Have you ever sat through an amazing presentation, pitch, or meeting and thought, "I need to be able to do that"? Strong public speaking isn't a gift some people are born with and others aren't. It's a business communication skill. And like any skill, it can be developed.

In this episode, voice expert and coach Margaret Izard Oskoui breaks down the exact 4-step framework she uses with clients to strengthen their presentation skills and become clearer, more confident communicators at work.

Margaret sits down with marketer Jennifer Staretorp to talk about something that isn't discussed enough: what it's like to be one of the only women in the room with almost no time to make your case.

They get into Jennifer's jump from scrappy startups to a Fortune 500 boardroom, and the intern story that completely changed how she communicates.

Angela Zentefis has spent over 15 years leading HR through some of the hardest conversations an organization can have, from pandemic era layoffs to policy negotiations at Northwestern University.

In this episode, she tells Margaret about the moment a senior leader called out her voice for giving away her power mid-sentence, and how that changed the way she reads a room and leads with empathy and authority at the same time.

What does a Mozart violin concerto have to do with surviving a hostile board meeting? More than you'd think.

In this episode, Margaret sits down with Workflow Coach Lieve Hendren to explore the surprising overlap between vocal performance and high-stakes leadership communication.

In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, voice expert and coach Margaret Izard Oskoui addresses common feedback like “too intense,” “too abrasive,” or “not collaborative,” arguing the issue is often not directness itself but how it’s delivered.

She explains that direct communication is efficient and reduces misunderstanding, but different vocal deliveries can make the same words land very differently.

In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, host Margaret interviews Justin Berkowitz about navigating nonprofit leadership while maintaining a performing career.

They discuss how singers’ preparation, adaptability, and performance skills translate to fundraising meetings and boardrooms, including using vocal pitch and resonance to convey enthusiasm or executive presence.

In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, host Margaret speaks with singer and arts administrator Leigh Folta about her career path from teaching in Los Angeles to ticketing at Lyric Opera of Chicago and her current role running a discount ticketing program in the greater Boston area.

Leigh compares communicating with ticket buyers versus a board of directors, highlighting the importance of listening, translating ideas into action, and adjusting delivery based on context.

The conversation explores how breath support and physical preparation shape speaking presence, how breath functions as “punctuation,” and how these skills carry into parenting.

In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, host Margaret welcomes three-time Emmy-winning producer and former television host Francisco Hernández-Cáceres.

Margaret and Francisco explore the multifaceted nature of communication, focusing on personal experiences, language dynamics, and the importance of authenticity.

They discuss the challenges of accents, the impact of emotional awareness, and the evolving nature of communication styles in both personal and professional contexts.

In this episode of Conversations with Peacock Voices, voice expert and coach Margaret Izard Oskoui discusses how early-stage entrepreneurs can enhance their pitch effectiveness. Margaret addresses common issues faced during pitch competitions and investor meetings, emphasizing the importance of utilizing one's voice effectively.