It’s not unusual for me to have to host an awards gala when dinner is being plated. If you’ve taken the mic at such an event, you might know that this is often not even the biggest challenge when it comes to winning over an audience.

It’s not unusual for me to have to host an awards gala when dinner is being plated. If you’ve taken the mic at such an event, you might know that this is often not even the biggest challenge when it comes to winning over an audience.
Nowadays, when people look at that timeless picture of an ambiguous (old woman? young woman?), they see only one woman and it’s impossible to persuade them that a second woman exists. This, I’m afraid, represents the death of persuasion and, unfortunately, the end of humankind.
Since re-certifying in Standard First Aid/CPR last November and upgrading to begin my pathway to become a bona fide Instructor with The Canadian Red Cross, I’ve already put my “First-Aider” knowledge to work in TWO emergency situations! They weren’t in response to the ultimate disaster- a nuclear war- but it’s a start.
Continue reading “If Sh*t Goes Down, And I Survive, I Can Help”
When I performed years ago in Los Angeles at CBS Television City, one of the most memorable moments of the experience for me was being within arm’s length of the big wheel from the “Price Is Right”! To get to the stage where I was going to be performing stand-up comedy, we had to walk past the backstage area where they stored TPIR sets and games. I was about to be entertaining a live U.S. audience of millions and I was more intrigued by the whereabouts of the “Plinko” board.
You may not have the same fascination with game shows as I, but you absolutely have an “Inner Game Show Host” and it’s something that you shouldn’t ignore.
I’m sure you’ve attended Town Halls, or conferences where the panels, or “fireside chats”, are flat (or worse, cringe-worthy). But, even in instances where they are reasonably tolerable, I believe this is a HUGE missed opportunity for organizers. Having a professional moderator, or Host, can elevate these communications opportunities from beyond informative to inspiring. Continue reading “Painful Panels”