EP113 How to Become a More Memorable Speaker with Stefano Cossalter
Whether you’re speaking to a thousand people from a stage or one person across a table, how you communicate shapes what people remember.
In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with Stefano Cossalter, a seven-time public speaking champion, keynote speaker, trainer, master hypnotist, NLP master practitioner, and certified coach. Stefano has won more speaking competitions than anyone in the 90-plus-year history of Toastmasters in BC, but becoming a confident speaker was anything but automatic for him.
Stefano shares how he went from freezing in conversations and avoiding networking to building a career around public speaking and helping others become more effective communicators.
Mike and Stefano explore why public speaking is ultimately a leadership skill, how storytelling helps create connection and influence, and why humour is something people can learn and practise. Stefano also breaks down his simple four-part framework for telling a compelling story and explains why preparation gives speakers more freedom to be present when it matters.
They also discuss how to personalize a presentation for an audience, why useful feedback can make such a difference, and how preparation can help speakers respond when things don’t go according to plan.
In this episode:
Why public speaking matters far beyond the stage
Stefano’s journey from avoiding public speaking to becoming a seven-time speaking champion
How communication skills can be developed through practice
A four-part framework for telling more compelling stories
How vulnerability can help create connection
Why humour often comes from disrupting expectations
Practical ways to bring levity into a presentation
How to ask for feedback that helps you improve
Why connecting with an audience can begin before you take the stage
The difference between personalizing and completely rebuilding a presentation
Why strong communicators prepare instead of relying on their ability to wing it
How preparation helps you adapt when things don’t go according to plan
Whether you regularly speak from a stage, lead meetings, present ideas, or simply want to communicate more effectively, this conversation offers practical ways to become a more prepared, connected, and memorable communicator.
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