Imagine Your Last Lecture: Create a Signature Keynote That Truly Matters

Eleni KelakosCommunication Skills, Keynote Speaking, Leadership, Personal Growth, Public Speaking, Speaker Mindset

Imagine Your Last Lecture Ron had built, bought, and sold multiple successful businesses. Now, in the middle of his life and career, he felt a persistent pull to do something new: create a signature keynote presentation that captured the lessons he’d learned along the way. For nearly a year, he wrestled with it. Ideas came and went. Themes felt too broad, too vague, or too forgettable. Finally, frustrated and stuck, Ron reached out to me. “I can’t pin down a topic,” he admitted during our first conversation. “I know I have something to say—but I don’t know what it is.” …

18 Reasons to Be Thankful as a Speaker (Especially During the Holidays)

Eleni KelakosLeadership & Communication, Leadership Development, Personal Growth, Presentation Skills, Professional Development, Public Speaking, Speaker Mindset

As the holidays approach, gratitude becomes a theme we hear everywhere—but for speakers, it’s more than a seasonal sentiment. It’s a powerful mindset shift that strengthens your confidence, presence, and impact every time you step on a stage or into a conference room. Too often, speakers focus on the challenges: the hours of preparation, the stress of booking gigs, the nerves that hit the moment before stepping into the spotlight, or the inevitable technical hiccups that show up at the worst possible moment. As a presentation and presence coach, I hear about these struggles all the time. And yes—speaking can …

How to Deliver a Meaningful Eulogy: Stepping Up When It Matters

Eleni KelakosEmpathy, Human Connection, Life Lessons, Personal Growth, Speaking, Strategic Tips

How to Deliver a Eulogy How to Deliver a Eulogy: Public speaking comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s pitching a new product, giving a keynote that inspires, presenting quarterly results, or making a toast at a wedding. All of these moments can trigger nerves, adrenaline, or a flood of emotions. But one of the most challenging forms of public speaking is giving a eulogy—speaking in honor of someone who has passed. Eulogies: One of Life’s Toughest Speeches Many people hesitate when asked to deliver a eulogy. They worry about what to include—personal stories, memorable quirks, or the positive impact their …

Charismatic Presence and a Hunt For Morels

Eleni KelakosCharismatic Presence, Confident Speakers, Leadership, Personal Growth, Public Speaking, Speaking, Storytelling

Charismatic Presence: A few nights ago, my friend Carrie Hensel sent a short text that instantly rearranged my plans: “I did a story about Morel mushroom hunting on CBS Detroit. It comes out tonight at 6pm. Come to Fraser’s Pub to watch it with me and some other pals.” When Carrie texts, people show up. And that’s exactly what a dozen of us did—gathered around a pub TV, drinks in hand, to watch her TV feature. But we weren’t just there for mushrooms. We were there because Carrie has that rare, magnetic quality I call Charismatic Presence. In fact, Charismatic …

The Power of Genuine Human Connection | Presence & Compassion in Action

Eleni KelakosCommunication Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Human Connection, Leadership, Personal Growth, Public Presence, Public Speaking

Genuine human connection… I knew something was wrong the moment she crumpled into the plastic airport lounge chair across from me. Her eyes were red and swollen. A crumpled tissue trembled in her hand. But the real giveaway was the crisply folded American flag in a clear plastic case that rested on her lap like a sacred relic. Every now and then, she’d hug it like it was alive. Without knowing the full story, I could feel it: deep, aching grief. I told myself to give her space. Let her be. Don’t interfere. But then, she ended a phone call …