Public Speaking & Performance
68 episodes · 2018–2021 · 22 debates · 44 pieces of advice · 55 stories · 49 quotes
The Daily Talk Show — Australia’s daily podcast, hosted by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen — discussed public speaking & performance across 68 of its 1,022 daily episodes between 2018 and 2021. This page collects what was actually said: 49 verbatim quotes, 44 pieces of advice, 55 stories told on air, 22 on-air debates, each linked to the exact moment in the episode and on YouTube.
Where they stand
Moments where the table disagreed, straight from the transcripts.
whether sparkling/soda water is good for hydration
Ep 100027:12Lightly sparkling water without added sodium is a good way to get people to drink more water, though he acknowledges dentists warn about enamel effects.
Feels that drinking a lot of sparkling water and coffee leaves him feeling dehydrated, comparing the feeling to having 'no fluid' in his spine.
Suggests Tommy had more 'bravado' five years ago and jokingly says he's become 'a pussy,' though clarifies bravado isn't the same as real confidence.
Argues he cares much less what people think now due to daily meditation, framing this as increased genuine confidence rather than decreased confidence.
Suggests women may be better at advocating for others (like Jess negotiating fees for the team), while men are more focused on advocating for their own interests (like himself taking the trolley to help himself).
Agrees that negotiating fees for the business is something she's comfortable with, framing it as helping the team rather than personal gain.
Believes people idolise Letterman as a brilliant interviewer, though personally feels more drawn to the guests than to Letterman's interviewing style.
Thinks the idolisation of such interviewers may be 'overbaked,' arguing their style worked for a specific moment but isn't necessarily universally superior.
Negative comments are usually out of proportion to reality during a collectively stressful time, so he doesn't take them personally and finds them more amusing than upsetting.
Frames being targeted for others' unrelated grievances (e.g., Leon Schoeger controversy) as 'taking the hit for other people,' treating it lightly.
Suggests leaks may serve stakeholders who feel people need information now, and wonders if Dan Andrews might be leaking his own information strategically.
Views the leaking as politically motivated, possibly by someone with Labor Party sympathies within circles close to the information, and compares it to decades-long strategic leaking of damaging photos in US politics.
Feels platforms like Twitter should be largely hands-off and let content flow as a 'funnel of shit' for consumers to judge themselves, rather than companies deciding what's true.
Argues some moderation is necessary because not everyone is a free thinker, comparing unchecked misinformation to an arms race, though acknowledges deciding the rules will cause collateral damage during a long 'evolution.'
It's an easy task because of the limited space in a barrel, making it a simple analogy for something easy.
He argues shooting fish in a barrel is actually quite difficult, and that scooping fish out with a net would be easier.
Borderline refers to being at the edge of a serious condition, e.g. 'borderline schizophrenic,' struggling severely but not yet in psychosis.
Recalls it being used at school to mean 'tipping on the side of failing,' but after looking it up finds the dictionary definition is 'only just acceptable in quality,' concluding teachers were using it incorrectly.
Skeptical that rumours of an imminent lockdown date are reliable, drawing a parallel to a previous false rumour about a terrorist attack.
Believes it's likely to happen given it occurred before Stage 3 was announced and the current situation feels more serious ('I feel like we're in a different time').
Believes dad jokes are clever because they reflect quick, in-the-moment observation, even if a dad doesn't realise he's doing it.
Argues dad jokes are not clever at all — they're 'safe fodder,' the simplest low-hanging-fruit joke used around children when you can't tell the jokes you'd actually want to.
Jack Steele and Matt Ford
Prefer going in with little to no research or scripted questions, finding it leads to more natural, funny moments despite occasional awkwardness.
Notes the tension that not knowing basic facts (like an artist's nationality) can also create unnecessary awkwardness, questioning whether some prep would help.
Advice from the show
all 44pieces →What was actually said, attributed and linked to the moment.
How do you get better-tasting sparkling water at home?
Josh and Jules recommend a SodaStream with a glass bottle attachment rather than the standard plastic bottle, noting plastic can impart a gunky taste, while cautioning that a faulty lid can occasionally make water taste off.
What can help build confidence against being scared or jumpy in public?
Tommy recommends starting martial arts, not for ego or fighting ability, but to build inner confidence that you could handle yourself if something happened.
How do you get free or discounted things confidently without seeming rude?
Ask leading questions like 'are you going to throw this out?' which puts the other person in a position to offer it to you, rather than directly demanding something for free.
How do you build relationships with new neighbours?
Ease into conversations with new neighbours gradually — make eye contact a couple of times first, then approach directly to start chatting once you've built some familiarity.
How should a manager balance trusting employees' process versus measuring their output?
Godin suggests that once the hard creative/architectural decisions are made and the spec for quality is defined, leaders should trust skilled people to develop their own process to meet that spec rather than micromanaging via constant monitoring (e.g., stopwatches, endless Zoom check-ins), citing how Japanese carmakers improved quality by pushing decisions down to frontline workers.
How do you cope with feeling out of control about an uncertain future?
Stop ruminating on the unknown and instead focus concretely on what you're doing today, tomorrow, this week and this month — similar to writing a to-do list to regain a sense of control.
How should you handle negative or triggered comments online?
Recognize that during a stressful period like COVID, people's negative reactions are often out of proportion to what's actually happening, so don't take it personally.
What should you do if you're feeling down during lockdown?
Make yourself a coffee, ride it out, and read a book — things can look up.
How should feedback and performance reviews be handled on a team?
Peter argues 360 reviews and performance feedback work best when built on an existing foundation of regular, ongoing feedback and trust, so formal reviews contain no real surprises — they should just confirm things already discussed.
How do you cope mentally with major life disruption, like losing your job overnight?
Piterman describes reaching an 'acceptance' after two to three weeks by surrendering control, focusing on what happens 'between one's ears,' and not spending each day fretting over finances or trying to control everything.
How can I build self-confidence?
Believe in yourself first — if you don't believe you're good enough, no one else will either, such as in a job interview. If you don't feel confident yet, fake it until you make it; acting confident when you walk into a room makes people go along with it.
How can a performer stay calm playing to a huge crowd?
Mentally reframe the audience as one single entity (Pete Murray says he imagines it as 'one big fat person') rather than thinking of thousands of individuals, which helps reduce intimidation and lets you relax and joke around on stage.
How do you make confident decisions when you're uncertain?
Ask yourself what's the worst that could happen, then go with your gut rather than sitting on a decision for weeks; if it turns out wrong you can own and correct it, but prolonged indecision helps no one.
Should you heavily prepare before a big live interview or MC gig?
Minimal preparation and going off the cuff can produce a more natural, authentic result than over-scripting, even though it carries higher risk of awkward moments.
How can you make a stage bit land better with a mixed audience (fans and newcomers)?
Josh suggests standing up suddenly to increase perceived status (citing the book Impro and Michael Bungay Stanier), and deliberately not explaining the in-joke so that fans who get it feel included while others are left intrigued rather than alienated.
How do you keep jokes or bits working in a long-running show?
Don't over-plan or force a punchline in the moment; instead, be willing to try something and let it develop as a slower-burn idea across multiple episodes rather than needing it to land immediately.
How should a startup founder respond when they don't know the answer to something?
Say 'I'm not sure' rather than bluffing — it signals confidence rather than weakness and should be followed by a plan to find the answer; investors and team members who react badly to that phrase are not the right people to have around you.
How should you mentally prepare for a big, nerve-wracking event like hosting episode 500?
Don't overthink it and don't underthink it — have no strategy as the strategy, and just have fun with it rather than treating it like a performance.
What should schools teach that they currently don't?
Will Connolly suggests schools should teach deeper connection with others and yourself, remove the pressure of marks/scores, and let students explore and find their passion rather than breeding ego through competition.
How should you structure a live podcast/event to avoid chaos?
Embrace having one person (a producer/MC) manage structure and timing because the hosts' natural tendency not to stick to structure needs to be balanced with someone enforcing time limits and flow.
Should you throw glass bottles into the ocean for a 'message in a bottle' stunt?
Tommy argues it's fine since glass is essentially sand returning to a natural state, while Josh and Mason push back, noting it's not biodegradable and could harm marine life like sharks.
How should you prepare for and structure a TED talk?
Aim for a talk that can be summarised in one sentence, treat every line as if it must stand alone and be tweetable, and consider reverse-engineering a script by riffing on your idea, transcribing it, then refining. Memorise by putting key talking points somewhere you'll see them repeatedly, like a waterproofed sleeve in the shower.
How do you MC or emcee an event well?
Do a full script and read it a couple of times but don't read from it live—just know it's there. Read the room and match your tone to the audience, remember the MC's role is to guide the event rather than be the star, and always keep your own questions ready because there's usually silence when you throw to the audience.
Should you tell your co-host or crew if you're feeling unwell before a show?
Keep how you're feeling to yourself in front of the wider crew since everyone is working hard and you don't want to let the team down; it's fine to confide in a close co-host, but the show must go on regardless, and you process how bad you feel afterwards in private.
Stories told on air
Bumping into Chase Jarvis and Post Malone in New York
Ep 100025:09On the same day they interviewed Seth Godin in Central Park, Tommy and Josh randomly encountered photographer/entrepreneur Chase Jarvis on a street corner and interviewed him on the spot, then later that evening spotted Post Malone outside a Chinese restaurant with a heavy security detail, reportedly larger than Bill Clinton's.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Josh recalls that in Los Angeles he and Bree disliked protein frappés they bought from Starbucks and he went up and complained, getting free replacement drinks due to American customer service standards.
told by Josh Janssen
Josh recalls his experience MCing a WordPress Melbourne event around 2012, where his job was simply introducing speakers, as a reference point for thinking about what makes a good host/MC.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy relays a story sent by listener Rhys Mitchell about being in an Uber where the driver kept bees in his glove box and stung himself along his spine, claiming it helped fight cancer, with the hosts musing that recognition for unconventional ideas doesn't always come in one's lifetime.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh and Tommy call guest Scooter (Derek Myers) live to get his take on the Fortnite/Apple dispute and Google's open letter, leading to a wide-ranging discussion about tech regulation and misinformation.
told by Derek Myers, Josh Janssen, Tommy Jackett
Tommy drove to the office during Melbourne's stage 4 lockdown curfew, technically breaking the law, to grab his skateboard and check the mail, noting how empty the roads were and how his commute time was cut dramatically.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh recounts a story about someone who was falsely told insider information about a reality TV show's winner, placed a huge bet on Sportsbet based on the tip, and lost all the money, with their parents also having bet on the same false info.
told by Josh Janssen
After losing a fully recorded episode when a power cord was kicked out, the hosts attempt a replacement bit connecting three people across Melbourne via CB radio walkie-talkies to relay messages between locations.
told by Josh Janssen and Tommy Jackett (with some lines attributed to 'Mason Lauder')
Phoebe describes working at Mecca during university, moving to London to work for a skincare company owned by Bono and his wife, being acquired by LVMH and learning luxury branding between London and Paris, then moving to Singapore to run Benefit Cosmetics' Southeast Asia Sephora expansion across India, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.
told by Phoebe Simmonds
After winning an AFI Award for Kenny, Shane thanked many collaborators but forgot to mention the investor who funded the entire film and his brother, who wrote, directed and produced it.
told by Shane Jacobson
Matt became violently ill with a suspected gastro bug hours before the GQ Man of the Year Awards, requiring an emergency chemist run for Hydralyte and tablets, before the adrenaline of the event carried him through the night in an outlandish pink suit.
told by Matt Ford and Jack Steele
Josh describes planning and executing a stage bit referencing an in-joke about Nando's, standing up abruptly to create a sense of 'status' per ideas from the book Impro, which confused but engaged much of the fundraiser crowd while the show's core fans got the joke.
told by Josh Janssen
Gemma Watts explains she was an easy target for bullies and extremely shy at school (even flagged as 'socially not okay' in a prep report), and that her parents enrolled her in dance at age three hoping it would bring her out of her shell; she credits the stage with unlocking her confident, self-promoting persona.
told by Gemma Watts
Josh describes MCing a 300-person kids' charity event, where an announcement about a prize for the first kid 'up front' led to about 40 children climbing onto the stage instead. Later, while singer Harrison Craig performed, Josh noticed him coughing off-mic, panicked, fetched water backstage, and eventually walked on stage mid-performance to hand it to him.
told by Josh Janssen
Moments before walking on stage for Episode 500, Tommy and Josh realized the mixer feeding audio hadn't been set to record; Mr. 97 panicked and ran to hit record just in time, caught on camera by Campbell with his hands on his ears.
told by Tommy Jackett
Before the live show started, producer Mr. 97 forgot to hit record while nervously washing his hands, meaning the opening of the live MC segment wasn't captured.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Peter explains he reverse-engineered his TED talk from a transcribed riff, then printed key talking points, put them in a plastic sleeve hung high in the shower to waterproof it, and read them each shower to ingrain the talk.
told by Peter Shepherd
Scott Tweedie describes an exhausting ARIA Awards day: a 6am call time, a branded shoot, hosting the red carpet for up to 100 artists, filming a Loop episode, then doing backstage livestream interviews for Telstra without eating all day, saved only by a young intern feeding him artist names via cue cards.
told by Scott Tweedie
In their words
“And Eddie told us that Bill Clinton has less security than Post Malone.”
“Well, is it, is it relating to free stuff or is it like—”
“I want to be a fisherman, but I don't want to cast my line. Cast my line into the water. You can't, you can't be a good master of ceremonies without doing master of ceremonies.”
“If he doesn't have a fucking man bun by October, I'm going to be pissed.”
“It's a brave new world, and that's the problem— getting around the new stuff.”
“I would say shooting fish in a barrel is quite difficult.”
“I was feeling down. I'm feeling good this week. So if anyone's feeling down It can look up. Make yourself a coffee, just fucking ride it out, read a book, you'll be all good.”
“This too shall pass, and control what, you know, the controllables.”
“And also, you can fake it till you make it.”
“I've just got to think of this as one big fat person rather than thousands.”
“You were a puppet this whole time. You were attached to string.”
“I don't think there's instinct without confidence.”
“It's from getting bloody bullied in primary school. And then I was like, all right.”
“I'm not sure is a powerful response to anything because—”
“I've quit drinking this year and it's probably a good thing because live events, when I start drinking, I start swearing a lot.”
“For everyone listening, the top of my head visible is essentially a nip slip for me.”
“I've learned like a lifetime's worth in 8 months.”
“It's like the minimalist. No, we haven't, but that's good. I like that. Bring more of that.”