“You cannot do better than convince people that what you’re saying is absolutely authentic and you would live and die by it”
Sarah Brown
In a new episode of her Better Angels podcast, Sarah Brown talks to Sir Patrick Stewart, Ed Balls, Christy Turlington Burns and Laura Bates about how to find your voice and use it for good causes.
We all have opinions 鶹APP but speaking out in public on an issue you care passionately about can be daunting.
Even famous people who perform regularly on TV or in films can find it difficult to bring out their activist voice when talking about causes that are very personal to them.
In the latest episode of her Better Angels podcast series 鶹APP titled 鶹APP 鶹APP President Sarah Brown talks to world-renowned actor Sir Patrick Stewart, supermodel and maternal health campaigner Christy Turlington Burns, politician, economist (and now TV dancer) Ed Balls and feminist writer and Everyday Sexism project founder Laura Bates.
On public speaking, Sir Patrick said: 鶹APPIf you can convince yourself that people are eager to hear you, the way you communicate with them has to be clear, lucid and 鶹APP if emotions are involved, if strong feelings are involved 鶹APP authentically felt
鶹APPYou cannot do better than convince people that what you鶹APPre saying is absolutely authentic and you stand by it and you would live and die by it.鶹APP
The actor is best known for the long-running TV series Star Trek: Next Generation, the X-Men films and his many acclaimed theatre roles. But he is also a passionate campaigner on social justice, domestic violence and war veteran鶹APPs mental health issues.
Sarah asked him for tips about public speaking and being heard on stage.
He said: 鶹APPCoaching, training, I would urge people to do that. Practising, doing a warm-up before you speak is always very important, getting exercises that you can do.
鶹APPHumour in public speaking, I think, is terrifically important. Once an audience has laughed once or a couple of times they鶹APPre on your side and you can speak to them with confidence.鶹APP
Christy Turlington Burns is the founder and CEO of Every Mother Counts.
She found that telling the very personal story of her childbirth complication led her to speak out about the huge numbers of girls and women who die in childbirth around the world.
Asked about public speaking, she said: 鶹APPI think like most people it can be terrifying, especially early on when you鶹APPre in different realms.
鶹APPI had an experience that I鶹APPd tell everybody 鶹APP your personal experience is powerful. We can all speak from our own truth and our own life experiences.
鶹APPWhen you鶹APPre in a room and you鶹APPre talking to people and they鶹APPre with you, that elevates the whole experience.鶹APP
Ed Balls was a member of the British government cabinet. Since leaving politics he has written a book and become hugely popular on the primetime TV show Strictly Come Dancing.
Sarah asked him about 鶹APPhis newfound freedom and confidence from finding his voice鶹APP.
Ed only fully understood when he was 40 and in the cabinet that he had a stammer that affected his ability to give speeches or answer questions.
He said: 鶹APPOnce you鶹APPve stammered live on Radio Four and the House of Commons and dealt with it and come out on the other side, nothing ever seems quite as difficult in the future.
鶹APPI now know that it鶹APPs made me better at what I do. If I had my time again, I鶹APPd choose to have it because it鶹APPs part of who I am and actually, I came out stronger as a result.鶹APP
Sarah asked Laura Bates about being thrust into the public spotlight and having to speak at events and to the media.
The Everyday Sexism Project founder said: 鶹APPI felt very strongly that I wanted to speak out 鶹APP I wanted to raise these voices and to pass on the stories.
鶹APPOn the other hand, I was completely terrified. I had no experience of any kind of public interview or persona or anything like that.
鶹APPI think it鶹APPs important for people to know there is no magic switch in my experience and, with this, there鶹APPs no kind of inherent ability to do it or not do it.
鶹APPWhat I found really was the most helpful was just being really, really prepared. That鶹APPs why I always quote so many statistics to back up my argument and I learn as much as I can about any particular issue.鶹APP
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Sarah talks to politicians, entertainers, activists and world leaders about their inspiration, their hopes and their dreams at a time of enormous international upheaval.
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