It was the early '90s. I was about five years old when an unexpected knock at the door led to my first experience with a Nintendo Entertainment System and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II. What happened that night became a childhood memory I've carried with me for more than 30 years.

But this episode isn't really about video games.

It's about how to tell a better story.

After sharing the story, I break down three techniques I used to make that memory more engaging:

1. Create emotion with your voice. Your tone, pacing, emphasis, and even silence can completely change how someone experiences your story. Your voice becomes the punctuation.

2. Make them need the next sentence. Great storytelling creates curiosity. Learn how withholding just enough information can make your audience want to know what happens next.

3. Don't just give information—create a picture. Instead of simply telling people what happened, use details and perspective to put your audience inside the moment with you.

Whether you want to improve your communication skills, storytelling, public speaking, conversation skills, or speaking confidence, these techniques can help you turn everyday experiences into stories people actually want to hear.

Try these three techniques with one of your own stories this week. Then follow the podcast for more practical ways to communicate better, tell better stories, and connect better with the people around you.