Podcast Interview: Stop Sounding Like You’re 14 Years Old and Have Zero Executive Presence

Speak Up Develop Your Executive Presence and Leadership Communication Style Podcast

In the latest episode of Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication, host Laura Camacho delves into the often overlooked yet impactful issue of filler words in professional communication. Her guest, Campbell Conard, a young inventor and founder, shares insights on how these seemingly harmless words can significantly undermine your credibility and executive … Read more

Where “Like” Came From And Why Its So Hard To Get Rid Of

Valley girl where like came from

The “like” trend has its roots in the 1970s, originating in a dialect called Valleyspeak in California’s San Fernando Valley. It was characterized by excessive use of “like” as a filler word, replacing “says” with “goes,” and frequent use of “I mean.” While its usage has become more widespread across age groups, overusing “like” is … Read more

Excessive Likes Have Been With Us Since Before the Valley Girl

In 1982, Frank Zappa, known for his unconventional music and social commentary, released a song that unexpectedly became his only Top 40 hit: “Valley Girl.” The song, featuring his then-14-year-old daughter, Moon Unit Zappa, took aim at the stereotypical speech patterns and materialism associated with California’s San Fernando Valley teenagers and the excessive use of … Read more