In this Mic Drop Mindset episode on presentation skills, speaking coach Jenn coaches client Jamie Ryan.

Jamie shares her signature talk, “Swag to Swagger” (SWAG: Scientific Wild Ass Guess), using a Toyota Supra break-in metaphor and a COVID test company example to show how founders can overfocus on “cool tech” without proving differentiation and value. She advises doing competitor landscape analysis via patents, PitchBook/Crunchbase, and startup news, tracking findings in a spreadsheet, and validating whether buyers will pay for added cost/complexity.

Jenn praises Jamie’s storytelling, clear structure, memorable opening/closing, and strong time management, then offers coaching on clarifying “landscape analysis,” reducing filler words like “so,” and using purposeful stage movement.

Want a copy of the Speaker Feedback Form Jenn mentioned on this episode? Email her at jegoswam@bweightless.com

About Jamie Ryan:

Jamie Ryan spent nearly 15 years in Silicon Valley as an in vitro diagnostics innovator and technology scout, addressing the world’s most pressing problems. From creating tests for diseases from swine flu and COVID pandemics to drug-resistant “superbugs,” she learned the path from prototype to market is full of surprises. Evaluating 100+ medical device startups as a subject matter expert in strategic business development, mentoring, and pitch judging showed her that many of these “surprises” can be anticipated - and addressed - if you know where to look.

She started JL Ryan Consulting LLC to improve medical device startup success rates by identifying and addressing risks early, before costly pivots are needed.

Jamie offers advisory sessions and pitch reviews to MedTech startup founders, and speaks at accelerators, incubators, and industry conferences.

Visit Jamie at https://www.jlryanconsulting.com/

00:00 Welcome and Topic

00:14 Meet Jamie Ryan

01:44 Talk Title and Audience

02:58 Supra Story Hook

03:55 Cool Tech Cautionary Tale

05:23 Founder Action Steps

07:05 Coach Feedback Storytelling

08:26 Structure and Strong Ending

10:14 Timing and Clarity Notes

15:22 Stage Presence and Movement

16:56 Racetrack Focus Strategy

17:54 Final Thanks and Wrap

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com.

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Rehearse Like a $10,000 Speaker: The 7-Step Process for Confident, Professional Talks

The episode explains how to rehearse like a “$10,000 speaker,” emphasizing that rehearsal effort should be consistent whether a talk is paid or free because every stage builds reputation, from small unpaid events and podcasts to larger engagements.

Jenn discusses speaking fees as an ideal number and notes advice to avoid starting pricing conversations too early. On rehearsal frequency, she cites guidance ranging from at least 10 run-throughs to TED/TEDx’s often-quoted 100 practices, then shares her own approach:

Rehearse until you can clearly begin, end, and deliver the full middle.

Drawing from Heroic Public Speaking (Michael and Amy Port), she outlines a seven-step rehearsal process (including table read, content mapping, staging/blocking, improv and rewrite, plus several rounds of rehearsal), plus a modular talk structure that helps speakers stay on time and adapt when time is cut.

Resources mentioned:

Mic Drop Moments program (enrollment open through May 30) https://calendly.com/jennchat

Video on 7 step rehearsal process from Amy Port https://youtu.be/vuUXrqfMSxE?si=m3d1v8H5q0s-XZ4p

Join Jenn at her next event: https://linktr.ee/jennspingo

00:00 Rehearse Like a Pro

00:17 Reputation Over Fees

01:06 Small Stages Matter

02:05 Pricing Talk Timing

02:50 How Much Rehearsal

04:28 Mic Drop Program Invite

05:30 TED Talk Rehearsal Myth

07:08 No Magic Number

07:30 Heroic Seven Steps

10:12 Internalize and Modularize

12:13 Comfortable Shoes Mindset

12:54 Seven Steps Breakdown

14:43 Memorize Key Parts

15:27 Craft a 10K Experience

15:38 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com.

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Mic Drop Mindset introduces a new episode format featuring live, on-camera coaching, welcoming Dr. Theresa B. Skaar (Dr. T), a social psychologist and mindfulness-based workplace facilitator who helps high-stress, helping professionals reduce burnout and improve communication.

Dr. T delivers a brief talk on mindful listening, defining mindfulness as paying attention on purpose in the present moment, nonjudgmentally, and leads a simple breath practice plus an everyday-activity exercise (like handwashing) to build active attention before bringing it into conversations.

Jenn then coaches Dr. T on strengths and improvements, praising her growing comfort, relatability, clear references, humor, and vivid language, while suggesting she deepen standout moments, show rather than tell with physical demonstration, add pauses, and use space more intentionally to avoid rocking.

Resources mentioned:

Email me at jegoswam@bweightless.com for a copy of the Speaker Feedback form.

Want to experience your own Mic Drop Moments? Join us in our weekly rehearsal group from April through August. https://calendly.com/jennchat/mdm?back=1&month=2026-03

About Theresa:

Dr. Theresa B. Skaar, also known as Dr. T, is a social psychologist, mindfulness-based speaker, and workplace facilitator who helps organizations reduce burnout and improve communication at work.

With a PhD in social psychology and certification in Mind-Body Medicine, she brings research-backed tools into high-stress, real-world environments. Drawing from 35+ years across healthcare, corporate, and academia, she teaches practical strategies for mindful communication, self-awareness, and navigating grief, change, and emotionally charged conversations.

Known for her humor, warmth, and no-nonsense approach, Dr. T helps leaders and teams move from reactive to intentional. Audiences leave with tools they can use immediately to listen better, speak more clearly, and build healthier workplace cultures.

Based in Minnesota, she works with healthcare teams, associations, and mission-driven organizations across the country.

Website: https://ccwithdrt.com/

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me jenn@jennspingo.com.

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com