The Presentation Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Are PowerPoint Templates In Our Future? May 19, 2026

Show notes

Episode #246 - New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available! In this episode, Troy, Sandy, and Nolan discuss the value and challenges of PowerPoint templates. They agree that well-built templates save time, make brand consistency easier, and improve efficiency. But everyone also agrees PowerPoint templates are frequently misused, broken, or ignored. While AI tools can generate content and slides, that is not the same as creating slides with the backend formatting and presets of template. And observations from testing multiple AI systems, all currently lack the ability to build or maintain proper template structures. Join The Presentation Podcast hosts for a great conversation centered around PowerPoint templates.

Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e246

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts? Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks! http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

e245 - Inside the Creative Process: Designing a Partnership Pitch Deck May 05, 2026

Show notes

In episode 245 of The Presentation Podcast, Troy and Lori Chollar of TLC Creative Services give us access to their team's design process by pulling back the curtain of a completed partnership pitch deck project. This project got them thinking about how we all approach presentation design. Everything starts before a single slide is designed with understanding and defining the purpose and type of presentation this is, which then influences the visual design and on-slide messaging. Their candid conversation is a great listen full of strategies and ideas for crafting visually rich, purpose-driven presentations. Listen now!

Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e245

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts? Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks! http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

e244 - When Bullet Points Go So Bad They Are Not Needed Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

In Episode 244 of the Presentation Podcast, hosts Troy, Sandy, and Nolan use a real client slide as a case study to discuss when bullet points hurt rather than help a slide. Join the conversation as they explore how unnecessary bullets clutter slides, disrupt narrative flow, and actually reduce audience retention. Get into design alternatives, and if bullet points are needed in numbered lists, icon layouts, diagrams, timelines and visual hierarchies.

Oh, and they also catch up on recent travels and share industry news! That part of the discussion includes Microsoft's new AI image tool, practical travel tips on Global Entry, a new podcast tracking site... and plant pest control!

Listen at The Presentation Podcast website, or just click play and listen now!

Full Episode Show Notes

https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e244

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts?

Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks!

http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

e243, 100+ Hours for an Eight-Minute Presentation with John Chen Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

In episode 243 of the Presentation Podcast, Troy Chollar of TLC Creative Services, has a conversation with certified speaking professional John Chen. They discuss the immense amount of unseen effort behind every presentation. The conversation focuses on John's eight-minute keynote at a Canadian Association of Professional Speakers event, and the 100+ hours of preparation, collaboration with coaches, technical stagecraft, that preceded the actual presentation delivery.

Listen in to hear about the challenges of crafting concise, impactful presentations, the value of rehearsal, and innovative techniques as both an in-person and remote presenter. In this high energy conversation, John shares many personal stories and expert insights, and we get to feel John's dedication and artistry for professional presenting. Listen now!

Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e243

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts? Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks! http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

e242 - Is Your Content a Presentation or a Document? Mar 17, 2026

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e241 - Behind the Scenes: Lori Chollar's Ultrawide Presentation Session at the Presentation Design Conference Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

In episode 241 of the Presentation Podcast we talk with Lori Chollar, CEO of TLC Creative Services, Inc. We get a behind-the-scenes look at Lori's experience presenting at CreativePro's Presentation Design Conference.

Lori shares insights into the process of being asked to present, preparing her session content, and the conference experience. On the presentation side, we talk about the technical and creative challenges, workflow tips, and the evolution of presentation technology as related to creating ultrawide presentations to fill the amazing LED wall configurations at events. Listen in to gain valuable perspectives on both the art and logistics of modern presentation design!

Full Episode Show Notes

https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e241

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts?

Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks!

http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

e240 - From Sofia to London: We Chat with Boris Hristov About the Journey of the Present to Succeed Conference Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Episode #240 - In this latest episode of The Presentation Podcast, our hosts, Troy Chollar of TLC Creative, Sandy Johnson, and Nolan Haimes are joined by Boris Hristov, founder of the Present to Succeed conference.

Listen in as they discuss the unique dual-location format for 2026 (taking place in both London and Sofia!). Boris shares insights on speaker selection, branding, and their high production values for the conference. Plus tips for using AI and design tools in presentations. And, bonus! Listeners will receive a 20% discount code for tickets, so be sure to get The Presentation Podcast listener promo code!

Listen now!

Full Episode Show Notes

https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e240

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts?

Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks!

http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

Behind the Curtain: A Day in the Life of a Presentation Designer Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

In episode 239 of The Presentation Podcast, hosts Troy, Sandy, and Nolan share a behind-the-scenes look at their daily lives as professional presentation designers. They talk about how a good amount of their work happens outside PowerPoint, from project management, client communication, travel logistics, and their go-to tech tools for not only presentation design, but running a design agency. Join our conversation for a closer look at the complexity and creativity involved in daily activities of presentation design

Full Episode Show Notes

https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e239

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts?

Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks!

http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

Presentation Pitfalls with John Polk Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Episode #238 - The latest episode of The Presentation Podcast brings together hosts Troy, Sandy, and Nolan with special guest John Polk—author, workshop leader, and consultant—to discuss his new book, Presentation Pitfalls: Ten Traps Business Professionals Fall Into and How to Avoid Them, which he co-authored with Justin Hunsaker.

This episode is a goldmine for anyone who wants to elevate their business presentations, offering deep insights into the most common mistakes professionals make and, more importantly, how to avoid them. Listen now!

Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e238

Show Suggestions? Questions for your Hosts? Email us at: info@thepresentationpodcast.com

Listen and review on iTunes. Thanks! http://apple.co/1ROGCUq

New Episodes 1st and 3rd Tuesday Every Month

e237 - Presentation Predictions for 2026: AI, Design, and Our Future Jan 06, 2026

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