The Public Speaking Horror Show

The Fear of Forgetting Your Words, Having No Shame, and Enjoying the Moment with Cain Kamano

Host Laura Reid reaches her twelfth and final episode of Season One with special guest Cain Kamano, a five-time District Speech Champion with Toastmasters International, President of Collegiate Connect, and her husband. Cain easily survives Laura’s Killer 13 questions and dives deep into his public speaking journey, how he views life, and the times when speaking went rather horrifically wrong. His attitude of embracing the moment and really enjoying the experience, coupled with his humor, gives his stories an authentic, inspiring feel.   Cain shares moments from his childhood, his background as a door-to-door insurance salesman, and that time when he used a ribeye steak as a prop in a speech. He has roughly thirty trophies from speaking, but his advice on how to win them is surprisingly simple: have a passion for it and enjoy the process. Laura and Cain talk about trust and patience, the latter being Cain’s ongoing life lesson in coaching. Throughout the conversation, Cain emphasizes his real love for people, for connecting with people, and how his ability to laugh through things has carried him a long way. About Cain Kamano: Cain Kamano knows what it really takes to connect, inspire, and move people with words. Back in the 90s, he cut his teeth the hard way—knocking on doors as an insurance salesman. Talk about a crash course in rejection, resilience, and learning how to speak so people actually listen. That early grit carried him to become a five-time District Speech Champion with Toastmasters International. From there, he not only stepped onto bigger stages as an inspirational speaker, but he also trained and coached others—helping multiple champions rise in their own right. But he’s not just a speaker. Today, he’s the President of Collegiate Connect, an organization that inspires teenage athletes by pairing them with mentors who’ve walked the path—college athletes who’ve been there, done that. And when he’s not inspiring the next generation, you might find him across a chessboard, or spending time in his most cherished roles: husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Cain was born and raised on Oahu and now lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with his wife, Laura, and their cat Gabby.  __ Resources discussed in this episode: * Polynesian Cultural Center [https://www.polynesia.com/] * Toastmasters International [https://toastmasters.org/] — Contact Cain Kamano: * Website: CollegiateConnect.net [https://collegiateconnect.net/] * Email: Cain@CollegiateConnect.net [Cain@CollegiateConnect.net] Contact Laura Reid | The Speech Slayer:  * Website: TheSpeechSlayer.com [http://thespeechslayer.com]   * Facebook: TheSpeechSlayer [https://www.facebook.com/speechslayer]   * Instagram: @Laura_InWonderland [https://www.instagram.com/laura_inwonderland]   * Linkedin: Laura Reid [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reid-339456175/]   * Book: “The Public Speaking Horror Show: 7 Secrets to Kill It as a Speaker” [https://bit.ly/ThePublicSpeakingHorrorShow-Audible] by Laura Reid

Investigating Haunts, the Power of Intuition, and the Frequency of Voice with Marie Hathaway Myung

Host Laura Reid welcomes paranormal investigator and metaphysical frequency explorer Marie Hathaway Myung to The Public Speaking Horror Show for an exploration of the other side through haunts and intuition. Marie has encountered some truly otherworldly forces during her life, and she shares some of these stories with Laura. Along with revealing spooky encounters, Marie explains how developing our intuition and tapping into the frequency of our voice can empower and guide us.  One of the Killer 13 questions Marie answers is which haunted destination she would love to visit, or has visited, and her answers are a peek beyond the veil. An asylum, Marie Laveau’s tomb, a condemned sanctuary: Marie gets approached by paranormal activity. She tells Laura her thoughts on what happens after death, how we can tap into the frequency of our voice with intention, why certain events in her childhood set her on a metaphysical path, and offers a practical exercise for expanding our intuition. This is a glimpse into what might lie beyond from someone who can tune into the right activity, along with beautiful insight into our own power and strength.  About Marie Hathaway Myung: Marie Hathaway Myung is a lifelong metaphysical explorer, intuitive, and paranormal investigator with over 35 years of experience exploring the unknown. Her journey into the spiritual and mystical began early in life, guided by a deep inner knowing and an enduring curiosity about the unseen world. Marie is also a retired paramedic supervisor for the City and County of Honolulu, where years of serving in moments of life and death helped her discover the power of her own voice — a voice she now uses with purpose and intention in both healing and creative expression. She believes that voice is frequency, and when used with intention, it connects directly to what each listener needs. In addition to her metaphysical work, Marie serves on the boards of three nonprofit organizations dedicated to preserving and celebrating the unique Hawaiian-Scottish cultural connection — a legacy close to her heart. She’s also a passionate advocate for revitalizing Hawaiʻi’s film industry to bring meaningful jobs and creative opportunities back to local communities. On Oʻahu, she goes on paranormal investigations with her local team to discover the mysteries of local lore and hauntings. Marie co-hosts the Mindful Magic Podcast and YouTube channel with her dear friend and “soul sister” Kate Eggers. Together, they explore the magical, the mysterious, and the mindful in a space that welcomes curiosity, authenticity, and wonder. Marie is also an accomplished audiobook narrator and creator of guided meditations, many of which can be found on the Mindful Magic channel — offering frequency-rich, intention-driven experiences to listeners around the world. __ Resources discussed in this episode: * Loyd Auerbach [https://www.rhineedu.org/index.php?view=article&id=84:instructors-auerbach&catid=83:instructors] of the Rhine Education Center * Marie Laveau [https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1612] * USS Hornet [https://uss-hornet.org/program-types/paranormal/]  * “A Global Anthology of Terrifying Folklore” [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-global-anthology-of-terrifying-folklore-marie-hathaway/1148247765] by Marie Hathaway, illustrated by Andrea Sikkink — Contact Marie Hathaway Myung: * Website: KitchenWitchHawaii.com [https://kitchenwitchhawaii.com/] * Spotify: Mindful Magic’s Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/5aQoZI6JUKI7BPa2wUoZMW]  * YouTube: Mindful Magic Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@mindfulmagicchannel] Contact Laura Reid | The Speech Slayer:  * Website: TheSpeechSlayer.com [http://thespeechslayer.com]   * Facebook: TheSpeechSlayer [https://www.facebook.com/speechslayer]   * Instagram: @Laura_InWonderland [https://www.instagram.com/laura_inwonderland]   * Linkedin: Laura Reid [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reid-339456175/]   * Book: “The Public Speaking Horror Show: 7 Secrets to Kill It as a Speaker” [https://bit.ly/ThePublicSpeakingHorrorShow-Audible] by Laura Reid

Nothing is Inconceivable and the Fear of Spontaneous Karaoke by Andrea Sikkink

Host Laura Reid welcomes artist and actor Andrea Sikkink to The Public Speaking Horror Show to explore her adventures on-set as an actor on shows like Hawaii Five-O and NCIS Hawaii, how she avoids stage fright and the first time it took over, and her career as an artist with her business, As You Wish Arts. Andrea gives us a peek behind the curtain of filming movies and TV, letting us know how the work unfolds, and shares why she believes there’s no time limit on dreams or goals we want to achieve.  Andrea’s favorite inspirational sayings come from The Princess Bride and LL Cool J. “Inconceivable”, “As you wish”, and “Dreams don’t have deadlines” are very indicative of the way she lives her life. She and her husband took a chance on moving to Hawaii and pursuing careers as actors against the advice of people around them, and they thrived. There’s no limit to what can be done if we go for it with passion. But as a professional actor, has Andrea ever had stage fright or been starstruck by another actor? She has, and she shares heartwarming stories about both. She and Laura discuss how Andy’s painting career started, how to pull motivation for a scene being filmed, and why it’s important to enjoy the moment in what we’re doing.  About Andrea Sikkink: Andrea Sikkink was born in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. Her mom was a model and theatre actress, and her dad worked in radio and TV. Andy grew up the youngest of six kids in a large, loving family that encouraged her love of the arts, sports and acting.  Andy met her (future husband) David as a freshman in college (he is a fellow actor and a reformed radio DJ) and they have been married 35 years this October. They have 3 "grown and flown" adult kids. All of them grew up on island and still live on Oahu. Andy has been painting since she could first pick up a brush. Her company is named As You Wish Arts, after the famous quote in the movie, The Princess Bride where Wesley tells Princess Buttercup.... As You Wish, as a way of saying I love you. It was one of the first date movies she and her husband went to in college. Andy sells her paintings online and in local Oahu shops on the north shore. She paints in both acrylics. Her inspiration comes from spending Ohana time at the beach or hiking in her tropical paradise island home. She paints landscapes, seascapes, Hawaiiana and pet portraits. Andy just finished illustrations of her first book collaboration to be released next month! Andy is the current president of the Hawaii Local SAG-AFTRA Union (Actors/ Performers Union) and is finishing up her 2nd term as president in Sept. She has worked in over 30 feature films and television shows with co-star roles in series such as Hawaii Five-0, recurring HPD on Magnum PI, and as a special agent for all 3 seasons on NCIS Hawaii. Her passion is to inspire other people to chase their dreams and live their life "AS You Wish". She loves LL Cool J's quote; Dreams Don't Have Deadlines. She is always trying new things that others may say are impossible or Inconceivable. __ Contact Andrea Sikkink: * Website: AsYouWishArts.com [https://asyouwisharts.com/] * Instagram: @AsYouWishArtist [https://www.instagram.com/asyouwishartist/] * Andrea Sikkink on IMDb [https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9862833] Contact Laura Reid | The Speech Slayer:  * Website: TheSpeechSlayer.com [http://thespeechslayer.com]   * Facebook: TheSpeechSlayer [https://www.facebook.com/speechslayer]   * Instagram: @Laura_InWonderland [https://www.instagram.com/laura_inwonderland]   * Linkedin: Laura Reid [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reid-339456175/]   * Book: “The Public Speaking Horror Show: 7 Secrets to Kill It as a Speaker” [https://bit.ly/ThePublicSpeakingHorrorShow-Audible] by Laura Reid

Achieving Dreams, Oprah, and the Horror of Interviewing With a Mouthful of Food with Danette Kubanda

Host Laura Reid welcomes Emmy Award-winning television producer turned media and publicity coach Danette Kubanda to the show to talk all about nerves, why people aren’t focused on the thing we think is so wrong with us, and what goes on behind the scenes of TV. Danette has spent over twenty years in the TV business and produced for CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show, HGTV, and more. She shares horror stories and inspiring anecdotes alike, all while giving Laura a glimpse behind the curtain into how people prepare to interview live. Danette stresses the power of having a dream and pursuing it because when she was a little TV-obsessed girl, she wanted two things: to work for Oprah and win an Emmy. She’s done both. Her advice is to be fully into whatever your attention is on at the moment. If you’re with your kids, be fully present. If you’re at work, don’t worry about something at home. Be present and be ready is what she tells Laura. She also reveals the answers to these questions: Which celebrity scared her the most? What’s her most recent public speaking horror story (hint: it involves food)? What’s it like to win an Emmy? What are producers looking for in guests? Danette is upbeat, encouraging, and shares insightful advice about the power of dreams and believing in what we have to share with the world.  About Danette Kubanda: Danette Kubanda is an Emmy award-winning television producer turned media and publicity coach, who helps authors, experts and entrepreneurs share their messages with the masses so they can help the people who need them most.    Her career spans more than twenty years in the TV business, where she produced for CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show, HGTV, Fine Living Network, CBS and Fox Twentieth Television.    Today, Danette is a publicity consultant and media coach serving programs like the National Publicity Summit, the Maximum Publicity Program, the Super Connector Media Mastermind and others. Her mission is to help experts become the media guests she would have wanted to book on her shows. __ Contact Danette Kubanda: * Website: DanetteKubanda.net [https://danettekubanda.net/] * LinkedIn: DanetteKubanda [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danettekubanda/] * Facebook: @DanetteKub [https://www.facebook.com/DanetteKub/] * Instagram: @kubandad [https://www.instagram.com/kubandad] Contact Laura Reid | The Speech Slayer:  * Website: TheSpeechSlayer.com [http://thespeechslayer.com]   * Facebook: TheSpeechSlayer [https://www.facebook.com/speechslayer]   * Instagram: @Laura_InWonderland [https://www.instagram.com/laura_inwonderland]   * Linkedin: Laura Reid [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reid-339456175/]   * Book: “The Public Speaking Horror Show: 7 Secrets to Kill It as a Speaker” [https://bit.ly/ThePublicSpeakingHorrorShow-Audible] by Laura Reid

The Horror of Live TV Bloopers, Telling Your Story, and Being Yourself with Jodie O’Brien

Host Laura Reid welcomes Interviewer, Communicator, and Journalist Jodie O’Brien to the Horror Show for a conversation on the terrors of public speaking for newscasts and live TV. Jodie has a long career of interviews, news stories, and news anchor broadcasts to draw powerful insights and hilariously awkward blooper stories from. She’s experienced the famous, the infamous, the awkward, and the emotional, so her advice in this episode truly resonates. She tells Laura the one thing she’d share with anyone about to address a public audience. Jodie and Laura talk about nightmares, guilty pleasure TV, mentorship, and the necessary ability to know when to listen to head over heart when navigating life. The dreams Jodie had as a child helped propel her through struggles in life to attain success. And her sense of humor prompts her to divulge some truly grand bloopers that have happened to her on live TV. But it’s her heartfelt words on why our stories matter and should be heard that make a lasting impact. From horror to healing, there is a nugget of truth and insight in this interview for everyone to take away. Even a story about red lipstick. Journal, be yourself, and listen to Jodie O’Brien tell her story to Laura.    About Jodie O’Brien: Jodie O’Brien is a dynamic communications leader, empathic interviewer, and intentional listener. With more than 20 years of experience bridging audiences and storytellers across industries—from broadcast journalism to corporate marketing to non-fiction book publishing, she is known for her integrity, relationship-building, and strategic thinking. Jodie brings a unique blend of newsroom urgency and boardroom clarity to every role she undertakes. As a trusted news anchor, producer, and reporter, Jodie has written and hosted top-rated broadcasts, mentored emerging journalists, and delivered breaking news with accuracy and heart. Her marketing and public relations career has spanned a wide array of industries, leading her to assist in global branding initiatives across five continents. Jodie has a deep track record of success in stakeholder engagement, public relations, and team development.  A skilled communicator, her work has been published across digital platforms and featured in client-facing publications. She holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Religious Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia and completed coursework in Mass Communications at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Jodie is a Mom of three and lives outside Kansas City, Missouri. __ Resources discussed in this episode: * “Who Believed In You: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World” [https://elmstreetbooks.com/book/9781400235919] by David McCormick and Dina Powell McCormick __ Contact Jodie O’Brien: * LinkedIn: Jodie-OBrien [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-obrien/] * Email: jlynnobrien@gmail.com [jlynnobrien@gmail.com] Contact Laura Reid | The Speech Slayer:  * Website: TheSpeechSlayer.com [http://thespeechslayer.com]   * Facebook: TheSpeechSlayer [https://www.facebook.com/speechslayer]   * Instagram: @Laura_InWonderland [https://www.instagram.com/laura_inwonderland]   * Linkedin: Laura Reid [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reid-339456175/]   * Book: “The Public Speaking Horror Show: 7 Secrets to Kill It as a Speaker” [https://bit.ly/ThePublicSpeakingHorrorShow-Audible] by Laura Reid