This video leaves me grasping for words, which is not exactly the desired effect. Remarkable for the knowledge, the thought, and the presentation (both the writing and the delivery. How do you suppose he works with that laptop at his feet?) Where was James Geary when I was in grad school.

Referred on Twitter by Denise Graveline, @dontgetcaught

You may not like to speak in public. You may fret over your delivery, voice, outfit, the lighting. Or perhaps you're a happy speaker, ever willing and comfortable. But when your topic or subject creates the difficulty, you're facing the great equalizer, the challenge that might thwart both the confident and the shy speaker.

And the definition of "tough topic" rests with you, the speaker. It may be tough for you personally--the eulogy of a parent who's died, or the toast to a child on her wedding day. It may be tough for you as a speaker, if you face a contentious topic or audience that might explode, or if you're especially nervous. Tough can be a momentary but pointed political debate, an argument impossible to win, your nerves about the topic, the circumstances of the day and more. So how to plan and prepare? Here are five ways to take the plunge:

Here's some valuable advice for speakers with a tough topic to deal with. (I remember hearing a few Toastmasters presentations in which the speakers had precisely this challenge.) Click through for five suggestions from Denise Graveline.

You must engage in periodic strategic reflection. It is the only way to consistently increase your effectiveness. After all, you are the only one who lives your life, knows your experience, and is capable of truly changing yourself for the better. The end-of-the-year is the perfect time for strategic reflection. The calendar's conclusion is a natural time to look back. Here are five simple and effective ways to make the most of the December's end to improve your life and business:

More end-of-year advice, this time from Seth Kahan and Fast Company. Click through for five tips.

Brain Injury Dialogues reveals many invisible aspects of this disability; viewers see the wide range of deficits that survivors must face, both physically and mentally, and learn how no two brain injuries are alike.

It's an accurate, sympathetic, and empowering depiction of 5 survivors, including coauthor Rick Franklin. the film features interviews and commentary by disability experts, including notable disability advocate Zona Roberts and Cognitive Therapist/ Teacher Becky Stone of the College of Alameda.

Brain Injury Dialogues; Run time: 52 minutes, closed captioned, with an additional 25-minute bonus feature of TBI survivor and disability scholar Mark Sherry of the University of Toledo speaking with a
support group in an Oakland, CA public library.

The documantary is priced at $25, making it easily affordable for virtually every library, school, rehab or therapy center, support group, and of course individual survivor and their family and friends. The price includes postage and handling in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

I wish this was more detailed, but I'll do a web search for more information. Strikes me that well-produced videos could be a great resource for orientation and reference of brain injury survivors.

4. We aren't emotionally connected to what we're saying. We may be reciting a report or going through a scripted talk we've given dozens of times in the past, and our lack of excitement results in non-stop, often monotonal diatribe that leaves the audiences as bored as we are.

I've copied only the fourth reason, the implications of which stun me. Click through for five more reasons (and some fine analysis) from Rich Hopkins.

More from Rich on this topic.