Leaning Forward
A series of interviews and tutorials on verbal communication - how to engage, connect and persuade through speaking. The show is hosted by Andrew Thorp, AKA 'The Multi-Story Man'. Andrew is a professional speaker, trainer and consultant in the field of verbal communication and storytelling in the business world.
Episodes
45 episodes
Taking the stress out of leadership (interview with Carolyn Tipper)
Based in North West England, Carolyn Tipper is an executive coach who’s turned a passion into a mission. She's very concerned with the mental health implications of workplace stress for senior executive...
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38:28
Facilitating online meetings - insights from Perle Laouenan-Catchpole
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 ...
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43:33
How storytelling combines with photography (interview with Anne Thomas)
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 storyt...
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39:18
Speaking vs Texting - making the case for conversation to a room full of teenagers!
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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22:39
Reflections on TEDx Warrington 2023
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 inspi...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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13:25
5 words to help you use humour in conversation
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 other...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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19:11
Honing your English - interview with Benjamin Dudgeon
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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31:15
If you want to tell good stories, talk about struggle!
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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16:18
The benefits of talking to strangers
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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23:13
What we can learn from comedy and improv (interview with John Cooper)
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 illu...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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47:24
The transformative power of singing - interview with Emma Baylin
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 worl...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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40:50
Putting a TED talk under the microscope (Sugata Mitra)
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:
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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19:33
Little and often conversations (the mortar in the wall)
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 import...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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16:15
Mining your organisation for stories (why big isn't better)
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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13:42
A 'before and after' exercise for one of your stories
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 h...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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18:21
The Public Speaking Doctor - interview with Steve Shama
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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45:15
Do justice to yourself in a job interview - with Chris Delaney
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. In this episode of Leaning Forward we’re joined by
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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27:57
Investing in company culture (interview with the MD of Howorth Air Technology)
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 Lip...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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29:12
Some lessons from the acting world (interview with Jackie Goddard)
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.Drawing on her background...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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37:59
Non-sales selling – review of Dan Pink’s book 'To Sell is Human'
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 pop...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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19:05
How to design brain-friendly training that gets results (interview with Amy Avergun)
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 produc...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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50:41
An introduction to the IN-Crowd
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.Join us for our inaugural e...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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14:00
Lessons in leadership from a real-life 'Chief of Staff'
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 automo...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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41:13
How to present data and keep people awake
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 no...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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21:17
How to sell without selling (interview with Peter Beckenham)
Peter Beckenham exudes positive energy and no doubt employed that trait when he successfully sold ideas (and insurance products) without appearing to sell anything! In this interview, Peter shares his fascinating personal story as well ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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52:39