Authentic leadership online means showing up as yourself rather than hiding behind corporate polish.

Karin Reed sits down with Jess Jensen, the founder of Co-Pilot Communications, to talk about what it really takes for executives to build a digital presence that feels genuine and earns trust. After two decades leading digital strategy for global brands like Microsoft, Nestlé, Qualcomm, and Adidas, Jess has seen firsthand how the landscape has shifted. People no longer want polished brand statements - they want to hear from leaders directly. So how do you decide who you’re really speaking to? What values do you want to be known for? And how can you use your story to spark connection in a way that feels true to you?

Jess shares a framework that helps leaders find clarity on their audience, their voice, and the platforms where they can make the most impact. She also explains why the comments section is where relationships are actually built and why leaning into your own experiences is the key to lasting influence. This conversation is an invitation to think differently about your presence online and to step into it with honesty, confidence, and purpose.

For Speaker Dynamics podcast listeners, Jess is offering a free 25-minute LinkedIn audit. Quick, practical reviews for business owners and senior executives who think their profile might be holding them back. Go to copilotcommunications.com and under contact, book time with me. Mention this podcast and you’ll get a real-time audit, and a handful of actionable next steps.

No cost. No catch. Just clarity. And a thank you for listening to the show.

Book here: https://calendly.com/jessjensen-copilotcommunications/25min

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Authenticity Over Perfection in Leadership

01:39 The Mission Behind Co-Pilot Communications

05:52 From Corporate Brands to Human Voices on Social Media

10:06 Five Steps to Building an Authentic Digital Brand

21:27 Why Relationships Are Built in the Comments

27:38 Your Story as the Most Powerful Differentiator

Connect with Jess Jensen:

Subscribe to Jess’ Newsletter

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn

Connect with Karin Reed:

Speaker Dynamics

Speaker Dynamics University

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Global teams can look united on the surface yet still struggle with distance, culture, and trust. Leaders often assume that what works in the office will work online, only to discover that virtual dynamics play by a very different set of rules.

Karin Reed sits down with global virtual team expert and author Theresa Hollema to unpack the realities of leading across borders. Theresa explains why team configuration matters, why cliques form when a handful of colleagues share the same space, and why some teams actually found fully remote work easier during the pandemic.

Their conversation points out the subtle choices that shape global collaboration: how meetings are structured, what messages are sent by turning a camera on or off, and how a follow-up call can feel like micromanagement in one culture but genuine care in another.

Theresa also introduces a framework from her book “Virtual Teams Across Cultures” that reveals how culture influences teams within the group, between locations, and through outside local factors. Her insights offer a path forward for leaders who want to build trust, encourage inclusivity, and unlock the innovation that diverse virtual teams can deliver.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Global Virtual Teams

01:18 Why Virtual Leadership Differs From Office Work

06:45 Hybrid Pitfalls: Proximity Bias and Cliques

08:22 Psychological Distance Across Locations

10:04 Turning Cultural Diversity Into Innovation

12:14 Practical Ways to Build Cultural Competence

17:32 Leader Readiness for Cross-Cultural Dilemmas

19:04 One-on-Ones That Build Trust

21:40 Camera Use and Signals of Trust

23:21 Post-Meeting Follow-Up: Care vs Micromanagement

Connect with Theresa Hollema:

Virtual Across Cultures

Theresa’s Book: Virtual Teams Across Cultures

Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn

Connect with Karin Reed:

Speaker Dynamics

Speaker Dynamics University

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Silence can feel uncomfortable, yet it has the power to make every word count. How do pauses change the way others hear you? When does stopping at the right moment strengthen your message instead of weaken it?

Speaker Dynamics – Own The Room is back, and in this episode, Karin Reed explores silence as one of the most underused but transformative skills in communication. She shares how pausing before you speak can command attention and project confidence, why ending once your point is made keeps your message clear and credible, and how intentional quiet creates space for real listening. Karin reflects on lessons from her work with global leaders, her experiences moderating conversations, and even her personal relationships, showing how silence can shift both professional dynamics and personal connections.

These insights aren’t just theory. They come with a challenge. Can you choose one conversation where you practice full presence, resist the urge to fill every gap, and let silence do the heavy lifting? The results might surprise you.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Power of Silence

01:47 Pause to Ponder: Using Silence to Form Your Thoughts

05:21 Silence Commands Attention and Builds Confidence

07:07 Stop Talking Once You’ve Made Your Point

12:05 Using Silence to Actively Listen

20:58 Key Takeaways on the Power of Silence

Connect with Karin Reed:

Speaker Dynamics

Speaker Dynamics University

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram

Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most business presentations are packed with data no one remembers. Stories are what actually stick.

Karin Reed is joined by senior communication coach Andrea Brody for a conversation that redefines what storytelling looks like in a business setting. What makes someone pause, lean in, and actually remember what you said? Well, it’s probably not your bullet points.

Andrea shares insights from her Inspiring Through Storytelling workshop, including the science behind why our brains respond so strongly to stories, and why even simple, everyday moments can leave a lasting impression. She breaks down common misconceptions about what counts as a “real” story and explains how value stories, founder stories, and customer stories can all be used strategically, depending on your audience.

For anyone who’s tired of being forgettable in meetings, pitches, or presentations, Karin and Andrea’s conversation offers a smarter way to connect, and a clearer reason to start sharing stories that actually mean something.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Business Storytelling and Why It Matters

02:51 Inside the “Inspiring Through Storytelling” Workshop

05:04 The Science Behind Why Stories Stick

07:59 What Makes a Story Effective

10:54 “I’m Not a Storyteller” and Other Common Myths

11:18 How to Find Meaningful Stories in Everyday Life

13:35 Participant Breakthroughs and Story Wins

19:40 NFL Combine Example: Quiet Leadership Through Story

22:07 Leading Through Storytelling in Tough Times

Links

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Becoming a go-to media expert doesn’t happen by chance. There are multiple factors that make you the guest who is on speed dial. But what are those factors?

Karin Reed talks with Paula Rizzo, an Emmy-winning producer, author and media trainer, about what it really takes to get booked by the media and asked back. Why do some experts become regulars while others never hear a word? What makes a producer stop scrolling and actually open your pitch?

Paula shares what she looked for when booking guests during her years in TV news and how she used those same strategies to build her own media presence. She explains the importance of showing up online, pitching with a clear hook and takeaway, and creating content that reflects your expertise. She also unpacks what it means to be “good on camera” and why clarity always matters more than charisma.

This episode offers guidance for authors, entrepreneurs and subject-matter experts who want to raise their visibility and be taken seriously by the media. If you’re ready to be seen as the expert, this is where to begin.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Becoming a Media Expert

01:13 Paula Rizzo’s Media Journey

03:20 How to Start: Blogging, Pitching, and Visibility

05:00 What Makes a Great Media Guest

06:10 Why Availability Matters

08:19 How to Pitch the Media Effectively

10:54 Follow-Up and Relationship Building

13:11 Understanding What Producers Actually Need

14:55 Being Good on Camera

19:11 Speaking in Soundbites

21:23 Where to Begin as an Aspiring Expert

23:57 Common Misconceptions About Media

26:04 When to Start Media Training

27:50 Be Visible to Be Found

Links

Connect with Paula Rizzo:

For listeners – anyone who is interested in applying for a free strategy session with me can go to SpeakWithPaula.com to apply. There are limited spots available.

For anyone interested in lists and productivity, here’s a list-making starter kit at paularizzo.com/lists

To connect via LinkedIn please go here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paularizzo1/

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Controlling a room full of senior leaders starts with knowing your mission and refusing to let interruptions derail it. So what happens when you walk into a meeting ready to present and the executives start cutting you off before you even reach slide two? Karin Reed knows the feeling, and she offers a smarter way to handle it without losing control or losing your nerve.

In this episode, Karin breaks down five practical strategies for staying in charge when senior leaders steer the conversation off course. She shares why setting expectations early can help you hold the room, how trimming your content down to what matters most can work in your favor, and why you should never make a busy executive wait for the point you’re trying to make. Would your presentation land differently if you led with the ‘ask’ instead of saving it for the end? Karin explains why it would and how it changes the way people listen. You’ll also hear smart ways to handle interruptions without giving away control and how to design your slides to flex with the conversation instead of boxing you in.

Karin drives home a simple truth: your voice matters, no matter where you sit on the org chart. When you stay intentional, respectful, and focused, you help leaders make better decisions. And that is exactly why you are in the room.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Mission and Importance of Presentation

02:32 Understanding Senior Leaders’ Intent

04:51 Five Strategies Overview

05:03 Strategy 1: Setting Expectations

07:10 Strategy 2: Be Realistic with Content

10:18 Strategy 3: Don’t Bury the Lead

14:00 Strategy 4: Handling Questions

18:46 Strategy 5: Be Flexible

Links

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most people think polish makes a speaker great. Authenticity is what makes an audience listen.

In this episode, Karin Reed talks with international keynote speaker and bestselling author Ryan Vet about what it really takes to build a professional speaking business. From a non-linear journey shaped by entrepreneurship and early Twitter fame to a moment of clarity sparked by unexpected feedback, Ryan shares how authenticity, not polish, is the quality that sets great speakers apart.

Ryan and Karin discuss common misconceptions about the speaking world, including the myth that success happens quickly or that all impactful talks happen on massive stages. Ryan offers practical insight into building a sustainable speaking business, from understanding who’s in the room to customizing talks without compromising your voice. He also explains why things like AV etiquette, recording your talks, and building multiple revenue streams are part of the job, not just extras.

Whether you’re aiming for the main stage or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this conversation pulls back the curtain on professional speaking with honesty, humor, and a healthy dose of real talk.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Ryan’s Path to Professional Speaking

04:30 Lessons from Writing Speak Goodr

06:00 Handling On-Stage Mishaps

09:24 Respecting the AV Team

10:04 Building a Speaking Business

12:43 Setting and Explaining Your Fee

16:37 Creating Multiple Revenue Streams

17:05 Preparing for Your Audience

20:14 Why Recording Your Talks Matters

22:19 How the Speaking Industry is Changing

23:32 Impacting Audiences of Any Size

25:55 Stick With It

Links

Connect with Ryan Vet:

www.RyanVet.com

www.SpeakGoodr.com

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Executive presence isn’t something you’re just born with. It’s built through intention, visibility, and the willingness to quiet your inner critic. These are some of the key takeaways from Karin Reed’s talk produced by e-learning titan, Madecraft, as part of their &Then speakers’ series.

Karin returns to a topic she’s known for—owning the room—but this time through a more personal lens. What does it take to show up with confidence when your inner voice is questioning every move? How do you project leadership when imposter syndrome is creeping into your psyche?

Through stories from her early days as a young reporter and lessons learned from years coaching professionals on camera and in the room, Karin outlines what executive presence really requires. She breaks it down into three areas: how others see you, how you see yourself, and how you stay true to who you are while still making an impact.

You’ll hear tips for making stronger digital impressions, learn why solo episodes almost didn’t happen on her podcast, and get a reminder that your value isn’t tied to how well you match someone else’s mold. This episode is a smart, honest look at how to show up clearly, confidently, and fully yourself.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:08 Defining Executive Presence

05:12 The Importance of First Impressions

07:00 Elements of Strong Presence

09:17 Improving Your Virtual Presence

12:48 Maximizing Your Screen Space

13:10 Owning Your Expertise

16:02 The Value of Authenticity

17:27 The Importance of Executive Presence

Links

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm