Ep. 64 - Crafting Stories and Impactful Speeches with Alan Samuel Cohen

In this episode of the Expert Speaker Podcast, Majeed Mogharreban
sits down with the master storyteller and speaking coach, Alan
Samuel Cohen. Known as the “Chief Story Catalyst,” Alan helps
business leaders and executives refine their stories to connect,
inspire, and create impact. Together, Majeed and Alan dive deep
into the art of storytelling, why it matters, and how even the
simplest stories can have profound influence. Alan also shares
insights into his TED Talk journey, his process for helping
others land on the TED stage, and practical tips for speakers
looking to turn their passion into profit.


Key Takeaways:



The Power of Storytelling: Stories ignite our
brain and emotions, creating instant connection and trust. Alan
emphasizes how well-crafted stories can engage an audience more
effectively than data-heavy presentations.


Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Impact: Alan
debunks the myth that only extraordinary experiences make for
great stories. He explains how even the most “ordinary” life
events can resonate powerfully with others because of their
emotional relatability.


Creating Connection in Chaos: Drawing on his
experience leading the publicity team for the Harry Potter
books, Alan explains how teams can navigate through chaos by
aligning around a shared purpose, putting aside ego, and
committing to a common goal.


TED Talk Strategy: Alan offers insight into
how to craft a TED-worthy idea. He stresses the importance of
focusing on the idea's transformative power rather than
personal fame or promotion. His coaching program helps speakers
define, refine, and present their ideas in a fresh, impactful
way.


Getting Paid for Speaking: Alan shares
practical advice on how to get paid well as a speaker,
including the importance of honing a signature speech, speaking
consistently, and negotiating fees based on value. He
highlights the value of speaking, whether paid or not, in front
of your ideal clients to generate new business opportunities.


Speaking Opportunities Everywhere: By
continuously improving and repeating key speeches, speakers can
maximize their impact and create new opportunities for future
engagements.



Notable Quotes:


“When you hear ‘I’ve got a story for you,’ you're already
leaning in.”

“Our ordinary lives, with their extraordinary emotions, are
what people connect with.”

“If you can move one person with your TED Talk, you’ve got a
TED-worthy idea.”

“The best way to get booked as a speaker is to keep speaking.
The more you’re in front of your best-fit client, the more
opportunities you create.”



Connect with Alan Samuel Cohen:


Website: www.alansamuelcohen.com

LinkedIn: Alan Samuel Cohen

Instagram: @alansamuelcohen



Join Alan’s Free Speaker Clinics: Alan hosts
monthly Speaker Clinics, offering attendees a chance to workshop
their speeches and receive expert feedback. These one-hour
sessions are designed to help you refine your public speaking
skills and craft impactful talks. Learn more on his website.


Connect with Expert
Speaker: https://www.expertspeaker.com


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majeedmogharreban/


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 Twitter: https://twitter.com/majeedm