Leaning Forward (Andrew Thorp)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Leaning Forward
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 Feb 2022 | A 'before and after' exercise for one of your stories | 00:18:21 | |
What does it actually mean to 'tell a better story'? In this episode we answer this very question with an exercise - the transformation of a bare framework of a story into something more gripping, and human. It's like the difference between a house and a home, an idea popularised by Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross in a hit song from the 1960s. | |||
| 10 Mar 2022 | Mining your organisation for stories (why big isn't better) | 00:13:42 | |
If you want to do justice to your company or organisation, tell great stories - small ones! That's the theme of this episode of Leaning Forward, an exploration of what a small story looks like, how to find them within your own organisation and how to tell them well. | |||
| 11 May 2022 | Little and often conversations (the mortar in the wall) | 00:16:15 | |
If you visit the gym once a month and expect results you might be disappointed. A brisk walk every day for a sustained period is far more likely to yield benefits and it's much the same with communication. In this episode we focus on the importance of 'little and often' and the way small, frequent conversations can foster strong, productive relationships. | |||
| 30 Jun 2022 | Putting a TED talk under the microscope (Sugata Mitra) | 00:19:33 | |
There are umpteen books about how to give a great TED talk but in this episode we put the spotlight on one specific talk, a wonderful presentation from 2013 by Professor Sugata Mitra entitled: Build a School in the Cloud. It's a favourite of our host Andrew Thorp and this is his take on what enabled the professor to wow his audience that day. | |||
| 12 Jul 2022 | The transformative power of singing - interview with Emma Baylin | 00:40:50 | |
I met Emma Baylin recently at a TEDx event where she spoke passionately about the positive impact that singing can have on us all. Through her company Shared Harmonies (a CIC), she and her colleagues work in the community and the corporate world, using singing to help us shed limiting beliefs and create a shared sense of connection. | |||
| 05 Dec 2022 | What we can learn from comedy and improv (interview with John Cooper) | 00:47:24 | |
Communication is really all about creating a connection with your audience. When you're fully present, able to think on your feet and perhaps raise a smile in others, you've got some key advantages! This interview with comedy performer and illustrator John Cooper explores these very themes. | |||
| 01 Jan 2023 | The benefits of talking to strangers | 00:23:13 | |
This is the first episode of 2023, published on 1st January and, in a way, it's a plea to adopt a New Year's resolution - to engage in conversation with strangers! It may go against the advice we got from our parents when we were kids, but it's a great way to develop confidence, build a network and perhaps make us happier human beings. Listen to this episode and discover more. | |||
| 19 Mar 2023 | If you want to tell good stories, talk about struggle! | 00:16:18 | |
If you haven't got any struggle in your story, you haven't really got a story at all. When nothing much happens or it's all good news you're unlikely to engage your audience. In this episode, we explore where to find the struggle in your story and how to tell it in such a way that it enhances your brand. | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | Honing your English - interview with Benjamin Dudgeon | 00:31:15 | |
It's hard enough when you're a native English speaker to find just the right word or phrase when you're under pressure. But imagine if it's your second or third language! Our guest Benjamin Dudgeon recognised this challenge many years ago when he created his company, Hone Your English. | |||
| 31 May 2023 | 5 words to help you use humour in conversation | 00:19:11 | |
A follow-up to an earlier episode on 'How to be Funny', our theme here is the practical use of humour in conversational situations. We look at where the comedy can be found in everyday life and how to weave this into our interactions with others. We consider the 5 M's as potential sources of material: | |||
| 18 Nov 2023 | Reflections on TEDx Warrington 2023 | 00:13:25 | |
If you were there on the night, you'll know what a terrific event TEDx Warrington was. We had 9 speakers and, without exception, they enlightened and inspired us with their ideas. Time to reflect on the event and consider what lessons and inspiration we can draw from the concept of TED Talks. | |||
| 03 Dec 2023 | Speaking vs Texting - making the case for conversation to a room full of teenagers! | 00:22:39 | |
What happens to a muscle if you don't exercise it? Simple: it withers away, and it's the same with conversation and all forms of verbal communication. In this episode, we explore the importance of this form of dialogue and consider whether it's a worthwhile investment for a teenager! | |||
| 15 Jun 2024 | How storytelling combines with photography (interview with Anne Thomas) | 00:39:18 | |
Personal branding photographer Anne Thomas had an epiphany some years ago. She realised her marketing was just noise and what she needed was a story. Now, she's as much a storyteller as a photographer and, in this episode, she explains what this means and how this approach can help you. | |||
| 27 Jul 2024 | Facilitating online meetings - insights from Perle Laouenan-Catchpole | 00:43:33 | |
Perle Laouenan-Catchpole is an expert facilitator and has somehow found a way to make online meetings with large groups of people actually work! She loves to bring people together to share ideas and trigger collaborations and in this episode she shares some fascinating insights about making these occasions productive and enjoyable. | |||
| 12 Feb 2021 | Between a rock and a hard place | 00:04:32 | |
Something unusual happened on an early morning walk, with some interesting lessons to be learned. | |||
| 12 Feb 2021 | Leaning Forward - teaser | 00:04:01 | |
A teaser for forthcoming episodes of our podcast 'Leaning Forward'. | |||
| 13 Feb 2021 | Why storytelling matters in business | 00:17:37 | |
In this episode, Andrew explores the importance of storytelling as a tool for persuasion. He describes it as a 'superpower' and suggests we all have the potential to be confident and effective storytellers. Using examples as diverse as a French job seeker and a frustrated dry cleaner, Andrew demonstrates how this skill can be put to practical use. | |||
| 14 Feb 2021 | How Malcolm Gladwell changed my life | 00:07:17 | |
Andrew shares a personal story, an extraordinary moment of serendipity and an illustration of a small experience with a big significance. | |||
| 14 Feb 2021 | Learning from the Greeks (modes of persuasion) | 00:08:46 | |
The Greeks knew a thing or two about persuasive rhetoric and in this episode we examine a principle put forward by Aristotle – he called it ‘modes of persuasion’ and they include the BIG 3 – Logos, Ethos and Pathos. They can be a powerful cocktail when it comes to convincing people to buy your ideas. | |||
| 17 Feb 2021 | I don't have any stories (actually you do!) | 00:12:03 | |
Stories are a wonderful way to create a connection with your audience, but many people say, "That's all very well but I don't have any!" In this episode, Andrew pushes back against this notion and suggests that stories are everywhere - but we need the eyes to see them. He provides some great examples which may help you find inspiration in the world around you. | |||
| 20 Feb 2021 | The Grabber - how to get people hooked at the start of a presentation | 00:21:11 | |
In this episode Andrew provides some great examples of how to open a talk, everything from a cheeky child and a ping pong ball to a funny accountant and a Morecambe & Wise sketch (the Andre Previn one, if you're intrigued to know!). | |||
| 27 Feb 2021 | What should I say if I want to be funny? | 00:25:35 | |
Humour is a subjective matter but there are some things that have wide appeal when it comes to raising a smile in your audience. This episode explores what those might be, material in the everyday world that has comedic potential and could be used in a business-related or workplace situation. Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'. | |||
| 05 Mar 2021 | What's your Brand Story? (interview with Puck Creations) | 00:52:09 | |
"I've never actually met Sian Cardy and Stefano Capacchione from Puck Creations, but I was seduced by their recent storytelling initiative via LinkedIn and they're wonderful people with a great story of their own, so I invited them to the show! Our discussion centres around their work in brand communications, helping companies decide who they are, why they're different and how they might get that message across to their audience." (Andrew Thorp). | |||
| 09 Mar 2021 | Is this the perfect short talk? | 00:19:43 | |
It's a bit silly to suggest ANY presentation is 'perfect' but there's certainly a lot to learn from this short talk by Karl Southern. It's also on YouTube and there’s a link HERE and these are the SLIDES used by Karl Southern that day. | |||
| 14 Mar 2021 | Star Trek and the 3 IN's of persuasion | 00:12:08 | |
What has a 1960s television series got to do with business communication? Well, tune into this episode and you’ll discover how to boldly go beyond where your story has gone before. Andrew introduces the 3 IN's of persuasion, a way to package a message into three distinctive layers, each affecting your audience in different ways. Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'. | |||
| 21 Mar 2021 | Turn a dry case study into a Hero's Journey | 00:09:58 | |
Case Studies tend not to be the most compelling of stories, but they could be - with the Hero's Journey treatment. Drawing lessons from the movie world, Andrew explains how to make our stories a little more adventurous, whilst keeping them believable and professional. Discover how to release your inner Spielberg and have audiences wanting more. | |||
| 31 Mar 2021 | How to introduce yourself with impact - the Elevator Pitch | 00:20:35 | |
"So, what do you do?" | |||
| 23 Apr 2021 | Why intent matters in communication | 00:12:01 | |
When it comes to communicating with another person, one thing in particular will influence how it goes - your INTENT. | |||
| 04 May 2021 | How to get better at conversations | 00:18:06 | |
Suppose you say something to someone - you think you've said X but they hear Y. It's a common scenario, a misunderstanding perhaps, but it can have consequences. | |||
| 08 May 2021 | Building emotional connection with your customers (interview with Gary Corrin) | 00:25:58 | |
"Often what's stopping us from succeeding isn't the value of our ideas—it's our inability to communicate that value meaningfully."
Show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'. | |||
| 16 May 2021 | 10 tips for being a better podcast interviewee | 00:19:57 | |
Suppose you’re going to be interviewed for a podcast or panel. A great opportunity, yes? Today we take a look at what it takes to really NAIL that interview, to say things that DO get people to turn up the volume and hang on your every word. | |||
| 26 May 2021 | A right-brained thinker in a left-brained world | 00:18:07 | |
Two people are preparing for their first face-to-face networking event post-lockdown. They ask themselves very different questions: | |||
| 11 Jun 2021 | Transform your message with quality ingredients | 00:15:54 | |
Think of a presentation as if you were serving up a meal - it has a structure (perhaps a starter, main and dessert), you might use a favourite recipe, carefully plate up the food and serve it with style. But the success of your meal depends largely on the ingredients you use and the way you combine them. | |||
| 22 Jun 2021 | The art of the anecdote (with help from Stephen Fry) | 00:12:21 | |
It's always possible to butcher a perfectly good story - but in the hands of a master like Stephen Fry, it's a joy to listen to. | |||
| 02 Jul 2021 | How to sell without selling (interview with Peter Beckenham) | 00:52:39 | |
Peter Beckenham exudes positive energy and no doubt employed that trait when he successfully sold ideas (and insurance products) without appearing to sell anything! | |||
| 19 Jul 2021 | How to present data and keep people awake | 00:21:17 | |
Data is often presented in such a way that it gives PowerPoint a bad reputation! But it doesn't have to be this way. In this episode we look at how to bring numbers to life, drawing inspiration from books and talks where data is presented in novel and engaging ways. | |||
| 04 Aug 2021 | Lessons in leadership from a real-life 'Chief of Staff' | 00:41:13 | |
We've seen the 'Chief of Staff' role portrayed in the White House (West Wing, Designated Survivor) but this time we're in the real world - an interview with Andrew's nephew, Chris Thorp. A life-long obsession with cars led Chris into the automotive industry, first as a journalist and latterly as Chief of Staff to the executive board of Jaguar Land Rover. | |||
| 19 Aug 2021 | An introduction to the IN-Crowd | 00:14:00 | |
This is an unusual episode, an introduction to a new concept called the IN-Crowd. It's a growing community of people around the globe who want to find their unique voice and build IN-fluence and pulling power. | |||
| 09 Sep 2021 | How to design brain-friendly training that gets results (interview with Amy Avergun) | 00:50:41 | |
Boston-based Amy Avergun helps trainers design what she calls 'sticky' workshops. In this interview we explore how neuro-science can guide us when we're planning classes that actually produce results. Amy talks about the importance of purpose (the 'pilot light' within us), storytelling as an educational tool and the benefits of being a 'learnatic'! | |||
| 30 Sep 2021 | Non-sales selling – review of Dan Pink’s book 'To Sell is Human' | 00:19:05 | |
This is the first book review from Leaning Forward and it's very much aimed at people who want to sell but aren't comfortable with traditional, by-the-numbers sales techniques. Dan Pink is the highlighted author and we examine of one of his popular books on the topic of 'non-sales selling'. | |||
| 14 Oct 2021 | Some lessons from the acting world (interview with Jackie Goddard) | 00:37:59 | |
If you've got something to say but lack the confidence to craft and deliver that message, this interview with Jackie Goddard is a must-listen. | |||
| 11 Nov 2021 | Investing in company culture (interview with the MD of Howorth Air Technology) | 00:29:12 | |
A lot of our content on Leaning Forward is about communicating a better story on the outside, but this episode looks within - the story of a great company culture. Our guest is Jim Liptrot, Managing Director of Howorth Air Technology based in Bolton, Lancs. He's played a huge role in creating a culture based around Purpose, People and Behaviours. | |||
| 05 Dec 2021 | Do justice to yourself in a job interview - with Chris Delaney | 00:27:57 | |
People often work hard to secure a job interview but poor preparation or a lack of confidence can impair their performance when the big moment comes. | |||
| 14 Jan 2022 | The Public Speaking Doctor - interview with Steve Shama | 00:45:15 | |
As a physician in the USA, Steve Shama relied on his technical knowledge to diagnose and treat skin conditions. But he also saw his patients as people, developing a deep appreciation for the importance of empathy and human connection. After 30 years in private practice, he left medicine to develop a new career as a professional speaker and communication skills coach. In this episode, he shares some of the techniques and principles that he uses with audiences and private clients. | |||