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Book Fearless Speaking

    Book Details:
  • Author : Gary Genard
  • Publisher : Cedar & Maitland Press
  • Release : 2014-06-10
  • ISBN : 9780979631405
  • Pages : 252 pages

Download or read book Fearless Speaking written by Gary Genard and published by Cedar & Maitland Press. This book was released on 2014-06-10 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If fear of public speaking is undermining your success, Fearless Speaking can change your life. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Gary Genard shares his proven method for transforming your self-doubt into confidence. His easy-to-use system will help you escape the negative thinking, physical symptoms, and avoidance behavior that are holding you back. This step-by-step, personalized approach features 50 exercises that will dramatically boost your comfort level and skill in as little as 12 days. From business presentations to contributing at meetings to persuasive speaking to wedding toasts, Fearless Speaking will help you put your anxiety into perspective, turn harmful self-talk into positive thinking, and acquire the skills to become a more dynamic speaker. You'll find techniques to dramatically reduce the physical and emotional aspects of stage fright while boosting your focus and presence. Actor and speech coach Dr. Genard shows you how to grow your confidence quickly with The Fearless Speaking System, a performance-based approach that has helped thousands worldwide. You'll learn how to understand your personal fears while discovering ways to create your own success. If you've been avoiding speaking opportunities, if you dread delivering speeches, or if you have a make-or-break presentation coming up, this is the book for you. It's a self-directed course for eliminating speaking fear forever that you can learn quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Dr. Genard's exercises, many of them directly from the world of the theater, help people from all walks of life deal with issues like establishing rapport with an audience, pacing your presentations, moving and activating listeners, and other critical challenges. Don't let fear of public speaking limit your success any longer. Read the book, practice the exercises . . . and start enjoying public speaking!

Book The Art of Fearless Speaking

Download or read book The Art of Fearless Speaking written by Miller James and published by . This book was released on 2023-11-02 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding the Impact of Fear on Public Speaking ConfidenceFear is a powerful emotion that can have a significant impact on our lives. It can hold us back from pursuing our dreams, hinder our ability to communicate effectively, and diminish our self-confidence. When it comes to public speaking, fear plays a particularly influential role in determining our level of confidence on stage. Public speaking is a common fear shared by many individuals, regardless of their background or profession. The mere thought of standing in front of an audience can trigger feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of judgment. These emotions can manifest in physical symptoms such as sweaty palms, a racing heart, or even a shaky voice. Understanding the impact of fear on public speaking confidence is crucial for anyone seeking to conquer this fear and develop their self-confidence. By recognizing the underlying causes of this fear, we can begin to address them head-on and build the necessary skills to become fearless speakers. One of the primary reasons fear affects public speaking confidence is the fear of failure or making mistakes. We worry about stumbling over our words, forgetting what we wanted to say, or facing difficult questions from the audience. This fear of failure can create a vicious cycle, where our anxiety increases, leading to a further decline in confidence. Another factor that contributes to fear is the fear of judgment or criticism. We worry about what others will think of us, whether they will find our ideas interesting or valuable. This fear of judgment can cause us to doubt our abilities and undermine our self-confidence. To overcome these fears and boost public speaking confidence, it is essential to adopt a growth mindset. Instead of viewing public speaking as a test of our abilities, we should see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. By reframing our mindset, we can approach each speaking engagement with curiosity and a willingness to improve. Additionally, preparation and practice are key to building confidence. By thoroughly preparing our content and rehearsing our delivery, we can reduce anxiety and increase our sense of control. The more we practice, the more comfortable and confident we become in our ability to deliver a compelling presentation.

Book Fearless Speech

Download or read book Fearless Speech written by Michel Foucault and published by Semiotext(e). This book was released on 2001 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lectures given as part of Foucault's seminar on Discourse and truth, at the University of California at Berkeley, 1983. The seminar was devoted to the study of the Greek notion of 'parrhesia' or 'frankness in speaking the truth'

Book Brag Better

    Book Details:
  • Author : Meredith Fineman
  • Publisher : National Geographic Books
  • Release : 2020-06-16
  • ISBN : 0593086813
  • Pages : 0 pages

Download or read book Brag Better written by Meredith Fineman and published by National Geographic Books. This book was released on 2020-06-16 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This effortless and unapologetic approach to self-promotion will manage your anxiety and allow you to champion yourself. Does talking about your accomplishments feel scary or icky because you're worried people will think you're "obnoxious"? Does it feel more natural to "put your head down and do the work"? Are you tired of watching the loudest people in your industry get disproportionate praise and rewards? If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you might be self-sabotaging. You need to learn to Brag Better. Meredith Fineman has built a career working with "The Qualified Quiet": smart people who struggle to talk about themselves and thus go underestimated or unrecognized. Now, she shares the surefire and anxiety-proof strategies that have helped her clients effectively communicate their achievements and skillsets to others. Bragging Better doesn't require false bravado, talking over people, or pretending to be more qualified than you are. Instead, Fineman advocates finding quiet confidence in your opinions, abilities, and background, and then turning up the volume. In this book, you will learn the career-changing tools she's developed over the past decade that make bragging feel easy, including: Get remembered by focusing your personal brand and voice on key adjectives (like "effective, subtle, and edgy") Practice explaining what you do in simple, sticky terms to earn respect and recognition from the public and people at work. Eliminate words that undermine your work and find better ones--like your bio saying you're "trying" or "attempting" to do something instead that you ARE doing it. If you're ready to begin Bragging Better--to telling the truth about your accomplishments with grace and confidence--this book is for you.

Book The Natural Speaker

    Book Details:
  • Author : Yael Eylat-Tanaka
  • Publisher : Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Release : 2016-02-19
  • ISBN : 9781530133840
  • Pages : 50 pages

Download or read book The Natural Speaker written by Yael Eylat-Tanaka and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2016-02-19 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Public speaking is one of the most dreaded activities one experiences. According to psychologists, it rests just below death on the anxiety scale! But why? What is it about public speaking that provokes such angst? Even though we are hard-wired as humans to fear (our reptilian brain), fear of public speaking is irrational! There is no danger to our lives. We will not die, yet we react as if we would. After years of withdrawing into shyness and isolation, the author overcame her own fear by facing it square on, and in the process has discovered the steps that brought her from a fearful to fearless and confident public speaker. Now you, too, can learn the tips and techniques that are so valuable, not only with public speaking, but with life itself.

Book Fearless Speaking

Download or read book Fearless Speaking written by David Oyibo and published by BookRix. This book was released on 2021-02-27 with total page 31 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: You don't need to read or study volumes of textbooks on public speaking to begin your public speaking journey, and of course nobody wants to. You don't need a 400 page piece of literature to understand the skills to become proficient in speaking. If you are looking at this title, it means you want to jumpstart your public speaking immediately, to know the proven tools that will aid you become excellent in the art. This is why this bite sized approach to the greatest phobia that frustrates more than half of the world's population was created. You can call it "The Super Short Guide to Great Speaking", because that's what it is, a straight to the point no nonsense guide on delivering powerful presentations. In this book, you discover how to use the fear of audiences to your advantage, to stop running from and begin running to audiences. In this 40 page ebook, you'll learn: 1. How to Master Fright 2. How to Conquer Fear and 10x Your Speaking Skills 3. The Art of Crafting your Introduction 4. How to Get Your Meat 5. The Laws of Speaking 6. The Lifeblood of the Speaker 7. En Theos: God Within 8. How to Memorize Your Presentation 9. How to Up Your Diction Explore the 9 Secrets that will revolutionise your speaking. Hop on aboard and change your life.

Book 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking

Download or read book 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking written by Lilyan Wilder and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1999-04-26 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Lilyan Wilder has trained more broadcasters, politicians, and business executives than anybody." - Charles Osgood, Anchor, CBS News Sunday Morning. When people say they'd rather die than address an audience, they're not kidding. Fear of public speaking has even topped death in some surveys. But now top communications consultant Lilyan Wilder offers some sound advice on how to overcome the crippling inhibition of public speaking. Her clients have included media icons Oprah Winfrey and Charlie Rose, former President George Bush, John Sculley, and Katharine Graham. 7 Steps to Fearless Speaking will teach you how to cope with the panic, avoidance, and trauma of speaking as you give the gift of your conviction and experience your voice for the first time. "Lilyan Wilder is the industry's undisputed grand dame of broadcast coaching." -The New York Times. "Lilyan Wilder understands how to make the essential connection between a speaker and an audience. In this book, she tells you how to do it as she has told so well to so many famous communicators." -Charlie Rose. "7 Steps to Fearless Speaking has helped me to speak with persuasion and conviction....Follow Wilder's sage counsel, and you'll find your public speaking much improved and more rewarding." -Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman and CEO, Bell Atlantic. "Lilyan Wilder is simply the best. I continue to use many of her exercises on a daily basis. They're wonderful." -Dr. Bob Arnot, Chief Medical Correspondent, NBC News. "Lilyan Wilder is simply awesome, personally and professionally." -Maria Shriver, Correspondent, NBC News.

Book Be Fearless

    Book Details:
  • Author : Jean Case
  • Publisher : Simon & Schuster
  • Release : 2020-01-21
  • ISBN : 1501196359
  • Pages : 288 pages

Download or read book Be Fearless written by Jean Case and published by Simon & Schuster. This book was released on 2020-01-21 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Be Fearless is researched-based call to action for those seeking to live extraordinary lives and bring about transformational change. LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER * NATIONAL BESTSELLER Weaving together storytelling, practical tips and inspiration, the book will teach you how to put the five fearless principles to work so that you too can spark the sorts of remarkable breakthroughs that can impact the world. Philanthropist, investor, and technology pioneer Jean Case brings to life the five Be Fearless principles common to the people and organizations that bring about transformational change. When National Geographic Chairman Jean Case set out to investigate the core qualities of great change makers, past and present, from inventors to revolutionaries, she found five surprising traits they all had in common. These weren’t wealth, privilege, or even genius. What all of these exceptional men and women shared was that they had chosen to make a “big bet,” take bold risks, learn from their failures, reach beyond their bubbles, and let urgency conquer fear. Throughout Be Fearless, Jean vividly illustrates these principles through storytelling—from her own transformational life experiences, to Jane Goodall’s remarkable breakthroughs in understanding and protecting chimpanzees, to celebrity chef José Andrés’ decision to be a “first responder” and take his kitchen to the sites of devastating hurricanes to feed the hungry, to Madame C.J. Walker’s vision to build a hair care empire that would employ thousands across the country, and more. She shares new insights to stories you might think you know—like Airbnb’s tale of starting from scratch to transform the hospitality industry, to John F. Kennedy’s history-making moonshot—and gems from changemakers you’ve never heard of. Be Fearless features a compelling foreword from Jane Goodall saying “there is no time in history when it has been more important to Be Fearless” and a new afterword with stories of people inspired to take action after reading the book.

Book Fearless Public Speaking

Download or read book Fearless Public Speaking written by Patrick King and published by PublishDrive. This book was released on 2019-08-29 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Does public speaking paralyze you and tie your stomach into knots? Want to get a standing ovation every time? What goes into a dazzling opening and closing? Does the prospect of facing embarrassing judgment make your palms sweat? Or do you want to learn how to absolutely own the stage and become a magnetic speaker? Public speaking and presenting is one of the most common phobias -- and it’s completely understandable. When else in our lives are we so open and vulnerable? But it’s a necessary evil in all aspects of our lives, whether professionally and personally. From making a presentation in the boardroom to being more confident with the opposite sex, your speaking skills will take you to the next level and get what exactly what you want in your life. Fearless Public Speaking is the rare book that will (1) help you destroy your anxiety so you can confidently take any stage, and (2) once you’re up there, be unforgettable and captivating as a speaker. The tenets in this book come from studying the experiences of the best presenters in the world, from CEOs, standup comics, to actors, and more. Jason Bax, noted actor, speaker, and entrepreneur, lends his thoughts in a guest chapter. And me? I'm a social skills and charisma coach, speaker, and semi-professional musician who thrives in front of the crowd... but I wasn't always like this - I know your struggles and I can help you from point A to point B! How will you learn to captivate audiences? •Why knowing where your audience gets their news is key to your memorability. •How to construct a bulletproof opening and closing. •How to make sure you reach any audience emotionally. •Overcoming stage fright and jitters with mental rehearsal techniques. As well as... •What rehearsed spontaneity is and how it makes your audience connect. •Stage presence techniques of the masters of performance like Freddie Mercury. •How standup comics own the stage and win over hostile crowds. •What a memory palace is and how it will help you memorize your speech. Put the audience in the palm of your hand, starting now! •Feel confident and empowered in taking the stage anywhere, anytime. •Speak your way to better jobs and relationships with each mini-presentation. •Build a reputation as an effective and engaging speaker. •Learn to overcome judgment and build self-confidence. •Own the room, audience, and applause.

Book Fearless Social Confidence

Download or read book Fearless Social Confidence written by Patrick King and published by PublishDrive. This book was released on 2019-08-16 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Change the inner voice that tells you ”they’ll think you’re dumb”, or ”I’m not good enough”. Stop letting fear run your life. Fear of: judgment, rejection, laughter, awkward silence, feeling silly, saying the wrong thing, or making a bad impression. Is this always what you’re fixated on? Control your thoughts, be respected and heard, and stop caring what others think. Fearless Social Confidence gives you more than victory over shyness – it gives you social invincibility and forever eliminates the feeling that you’re just not good enough. This is a unique book that takes a deeper look into social confidence: what causes it, what drains it, and most importantly – what you can do about it. It recognizes how confidence is built, and takes you step by step through the various mindset changes and action items. You'll walk away knowing exactly what to do to help yourself. Learn to feel comfortable in any situation and ignore self-consciousness. Patrick King is an internationally bestselling author and social skills coach. His writing draws of a variety of sources, from scientific research, academic experience, coaching, and real life experience. He is also a former social recluse who has gotten from point A to point B, and intimately understands the struggle you are facing. Clinical psychologist and the US's leading social confidence authority Dr. Aziz Gazipura lends his thoughts in an insightful chapter on transformation. Speak and live freely without constant negative thoughts. •How to banish negative self-talk and other toxic habits. •The art of self-acceptance and correcting skewed thoughts. •A detailed plan on exactly what to do and how to start your change. •Core techniques used in therapy and psychology to overcome fear. •Understand the relationship between confidence, action, and thoughts. Take your shields down and allow people to see the real you.

Book Women in Art

Download or read book Women in Art written by Rachel Ignotofsky and published by Ten Speed Press. This book was released on 2019-09-10 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of charmingly illustrated and inspiring profiles of fifty pioneering female artists, from the eleventh century to today—by the New York Times bestselling author of Women in Science “A beautifully illustrated, fact-filled breath of fresh air! Countless women have been left out of art history, but thanks to gorgeous books like this, future generations will begin to know their stories.”—Danielle Krysa, founder of The Jealous Curator Women make masterpieces! Through fifty fascinating profiles, Women in Art highlights the achievements and stories of fifty notable women in the arts—from well-known figures like painters Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keefe, to lesser-known names like nineteenth-century African American quilter Harriet Powers and Hopi-Tewa ceramic artist Nampeyo. Covering a wide array of artistic mediums, Women in Art also contains infographics about artistic movements throughout history, statistics about women’s representation in museums, and notable works by women. This fascinating book celebrates the success of the bold female creators who inspired the world and paved the way for the next generation of artists.

Book Fearless Fluency

    Book Details:
  • Author : Julian Northbrook
  • Publisher :
  • Release : 2019-07-23
  • ISBN : 9781082153181
  • Pages : 137 pages

Download or read book Fearless Fluency written by Julian Northbrook and published by . This book was released on 2019-07-23 with total page 137 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you speak English confidently? Or are you paralysed by fear? It's hard enough to learn English. But when you're not confident? It's even harder. This book will take you through the confident English speaking mindset and will show you how to speak with confidence next time (and every time) you speak English. I was never confident... When I was younger I was shy and not confident in front of people. And this held me back and made improving my second language hard. I never took the opportunities I had to really use my Japanese... because I was afraid. Fearless Fluency will show you how to speak English confidently and fluently Yes, I've been there. And this is why I know you CAN overcome your fear of speaking English if you want to. If you want to speak English confidently and be more confident in your everyday life, it's likely you're going to need to make changes to the way that you think and behave. But pay attention, apply the lessons I share, and your confidence will grow. Here's just some of what you'll learn Why some people succeed in English, and others fail (make your YOU succeed). what confidence REALLY is (hint: it's probably not what you think, and this is making it hard for you to overcome your fear). A lesson from the film Jurassic World that could help you speak confident English (and be happier in life in general). How to stand out as confident in English, and gain the respect of everyone around you. The "Three Fears" of speaking English as a second language (and how to overcome them easily, by yourself). The evolutionary reason you feel nervous and afraid when you have to speak English (and the shocking truth about human beings... but just knowing this is enough to break the bad habit). How the most famous, successful people in the world became successful... and how you can (and should) copy what they did with your English. The true meaning of "failure" that you won't find in any dictionary. The unconventional secret to doing any interview confidently in English. How to eliminate embarrassment from your life quickly and easily. A lesson from one of the world's most successful beer brands that you can (and should) apply to everything you do. One simple habit that has nothing to do with speaking English... BUT can help you to be much more confident in English. WHo is Julian? Julian Northbrook is an unconventional punk of the business English learning world. A leading expert in English education and direct response marketing, he's fully equipped to drag you kicking and screaming from English-mediocracy to speaking at an outstanding level. After being turned down for his dream job in the art industry, Julian suffered three long years as a crap Japanese speaker. He understands exactly what it's like to feel like a total idiot every time you speak. But Julian overcame his language problems, mastered the language, and went on to work first as a freelance translator, then as an executive member of a Japanese company. But he soon grew sick of the corporate world and left to do something more satisfying - teaching people how to speak English at an extraordinary level.

Book Hello  Fears

    Book Details:
  • Author : Michelle Poler
  • Publisher : Sourcebooks, Inc.
  • Release : 2020-05-05
  • ISBN : 1492688908
  • Pages : 186 pages

Download or read book Hello Fears written by Michelle Poler and published by Sourcebooks, Inc.. This book was released on 2020-05-05 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Are you ready to break free from the grip of fear and embark on a journey of personal growth and empowerment? For readers of motivational books like Daring Greatly and Girl, Wash Your Face, this growth mindset personal development book from acclaimed speaker and influencer, Michelle Poler, will help you push out of your comfort zone and find authentic happiness. With a captivating blend of vulnerability, humor, and actionable insights, Michelle shares her story of conquering 100 fears in 100 days and provides a roadmap to help you navigate the uncharted territories of your fears. From public speaking and taking risks to facing rejection and embracing vulnerability, Hello, Fears equips you with the tools and mindset needed to set life-changing goals, embrace courage, and live a life without limits. Learn how to identify and understand your fears, uncovering their root causes Discover proven techniques to step out of your comfort zone and face challenges with confidence Overcome the fear of failure and transform setbacks into stepping stones for success Embrace vulnerability and build authentic connections in your personal and professional life Cultivate resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty and change Develop a growth mindset and harness fear as a catalyst for personal growth Whether you're struggling with fear in your career, relationships, or personal aspirations, Hello, Fears provides the guidance and motivation you need to break free and live a life driven by courage, resilience, and purpose. Embrace the transformative power of fear and unlock your true potential today!

Book Unleash Your Voice

Download or read book Unleash Your Voice written by Lavinia Thanapathy and published by Partridge Publishing Singapore. This book was released on 2019-03-25 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When women show up, unleash their voices, and share their wisdom, we make a better world. It’s more diverse and inclusive and better decisions are made. Your voice is powerful and it is time to unleash it. Expressing your ideas accelerates your career. Speaking onstage spreads your reach and impact. You may simply want to speak more effectively in a meeting or with more impact at a business conference. You may wish to be a powerful professional speaker or even speak at TED. However high you aim, this book is for you. Written by women for women, this practical guide distills thousands of hours of experience and our best tips for public speaking into three sections, each relevant for different stages of your speaking journey. You’ll learn about crafting your talk, what you need to do to get to the stage, and what it takes to go pro as a speaker. Use this book to take your career and voice to the next level. Lavinia Thanapathy, Joanne Flinn, Margie Warrell, Cynthia Zhai, Drs. Joyce Carols, Anjali Sharma, Siân Brown, Marian Bacol- Uba, Andrea Edwards, Mette Johansson, Natalie Turner, Lauren Sorkin, Su-Yen Wong, Sonja Piontek, Karen Leong, Dr. Indigo Triplett “Sisters, when this book falls into your hands, know that it’s time to take your place onstage, to lead, to unleash your voice.” Fredrik Härén, the Global Keynote Speaker #UnleashYourVoice

Book The Art of Public Speaking

Download or read book The Art of Public Speaking written by Dale Carnagey and published by Strelbytskyy Multimedia Publishing. This book was released on 2021-02-09 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The best way to become a confident, effective public speaker, according to the authors of this landmark book, is simply to do it. Practice, practice, practice. And while you're at it, assume the positive. Have something to say. Forget the self. Cast out fear. Be absorbed by your subject. And most importantly, expect success. "If you believe you will fail," they write, "there is hope for you. You will." DALE CARNEGIE, a pioneer in public speaking and personality development, gained fame by teaching others how to become successful. His book How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold more than 10 million copies.

Book Fearless Public Speaking

Download or read book Fearless Public Speaking written by Marie Ford and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-02-05 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unlock the power within you to become a confident and captivating speaker with "Fearless Public Speaking." In this transformative guide, embark on a journey from anxiety to mastery, where every page is a stepping stone toward fearless and impactful communication. Discover practical strategies to understand and overcome the roots of public speaking anxiety. Embrace mindset mastery, crafting a growth-oriented approach that turns challenges into opportunities. Learn the art of preparation, from organizing compelling content to mastering the nuances of effective storytelling. Navigate the intricacies of connecting with your audience, establishing authenticity, and adapting to diverse crowds. Harness nervous energy as a dynamic force that elevates your performance, and master the use of technology and visual aids to enhance your message without overshadowing it. As you progress through each chapter, gain insights from real-world experiences, expert tips, and actionable exercises that empower you to not only face challenges and mistakes but to thrive on them. This guide doesn't just teach public speaking; it transforms it into a fearless and empowering skill that you can wield with confidence. Whether you're a novice seeking to overcome stage fright or a seasoned speaker aiming to refine your craft, "Fearless Public Speaking" is your comprehensive companion. Embrace the journey, cultivate resilience, and let your voice resonate with authenticity and impact. Your audience awaits your fearless and captivating presence-let this book be your guide to unlocking your full speaking potential.

Book I Have Something to Say

Download or read book I Have Something to Say written by John Bowe and published by Random House. This book was released on 2020-08-11 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A veteran journalist discovers an ancient system of speech techniques for overcoming the fear of public speaking—and reveals how they can profoundly change our lives. In 2010, award-winning journalist John Bowe learned that his cousin Bill, a longtime extreme recluse living in his parents’ basement, had, at the age of fifty-nine, overcome a lifetime of shyness and isolation—and gotten happily married. Bill credited his turnaround to Toastmasters, the world's largest organization devoted to teaching the art of public speaking. Fascinated by the possibility that speech training could foster the kind of psychological well-being more commonly sought through psychiatric treatment, and intrigued by the notion that words can serve as medicine, Bowe set out to discover the origins of speech training—and to learn for himself how to speak better in public. From the birth of democracy in Ancient Greece until two centuries ago, education meant, in addition to reading and writing, years of learning specific, easily taught language techniques for interacting with others. Nowadays, absent such education, the average American speaks 16,000 to 20,000 words every day, but 74 percent of us suffer from speech anxiety. As he joins Toastmasters and learns, step-by-step, to successfully overcome his own speech anxiety, Bowe muses upon our record levels of loneliness, social isolation, and political divisiveness. What would it mean for Americans to learn once again the simple art of talking to one another? Bowe shows that learning to speak in public means more than giving a decent speech without nervousness (or a total meltdown). Learning to connect with others bestows upon us an enhanced sense of freedom, power, and belonging.