Speak to Be Heard (S4) S17:E1

Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life — where your voice isn’t just heard — it’s understood, respected, and remembered. I’m your host, John C. Morley, serial entrepreneur, podcast coach, and passionate believer that the way you speak can change your world. Today, we’re exploring something powerful yet often overlooked: the art of clear speech and effective communication. Whether you're delivering a keynote, making a business pitch, or having a heart-to-heart, how you say what you say matters — and in this episode, you’ll learn exactly how to sharpen your voice for clarity, impact, and confidence. So, get ready to fine-tune your tone, elevate your enunciation, and perfect your pacing. Your best voice is waiting — let’s find it together. 🎧✨

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1️⃣ Articulate words clearly to avoid mumbling or slurring 🎯

I remember back in college, I gave a presentation in one of my business classes. I had all the content nailed down, but I spoke too quickly and didn’t open my mouth enough when I talked. My professor actually pulled me aside afterward and said, “John, you have great ideas, but we couldn’t understand half of them.” That stuck with me. From that moment, I began practicing in front of a mirror, focusing on articulating every word. It made a huge difference in how my peers responded to me — they started leaning in instead of tuning out.

2️⃣ Be mindful of dropping word endings (e.g., “goin’” vs. “going”) 📉

Early in my career, I used to host live business trainings. One day, someone came up to me and said, “You sound really relaxed — almost too relaxed.” That puzzled me until I listened to a recording and realized I kept dropping my word endings. I was saying things like “doin’” and “gonna.” It didn’t sound polished. I worked on consciously pronouncing the full endings, and suddenly, people took my message more seriously. It taught me that small adjustments can shift big perceptions.

3️⃣ Practice enunciation with tongue twisters and slow reading 🌀

When I was preparing for my first podcast series, I felt my articulation wasn’t sharp enough. So I started incorporating tongue twisters into my morning routine. “Unique New York” and “Red leather, yellow leather” became my go-to warmups. I’d also read articles aloud slowly, focusing on precision. Within a few weeks, my voice felt more controlled, and listeners began commenting on how clear and easy