Public Speaking Coach in Chicago, IL
Stop dreading the microphone. One-on-one coaching from a former broadcast journalist, for talks of every size — from a team update to a conference stage.
Anyone With Something to Say
1Leaders at Work
All-hands updates, board presentations and the meetings where you need to be clear under pressure.
2Conference Speakers
Keynotes, panels and breakout talks, from the first outline to the final walk-through.
3Once-in-a-Lifetime Moments
Wedding toasts, retirement speeches and eulogies — the talks that matter most.
Fifteen Years on Live TV Taught Me Where Nerves Go
I spent fifteen years as a reporter and weekend anchor, which means I've spoken live to hundreds of thousands of people — and flubbed a few of those moments in front of all of them. What I learned is that great speakers aren't fearless. They're prepared, and they know what to do when the fear shows up.
Since leaving the newsroom in 2017, I've coached executives, founders, scientists, teachers, grooms and grieving sons through talks they were dreading.
- ✓Former broadcast reporter and weekend anchor
- ✓Coaching speakers since 2017
- ✓Studio in Wicker Park with a mock stage and camera
Coaching for Every Kind of Talk
Most clients book a package; rush sessions are available when the talk is days away.
The Six Parts of a Talk
Opening
The first thirty seconds, which decide whether anyone listens to the next thirty minutes.
Structure
Three ideas, in an order people can follow and remember.
Stories
Real examples that make your point stick.
Voice
Pace, pauses and volume — the things nerves change first.
Slides
Fewer, bigger, simpler. Slides that support you instead of competing.
Q&A
Calm, short answers to the questions you're dreading.
What Speakers Say
I had a 40-minute conference keynote and a real fear of forgetting everything. Theo cut my slides from 60 to 14, built the talk around three stories, and ran me through it until I could do it without notes. People were quoting my opening line at the coffee break.
Our Series A pitch used to wander. After two sessions we had a clear five-minute story, a crisp answer to every hard question, and a founder who didn't say 'um' eleven times a minute.
I was asked to give my father's eulogy with four days' notice. Theo helped me find the words, then helped me practice them until I could get through it. I'll always be grateful.
Rush Sessions Within 48 Hours
Speaking sooner than you'd like? Weekend and early-morning rush sessions are available for talks less than a week away.
Pick the Package That Fits the Talk
Sessions are 60 minutes, by video or on the mock stage in Wicker Park.
Single Session
For a quick polish.
- One 60-minute session
- Recorded run-through with notes
- Rush slots available
Talk Ready
Four sessions for one big talk.
- Structure and story rebuild
- Slide review
- Three rehearsals on camera
- Dress rehearsal on the mock stage
Keynote Build
Eight sessions, outline to stage.
- Talk development from a blank page
- Five rehearsals on camera
- Slide and story edits between sessions
From the Conference Room to the Main Stage
Before You Book
How far ahead should I book?
Two to four weeks before a big talk is ideal. If it's sooner, ask about a rush session — we can do a lot in 48 hours.
Can you write my speech for me?
I'll help you shape it and edit it line by line, but the words stay yours. Talks you wrote yourself are easier to remember and sound like you.
Do we meet in person or online?
Both work. The Wicker Park studio has a mock stage and camera; video sessions work well for remote clients anywhere in the US.
Is speaking anxiety coaching a form of therapy?
No. It's practical skills and rehearsal. If anxiety is affecting your daily life, I'll suggest talking to a licensed professional too.
Can you coach our whole team?
Yes — half-day workshops for up to twelve people, at your office or ours, with individual feedback for each presenter.
Got a Talk Coming Up?
Tell Theo what it is and when. You'll hear back the same weekday, and a free 15-minute call is the first step.