Step inside the world of presentations with professional speaker and bestselling author Rob Jolles as he hosts The Presentation Whisperer.
Through candid conversations with top professional speakers, seasoned trainers, and authors finding their voice, Rob uncovers the secrets behind powerful delivery. He’ll share trainer-tested techniques for holding a room’s attention for hours, or even days. And when a presentation isn’t hitting the mark, you’ll discover how to diagnose the problem and transform it into something that truly connects.
With a mix of expert interviews, real-time coaching, and Rob’s own four decades of battle-tested experience on stages and in training rooms around the world, The Presentation Whisperer goes beyond the surface to reveal what really makes a presentation resonate. Whether you’re a keynote speaker, a trainer, or simply someone with a message to share, you’ll walk away with practical tools and inspiring ideas to elevate your delivery.
Because every presentation matters.
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Step inside the world of presentations with professional speaker and bestselling author Rob Jolles as he hosts The Presentation Whisperer.
Through candid conversations with top professional speakers, seasoned trainers, and authors finding their voice, Rob uncovers the secrets behind powerful delivery. He’ll share trainer-tested techniques for holding a room’s attention for hours, or even days. And when a presentation isn’t hitting the mark, you’ll discover how to diagnose the problem and transform it into something that truly connects.
With a mix of expert interviews, real-time coaching, and Rob’s own four decades of battle-tested experience on stages and in training rooms around the world, The Presentation Whisperer goes beyond the surface to reveal what really makes a presentation resonate. Whether you’re a keynote speaker, a trainer, or simply someone with a message to share, you’ll walk away with practical tools and inspiring ideas to elevate your delivery.
Because every presentation matters.
Capturing attention is one thing; holding it is another. Today’s students are juggling demanding schedules, competing priorities, and digital distractions that never switch off. Simply knowing your topic isn’t enough; presenters must earn, sustain, and reinforce attention with intention.
Adjunct professor Lloyd Bruce sits down with Rob to discuss what speakers must understand about the modern student, and how to deliver in a way that makes the message land. Drawing from his work as a visionary business coach, professional speaker, and adjunct instructor known for dynamic, real-world engagement, Lloyd shares practical strategies for staying relevant, creating connection, and becoming the presenter students don't ignore.
High-pressure moments sometimes reveal us at our strongest, sometimes at our most rattled. Whether it’s stepping onto a stage or stepping into a fire stunt, fear has a way of testing focus, preparation, and presence.
Author, speaker, and former stuntman Brett Solomano sits down with Rob to unpack the surprising overlap between stunt performance and public speaking. With 15 years in film and TV as a stuntman, and a former Guinness World Record for a stunt he worked on, Brett shares how what appears dangerous is often the result of rehearsal, emotional awareness, and intentional control.
When was the last time someone complimented you after a presentation... and you actually accepted it? Most speakers deflect, downplay, or apologize, and without realizing it, weaken their credibility in the very moment they should be strengthening it.
In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, I’ll explore why saying “thank you” is one of the most overlooked presentation skills there is, and how accepting praise with grace demonstrates professionalism, confidence, and respect for the person offering it.
What separates a good speaker from a truly unforgettable one? Sure, there’s talent involved, but greatness is far more often earned than gifted. The difference lies in technique, discipline, and the ability to command a room with intentionality.
Author and Hall of Fame speaker Patricia Fripp sits down with Rob to explore how speakers evolve from delivering information to delivering impact. As a speaker and award-winning speechwriter, Patricia shares lessons from decades on stages around the world, revealing the habits, structures, and strategies that elevate presentations from memorable to masterful.
Most presenters assume that if they’re great in person, they’ll be great on camera — but virtual audiences play by different rules. What works on a stage doesn’t always translate through a lens, and the presenters who ignore that risk losing attention faster than they realize.
Magnetic on Video, CEO Shirlee Engel sits down with Rob to reveal what it really takes to become magnetic on video; not just confident, but compelling. With years of experience reporting live on national TV and helping entrepreneurs shine online, Shirlee breaks down the strategies that keep virtual audiences glued to the screen.
Every generation listens differently, and that means every presenter must learn to adjust. What resonates with Boomers may fall flat with Gen Z, and what motivates Millennials may completely miss with Gen X. The message may stay the same, but the delivery can’t.
Author Stephanie Muculasek sits down with Rob to explore how speakers can read generational cues, tailor their tone, and adapt their communication in real time. Drawing from her global experience as a diplomat, executive coach, and leadership trainer, Stephanie breaks down the patterns, preferences, and psychological drivers that shape how audiences of all ages respond.
There are moments in a speaking career when the assignment looks impossible; when the expectations are sky-high and the audience is expecting someone who isn’t you. Those are the moments that test not your confidence, but your resilience.
In this quick, six-minute Whisper Shot, I’ll share the story of the time I stepped in for a keynote speaker whose name carried just a little more weight than mine... former President Bill Clinton. What unfolded became one of the most challenging and defining moments of my career. Make sure you stick around for the ending of this one...
Technology has reshaped the way we communicate, sometimes helping us connect, sometimes getting in the way, and often changing the psychology of trust without us realizing it. Understanding what happens when a screen sits between you and your audience has become a new essential skill for every presenter and leader.
Author Peggy Kendall sits down with Rob to explore how digital communication affects trust, attention, engagement, and the way audiences receive messages. Drawing from her 25 years as a communication and leadership professor, Peggy breaks down the shifts she’s seen in both presenters and audiences, and the practical adjustments speakers must make to connect in a tech-driven world.
Not every story connects, and when it doesn’t, the audience can feel it immediately. But when a story lands with purpose, it can transform a message, a moment, and even a mission.
Former NFL player, Author, and Professional Speaker Marques Ogden sits down with Rob to explore how storytelling becomes a strategic tool for influence, alignment, and action. Drawing from his remarkable journey from the NFL to the keynote stage, Markus shares how the right story, told the right way, can elevate a presentation from average to unforgettable.
Some stories change lives, but only if they’re told in the right room, to the right audience. And sometimes the hardest part isn’t crafting the message… it’s learning how to elevate it beyond the place where it was born.
Author Craig Brown, sits down with Rob for a dynamic, live coaching session to uncover how a deeply personal, faith-based message can be transformed into a powerful corporate presentation. Together, they explore what resonates universally, what needs reframing, and how an authentic origin story can create national impact when shaped with intention and skill.
Worry has a way of pulling our minds straight into the negative, especially when we’re preparing to present. But what if you could interrupt that slide and retrain your brain to look in a different direction?
In this quick, eight-minute Whisper Shot, I’ll walk you through the simple, systematic process I use to stop worry before it takes over. You’ll hear how shifting your mindset toward the positive, with purpose, can reduce anxiety, restore confidence, and steady you before you step up to speak.
Fewer than 10% of professional speakers ever earn more than $10,000 a year. So what separates the top performers from everyone else? Is it talent, timing, or something far deeper?
Author and speaker Bob Reish sits down with Rob to explore what it really takes to break through in the speaking business. Drawing on over 17,500 hours on stage and three decades of coaching leaders, Bob shares the traits, choices, and commitments that consistently define the top 10%.
Some people insist you should calm your nerves before a big presentation, but what if nerves aren’t actually the problem? What if the issue is the word you’re using to describe how you feel?
In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, I’ll show you why I removed the word one simple, and overused word from my vocabulary years ago, and how replacing it with another simple word changed the way I prepare, perform, and handle pressure. You’ll hear how this shift can help you transform anxiety into focus and bring out your best when the stakes are high.
What do you do when your best opening story lands with a thud… when your “surefire” icebreaker melts before it hits the room? For many, panic can set in fast, but it doesn’t have to.
Author, and legendary professional speaker, Ben Gay III sits down with Rob to explore how to read a room, adjust on the fly, and revive a dead audience without losing confidence or composure. Drawing from over 50 years in professional selling and more than 5,000 speaking events, Ben shares techniques that keep presenters calm, connected, and in control, even when the audience’s energy tank hits empty.
Ever told yourself, “If I could just calm down, I’d do better”? You’re not alone, but you might be approaching that feeling the wrong way. What if the key to staying calm under pressure wasn’t about fighting your anxiety… but reframing it?
In this quick, five-minute Whisper Shot, I’ll reveal two simple words that can help you shift from anxious to assured in any high-stakes moment. You’ll hear how those words have helped my clients, my family, and me, perform with confidence when it matters most.
What separates a good presentation from one that lingers in your audience’s memory for years? Some talks soar, others stumble… and every presenter can learn from both.
Professional speaker Dana Klein sits down with Rob to explore The Great, The Bad, and the Ugly of presentations. With over three decades of experience on stages of all sizes, he shares insights on structure, story, style, and how being bold, original, and just a bit humorous can make a message unforgettable.
Some presenters work hard to please everyone and end up connecting with no one. But the speakers who truly stand out? They’re the ones who embrace a distinct style, even when it makes a few people uncomfortable.
Author Mark Parrott sits down with Rob to talk about the courage it takes to commit to your unique voice as a presenter. Drawing from decades in financial services and thousands of presentations to some of the toughest audiences, including Vistage groups, Mark shares how to value feedback without losing authenticity, and why staying true to your style is the key to lasting impact.
Ever stand in front of an audience and feel like you left your “A” game backstage? That sinking feeling can shake even the most seasoned presenters, but it’s not always your fault. Sometimes, the problem isn’t you at all.
In this quick, six-minute Whisper Shot, I’ll walk you through how to tell whether it’s you or your audience that’s having the off day, and what to do about it. You’ll learn how to test the energy in the room, read the signs correctly, and respond without losing your confidence or control.
Because every presentation matters.
When every word matters and the room is watching, how do you communicate with absolute impact? High-stakes presentations can define careers, shape decisions, and alter relationships in a single moment... and they demand more than just good slides and clear speech.
Author, professional speaker, and professor, Dr. Robert J. Petrausch sits down with Rob to unpack what separates high-stakes communication from the everyday kind. Drawing on experience as a U.S. Air Force Captain, Fortune 500 communications executive, and seasoned facilitator, he reveals how to prepare, perform, and stay poised when the pressure is on, and the outcome truly matters.
What if the real skill in presenting isn’t in what you say, but how you respond to the moment? In this episode, we explore how comedians master adaptability, using timing, energy, and audience awareness to transform even missteps into connection. Great presenters don’t just deliver; they adjust, and that’s where the magic happens.
Comedian and entrepreneur Kevin Hubschmann sits down with Rob to share how his world of stand-up, improv, and behavioral science blends into powerful lessons for any speaker or business professional. Together they unpack what it means to read the room, pivot on the fly, and stay present when things don’t go exactly as planned. Whether you’re on stage or in a meeting, this episode will help you build the kind of adaptability that wins audiences over every time.
Step inside the world of presentations with professional speaker and bestselling author Rob Jolles as he hosts The Presentation Whisperer.
Through candid conversations with top professional speakers, seasoned trainers, and authors finding their voice, Rob uncovers the secrets behind powerful delivery. He’ll share trainer-tested techniques for holding a room’s attention for hours, or even days. And when a presentation isn’t hitting the mark, you’ll discover how to diagnose the problem and transform it into something that truly connects.
With a mix of expert interviews, real-time coaching, and Rob’s own four decades of battle-tested experience on stages and in training rooms around the world, The Presentation Whisperer goes beyond the surface to reveal what really makes a presentation resonate. Whether you’re a keynote speaker, a trainer, or simply someone with a message to share, you’ll walk away with practical tools and inspiring ideas to elevate your delivery.
Because every presentation matters.
