I've always said that my journey to TEDx was more impactful than actually giving the talk itself; it was a journey in clarity and effective communication. I had to get across big ideas in only 12 minutes.  Today I'm joined by John Bates, a TED talk expert who explores the neurobiological principles of communication. Together, we unravel the secrets behind creating engaging, emotionally resonant speeches, and offer practical advice on connecting with your audience and embracing the fear that often accompanies public speaking. This conversation is full of insights for self-employed business owners looking to master the art of impactful communication and storytelling.   John Bates is a TED and TEDx speaker, Leadership Communications Executive Coach, Author, and Keynote Speaker with a deep focus on communication rooted in neurobiology. He is renowned for his coaching excellence in the TED format. His clients, including notable organizations like Johnson & Johnson’s JLABS, NASA, US Navy Special Operations, GE Aviation, and Boston Scientific, highly recommend him as a premier leadership communications coach. John's expertise lies in alleviating speaking anxiety, fostering strong leadership presence, and cultivating trust, loyalty, and connection through effective communication. His science-based approach benefits both logical, introverted individuals, and ambitious thought leaders, enabling them to craft influential speeches. John also offers top-tier pitch coaching, with affiliations in prestigious programs like Johnson & Johnson Innovations JLABS and Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge, empowering entrepreneurs to succeed in pitch competitions, secure VC funding, and obtain grants.   And be sure to subscribe to The Self-Employed Life in Apple Podcasts or follow us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.   Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com.   John Bates, thank you so much for being here! Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself. Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world. Guest Contact – JohnBates.com  Your Amazing Itty Bitty Guide to Being TED-Worthy: 15 Essential Secrets of Successful Speaking Based in Human Neurobiology by John Bates Register for John’s Free Weekly Mini-trainings John Bates on LinkedIn (in/johnbates) John Bates on Facebook (@ExecutiveSpeakingSuccess) John Bates on Twitter/X (@johnbates) John Bates on YouTube (@ExecSpeakingSuccess) John Bates on Vimeo (@johnkbates) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!   Valuable complimentary resources to help you –   ·       The Self-Employed Business Institute- You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out! ·       Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. ·       Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LI