Making National Security Meaningful with David Van Bennekum - 286

When I met David Van Bennekum on Linked In and he told me he’d written a self-help book on National Security, I thought ‘That’s a bit unusual, followed by blimey he’s got some guts … that’s a challenging topic’.  My curiosity was well and truly piqued though, so I had a look at his LinkedIn profile and saw that he was a former United States Marine Corps Infantry and Logistics Officer. He was a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and he’d retired from active service as a Lieutenant Colonel.  Then I saw that besides that, he had a law degree and also a Masters in National Security Law from Georgetown University. He obviously had the knowledge, but as I messaged him back to find out more, I’m not going to lie … based on previous conversations with some ‘experts’, I was fully expecting him to bore the pants off me! But … the opposite happened. When he started sharing about it, he didn’t waffle on about facts and stats, no … he made me laugh and even better, gave me a light bulb moment about something truly important.  And that’s when I knew I had to get him on the show, because being able to make something complex, technical and difficult, engaging and relatable to an audience, is a key skill for writers and speakers.  If you want to get a different perspective on how to make your subject more entertaining, then sit back and listen ‘cause you’ll love this show.    What you’ll discover: Why David decided to write the first self-help book on National Security How he decided on the big idea of the book Why people are sceptical about it and how he addresses that.  Why the six degrees of Kevin Bacon game is relevant to National Security David’s definition of National Security and why he thinks it applies universally. What he means by ‘true community’ How he approached making the topic entertaining and relatable, and why this was so critical.  Some examples of his approach in action.  Where speaking fits into the picture.   All things David: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/searching-for-true-community  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dvanbennekum/  X:  @dvanbennekum   Books & Resources*: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens   Resources: The Hookology Workshop - Making Sure Your Talk is Captivating From the Start Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:                                                   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)