How speechwriters delve into a president’s mind
Co-Founder and Executive Director Jeff Shesol on drafting State of the Union addresses and other speeches for President Bill Clinton.
That concept...
Interviews
‘There’s just too much to say’: Meet Mayor Michelle Wu’s chief speechwriter
Ezra Zwaeli, WWW alum and director of speechwriting for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, on writing her 2024 State of the City address.
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What Is Something Only Laurence Can Say?
WWW alumn Laurence Pevsner on writing speeches for UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and the art of crafting the perfect apology.
Laurence Pevsner...
7 common public speaking issues — and how to fix them
Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, but anyone can do it! West Wing alumn, Lauren Dominguez Chan shares tips and tricks with NPR for nailing your...
The Friendly Ghost w/ Felicity Barber
Conversations about the art of speechwriting with Felicity Barber and some of the top speechwriters in the game.
What does it take...
The Story is the Difference
Vinca LaFleur joins IBM’s Making Data Simple podcast to share insights into leadership and communication. In this episode, she discusses the research process behind effective...
White House Aides Keep Trying to Torch the State of the Union Address. Presidents Keep Getting in the Way.
In 1998, Jeff Shesol, a speechwriter in Bill Clinton’s White House, wrote an internal memo calling for a shorter, tighter speech that focused on one...
Does the State of the Union Speech Matter Anymore? Here’s What an Expert Says
Former Clinton speechwriter Jeff Shesol on how the effectiveness of the State of the Union addresses has changed over time — and why.
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