Episodes

“To script or not to script?” Do you ever ask yourself this question as you prepare for a Crazy Good Talk®? In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest helps you decide which approach to take for your next speaking engagement –– and why (hint: It’s all about keeping your audience’s attention!). She also dispels the myth that scripting leads to sounding unnatural, and she shares her go-to method for memorizing long presentations. Deirdre discusses: Why scripting is the key to being 100% you in front of yo...

Have you ever had tons of people register for your event, but then, only a few people actually show up? It’s frustrating. Especially when you’ve prepared a Crazy Good Talk®. Help is here! Whether you’re an advisor, thought leader, or executive, this episode is for you. Deirdre Van Nest talks with Brad Swineheart, senior vice president of business development at WhiteGlove. As an expert in marketing, Brad shares five strategic ways that will increase your event attendance to ultimately get you mo...

Did you know that breathing is a secret weapon for decreasing anxiety and increasing your effectiveness as a presenter? In fact, when used daily, this secret weapon will give you more peace of mind and help you be more successful in all areas of your life. In this episode of the Crazy Good Talks® Podcast, Deirdre Van Nest sits down with Jesse Tordsen, owner of Steady Path Healing. As an expert in breathwork, he shares how to use your breath during speaking events and daily life activities. Stay ...

Contrary to popular belief, one of the ways even the best presentations can be derailed is by closing with a Q and A session. If you are presenting like this, it is absolutely time to make a change! In this episode of the Crazy Good Talks® Podcast, Deirdre Van Nest shares why it’s a mistake to close your presentation with a Q and A session, and how to keep the audience interested until the very end of your presentation. You will learn: How you should be ending your presentations so that you and...

What if you could become one of the best professional keynote speakers in the entire world? What would that journey look like, and how would you want to be remembered? In this episode of the Crazy Good Talks® Podcast, Deirdre Van Nest sits down with Craig Valentine, MBA, an award-winning professional speaker, and speech coach. Join Deirdre and Craig as they divulge their key tips to mastering your skills and how they became World-Class “Crazy Good” Speakers. You will learn: How Craig turned adv...

Your ability to build trust and emotional connection may not be as easy to quantify, but research shows, to the consumer, these qualities are MORE important than competency. In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre sits down with Joey Davenport, International speaker and president of Hoopis Performance Network. Joey and Deirdre share the top four traits consumers look for in a professional, and pinpoint the blind spot of trust, outlining ways experts can become more approachable. In this ep...

Creating a real connection with your audience through a “Why Story” is like adding lighter fluid to your presentations, conversations and marketing tactics. In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre delves into more detail on Why Stories. You will learn why this type of storytelling is so powerful and how to communicate your story to connect on a deeper level with your audience. In this episode you will learn: How adding Deirdre’s Why Story to her speeches skyrocketed her career The key is ...

Did you know that human brains are ideally set up to understand and learn from a story? In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre will go over three types of stories every business professional MUST have in their tool kit. You’ll learn that stories are an extension of your sales and relationship building team, how they can help you connect on a deeper level with your audience, and how to determine the story type that best fits your purpose. In this episode you will learn: What three types o...

One of the biggest challenges a presenter has is grabbing the attention of your audience from the first words out of your mouth. In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre will teach you how to inspire your audience and hook them at the beginning of every presentation both virtually and in person. In this episode you will learn: Why you should skip the “unpleasant pleasantries” in your opening Techniques to open your next presentation with a bang Deirdre’s three go-to-ways to open a presenta...

Are you treating your presentations like any other meeting? You may not realize the work you need to put in before you step on stage. In this episode of Crazy Good Talks® Deirdre Van Nest, discusses how to discipline yourself and put the audience’s needs before your own. Deirdre explains ways you can empower yourself and control your energy, to give a powerful presentation with actionable steps and strategies you can use both virtually & In person In this episode you will learn: How to manage y...

In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, you will get to know Deirdre Van Nest. Why is this important? Deirdre believes if you are going to follow her advice you need to feel confident she knows her stuff! Deirdre is passionate about helping and mentoring people to success, she has powered through her own challenges and shares a few of those in this episode In this episode you will learn: What life events led Deirdre to leaving the stage for 24 years How she created a successful speaking business ...

Welcome to Crazy Good Talks® podcast! In this debut episode of Crazy Good Talks®, top-rated international keynoter and trainer, Deirdre Van Nest discusses her approach to improving your speaking skills, so you can stand out and own the room every time you speak. Deirdre, highlights a couple of success stories and how she helped others become Crazy Good Speakers In this episode you will learn: What it means to be a Crazy Good Speaker and why it’s so important How structure, content and delivery ...