Pitch Masters

If you think great pitches are about storytelling alone, you may be missing the deeper truth. Persuasion is built on judgment, preparation and the ability to move people. Not just impress them. In this episode, Danny Fontaine sits down with former McDonald’s, Amazon, Volvo and MGM executive Atif Rafiq to unpack what it really takes to influence high-stakes decisions. From negotiating multimillion-dollar deals in his twenties to securing a billion-dollar transformation investment, Atif shares how deep preparation, listening and conviction separate persuasive leaders from everyone else. This is a conversation about pitching when the stakes are real and the room doesn’t owe you anything. From negotiating multimillion-dollar deals early in his career to securing a billion-dollar transformation at McDonald’s, Atif breaks down the habits that separate persuasive leaders from everyone else: Why most pitches fail before the meeting even starts How listening reveals the real decision behind the conversation Why conviction matters and how to earn it How to handle resistance without losing momentum What Amazon’s culture teaches about preparation and influence This isn’t theory. It’s how decisions get made inside the world’s biggest companies. About Atif Rafiq: Former President at MGM Resorts and Chief Digital Officer at McDonald’s, Volvo, and Amazon. Founder & CEO of Ritual, an AI-powered problem-solving platform. He is the author of Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action. Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/ If you enjoy the conversation, reviews, ratings and shares are the best way to support the show. Sign up for exclusive content at: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Follow Danny for more communication insights: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ My book Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet is available now on Amazon and from most bookshops. Find out more at https://pitchguy.co.uk #Pitchmasters #pitching #podcast #atifrafiq #persuasion

If you think great pitches are about storytelling alone, you may be missing the deeper truth. Persuasion is built on judgment, preparation and the ability to move people. Not just impress them. In this episode, Danny Fontaine sits down with former McDonald’s, Amazon, Volvo and MGM executive Atif Rafiq to unpack what it really takes to influence high-stakes decisions. From negotiating multimillion-dollar deals in his twenties to securing a billion-dollar transformation investment, Atif shares how deep preparation, listening and conviction separate persuasive leaders from everyone else. This is a conversation about pitching when the stakes are real and the room doesn’t owe you anything. From negotiating multimillion-dollar deals early in his career to securing a billion-dollar transformation at McDonald’s, Atif breaks down the habits that separate persuasive leaders from everyone else: Why most pitches fail before the meeting even starts How listening reveals the real decision behind the conversation Why conviction matters and how to earn it How to handle resistance without losing momentum What Amazon’s culture teaches about preparation and influence This isn’t theory. It’s how decisions get made inside the world’s biggest companies. About Atif Rafiq: Former President at MGM Resorts and Chief Digital Officer at McDonald’s, Volvo, and Amazon. Founder & CEO of Ritual, an AI-powered problem-solving platform. He is the author of Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action. Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/ If you enjoy the conversation, reviews, ratings and shares are the best way to support the show. Sign up for exclusive content at: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Follow Danny for more communication insights: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ My book Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet is available now on Amazon and from most bookshops. Find out more at https://pitchguy.co.uk #Pitchmasters #pitching #podcast #atifrafiq #persuasion

If pitching is about persuading people to act, then the workplace version of that skill often comes down to something quieter: managing up. In this episode of Pitch Masters, I speak with executive coach and bestselling author Melody Wilding about how influence really works inside organisations. Many capable professionals assume strong work will naturally be recognised. But when ideas fail to gain traction with senior leaders, the issue is often communication rather than competence. Drawing on insights from her book Managing Up, Melody explains how understanding your manager’s priorities, communication style, and pressures can change the way your ideas land — whether you’re proposing a new initiative, advocating for resources, or simply trying to make your work visible. In this conversation we explore: Why strong work doesn’t always translate into influence The problem of “silent competence” in organisations How to understand your manager’s decision-making style Practical ways to navigate difficult conversations with leaders Why managing up is often the hidden form of pitching inside companies Learn more about Melody Wilding: Website: https://melodywilding.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding If you enjoy the conversation, reviews, ratings and shares are the best way to support the show. Sign up for exclusive content at: http://pitchguy.co.uk Follow Danny for more communication insights: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine My book Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet is available now on Amazon and from most bookshops. Find out more at https://pitchguy.co.uk #pitchmasters #MelodyWilding #ManagingUp #podcast #businesspodcasts #pitching

If pitching is about persuading people to act, then the workplace version of that skill often comes down to something quieter: managing up. In this episode of Pitch Masters, I speak with executive coach and bestselling author Melody Wilding about how influence really works inside organisations. Many capable professionals assume strong work will naturally be recognised. But when ideas fail to gain traction with senior leaders, the issue is often communication rather than competence. Drawing on insights from her book Managing Up, Melody explains how understanding your manager’s priorities, communication style, and pressures can change the way your ideas land — whether you’re proposing a new initiative, advocating for resources, or simply trying to make your work visible. In this conversation we explore: Why strong work doesn’t always translate into influence The problem of “silent competence” in organisations How to understand your manager’s decision-making style Practical ways to navigate difficult conversations with leaders Why managing up is often the hidden form of pitching inside companies Learn more about Melody Wilding: Website: https://melodywilding.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding If you enjoy the conversation, reviews, ratings and shares are the best way to support the show. Sign up for exclusive content at: http://pitchguy.co.uk Follow Danny for more communication insights: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine My book Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet is available now on Amazon and from most bookshops. Find out more at https://pitchguy.co.uk #pitchmasters #MelodyWilding #ManagingUp #podcast #businesspodcasts #pitching

What can business leaders learn from the pressure, craft, and discipline of presidential speechwriting? In this episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with Terry Szuplat, who spent nearly a decade as a speechwriter for President Barack Obama, to unpack what makes messages land, what makes audiences lean in, and why “generic” is the fastest route to being forgotten. Terry takes us inside the realities of writing for the most scrutinised speaker on the planet, shares the practical framework he uses to help leaders prepare talks and pitches, and offers a simple principle that instantly raises the bar: say what only you can say. Connect with Terry Szuplat Website: https://www.terryszuplat.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-szuplat-456914137/ If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ My book, Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet, is now available: https://amzn.eu/d/ewuiZ53

What can business leaders learn from the pressure, craft, and discipline of presidential speechwriting? In this episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with Terry Szuplat, who spent nearly a decade as a speechwriter for President Barack Obama, to unpack what makes messages land, what makes audiences lean in, and why “generic” is the fastest route to being forgotten. Terry takes us inside the realities of writing for the most scrutinised speaker on the planet, shares the practical framework he uses to help leaders prepare talks and pitches, and offers a simple principle that instantly raises the bar: say what only you can say. Connect with Terry Szuplat Website: https://www.terryszuplat.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-szuplat-456914137/ If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ My book, Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet, is now available: https://amzn.eu/d/ewuiZ53

Why do talented professionals get stuck in mid-level roles — even when they’re doing great work? In this episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with executive presence expert, keynote speaker, and author Lorraine K. Lee to explore why hard work alone isn’t enough to grow your career. Lorraine shares the moment she realised that visibility, not just performance, was the missing ingredient in her own journey from LinkedIn and Prezi to launching her own successful business. We dive into: Why “hard work speaks for itself” is a myth How to build executive presence in hybrid and virtual environments The RAVE framework (Relationships, Appearance, Visibility, Expertise) How introverts can lead powerfully without pretending to be extroverts How to communicate your value without sounding like you’re bragging Why eye contact and storytelling matter more than slides If you want to influence more effectively, pitch with confidence, and build a reputation that accelerates your career — this episode is for you. Connect with Lorraine K. Lee: Website: https://lorraineklee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineklee/ If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ My book, Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet, is now available: https://amzn.eu/d/ewuiZ53

Why do talented professionals get stuck in mid-level roles even when they’re doing great work? In this episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with executive presence expert, keynote speaker, and author Lorraine K. Lee to explore why hard work alone isn’t enough to grow your career. Lorraine shares the moment she realised that visibility, not just performance, was the missing ingredient in her own journey from LinkedIn and Prezi to launching her own successful business. We dive into: Why “hard work speaks for itself” is a myth How to build executive presence in hybrid and virtual environments The RAVE framework (Relationships, Appearance, Visibility, Expertise) How introverts can lead powerfully without pretending to be extroverts How to communicate your value without sounding like you’re bragging Why eye contact and storytelling matter more than slides If you want to influence more effectively, pitch with confidence, and build a reputation that accelerates your career — this episode is for you. Connect with Lorraine K. Lee: Website: https://lorraineklee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineklee/ If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ My book, Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet, is now available: https://amzn.eu/d/ewuiZ53

What separates the world’s best communicators from everyone else? In this episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with Oliver Aust —former easyJet Chief Communicator, bestselling author, and founder of Speak Like a CEO — to talk about how leaders can pitch, persuade, and present with authenticity. From stories of easyJet’s scrappy early days to his philosophy of anti-fragile communication, Oliver shares practical insights on storytelling, structure, and confidence. His advice is simple yet profound: be cool, be helpful, be flexible. To find out more about the Speak Like A CEO Academy, podcast or books, visit Oliver’s website and become a top 1% communicator. You can also find Oliver on Linkedin here. If you enjoy the conversation, don’t forget to grab a copy of my book: PITCH: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet. You can also find more free content and resources on my website: pitchguy.co.uk And find me on Social Media here: Linkedin TikTok Instagram Thanks for listening. Danny. #PitchMasters #OliverAust #easyjet #Pitching #presenting #Storytelling #Communication #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #Pitching #SpeakLikeACEO #Marketing #PresentationSkills #Creativity #BusinessStorytelling #Confidence #DannyFontaine

What separates the world’s best communicators from everyone else? In this episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with Oliver Aust —former easyJet Chief Communicator, bestselling author, and founder of Speak Like a CEO — to talk about how leaders can pitch, persuade, and present with authenticity. From stories of easyJet’s scrappy early days to his philosophy of anti-fragile communication, Oliver shares practical insights on storytelling, structure, and confidence. His advice is simple yet profound: be cool, be helpful, be flexible. To find out more about the Speak Like A CEO Academy, podcast or books, visit Oliver’s website and become a top 1% communicator. You can also find Oliver on Linkedin here. If you enjoy the conversation, don’t forget to grab a copy of my book: PITCH: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet. You can also find more free content and resources on my website: pitchguy.co.uk And find me on Social Media here: Linkedin TikTok Instagram Thanks for listening. Danny. #PitchMasters #OliverAust #easyjet #Pitching #presenting #Storytelling #Communication #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #Pitching #SpeakLikeACEO #Marketing #PresentationSkills #Creativity #BusinessStorytelling #Confidence #DannyFontaine

In this compelling episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with Julian Treasure, renowned sound and communication expert, author, and five-time TED speaker whose talks have collectively been viewed over 160 million times. Julian reveals why listening, not just speaking, is critical in business, pitches, and leadership. Drawing from his new book, Sound Affects, we explore the profound impact of sound and listening on our personal effectiveness, organisational success, and even global economics. Tune in to learn how genuinely tuning in can transform your next pitch and beyond. For more insights, explore Julian’s book Sound Affects, or join his online community, The Listening Society, where you’ll get a whole month for free with this link. If you enjoy the conversation, don’t forget to grab a copy of PITCH: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet. It expands on these ideas with real stories, actionable frameworks, and a fresh approach to making your next pitch feel more like a conversation than a performance.

In this compelling episode of Pitch Masters, I sit down with Julian Treasure, renowned sound and communication expert, author, and five-time TED speaker whose talks have collectively been viewed over 160 million times. Julian reveals why listening, not just speaking, is critical in business, pitches, and leadership. Drawing from his new book, Sound Affects, we explore the profound impact of sound and listening on our personal effectiveness, organisational success, and even global economics. Tune in to learn how genuinely tuning in can transform your next pitch and beyond. For more insights, explore Julian’s book Sound Affects, or join his online community, The Listening Society, where you’ll get a whole month for free with this link. If you enjoy the conversation, don’t forget to grab a copy of PITCH: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet. It expands on these ideas with real stories, actionable frameworks, and a fresh approach to making your next pitch feel more like a conversation than a performance.

Chris Hay, AI Technologist & Futurist When it comes to pitching, most people think about perfect slides, rehearsed lines, and the sweaty palms that come with trying to stick the landing. But as anyone who’s seen Chris Hay in action will tell you, great pitching rarely looks like a rigid script — and increasingly, it doesn’t happen without a little help from artificial intelligence. Chris and I know each other well through our time at IBM, where I’ve watched him pitch complex ideas to huge audiences without ever appearing tied to a slide deck. He describes himself as a “technologist, futurist and disruptor” — and if you listen to this episode, you’ll quickly see why. While he humbly claims he doesn’t ‘do pitching’, what he actually does is convince people to think differently about technology, the future, and how to adapt — and that, in my book, is pitching in its purest form. The Human vs. AI Paradox I wanted Chris on the show not because we needed another AI hype session, but because he’s refreshingly candid about what AI can and can’t do — especially when it comes to human connection. As someone who lives at the sharp edge of emerging tech, Chris knows better than most how quickly AI is changing the landscape. But he’s also quick to remind us that pitching is, at its heart, a human conversation. In the episode, we dig into what happens when you bring AI into your pitch process — not as a replacement for your voice, but as a tool to shape ideas faster, polish drafts, and even pressure-test your slides from the audience’s perspective. Chris jokes that AI can do a lot of what he does, except stand on a stage and read the room in real time — and that’s precisely where your irreplaceable edge lives. Structured Unstructured: How Chris Pitches One of my favourite parts of this conversation is hearing Chris describe his so-called “structured unstructured mess” approach to pitching. He spends hours drafting and organising a story, often building 60 to 100 slides — but when he’s in front of an audience, he might only use ten. He never hands his slides over beforehand and never locks himself into a rigid order. Instead, he pivots and responds based on audience signals: who’s leaning in, who’s drifting off, and where the energy is heading. This is such an important lesson for anyone who feels chained to a script. The real magic of pitching, as Chris shows, is that you can only plan so much. The rest is reading the room and trusting your expertise. AI as Your Pitch Assistant We also talk about how to use AI as your behind-the-scenes pitch helper. Chris outlines practical ways to record your pitch, get an instant transcript, and ask AI to summarise or restructure it in seconds. He calls this an incredible time-saver — freeing you up to focus on the parts AI can’t replicate: your tone, your delivery, and the emotional arc of your story. We get into real tools too: from ChatGPT for quick structure drafts, to ‘deep research’ prompts for gathering audience insights, to using AI as a virtual focus group to test whether your message lands. What struck me is that none of this replaces a good pitch — it just cuts the grunt work, so you can spend more time crafting moments that resonate. What to Watch For Of course, there’s a darker side too: we touch on what happens when AI-generated content starts feeding itself — the so-called ‘model collapse’ problem — and how to make sure your pitches don’t get lost in a sea of generic AI sludge. Chris’s advice? Be hyper-specific, both in your prompts and your message. AI can generate structure, but it can’t copy your lived experience, your stories, or the way you read an audience’s vibe in the room. A Few Takeaways Throughout our chat, Chris drops nuggets worth scribbling down: Don’t skip the prep: The best ‘improvised’ pitches rest on solid planning. Loosen up: Trust your knowledge enough to pivot live. Use AI as a partner, not a replacement: It’s your fastest assistant, not your stand-in. Keep it human: People show up for you, not your deck. Wrapping Up If you’re curious about how to future-proof your pitching skills in an AI world — or you just want permission to ditch your slide prison — this episode is for you. Chris reminds us that no matter how smart our tools get, pitching will always be an act of human connection, improvisation, and empathy. If you enjoy the conversation, don’t forget to grab a copy of PITCH: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet. It expands on these ideas with real stories, actionable frameworks, and a fresh approach to making your next pitch feel more like a conversation than a performance. Listen now — and let me know what you think. I promise it’s more fun than watching an AI pitch to another AI (although we cover that too!). You can find Chris at his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chrishayuk

Chris Hay, AI Technologist & Futurist When it comes to pitching, most people think about perfect slides, rehearsed lines, and the sweaty palms that come with trying to stick the landing. But as anyone who’s seen Chris Hay in action will tell you, great pitching rarely looks like a rigid script — and increasingly, it doesn’t happen without a little help from artificial intelligence. Chris and I know each other well through our time at IBM, where I’ve watched him pitch complex ideas to huge audiences without ever appearing tied to a slide deck. He describes himself as a “technologist, futurist and disruptor” — and if you listen to this episode, you’ll quickly see why. While he humbly claims he doesn’t ‘do pitching’, what he actually does is convince people to think differently about technology, the future, and how to adapt — and that, in my book, is pitching in its purest form. The Human vs. AI Paradox I wanted Chris on the show not because we needed another AI hype session, but because he’s refreshingly candid about what AI can and can’t do — especially when it comes to human connection. As someone who lives at the sharp edge of emerging tech, Chris knows better than most how quickly AI is changing the landscape. But he’s also quick to remind us that pitching is, at its heart, a human conversation. In the episode, we dig into what happens when you bring AI into your pitch process — not as a replacement for your voice, but as a tool to shape ideas faster, polish drafts, and even pressure-test your slides from the audience’s perspective. Chris jokes that AI can do a lot of what he does, except stand on a stage and read the room in real time — and that’s precisely where your irreplaceable edge lives. Structured Unstructured: How Chris Pitches One of my favourite parts of this conversation is hearing Chris describe his so-called “structured unstructured mess” approach to pitching. He spends hours drafting and organising a story, often building 60 to 100 slides — but when he’s in front of an audience, he might only use ten. He never hands his slides over beforehand and never locks himself into a rigid order. Instead, he pivots and responds based on audience signals: who’s leaning in, who’s drifting off, and where the energy is heading. This is such an important lesson for anyone who feels chained to a script. The real magic of pitching, as Chris shows, is that you can only plan so much. The rest is reading the room and trusting your expertise. AI as Your Pitch Assistant We also talk about how to use AI as your behind-the-scenes pitch helper. Chris outlines practical ways to record your pitch, get an instant transcript, and ask AI to summarise or restructure it in seconds. He calls this an incredible time-saver — freeing you up to focus on the parts AI can’t replicate: your tone, your delivery, and the emotional arc of your story. We get into real tools too: from ChatGPT for quick structure drafts, to ‘deep research’ prompts for gathering audience insights, to using AI as a virtual focus group to test whether your message lands. What struck me is that none of this replaces a good pitch — it just cuts the grunt work, so you can spend more time crafting moments that resonate. What to Watch For Of course, there’s a darker side too: we touch on what happens when AI-generated content starts feeding itself — the so-called ‘model collapse’ problem — and how to make sure your pitches don’t get lost in a sea of generic AI sludge. Chris’s advice? Be hyper-specific, both in your prompts and your message. AI can generate structure, but it can’t copy your lived experience, your stories, or the way you read an audience’s vibe in the room. A Few Takeaways Throughout our chat, Chris drops nuggets worth scribbling down: Don’t skip the prep: The best ‘improvised’ pitches rest on solid planning. Loosen up: Trust your knowledge enough to pivot live. Use AI as a partner, not a replacement: It’s your fastest assistant, not your stand-in. Keep it human: People show up for you, not your deck. Wrapping Up If you’re curious about how to future-proof your pitching skills in an AI world — or you just want permission to ditch your slide prison — this episode is for you. Chris reminds us that no matter how smart our tools get, pitching will always be an act of human connection, improvisation, and empathy. If you enjoy the conversation, don’t forget to grab a copy of PITCH: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet. It expands on these ideas with real stories, actionable frameworks, and a fresh approach to making your next pitch feel more like a conversation than a performance. Listen now — and let me know what you think. I promise it’s more fun than watching an AI pitch to another AI (although we cover that too!). You can find Chris at his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chrishayuk

Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author and expert on human behaviour, joins the show to explore the art and science of persuasion. He shares how modern sales is less about manipulation and more about attunement, buoyancy, and clarity—three traits vital in today’s world of information parity. Pink also discusses the surprising power of ambiverts, the myth of extroverted sales stars, and how regret can drive personal growth. With practical insights and research-backed tips, this episode redefines pitching as a collaborative act rooted in empathy and understanding. When I first started out in the world of pitching, I was terrible. It wasn't a career I’d ever imagined for myself. Like many people, I had a perception of sales as something manipulative and disingenuous—the classic 'used car salesman' trope, full of slick tricks and empty charm. Luckily for me, I stumbled on a book that changed everything: To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Persuading, Convincing, and Influencing Others by Daniel H. Pink. It reframed sales not as something pushy or performative, but as something deeply human. At its best, persuasion isn't about control—it's about connection. So when I launched Pitch Masters, Dan Pink was at the top of my dream guest list. And I’m delighted to finally share this conversation with someone whose thinking shaped my approach not just to pitching, but to communication in every part of life. This isn’t just a conversation about sales or writing—it’s about how humans move each other. We dive into why most of us are selling all the time, even if we don’t realise it. Daniel explains why the old image of the pushy, silver-tongued salesperson is completely outdated—and how modern persuasion is built on empathy, emotional resilience, and making sense of information in a noisy world. You’ll hear about the surprising science behind what really works in a pitch: Why ambiverts (yes, not extroverts) outperform everyone else. The sweet spot for making a persuasive argument (hint: stop at three points). The moment Daniel realised a great pitch isn’t a performance—it’s an invitation. How AI is like a mediocre colleague with one good idea—and that’s enough to unblock you. And why regret, of all things, might be your most powerful teacher. Whether you’re trying to influence a room, sell an idea, or just get your kids out the door, this episode will make you think differently about what it means to pitch. Final Thought Whether you’re a seasoned presenter, a nervous first-time founder, or someone who just wants to express yourself better, this episode will change how you think about pitching. Dan Pink doesn’t give you a script. He gives you a mindset. And once you adopt it, you’ll never pitch the same way again. 🎧 Listen now to my conversation with Daniel H. Pink on Pitch Masters. Because pitching isn’t just for salespeople—it’s for anyone who wants to move others, honestly and effectively. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ My own book, Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet, is now available for pre-order: https://amzn.eu/d/ewuiZ53

Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author and expert on human behaviour, joins the show to explore the art and science of persuasion. He shares how modern sales is less about manipulation and more about attunement, buoyancy, and clarity—three traits vital in today’s world of information parity. Pink also discusses the surprising power of ambiverts, the myth of extroverted sales stars, and how regret can drive personal growth. With practical insights and research-backed tips, this episode redefines pitching as a collaborative act rooted in empathy and understanding. When I first started out in the world of pitching, I was terrible. It wasn't a career I’d ever imagined for myself. Like many people, I had a perception of sales as something manipulative and disingenuous—the classic 'used car salesman' trope, full of slick tricks and empty charm. Luckily for me, I stumbled on a book that changed everything: To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Persuading, Convincing, and Influencing Others by Daniel H. Pink. It reframed sales not as something pushy or performative, but as something deeply human. At its best, persuasion isn't about control—it's about connection. So when I launched Pitch Masters, Dan Pink was at the top of my dream guest list. And I’m delighted to finally share this conversation with someone whose thinking shaped my approach not just to pitching, but to communication in every part of life. This isn’t just a conversation about sales or writing—it’s about how humans move each other. We dive into why most of us are selling all the time, even if we don’t realise it. Daniel explains why the old image of the pushy, silver-tongued salesperson is completely outdated—and how modern persuasion is built on empathy, emotional resilience, and making sense of information in a noisy world. You’ll hear about the surprising science behind what really works in a pitch: Why ambiverts (yes, not extroverts) outperform everyone else. The sweet spot for making a persuasive argument (hint: stop at three points). The moment Daniel realised a great pitch isn’t a performance—it’s an invitation. How AI is like a mediocre colleague with one good idea—and that’s enough to unblock you. And why regret, of all things, might be your most powerful teacher. Whether you’re trying to influence a room, sell an idea, or just get your kids out the door, this episode will make you think differently about what it means to pitch. Final Thought Whether you’re a seasoned presenter, a nervous first-time founder, or someone who just wants to express yourself better, this episode will change how you think about pitching. Dan Pink doesn’t give you a script. He gives you a mindset. And once you adopt it, you’ll never pitch the same way again. 🎧 Listen now to my conversation with Daniel H. Pink on Pitch Masters. Because pitching isn’t just for salespeople—it’s for anyone who wants to move others, honestly and effectively. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ My own book, Pitch: How to Captivate and Convince Any Audience on the Planet, is now available for pre-order: https://amzn.eu/d/ewuiZ53

The pitch to become British Rail’s advertising agency in 1979 is one of the greatest of all time. It involved an immersive theatrical experience that showed an audience a problem in a completely new light. The story has been told to me many times by many people, but always with a different spin. I decided to find out the truth for myself and tracked down Graham Thomas, who was – in 1979 – an Account Manager for Allen, Brady & Marsh, and played a vital role in this now-legendary pitch. In this episode, he talks me through the pitch itself as well as taking me on a journey behind-the-scenes of the clandestine world of 1970's advertising. Wire-tapped mini-cabs, walkie-talkies, buttering up hotel porters, theatrics and playbooks - this episode is 80 minutes of pitching GOLD. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

The pitch to become British Rail’s advertising agency in 1979 is one of the greatest of all time. It involved an immersive theatrical experience that showed an audience a problem in a completely new light. The story has been told to me many times by many people, but always with a different spin. I decided to find out the truth for myself and tracked down Graham Thomas, who was – in 1979 – an Account Manager for Allen, Brady & Marsh, and played a vital role in this now-legendary pitch. In this episode, he talks me through the pitch itself as well as taking me on a journey behind-the-scenes of the clandestine world of 1970's advertising. Wire-tapped mini-cabs, walkie-talkies, buttering up hotel porters, theatrics and playbooks - this episode is 80 minutes of pitching GOLD. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Oren Klaff is the real deal. He raises vast sums of investment capital every single day using his unique and hugely popular methods of pitching - as outlined in his international bestselling book, Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal. We talk about a LOT of topics: swagger, making money, persuasion, human behaviour, capital markets, Anthony Scaramucci, cognitive psychology, power hierarchies and status, billionaires and valets, values, and negotiating - and we even do some role play. WARNING - there is some fairly explicit and expletive language throughout this episode, but if you’re ok with that, grab a drink, sit back, and get ready to take notes. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Oren Klaff is the real deal. He raises vast sums of investment capital every single day using his unique and hugely popular methods of pitching - as outlined in his international bestselling book, Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal. We talk about a LOT of topics: swagger, making money, persuasion, human behaviour, capital markets, Anthony Scaramucci, cognitive psychology, power hierarchies and status, billionaires and valets, values, and negotiating - and we even do some role play. WARNING - there is some fairly explicit and expletive language throughout this episode, but if you’re ok with that, grab a drink, sit back, and get ready to take notes. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

In this episode of the Pitch Masters podcast, I speak to yet another one of my all-time pitching heroes, the legendary Peter Coughter, founder and CEO of Coughter & Company, Professor at VCU Brandcenter, and author of one of my favourite books - The Art of the Pitch: Persuasion and Presentation Skills that Win Business. In this episode, we discuss a lot of pitch material - the fear we all have, whether we need a deck, bringing the right people, and breaking the rules. But, best of all, Peter is a natural-born storyteller, and this episode is packed to the brim with pitch anecdotes that will make you laugh and cry. He tells me how he helped the Boston Olympic Committee win the honour of being the US City of choice to be put forward for the 2024 Summer Olympics, by employing a highly emotional and heartfelt story about the Boston Marathon Bombings. He tells me the story of how he used a scene from Conan Barbarian to win the hearts and minds of a business that were strongly opposed to his agency. He also tells me the hilarious story of a pitch that went horrendously wrong in a hotel when the slide projectors became effected by the pushing of buttons in the elevator. He tells me a lot of great stories. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ Sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to take notes…

In this episode of the Pitch Masters podcast, I speak to yet another one of my all-time pitching heroes, the legendary Peter Coughter, founder and CEO of Coughter & Company, Professor at VCU Brandcenter, and author of one of my favourite books - The Art of the Pitch: Persuasion and Presentation Skills that Win Business. In this episode, we discuss a lot of pitch material - the fear we all have, whether we need a deck, bringing the right people, and breaking the rules. But, best of all, Peter is a natural-born storyteller, and this episode is packed to the brim with pitch anecdotes that will make you laugh and cry. He tells me how he helped the Boston Olympic Committee win the honour of being the US City of choice to be put forward for the 2024 Summer Olympics, by employing a highly emotional and heartfelt story about the Boston Marathon Bombings. He tells me the story of how he used a scene from Conan Barbarian to win the hearts and minds of a business that were strongly opposed to his agency. He also tells me the hilarious story of a pitch that went horrendously wrong in a hotel when the slide projectors became effected by the pushing of buttons in the elevator. He tells me a lot of great stories. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ Sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to take notes…

You've probably heard of the power of storytelling in business, but how do we actually go about doing it - and do we need to be a natural-born storyteller? Enter, Hilary Salzman, the Business Storyteller. Hilary is the founder of 22-stories.com and she's on a mission to get more people telling stories to grow their business. In this episode of Pitch Masters, we talk about why we should tell stories in business, the science behind creating emotional connections, and frameworks that you can immediately start using to create your own compelling stories. We also talk about the challenges that women face in male-dominated industries, overcoming imposter syndrome, and we have an open discussion on whether ChatGPT has a role in storytelling. You can connect with Hilary on her website, Instagram, and Linkedin, and I would HIGHLY recommend her Podcast, The Everyday Storyteller. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ Sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to take notes…

You've probably heard of the power of storytelling in business, but how do we actually go about doing it - and do we need to be a natural-born storyteller? Enter, Hilary Salzman, the Business Storyteller. Hilary is the founder of 22-stories.com and she's on a mission to get more people telling stories to grow their business. In this episode of Pitch Masters, we talk about why we should tell stories in business, the science behind creating emotional connections, and frameworks that you can immediately start using to create your own compelling stories. We also talk about the challenges that women face in male-dominated industries, overcoming imposter syndrome, and we have an open discussion on whether ChatGPT has a role in storytelling. You can connect with Hilary on her website, Instagram, and Linkedin, and I would HIGHLY recommend her Podcast, The Everyday Storyteller. If you enjoy the show, reviews, ratings and shares are the best possible way to show your support and are always appreciated. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ Sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to take notes…

Welcome to a truly inspiring and motivating episode of Pitch Masters with Carl Hewitt, a young CEO of a digital marketing agency who founded the company when he was just 17 years old. He tells me the struggles he’s overcome with age bias, how he’s grown a business from door-to-door selling, how we can all use personas properly to win over an audience, how small tests always win the day, how he handled a mid-pitch panic attack, and how the dream of taking his mum to Rome has driven him towards success. This episode is jam-packed with advice and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned businesspeople alike. Find out more about Carl's agency, Hewitt Matthews at hewittmatthews.co.uk, or connect with Carl on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/carl-hewitt. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ Sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to make notes…

Welcome to a truly inspiring and motivating episode of Pitch Masters with Carl Hewitt, a young CEO of a digital marketing agency who founded the company when he was just 17 years old. He tells me the struggles he’s overcome with age bias, how he’s grown a business from door-to-door selling, how we can all use personas properly to win over an audience, how small tests always win the day, how he handled a mid-pitch panic attack, and how the dream of taking his mum to Rome has driven him towards success. This episode is jam-packed with advice and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned businesspeople alike. Find out more about Carl's agency, Hewitt Matthews at hewittmatthews.co.uk, or connect with Carl on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/carl-hewitt. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/ Sit back, grab a drink, and get ready to make notes…

In February 2001, 17 anarchists assembled in the Snowbird ski resort in Utah, USA. They had no fixed agenda and spent two days in lively conversation, creating what we all now know as the Agile Manifesto. A new mindset and movement were born that would change the face of software development, but they could never have guessed just how far-reaching, famous, and infamous their work would become. One of those 17 was Jim Highsmith, and in this episode, he tells me the story about the birth of Agile. You'll hear Jim tell me the story of Snowbird, and how that meeting resulted in a worldwide phenomenon. We discuss how Agile was pitched by many people, how it's resulted in unexpected and amazing things, and how it's been misunderstood and misused. We dispel some Agile myths, talk about applying Agile in leadership, and discuss Jim's own career from being a self-proclaimed techie to a VP of Sales and Marketing. Jim's latest book 'Wild West to Agile' is a truly riveting read and I'd recommend it to anyone. The book is available to purchase at Amazon and directly from Pearson. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

In February 2001, 17 anarchists assembled in the Snowbird ski resort in Utah, USA. They had no fixed agenda and spent two days in lively conversation, creating what we all now know as the Agile Manifesto. A new mindset and movement were born that would change the face of software development, but they could never have guessed just how far-reaching, famous, and infamous their work would become. One of those 17 was Jim Highsmith, and in this episode, he tells me the story about the birth of Agile. You'll hear Jim tell me the story of Snowbird, and how that meeting resulted in a worldwide phenomenon. We discuss how Agile was pitched by many people, how it's resulted in unexpected and amazing things, and how it's been misunderstood and misused. We dispel some Agile myths, talk about applying Agile in leadership, and discuss Jim's own career from being a self-proclaimed techie to a VP of Sales and Marketing. Jim's latest book 'Wild West to Agile' is a truly riveting read and I'd recommend it to anyone. The book is available to purchase at Amazon and directly from Pearson. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

This week on Pitch Masters: Nancy Duarte. Listening is essential for anyone who wants to improve their pitches, presentations and storytelling. Nancy is another one of my all-time pitching heroes. Her work on ‘sparklines' has had a huge impact on my career and the way that work, and I use her methods every single day at IBM to create the most compelling pitches and presentations. In this hour, you’ll hear about how Nancy discovered sparklines, the joy that followed and her moral decision about whether to share it with the world. We talk about speeches and keynotes by Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs, Al Gore, and Jawaharlal Nehru. We discuss how to make presentations like Pixar make movies, how to humanise data, and how to make your audience FEEL something. The episode is available in full as a video on Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and as audio everywhere else. As always, I’d love to know what you think. Find out more about Nancy and her work at Duarte. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Video version available on Apple Podcasts and Youtube. This week on Pitch Masters: Nancy Duarte. Listening is essential for anyone who wants to improve their pitches, presentations and storytelling. Nancy is another one of my all-time pitching heroes. Her work on ‘sparklines' has had a huge impact on my career and the way that work, and I use her methods every single day at IBM to create the most compelling pitches and presentations. In this hour, you’ll hear about how Nancy discovered sparklines, the joy that followed and her moral decision about whether to share it with the world. We talk about speeches and keynotes by Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs, Al Gore, and Jawaharlal Nehru. We discuss how to make presentations like Pixar make movies, how to humanise data, and how to make your audience FEEL something. The episode is available in full as a video on Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and as audio everywhere else. As always, I’d love to know what you think. Find out more about Nancy and her work at Duarte. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Jeb Blount is sales royalty. He's published 15 books on selling, including Sales EQ, Fanatical Prospecting, and Objections, and he's been top of my Pitch Masters hit list since the show began. In this episode we cover a huge amount of ground: qualifying deals, closing deals, relationships, stories, 'the ledge', 'murder boarding' the chessboard of sales, how to withhold information for leverage, and of course, how we can create emotional connections. In 70 minutes we cover the entire sales cycle, and Jeb gives me a ridiculous amount of insights that we can all use to improve our pitches and make more sales. You can find out more about Jeb on his website salesgravy.com and I'd highly recommend you go buy one of his books on Amazon - Sales EQ is my all-time favourite. I'm also pleased to announce that this is Pitch Master's first full VIDEO EPISODE, available on Apple and Youtube - just search for Pitch Masters. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Jeb Blount is sales royalty. He's published 15 books on selling, including Sales EQ, Fanatical Prospecting, and Objections, and he's been top of my Pitch Masters hit list since the show began. In this episode we cover a huge amount of ground: qualifying deals, closing deals, relationships, stories, 'the ledge', 'murder boarding' the chessboard of sales, how to withhold information for leverage, and of course, how we can create emotional connections. In 70 minutes we cover the entire sales cycle, and Jeb gives me a ridiculous amount of insights that we can all use to improve our pitches and make more sales. You can find out more about Jeb on his website salesgravy.com and I'd highly recommend you go buy one of his books on Amazon - Sales EQ is my all-time favourite. I'm also pleased to announce that this is Pitch Master's first full VIDEO EPISODE, available on Apple and Youtube - just search for Pitch Masters. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Episode 17 of Pitch Masters features the incredible Neil Mullarkey, star of Austin Powers, author of Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills, and In The Moment, actor and improv comedy maestro. We talk about how to use improv in business, how to cast the perfect team for your pitch, debunking the myth of “Yes, and…”, mirror neurons and monkeys, and, of course, Swedish-made penis enlargers. I was lucky enough to be taught ‘business improv’ by Neil a few years ago, and the lessons I learned from him have stuck with me forever. We met downstairs at the Comedy Store in London and spent an entire day telling stories and learning how the exact techniques used in improv comedy are directly applicable to business. In this episode, we drill down deep so you can learn them too. This is an episode that is packed with a thousand usable tips for when you’re next pitching. You can find out more about Neil on his website neilmullarkey.com, and order his new book In The Moment over at Koganpage. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with someone else who might. Sign up for the mailing list for exclusive content at http://pitchguy.co.uk/ and follow me on social media for video clips of the episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

In episode 16 of Pitch Masters, I speak to inspirational leader and former CEO, J Schwan. We have an incredibly candid talk about what being a CEO really involves. We discuss red and blue oceans, pitching to investors, choosing the right clients for your business, the importance of having a great mentor, and using the story from the movie 300 to motivate a team to success. Grab a coffee (or something stronger), sit back, and enjoy the show. Visit J's new business venture, The Second Mountain, at https://thesecondmountain.io/ or find his free masterclass series on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@thesecondmountain. I If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Matt Batten is an Executive Creative Director in advertising who’s won over 150 awards internationally. In this episode he talks me through his ten-point-plan for pitching, shares how a flawed loyalty programme landed him the Coca-Cola account, and plies me with multiple anecdotes about brilliant, emotional, and hilarious pitches from his career. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Ben Williams is a values-driven, authentic, and vulnerable person. He also happens to be an ex-marine, the author of Commando Mindset: Find Your Motivation, Realize Your Potential, Achieve Your Goals, and the co-founder of the team-wellness app, Loopin. In this episode of the Pitch Masters podcast, we talk about self-confidence and belief, humility, psychological safety at work, and the time that he pitched to acquire England Manager, Gareth Southgate. Join me on an emotional rollercoaster of life advice and hilarious pitching anecdotes - you won't regret listening to this one. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

This week on Pitch Masters: Simon Sinek. I’ve read Simon’s books and watched the Ted Talks as I’m sure many of you have, but what I really wanted to know was: how does he pitch? In this episode, we go on a journey together through the end-to-end lifecycle of a pitch: ideation, structures, pitch decks, presenting, nerves, relationships, and all of those other stages that we have to go through for a compelling (and WINNING) pitch. Along the way, he tells me about his greatest-ever pitch - the one that got Start With Why published and launched his career. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Thomas Erikson, the author of international best-seller Surrounded By Idiots (and many more books), talks about personality tests, the DISC profile, and how we can use it in a pitching scenario to serve our audience. We also discuss leadership styles, how to make people like you, and why we all need to be ourselves If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Viv Groskop talks about channelling the right energy when we communicate, flight or flight, the challenges that women face that men often don’t, why we should commit to a speaking event before we are ready, her journey from corporate-world to freelance, dealing with nerves, and how we all need to remember to be HUMAN. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Jeff Gothelf talks about the power of Lean UX and how it’s evolved over the last 10 years, how he creates compelling stories, the importance of preparation, how we all need to ‘plant our flag’ for success, and the tale of the human cannonball. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

This week I speak to psychologist Dr Kimber Shelton who talks about the differences and considerations that people of colour face when they are pitching, as well as cognitive distortion, all-or-nothing thinking, mirror neurons, eye contact and a whole lot more. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains some disturbing and occasionally graphic stories of the events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent events that unfolded. Robin is an ex-FBI Agent and his career was focused on the hardest pitch of them all – recruiting Russian spies to work for the US government. His work has taught him many life lessons and he is a master of eliciting trust from the most reluctant people. He is now an executive coach and speaker and in this episode of Pitch Masters, he divulges invaluable tips on how to read people, how to gain their trust, how to prepare yourself for pitches, presentations and public speaking, as well as his philosophies on life and finding true happiness. Robin Dreeke talks about his journey from humble beginnings to recruiting spies for the FBI, his personal story of 9/11, his Buddhist influences, and his area of expertise - how we can recognise and gain the trust of others. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Bill Clinton’s Thumb Of Power, Barack Obama’s Pinch Of Salt - just two tips from episode 7 of the Pitch Masters Podcast with body language expert, Martin Brooks. When we pitch, present, or speak in public, we often focus on the content of what we’re saying, and in reality, a HUGE amount of our success lies in non-verbal communication, ie, BODY LANGUAGE. Martin is a Communication Performance Coach and Author of Body Language Decoder. This interview was absolutely fascinating, and is, IMHO, essential learning for anyone speaking in front of a crowd. We talk about hand gestures, how to stand, how to move, facial expressions, and how to get rid of those terrible nerves. Plus, we talk about some classic real life examples: how we can tell that Boris was often not being entirely truthful, how we know that Liz Truss was a bag of nerves, and how Joe Biden stamps his authority when he’s making a point. And there’s more, way more - the postural retreat, spatial anchoring, and how Dr Freud’s work still holds the answers to why we act like we do. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Doug Hall talks about his unique system for coming up with ideas, why he gets senior people to say dumb things, the blueprint for a winning pitch, how to tap into your subconscious, judging some of the best and worst pitches on TV, and creating custom bourbon in under 5 minutes. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Helle Williams, Senior Sales Executive at Sogeti, talks about the importance of research before a pitch, the power of asking questions to gain winning insights, how to sell in Sweden, and being a woman in the male-dominated industry of IT consulting. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Adam Morgan talks about the battle between emotional-driven creative and data-based selling, dealing with a hostile audience, the formula for creating memories, the (correct) length of headlines, hooking up people to fMRIs to measure their emotions, and doing a front flip off a table in the middle of a pitch. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Jeremy Connell-Waite talks about how a hospital machine changed his career path, storytelling, emotions, Donald Trump and Joe Biden's inauguration speeches, JFK, and the art of being a master communicator. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/

Tommy Schaff talks prospecting, psychology, velveteen rabbits, Tony Robbins, getting beaten to class president by a drug dealer, being your authentic self, honesty, vulnerability, the power of questions, and buying Dwayne Johnson’s old clothes. If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else who might appreciate it, and if you can, leave a review. Follow me on social media for video clips of the episode, or visit the website for more information. Website: http://pitchguy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfontaine/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pitchguy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pitchguy/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyfontaine/