How to Stop Performing and Actually Connect With an Audience

Most speakers spend too much time perfecting what they want to say—and not enough time thinking about how they want the audience to feel.

In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian Gatzke sits down with Lauri Smith to explore what separates a polished presentation from a genuinely connected one. Lauri explains why strong speaking is not about performing a version of yourself, memorizing every word, or eliminating nervous energy. It is about creating an emotional journey, reading the room, trusting your preparation, and allowing your real voice to come through.

They discuss how to...