We had the great pleasure of meeting internationally renowned speechwriter and author Simon Lancaster in London. Simon is well known for his books on speechwriting and persuasive communication, as well as his TEDx talks. In this podcast episode, he shares how he became a full-time speechwriter, serving leaders of major companies and organizations. We also discuss his books and highlight key lessons from them. Simon offers a wealth of excellent tips for all leaders who want to create change through their speeches. You'll also find out why Simon has slept less than usual during his visits to Finland. The language of the Summer School of Rhetoric podcast is usually Finnish, but this episode is entirely in English, including the introduction, to cater to an international audience. The Summer School of Rhetoric is a professional event on persuasive communication, held annually in Finland. Past speakers include speechwriters from the White House, Downing Street, Berlin, and NATO headquarters. The next Summer School of Rhetoric will take place on June 5-6, 2025. Here is the event's website: https://www.retoriikankesakoulu.fi/2025/