Navigating Speaker Anxiety - with Dave Brown - Stickier #2
Mastering Nerves to Deliver Authentic and Unforgettable Camp Workshops
Join Stickier as they sit down with Dave Brown, a former social worker and current year-round camp director at Mountain Camp, to discuss the evolution of his speaking career. Dave shares his journey from running staff orientation to presenting on conference stages, addressing the deep-seated anxiety that many presenters feel regardless of their experience level. The conversation focuses on reframing pre-performance nerves into fuel for impact, shifting focus away from ego toward audience helpfulness, and intentionally structuring presentations for lasting engagement.
Key Takeaways:
Acknowledge Nerves as Preparation. Even veteran speakers experience anxiety prior to stepping on stage. Reframing physical tension as the body’s way of preparing to perform allows presenters to lean into the moment rather than fight the discomfort.
Shift the Focus to Audience Need. Effective presentations stem from understanding what the audience wants, values, and struggles with. Center the content on solving a genuine problem for the room rather than trying to sound smart or overly rehearsed.
Utilize Acronyms and Space for Processing. While storytelling brings authentic emotion, simple acronyms provide a clear structure for younger staff to retain information. Pairing audience members together to process and discuss key concepts ensures the material actually sticks.
Sponsors:
Camptivities
Thanks to our friends at Camptivities for sponsoring the first season of Stickier. The most intentional camp programs are the stickiest. Campers remember them, and families return. Camptivities’ algorithm builds schedules around your camp’s rules, so every camper gets the program you designed. Visit https://www.camptivities.com/ for 15% off fall implementations and to see how we can help make your program a little, Stickier.
Host Links:
Ryan Rosen, Owner/Director Camp Kinneret & CEO of Camptivities, LLC. ryan@campkinneret.com
Dr. Kelly Jones, Owner/Director of Outpost Summer Camps. kelly@outpostsummercamps.com
Dave Brown, Director at Mountain Camp. Founder of Fence Post Learning.
