Shows
Backstage with THE8Who are THE8? Let us introduce ourselves (Part 2)In this engaging episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of international event hosting and moderation. Jenny, Marty, and Yasmine reveal personal anecdotes and fun facts, offering a glimpse into their lives beyond the stage.Listeners will enjoy candid conversations as the hosts describe their personalities in three words, share childhood dreams, and recount their most challenging jobs. From Yasmin's journey from aspiring diplomat to event moderator, to Marty's love for music and racing, each story is filled with humor and introspection. The episode wraps up with the hosts discussing their greatest achievements, treasured...
2025-11-2028 min
Backstage with THE8Who are THE8? Let us introduce ourselves (Part 1)In this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of international event hosting, on-camera presenting, and corporate moderating. Join Emily, Matt, and Tana, as they share insights into what makes a great event, how to engage audiences, and how to handle unexpected mishaps. Through a series of candid conversations, we get to know Tania, Matt and Emily beyond the stage, exploring their personal traits, childhood dreams, and the challenges they've faced in their careers.We also discuss the importance of personality in their roles, with each member describing themselves in three words, revealing the...
2025-11-0625 min
BookOdysseyEye of the storm by Jack HigginsThe source provides excerpts from a novel detailing an elaborate assassination plot, primarily centered on the elusive professional mercenary, Sean Dillon. Dillon is contracted by Michael Aroun, who is working with disgruntled KGB Colonel Josef Makeev on behalf of Saddam Hussein, to assassinate the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher, after a failed attempt at a French airfield. The story also tracks British intelligence operative Brigadier Charles Ferguson and his American confidant, former IRA member Martin Brosnan, as they attempt to track Dillon, utilizing Brosnan's past connections with the mercenary. A subplot involves a Soviet mole, Tania Novikova, who is...
2025-10-3011 min
Backstage with THE8Who is who - which positions are key to a good event?In this episode of Backstage with THE8, we delve into the intricate world of professional event moderation. Our hosts, Yasmine, Jenny, and Matt, share insights into the roles and responsibilities that make an event successful. We explore the key players in event production, from clients and tech teams to creative directors and makeup artists, and discuss how these roles intertwine and sometimes overlap, especially in smaller events. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding and respecting each role to ensure a seamless event experience.We also tackle the challenges of role misperception and the politics that can...
2025-10-3021 min
Backstage with THE8Clothes make the (wo)man - how to dress right for an event?In this engaging episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of event hosting and the critical role that attire plays in making a lasting impression. Our host, Jennifer, is joined by Yasmin, Tanya, and Emily, who share their personal experiences and insights on choosing the right outfit for various events, from conferences to galas. They discuss the challenges of avoiding fashion faux pas, such as wardrobe malfunctions and the importance of having backup outfits. The conversation highlights how clothing can empower presenters and reflect their personalities while meeting client expectations.The discussion also touches...
2025-10-1624 min
Backstage with THE8Interviews on stage and on cameraIn this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of professional event hosting and moderation. Our moderators Emily, Matt, and Yasmine, share their insights and the challenges that can arise during interviews. The discussion highlights the excitement of connecting with an audience and the rewarding nature of conducting interviews, especially when guests open up and share their stories.Our hosts share personal anecdotes from their careers, including memorable interviews with celebrities like Jamie Oliver and Michael Douglas, as well as challenging encounters with less cooperative guests. The conversation touches on the importance of preparation...
2025-10-0220 min
Backstage with THE8Panel Discussions - The good, the bad, and the uglyIn this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the art of moderating panel discussions with Emily, Marty, and Matt. We share insights into what makes a panel discussion successful, how to engage both panelists and the audience, and the importance of preparation. We discuss the challenges of creating a genuine conversation rather than a series of rehearsed answers, emphasizing the need for spontaneity and interaction among panelists.We talk about the intricacies of timing and audience engagement, offering tips on how to manage diverse personalities and ensure everyone gets a chance to contribute, and stress...
2025-09-1820 min
Backstage with THE8How to spice it up. Why are so many business events so boring?In this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of business events and explore how to transform them from mundane to memorable. Our diverse panel of seasoned event moderators, including Jenny, Marty, and Yasmine, share their insights on what makes a great event. They discuss the importance of interaction, humor, and curiosity in engaging an audience, and how these elements can prevent events from feeling like a monotonous lecture. The conversation highlights the need for dynamic formats, such as dialogues, games, and quizzes, to create a lively atmosphere that captivates attendees.We also examine...
2025-09-0422 min
Backstage with THE8Rehearsal day - Best practices for a great eventIn this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of international event hosting, on-camera presenting, and corporate moderating. In this episode, Yasmine, Tania, and Matt, discuss the importance of rehearsals, the potential pitfalls of over-rehearsing, and the unique challenges of panel discussions. Our hosts share personal anecdotes and insights into how they prepare for events, emphasizing the balance between technical and personal preparation.We also tackle the dynamics of rehearsals, discussing when they are necessary and when they might be counterproductive. Our hosts share their strategies for maintaining energy and focus, ensuring that everyone...
2025-08-2122 min
Health Hats, the PodcastListen First, Lead Together: Advocacy and Power DynamicsRonda Alexander on strategies to build inclusive health coalitions, manage power dynamics, center marginalized voices, & design sustainable governance.
Summary
In this episode of Health Hats, host Danny van Leeuwen talks with Ronda Alexander, a community health advocate and skilled facilitator, about the challenges of building and maintaining effective health coalitions. Alexander shares her journey from attending Detroit's innovative Henry Ford Academy to working with Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies on workforce development, ultimately finding her calling at Vital Village Networks in Boston, where she spent seven years supporting national coalitions focused on health equity and early childhood wellbeing.
The conversation...
2025-08-1046 min
Backstage with THE8Timing is Everything: Secrets to a Flawless EventIn this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the critical role of timing in event management with hosts Emily, Matt, and Jenny. Our hosts share insights on why timing is crucial for maintaining the energy and flow of an event. They discuss the challenges of keeping events on schedule, the impact of speakers who overrun their time, and the importance of planning for unexpected delays. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between keeping an event engaging and ensuring that all elements, from catering to transportation, align perfectly.Our hosts also explore the art of filling...
2025-08-0720 min
Backstage with THE8Behind the Scenes: The Power of Effective CommunicationIn this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the art of communication, a crucial element that can make or break any event or workplace. Our host, Jennifer, is joined by Emily, Matt, who share their insights and experiences as professional event moderators. They discuss the nuances of effective communication, the importance of clarity, and the role of rhetoric in engaging an audience. They also explore the dynamics of behind-the-scenes communication, emphasizing the significance of building rapport with clients and colleagues to ensure a seamless event experience.The conversation takes an introspective turn as the hosts...
2025-07-2423 min
Backstage with THE8From Inquiry to Engagement: Insights from THE8 moderatorsIn this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of event hosting and moderation, exploring the intricacies of handling inquiries. Our diverse panel of seasoned professionals, including Matt, Emily, and Marty, share their insights on what makes a great event and how to effectively engage an audience. We discuss the challenges of the inquiry process, highlighting the importance of transparency and communication between clients and moderators. The conversation touches on the evolution of inquiries from phone calls to emails and the nuances of interpreting client intentions.Our hosts emphasize the need for honesty and...
2025-07-1019 min
Backstage with THE8Standards - what we need to do our best workIn this engaging episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the world of event moderation and the importance of establishing industry standards. Join Marty, Emily, and Matt as they explore what makes a great event, how to engage audiences, and the challenges faced by moderators. Emily and Matt share their insights on the discrepancies in standards across different events and the impact on the quality of work. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, realistic scheduling, and the need for basic amenities like water and breaks. The conversation highlights the role of moderators in shaping experiences a...
2025-06-2625 min
Backstage with THE8What makes a good briefing?In this episode of "Backstage with THE8," we delve into the intricate world of event hosting and moderation. Join Yasmin, Emily, and Marty as they discuss the importance of briefings in ensuring a successful event, with insights into what makes a good briefing, the preferred methods of communication, and the challenges of dealing with insufficient information. The team shares personal anecdotes and strategies for handling briefings, emphasizing the need for clear communication and preparation to overcome potential mishaps.The conversation also touches on the dynamics of virtual briefings, the necessity of understanding client expectations, and the importance...
2025-06-1220 min