For about 10 years, I regularly did public speaking both professionally and personally. Over the years, as I became more experienced and worked on it, I went from being nervous and terrified, to quite comfortable speaking to audiences up to several hundred people.
I remember a mentor telling me, “You’ll be surprised what people take away from your speech. Everyone hears something different.”
That’s definitely been the case. It happened once again this week, as I received feedback from my Solo podcast guest spot.
What I spoke about was my marriage, my wife’s death, my road trip, rebuilding my life afterward and the role that the Solo podcast played in this.
I’ve gotten texts from friends, messages from Solo forum members I “know” peripherally, and from podcast listeners I’ve never met. All of the feedback has been warm and pleasant, unlike the general anonymous user comment that are prevalent on twitter, YouTube etc. I suspect it’s because the audience is narrower, the forum is semi-private and my friends are…well they are my friends, they are always kind.
It made me smile to hear the many different takeaways that stood out for different listeners. Here are just a few:
- I hope you find your tribe.
- I was touched by the story of how your mother helped you when you needed her most (from several people – it was an emotional story and pivotal time).
- Inspired by how you rebuilt your life.
- Loved to hear how this podcast and community coalesced.
- Sympathy for your loss (a few).
- Inspired to make a change in my life.
- I never knew I was part of your cult! (from a bachelor friend)
- Appreciated your honesty about the unrewarding drudgery of parenting that many people are afraid to voice.
I am no different. When I hear a speaker, I focus on the ideas and stories that speak to me. I suspect we all do.