Southerners love to talk food, quickly revealing likes and dislikes, regional preferences, and their own delicious stories. Because the topic often crosses lines of race, class, gender, and region, food supplies a common fuel to launch discussion. Consuming Identity sifts through the self-definitions, allegiances, and bonds made possible and strengthened through the theme of southern foodways. The book focuses on the role food plays in building identities, accounting for the messages food sends about who we are, how we see ourselves, and how we see others. While many volumes examine southern food, this one is the first to focus on food's rhetorical qualities and the effect that it can have on culture. The volume examines southern food stories that speak to the identity of the region, explain how food helps to build identities, and explore how it enables cultural exchange. Food acts rhetorically, with what we choose to eat and serve sending distinct messages. It also serves a vital identity-building function, factoring heavily into our memories, narratives, and understanding of who we are. Finally, because food and the tales surrounding it are so important to southerners, the rhetoric of food offers a significant and meaningful way to open up dialogue in the region. By sharing and celebrating both foodways and the food itself, southerners are able to revel in shared histories and traditions. In this way individuals find a common language despite the divisions of race and class that continue to plague the South. The rich subject of southern fare serves up a significant starting point for understanding the powerful rhetorical potential of all food.

The fear of public speaking is the most common fear and actually prevents many people from achieving their great potential. Imagine if you were comfortable with speaking in public and took every opportunity presented, how would your life improve? Whether you are a student required to speak in the speech class, a manager requested to do a sales presentation or a friend asked to give a eulogy in a funeral, there are many benefits of public speaking as it's a great way to gain exposure, self-confidence, and success. Every great speaker started out as a poor one, what made them a success was their willingness to take a chance, try again, and view every opportunity as a learning experience to becoming a confident and competent speaker. This book is about the amazing 10 speeches of the author, a competent communicator in the renowned public speaking club, Toastmasters International. The speeches are wonderfully arranged and are in themselves thought provoking that will surely incite readers to rethink about their own realities. While this book basically revolves around ten speeches, the intention of this author is to bring the empowering messages of all the speeches to as many audience, listeners and readers possible. The topics discussed here are as timely and relevant today as they are yesterday and tomorrow. It is by this author's deep sincerity and aspiration that by mere sharing of his messages, as presented in his speaking engagements and now in this book, he will initiate conceptual ripples which will positively impact our world and make it better place to live in. Hopeful that the messages will go a long long way and time. Yet more to it, this book is basically a speech manual for public speakers and aspirants as well. This book will guide you through the world of public speaking while enjoying the amusing stories in the ten awesome speeches of a Competent Speaker. Toastmasters International members and TED Talks subscribers alike will definitely love this

Managing Nervousness as a Public Speaker provides students with the essential knowledge and tools required to not only understand their own nervousness, but to leverage it to improve their public speaking skills. The book begins by defining nervousness and anxiety, then exploring how speakers can effectively leverage anxiety to their benefit. Later chapters discuss the biology and psychology behind nervousness, as well as their various triggers and methods for overcoming them. The book also demonstrates how meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help public speakers build confidence and calm nerves. Managing Nervousness as a Public Speaker is ideal for courses in public speaking, but as the material within the book is cross-disciplinary in nature, the text could be used within any course where public speaking is essential. The book can also be used by working professionals to further develop their public speaking skills.

How to get to master the art of persuasion―from the bestselling author of Talk Like Ted.

Ideas don’t sell themselves. As the forces of globalization, automation, and artificial intelligence combine to disrupt every field, having a good idea isn’t good enough. Mastering the ancient art of persuasion is the key to standing out, getting ahead, and achieving greatness in the modern world. Communication is no longer a “soft” skill―it is the human edge that will make you unstoppable, irresistible, and irreplaceable―earning you that perfect rating, that fifth star.

In Five Stars, Carmine Gallo, bestselling author of Talk Like TED, breaks down how to apply Aristotle’s formula of persuasion to inspire contemporary audiences. As the nature of work changes, and technology carries things across the globe in a moment, communication skills become more valuable―not less. Gallo interviews neuroscientists, economists, historians, billionaires, and business leaders of companies like Google, Nike, and Airbnb to show first-hand how they use their words to captivate your imagination and ignite your dreams. In the knowledge age―the information economy―you are only as valuable as your ideas. Five Stars is a book to help you bridge the gap between mediocrity and exceptionality, and gain your competitive edge in the age of automation.

In Five Stars, you will also learn:

-The one skill billionaire Warren Buffett says will raise your value by 50 percent.

-Why your job might fall into a category where 75 percent or more of your income relies on your ability to sell your idea.

-How Airbnb’s founders follow a classic 3-part formula shared by successful Hollywood movies.

-Why you should speak in third-grade language to persuade adult listeners.

-The one brain hack Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, and Picasso used to unlock their best ideas.