Why do I provide individual public speaking training?
I am Magda Kern. I work as a public speaking trainer, psychologist, and Head of Speakers in TEDxZurich. I also help, among others, lawyers, vocalists, actors, lecturers, and business people in preparation for their speeches in front of hundreds of people in the audience, as well as in conducting small meetings or presentations.
For many years I worked on controlling the stage fright that kept me awake at night. I have always wondered how to manage the internal critic, not worry about the opinion of others, and how to build a real sense of confidence on stage. Now I know the answer. I am also a lecturer at the University of Warsaw, where I teach students public speaking.
In 2021 I was chosen as one of the top 11 public-speaking coaches worldwide, according to the Coach Foundation ranking.
I have been training TED speakers for six years. I started as a coach, and then I led a team as Head of Speakers at TEDxWarsaw. After moving to Zurich, I joined TEDxZurich team. After several months as a speaker trainer, I took over the role of Head of Speakers at TEDxZurich.
I design the preparation process and supervise the next steps, from recruitment to the presentation on the stage. Under my wings, over 30 speakers have presented on the TED stage so far, including a speaker whose talk was selected as one of 230 editor’s picks out of 40,000 TED Talks.
I am a psychologist, an ICF accredited coach at PCC level, and I operate three successful businesses. By combining my business and stage experience, I can guide you through the process of changing direction toward your goals. Based on my vast stage experience, I have gained the ability to provide adequate tools and methods of coaching that will support your development.
During individual coaching sessions, we will work on developing public speaking skills, such as creating interesting presentations using storytelling, improvising on stage, gesticulating, modulating the voice, and working with the breath. We can analyze your speeches and prepare upcoming presentations. Till now, I have more than 5 000 hours of sessions and workshops with clients.
Recently, I have given countless interviews, which made me aware of the importance of confidence in front of the camera. Having been involved in music since the age of 10, I know how stressful it can be to present to a wider audience. I studied music in cello and jazz vocal classes in the first and second grade of music school and right from the beginning I was faced with stage fright. After years of performing at many concerts, festivals, and workshops and performing in a musical about Cuba, I have learned not only how to manage my stress, but also to turn the stage into a safe environment where I thrive.
Besides discovering new ways of teaching and presenting, I also spend my time discovering new places. I have visited more than 40 countries, and I continue this passion. I like to do experiments in the kitchen and discover flavors of different cuisines. In my free time, I put on a polka-dot dress and travel to the 1930s, dancing the swing to the accompaniment of jazz big bands.
Tea has been my main hobby for many years. You can always find me with a tiny cup of tea. Step by step, I explore tea plantations all around the globe, learn more about different types of local tea, and discover new flavors. After many years, I rediscovered the charm of playing the cello. Spending time with my family and friends. Very often, you can also find me in the audience of standup comedies and improv theaters.
Experience
• 15 years of stage experience, won at song festivals, singing at concerts and conferences. She got her music education in classical cello and jazz vocals.
• Head of Speakers and trainer in TEDxZurich, coaching TEDx speakers for six years.
• Lecturer on presenting techniques and stress management.
• Experience working in HR in a corporation and a smaller company.
• Extensive media experience - hundreds of press, television, and radio interviews.
• For almost 10 years, she has successfully run three companies in the education field. Seasonally, she manages up to a 100-person team.
• Conducted more than 5 000 hours of workshops and individual coaching sessions with clients.
Clients testimonials
“Magda has been my coach for several months over the period of a few months. My sessions with Magda are enormously productive and helpful. She is a problem solver who always suggests excellent solutions, as well as practical steps to reach those solutions. She is friendly and attentive with strong business experience. I highly recommend Magda as a coach.”
“Magda was my coach for a conference. She managed to give profound inputs concisely, which dramatically improved my talk. The feedback and interaction were incredibly efficient and pleasant. Thank you!”
“Magda was my mentor in preparation for the conference. I was convinced that I knew a lot about speeches, but Magda really opened up my eyes and showed me a whole new world filled with the nuances of communication. She helped me achieve something we were both proud of. I highly recommend her to people looking to prepare for important speeches or people who work as orators.”