Conor Cunneen

Conor Cunneen, affectionately known as IrishmanSpeaks, is a keynote speaker, humourist, and former Marketing VP who now inspires audiences across the globe. Happily “exiled” in Chicago, Conor’s Irish charm and wit have made him a sought-after speaker in business, leadership, and communication circles. His accolades include being named Chicago Humorous Speaker of the Year for a talk on customer service at San Quentin Prison and receiving the President’s Gold Medal for Volunteer Service. Conor’s mission is simple: leave every audience with a smile on their face, a spring in their step, and actionable takeaways. Through his frameworks like CHAPS (Connection, Humour, Attitude, Preparation, Simplicity) and the Gift of GAB (Goals, Attitude, Behaviour), he transforms how professionals approach communication—infusing it with purpose, humour, and heart.

Humour is a powerful tool in business—but most professionals don’t know how to use it effectively. In this engaging episode of Talking with the Experts, Rose Davidson chats with business humourist and keynote speaker Conor Cunneen about how leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs can bring humour into their presentations while still delivering value.

Conor, who has spoken in venues from corporate boardrooms to prisons, shares his CHAPS framework for impactful, humorous communication. He also introduces the Gift of GAB—Goals, Attitude, Behaviour—a mindset model that can transform how leaders show up and engage with their audiences. These tools aren’t just for public speakers. Whether you’re hosting a webinar, pitching a product, or leading a team, you’ll gain insights to better connect, inspire, and be remembered.

Conor’s story—from Marketing VP to Chicago’s Humorous Speaker of the Year—is a testament to how wit, purpose, and strategy can elevate your communication.

💡 If you’re ready to laugh, learn, and lead with authenticity, this episode is for you.

🎯 Three Key Takeaways:

1. How to use the CHAPS framework to build humour and connection in presentations.
2. Why Goals, Attitude, and Behaviour (GAB) is a game-changer for communication.
3. Practical ways to add humour appropriately in business without losing professionalism.

Introduction and Background

• Rose Davidson introduces Conor Cunneen as the guest speaker, who is a former marketing vice president and now a keynote speaker, business humourist, and consultant.

• Conor Cunneen discusses their background, including moving to the US over 20 years ago and transitioning from a corporate role to becoming a consultant and speaker.
• Conor Cunneen mentions the cultural differences experienced during their career, particularly after a company takeover, leading to a change in career path. 

Adding Humour to Presentations

• Conor Cunneen explains that the purpose of humour in business presentations is to build connection with the audience rather than to make them laugh.

• The discussion emphasizes using relevant humour to reinforce messages and build a connection with the audience.
• Conor Cunneen introduces the LAUGH acronym as a method to incorporate humour into presentations: Listen, Anecdotes, Uncomfortable (stories), Google (research), He (audience reaction). 

Storytelling in Presentations

• The importance of storytelling in engaging an audience during presentations is discussed.

• Conor Cunneen highlights that stories generate emotion and memorability, making presentations more effective.
• The use of imperfect stories or anecdotes about things that went wrong is recommended as they are often more humorous and relatable. 

Humour in the Workplace

• Conor Cunneen suggests incorporating humour deliberately into workplace meetings to improve atmosphere and productivity.

• Starting meetings with a joke, regardless of its quality, is proposed as a way to set a positive tone.
• The importance of finding humour in everyday situations and capturing it for use in presentations is emphasized. 

Building a Compelling Personal Brand

• Conor Cunneen advises defining the attributes one wants to be known for to build a strong personal brand.

• The importance of being intentional and genuine in building a personal brand is highlighted.
• Conor Cunneen suggests identifying three key attributes to be famous for and demonstrating them through actions and behaviours. 

The Gift of Gab

• Conor Cunneen introduces the concept of the ‘Gift of Gab’, which focuses on Goals, Attitude, and Behaviours.

• The discussion covers setting macro and micro goals to achieve desired outcomes and build a positive personal brand.
• The CHAPS acronym is presented as a method to build connection: Compliment, Hear (thank you), Address (by name), Positive words, Smile. 

Applying CHAPS in Personal and Professional Life

• Conor Cunneen encourages applying the CHAPS concept in both personal and professional settings to improve relationships and productivity.

• The importance of using positive language, addressing people by their names, and maintaining a positive attitude is emphasized.
• Conor Cunneen suggests bringing the CHAPS concept into family environments to strengthen relationships. 

Resources and Further Information

• Conor Cunneen provides information on where to find more content, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and the website IrishmanSpeaks.com.

• The website and YouTube channel offer videos and content on topics such as the gift of gab, goals, attitude, behaviour, and adding humour to presentations.
• Conor Cunneen mentions the ‘Adding Humour to Your Presentation’ YouTube channel, which provides tips and techniques for incorporating humour into presentations.

• The importance of adding humour to presentations and sales pitches to build connections and reinforce messages is discussed.
• The LAUGH acronym is introduced as a method to incorporate humour into presentations, emphasizing listening, anecdotes, uncomfortable stories, and capturing audience reactions.
• The value of storytelling in presentations is highlighted, stressing the use of anecdotes to engage and memorize the audience.
• The concept of starting meetings with a joke to set a positive tone and improve productivity is proposed.
• The CHAPS acronym (Compliment, Hear, Address, Positive, Smile) is presented as a strategy to build personal brands and improve workplace relationships.
• The application of the CHAPS concept in personal life to enhance family relationships is suggested.
• Resources for further learning about adding humour to presentations and the CHAPS concept are provided, including websites and YouTube channels.

#TalkingwiththeExperts #RoseDavidson #PodMatch #BusinessHumour #PresentationTips #PublicSpeaking #FunnySpeeches #ConorCunneen