Hi John,

As I mentioned last week, we took a trip to see someone I regard as our greatest stand-up comic, Stewart Lee. 

He didn't disappoint. Despite having broken his ankle a few days earlier, he completed a two-hour show, mostly on his feet, despite the fact that the day's political turmoil had destroyed some of his material. 

If you get a chance to see him on tour next year, grab it. His run up until Christmas at the Leicester Square Theatre is already sold out. The man is a genius. 

I received a call from GB News at the weekend to ask if I could go on the breakfast show to talk about emojis. 

Luckily, I was across the story, which was that many Gen Z people regard the thumbs-up emoji as offensive, or at the very least passive aggressive.

OK, it's not the hardest-hitting news story of the week, but it did allow me to sit in the Green Room at GB News with some senior Tory politicians who I won't name, but who made some very interesting remarks about the current situation.They even suggested  that Liz Truss may be gone by the end of October. 

And since I'm writing this on a Monday before a few days’’ break in Poland, you may already have seen even more political shenanigans at number 10. It's hard to keep up!

Anyway, back in the studio, you can take a look at the video to see what I said. 

Thinking of working with me as your speaking coach? Here's what one of my clients, Steve Catchick, says.

"Alan was my coach for two years, despite my being comfortable as a speaker. He helped transition me from speaking at live events to online speaking. His expertise and knowledge of the speaking business and his ability to help add the finishing touches when it comes to crafting a speech is invaluable. His helpful feedback and suggestions helped me craft and deliver a very effective and impactful speech

Added to that, Alan will go over and above to help, always being available to speak and providing extra meetings when appropriate. He is a pleasure to work with and I am immensely grateful for his support, his coaching and for knowing him. If you are looking to grow your speaking business, or develop your speaking skills, look no further. I highly recommend him as a coach"

If you'd like to speak at the highest level, like Steve, let's have a chat.

I've decided to replay one of the most commented-on interviews in the show this week. 

Madeleine Black was a victim of a crime that left her silent for many years, but has now found her voice and intends to use it. 

Not just for her, but for so many who can’t find theirs yet. She chose to forgive the two men who raped her when she was thirteen years old and she shares her story for many reasons.

You can hear her powerful words in the Media Coach Radio Show.

And there's a fantastic song from When Rivers Meet, who have just been voted the UK's top blues band at the UK Blues Awards. I'll be speaking to them in a few weeks time on the show. 

The MediaMug is an un-named Reddit user who caused an enormous reaction when he posted a picture of his favourite late-night snack. 

"Behold my post-gig creation," he said, alongside a photo of the offending items. The creation involves sliced cheddar cheese on top of a Jaffa cake. But far from teasing the taste buds of Reddit respondents, the bloke’s post-gig snack caused outrage.

"I've called the police," one person wrote, while another said "Begone foul demon whence you came".

However,there were a few budding Blumenthal-types who could see how cheese and orangey biscuits could work and were willing to suspend their disbelief and give it a go.

No, I haven't tried it myself. 

An Aesop, in storytelling terms, is "the moral of the story". There is a limited number of Aesops that great dramatists use, such as -

• Honesty is the best policy
• Be true to yourself
• Follow your heart
• Change is good
• Change is bad
• Good will triumph over evil

OK, there are contradictions. But as you know, there are no moral absolutes (sic). The moral is, you have to have a moral.

When you deliver a speech, there has to be some point to it. There has to be a message that the audience takes away. It doesn't have to be one of the drama cliches, either.

However, over the years, I think I could count no more than twenty distinct morals from the speakers that I've seen. The important thing is that the message you intend to send is the message that arrives.

The best way to deliver your Aesop? Tell the audience what it is.

I published this list a few years ago, and repeat it as a reminder of what not to do when faced with a microphone:

1) "This is off the record" A phrase which will make the reporter carefully note everything that you say, and reproduce it to your acute embarrassment.

2) "I don't think you'll be able to understand this, so I'll try to say it as simply as possible". Never ever talk down to a reporter. They know when they're being patronised.

3) "I've never heard of your radio show/TV programme". More often than not, this will be true, but local reporters grow up to be national reporters and if you treat them well, you'll remain a handy contact in their little black book.

4) "We're the best in the business". As soon as the reporter leaves, they'll check up on your rivals to see whether you're boasting.

5) "We've had fantastic press reviews in the States" Journalists prefer to make their own minds up. Being told that they should copy their overseas colleagues is not a good idea.

6) "No comment". A popular one this, which leads to one of two possible outcomes - "XYZ Ltd declined to confirm or deny rumours that -" Or "XYZ Ltd refused point-blank to talk to us about - " Neither of these is good news for you.  

It's easy to start an argument online. Sometimes you can do it accidentally. It's harder to create a sensible debate, but if you do, then it can add greatly to your online status. Here are a few ways to get a debate going:

• Be timely. Comment quickly on items in the news - within minutes if possible
• Be controversial - offer a view that challenges conventional wisdom
• Respond to views from other experts
• Give people lists of tips to help their business, and ask them how they would apply them
• Include social media buttons on your blog

Ideally, you need to be there at the time to continue the debate, especially if it's on Twitter. If you start a debate and then wander off, there's a chance it can go in a completely unexpected direction. Of course, that may happen even if you're there. but at least you'll have a chance to get it back on track.

While debating, here are some tips to keep the thread on track:

• Avoid generalisations and stereotypes
• Offer evidence for your view
• Thank people for their comments
• Pose further questions
• Debate the issues, not the people
• Respect all views
• Agree to differ
• Never offer opinion as fact

Fred Allen was a brilliant humourist. His "five accidents in two minutes" sketch is a classic, read here by Jude Law.