here’s the truth: self-doubt is not a stop sign. It’s a signal that you’re stepping into something important. 

The fact that you feel nervous means you care. And instead of letting that fear hold you back, you can use it as fuel to propel you forward.

I’ve worked with so many incredible women who doubted their voices, questioning whether they were “qualified” to speak. They worried about being judged, making mistakes, or not having a story worth sharing. But through intentional practice (and only a few tears!), they learned to own their voice, step onto the stage, and inspire others.

If self-doubt has been keeping you silent, it’s time to challenge it. You don’t have to wait until you “feel ...

Crafting a great speech is one thing. Delivering it with confidence, presence, and impact is another. In last week’s article (find it HERE) we discussed the building blocks of a great speech. Today, we are going to talk about how to deliver that great speech with confidence, impact, and value!

You can have the most powerful message in the world, but if your delivery falls flat, your audience won’t connect with it the way you want them to. That is why delivery matters just as much as structure—how you say something is just as important as what you say.

The good news? Confident delivery is a skill you can learn. You don’t have to be born a great speaker; you just need to know how to use your voice, body, and energy to bring your message to life.

Let’s break down the essential elements of powerful speech delivery so that when you step on stage (or in front of any audience), you do it with confidence and impact.

Own the Stage with Presence

Before you even say a word, your energy sets ...

A great speech isn’t just a collection of words—it’s a carefully constructed message designed to inform, inspire, or persuade. Whether you’re speaking on a stage, leading a workshop, or pitching an idea, the building blocks of your speech are the same!

I want you to think of your speech like a house. Without a strong foundation, it crumbles and without a clear design, it confuses. But when built intentionally, with the right materials, it stands strong and leaves a lasting impact.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of crafting a speech, don’t worry—you already have everything you need to create a powerful message. You just need a structure that supports and amplifies your voice.

Today I am going to give you that structure! Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the key building blocks of a great speech.

1. The Hook: Grabbing Attention from the Start

Your opening is your first impression—it sets the tone and determines whether your audience will stay engaged or mentally ...

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built day by day, note by note, moment by moment, just like practicing a piece of music. 

As a clarinetist with over 30 years of performance experience, I’ve learned that preparing a solo for performance is no different than preparing a speech for performance. Both require preparation, patience, and, most importantly, a willingness to grow from every experience—no matter how uncomfortable or imperfect. That willingness also includes acknowledging our fears of failure and doing it anyway.

When I first started playing solos in 7th grade, I would get so nervous. My hands would shake (making it difficult to hold my instrument), my breathing would get out of sync, and I’d forget to exhale all the way, and I sometimes questioned whether I was good enough to perform. And then, every time I did it, I felt amazing and received applause and congratulations from the audience. Just like the client I mentioned in last week’s article, I spent way too much ...