In 1977, someone captured a photo of me playing the dulcimer – completely lost in the music. Looking back, I see that moment for what it truly was: purpose, passion, and belonging. It was something I had been searching for after a disrupted and disordered youth. This is the power of passion in young lives. Music […]

I never script my speeches. Some see this as risky, but for me, it’s the only way to ensure that every talk is real, alive, and deeply connected to the audience in front of me. That is why for me Motivational Speaking without a Script is the art of real connection with the audience. Instead […]

The world is not a one-size-fits-all culture, yet global business is often dominated by a single model – one that prioritizes speed, scale, and short-term gain. But Scotland has an opportunity to lead with a different story. We don’t need to copy the Silicon Valley playbook or chase relentless growth at any cost. We are […]

The Keynote Speaker industry is at peak saturation – packed with celebrities, ex-athletes, and politicians delivering the same polished speech from stage to stage. It works – for some. But I’ve never been bettered by Keynote Speakers in these categories. Not because I have a bigger profile. But because I do something they don’t. I […]

Life occasionally presents us with extraordinary moments that act as subtle hints about who we are and what we can become. Often, these hints go unnoticed until much later. In my life, there have been many such moments. One stands out – an unexpected email from an old friend after more than forty years. He […]

Under a darkened sky, with rain drumming against the windows, I had the privilege yesterday of being the first speaker to address the Edinburgh Sunday Assembly following its recent feature on Scottish Television. The atmosphere was electric, as new faces arrived, just as predicted. People of all ages, from diverse backgrounds, and with no unifying […]

As we close the chapter on 2024, we are reminded that some of the most profound changes begin not with institutions or policies, but with the power of the human voice. A voice that moves us emotionally is like the impact of a great film or drama – it resonates deep within, sparking not just […]

As a speaker, your ultimate goal isn’t just to have your audience hear your words – it’s to have them feel them. Words alone are fleeting; they can pass through the logical brain, processed and forgotten within moments. But when your words resonate emotionally, they stick, transforming your speech into a memorable experience that lingers […]

We are moving into the Era of Big Ideas and Human Reconnection. As a Motivational Speaker, I have learned one thing above all else. No audience is interested in ‘Confected facts and figures’ They want inspiration, they want to be motivated. They want mind-shifting insights, and they want to be part of a community, empowered […]