Public speaking is no longer just for TEDx headliners or CEOs on giant stages. Whether you're pitching to clients, speaking at industry events, or simply leading a team meeting, how you communicate can determine how your business is perceived. In this episode, Carmen Sederino, founder of Illuminated Story, reveals how small and medium business owners can turn public speaking from a fear into a business growth weapon.

Carmen shares how even the shyest business leaders can learn to deliver powerful, memorable messages—from one-on-one conversations to major keynotes. You'll hear practical, real-world tips for overcoming anxiety, shifting your mindset, and presenting in a way that creates real connection with your audience. This episode is packed with tools to help you stop hiding and start showing up with confidence and clarity.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why public speaking is one of the most powerful marketing tools for small businesses
• How to overcome fear and anxiety before speaking
• Practical breathing and mindset techniques to calm your nerves
• The biggest mistakes people make when using PowerPoint (and how to fix them)
• How to transform any speaking opportunity into new business leads

Whether you’re an introverted expert, a numbers-driven accountant, or a passionate founder with a mission, this episode will show you how to bring your message to life—and why your audience needs to hear it.

Carmen Sederino is the founder and visionary behind Illuminated Story, a revolutionary approach to transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a unique blend of theatrical artistry, business acumen, and communication expertise, Carmen has established herself as the premier strategist for leaders seeking to elevate their public speaking from mere words to lasting impact. Drawing from her background in theatre and two decades of experience in corporate business, Carmen crafts bespoke experiences that push the boundaries of traditional keynote presentations. Carmen's work architects moments that move markets, shape opinions, and catalyse change. For those who understand that true leadership is about more than just being heard—it's about being unforgettable—Carmen Sederino and Illuminated Story offer the ultimate pathway to commanding the spotlight and leaving a lasting legacy.

www.illuminatedstory.com

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In an era flooded with AI-generated content and marketing noise, how do small and medium-sized businesses truly stand out? This episode delivers a fresh, deeply human perspective on how to use AI—not just to produce more content, but to create authentic connections and lasting customer loyalty. If you're overwhelmed by automation tools or worried about blending into a sea of sameness, this conversation with marketing veteran Stephen Sakach will help reframe your strategy.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why building purpose into your marketing is essential to long-term success
• How to use AI to scale empathy, not just efficiency
• The difference between noise and meaningful content—and how to avoid the former
• Why customers today are more emotionally savvy—and how you can genuinely connect with them
• How to create systems that "build love into scalable systems" and drive both profit and purpose

Stephen also shares how his platform, aiCMO, helps business owners articulate their mission and create emotionally resonant campaigns that differentiate them from the competition. If you want marketing that speaks to your audience—not at them—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Stephen Sakach, co-founder of aiCMO and Founder/CEO of Zero Company, is a pioneer in empathetic AI and marketing with three decades of experience in digital media, journalism, and human consciousness studies. Committed to embedding empathy into business, he created the B.L.I.S.S. (Build Love Into Scalable Systems) ethos to help organizations scale with compassion. As host of the BLISS Business Podcast, he transforms research and insights into actionable strategies, while leading aiCMO to help organizations create authentic, purpose-driven connections with their audiences.

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theblisspodcast.com

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If you’ve ever been frustrated by a team member, confused by a client’s behaviour, or struggled to influence outcomes in your business—this episode is for you. Host Paul Sweeney welcomes experts Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin to explore the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and how small and medium-sized business owners can use it to become more effective communicators, leaders, and decision-makers.

In this engaging and practical conversation, Josh and Greg demystify NLP—explaining it not as a manipulation tool, but as a science-backed, real-world framework for better understanding yourself and others. You’ll learn how to uncover what truly drives people (including your employees, clients, and even yourself), why our internal “maps of reality” often lead to misunderstanding, and how to use specific mindset shifts and tools to build stronger, more aligned relationships.

Listeners will walk away with:

• A practical understanding of NLP and its benefits in everyday business
• Insight into how to “read the room” and tailor communication for real impact
• Strategies for influencing without manipulation
• A shift from frustration to curiosity in dealing with people problems
• Simple steps to start using NLP in your leadership and communication today

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is a powerful introduction to transforming your relationships and results—starting from within.

Get the book here: The Difference That Makes the Difference: NLP and the Science of Positive Change

Josh Davis, PHD is an internationally bestselling author of Two Awesome Hours and certified Trainer and Master Practitioner of NLP. He is the founder and director of the Science-Based Leadership Institute. He earned his PhD in psychology and neuroscience at Columbia University.

Greg Prosmushkin is a highly successful trial lawyer and entrepreneur with a diverse range of business ventures. His discovery and use of NLP have been key factors in his success.

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