#26 - Robbie Crabtree: How to Be a Better Speaker
Listen Here: Apple | Spotify
My guest today is Robbie Crabtree. Robbie is a trial lawyer and the founder of Performative Speaking, an online course that transforms ambitious professionals into powerful public speakers. Robbie's course was recently acquired by On Deck, where he is now the program director working toward launching the first cohort.
In this episode, Robbie and I discussed his background in public speaking and how he built a successful online course in less than three months. Robbie shared his tactical tips for becoming a better speaker. And he explained the difference between factual and emotional truth - an important distinction to master for any aspiring story teller.
Selected links from the show:
Robbie on Twitter, his website, and On Deck Performative Speaking
I'm the worst trivia player... by Robbie Crabtree
Reflections from a Token Black Friend by Ramesh Nagarajah
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Jack Butcher on Twitter
Show notes:
01:25 - Why Robbie is bad at trivia
02:21 - The CAP system for speaking
05:52 - Authenticity and code switching are the same thing
06:42 - What is Performative Speaking as a concept?
08:58 - What type of person benefits from Performative Speaking?
10:20 - Tactical tips to being a better speaker
"The 80/20 to sounding like a better speaker is just slowing down."
12:59 - The speakers Robbie recommends studying
15:40 - The difference between factual and emotional truth
20:31 - Robbie's go-to story
28:53 - The origin story of Performative Speaking
32:34 - Robbie's speaking qualifications
"It's so much more rewarding to work toward the best outcome than to make sure the worst thing doesn't happen."
39:19 - How Robbie took Performative Speaking from concept to course in two months by stealing like an artist
43:57 - The acquisition of Performative Speaking by On Deck
51:03 - How is On Deck Performative Speaking structured?
54:56 - Robbie's personal operating manual
"Make it simple but significant."
1:01:06 - Robbie's questions for me
1:06:28 - Robbie's advice to a recent college grad
1:07:00 - Robbie's favorite mental model
1:07:40 - Robbie's favorite Twitter follow
1:08:24 - The kindest thing anyone has done for Robbie
1:10:00 - Where you can connect with Robbie
