— Jeremy Connell-Waite, BetterStories.org

 

​

“Some books that focus on a single topic end up offering universal insights. Say It Well is one of them. I think that is in part because a fear of public speaking is so common. But it is also because Szuplat’s ultimate message is that your story is worth telling, that your voice is worthy of being heard. That universal message is then made actionable through his own experience and expertise. It is a book only he could write, and will help you tell the story only you can tell.”

 

—Dylan Schleicher, Porchlight Books

​

​

“One of the best books I’ve ever read on public speaking. I do not say that lightly. I’ve read a lot of books. It’s also saying a lot because when it comes to politics I don’t agree with a lot of what Terry believes in or for what Obama stood for. That’s how good this book is…Terry artfully weaves together traveling around the world to 40 countries with Obama and all the things he learned from him. He then parallels them to everyday people who have learned to face their fears of speaking, and then applies them to you and me.”

​

— Eva Rose Daniel, The Speak Shop

 

​

“‘Say It Well’ is one of the best books on public speaking I’ve come across in a long time. It’s a permanent resource on my bookshelf.”

​

—Carmine Gallo, bestselling author of Talk Like Ted

 

​

“‘Say It Well’ is not a political memoir but an actionable guide that helps you find your own voice, become a better presenter, and stand out in a sea of corporate blandness.” 

​

— Oliver Aust, Speak Like a CEO

 

​

“It’s the best book I’ve ever read on public speaking… As soon as I finished it, I ordered copies for our entire team.”

​

— Paul Orzulak, West Wing Writers

 

​

“The only book that I promote in my workshops and seminars on charisma is ‘Say It Well’… [Terry Szuplat] has written one damn good book!

​

— John Antonakis, University of Lausanne

 

​

“This is easily the best book on public speaking that I have ever read, and I highly recommend it to spark your enthusiasm for public speaking. Whether you need to make a memorable toast at your brother’s wedding, inspire enthusiasm for your cause or campaign, or just perform better at Toastmasters, this book is a joy to read and ensures the next time you need to say something important, you’ll Say It Well.” 

​

— Elizabeth Doll, Braver Angels

​

 

“…an accessible and invaluable handbook full of concrete tips for crafting and delivering compelling speeches and presentations.”

​

— Gotham Ghostwriters, New York City

 

​

“This book stopped me in my tracks. ‘Say It Well’ is more than a guide to public speaking — it’s a masterclass in influence, clarity and connection.”

​

—Leah Gladu, Atlanta

 

​

“After finishing it, I wanted to revisit some of the insightful ideas I’d highlighted…But to my surprise, it had vanished! After searching frantically, I finally found it–under my 15-year-old’s pillow… Thank you for writing it so well that even a teenager couldn’t resist falling in love with it!”

​

—Smaranda Heroiu, Bucharest, Romania

 

​

“This book gives a solid, pragmatic roadmap for anyone who wants to improve their public speaking and gain confidence in their presentation style.”

​

—Bill Price, New Jersey

 

​

“I binged your book less than two days before a presentation that I was absolutely panicked about… It completely transformed my approach to that presentation and my perspective on public speaking in general… The paralyzing terror faded. Even the prep-procrastination seems silly because you gave us a preparation formula. Genuinely one of the best career books I’ve ever read!”

​

—Danielle P. Tong, Columbus, Ohio

 

​

“The way [Terry] articulates the universal struggles of questioning our self-worth and striving for acceptance is both poignant and powerful. He encapsulated it beautifully: love, belonging, and safety are indeed the foundational roots we all need to thrive… I’m incredibly grateful for this book, and I truly believe ‘Say It Well’ is a must-read for anyone seeking personal and professional growth.”

​

—Martha Elisabeth Blum, London

 

​

“I’ve spent so much time over the years researching how to be a better speaker… This single book is the most helpful and up-to-date instructional text I’ve found…especially when it comes to modern presentations with modern audiences. No matter if you present from the stage or the boardroom, here’s your CTA: drop everything and read it!

​

—Melissa Turner, Portland, Oregon

 

​

“If you’re a speechwriter, a communicator, or just someone who totally geeks out over the power of a well-crafted phrase, Say It Well is an absolute must-read. From the first page, Terry does a phenomenal job in transporting you right into the heart of the Obama White House, making you feel like you’re right there in the Oval Office, watching history unfold one carefully chosen word at a time.”

​

—Laura Cirillo Edwards, Washington, DC

 

​

“I love how inspiring and accessible this book is — to newbies and those of us who ‘do comms’ for a living… It reads like a conversations with someone you met at a dinner party who absolutely loves what he does… I promise you’ll be inspired to reimagine how you approach the job of storytelling.”

​

—Agnes Roter, Toronto, Canada

 

​

“‘Say It Well’ is such a great read! It’s perfect for anyone who wants to improve how they tell their story, whether in personal or professional settings. Before reading this book, I struggled with making my story relatable… But Terry’s advice has helped me shape my narrative in a way that’s authentic and impactful… If you’re looking for a book that helps you communicate better and gives you practical tools to tell your story, ‘Say It Well’ is definitely worth checking out.”

​

—Audrey Willis, Memphis, Tennessee

 

​

“I just finished reading ‘Say It Well’ by Terry Szuplat, and it was such a great find! As someone still working on my English, I found it so helpful for learning how to speak clearly and connect with people. Now my husband, who speaks ‘broken English,’ is reading it too, and it’s been amazing to see how much it’s helping him.”

​

—Shakiba Shaheer, Washington, D.C.

 

​

“I recently had to give a speech at a Voice of Democracy event sponsored by the VFW. I read your book ‘Say It Well’ in preparation and am very glad that I did. I decided to follow your advice to include the audience in some way… The response I got from the audience immediately following the event was overwhelming. I was absolutely mobbed with compliments. Thank you for taking the time to codify your experience into a highly readable book – and for being so encouraging throughout your text. It certainly made a difference with me.”

​

–Eric Sullivan, Lee’s Summit, Missouri

 

​

“The lessons Szuplat shares are not just for professional speakers but for anyone looking to speak with confidence and purpose, whether in a work meeting, presentation, or personal event. With a practical and thoughtful approach, ‘Say It Well’ is an invitation to discover and use our own voice to inspire and drive positive change.”

​

—Josue Fiallo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

 

​

“It’s been a while since I immersed myself in a 300-page book, but this one had me hooked from the start. Terry’s reflections on writing speeches for President Obama are not just fascinating—they feel like a masterclass in the art of communication.”

​

—Erdenesukh Otgonbayar, Khan Uul, Ulaanbaatar Hot, Mongolia

 

​

“Ultimately, ‘Say It Well’ is about hope: about finding it, about speaking it, about spreading it. If we can do that, I think we can end our current age of pessimism and bring about a new dawn in America.”

​

—Julian Adorney, Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism