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joHN MCWHORTER
A Columbia University linguist explores how race and language shape our politics and culture.
October 30, 2025
By the way, I highly recommend Michael Chad Hoeppner’s “Don’t Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life.”
I often suggest that in public speaking, it gets you a long way to simply avoid saying “um” (and to hold way back on “like” and “sort of”). Hoeppner gets you still further, genially instructing readers on how to be comfortable in front of an audience and get their message across. He even provides exercises you can do on your own to make public speaking, of all things, fun.
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Speak Confidently, Anywhere and Anytime.
Transform your communication skills with proven techniques to talk like a pro, even when you feel like a fraud.
Out Now Wherever Books Are Sold.
Michael Chad Hoeppner is the foremost expert on effective speaking.
He’s coached presidential candidates, prominent CEOs, and Ivy League deans on their communication skills.
As the CEO and founder of GK Training, Michael pioneered an innovative approach to communication training that relied on physical exercises to reimagine the experience of public speaking.
For nearly 15 years, Michael has been developing bespoke tools for individuals, companies, and organizations giving them the communication skills necessary to reach their highest goals in work and life. Now, he shares his wide-ranging knowledge in Don’t Say Um.
gives you access to Exclusive Training Tools
Don’t Say Um is filled with detailed walkthroughs of physical exercises that address issues from eye contact to filler words, warm-ups to nerves.
But we don’t stop there.
With your purchase you get exclusive access to video versions of the exercises to reinforce your training. In these videos Michael Chad Hoeppner becomes your personal communication coach, demonstrating exercises that he created to unlock your full potential as a communicator.
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What People Say After Working with GK
Feedback from senior leaders who have trained with us over the last fifteen years.
The post-it drill helped me organize my ideas clearly and make sure I covered every point without skipping anything. The built-in pauses gave me time to breathe and stay calm, which made the entire presentation feel structured and under control. I received very positive feedback from everyone in the room.
After attending the GK Executive Presence Mastery program in NYC, I felt more confident in my oralist skills and thoroughly believe that in the span of two days I was able to improve greatly. Not only did GK help with the delivery and conciseness of my speech, GK also helped me improve the structure and content of it. It was a great experience that has truly changed my view on how to properly develop and deliver engaging speeches and presentations.
GK Training's Executive Presence Mastery course was one of the most practical public speaking programs I've been through. Watching people transform their speech and delivery in just two days, through sharp instruction and real-time coaching, was genuinely impressive. As a coach and facilitator who has experienced a range of programs in this space, I walked away with fresh insights and tools I'm already applying in my own interactions. Highly recommend.
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