The Presentation Podcast

e257 - Making PowerPoint Better, One Papercut at a Time, with Derek Johnson

Episode #257, Forget the AI headlines for a moment. There are a lot of non-AI features changing in the PowerPoint experience people use every day! Microsoft's Derek Johnson joins The Presentation Podcast to talk papercuts, Franken-decks, file performance, tables, SmartArt, Presenter View, and how the feedback PowerPoint users send to Microsoft every day influences the product's development. Listen now for a peek inside with the PowerPoint team as we hear how they are working to usher in "the Renaissance era of PowerPoint!" Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e257 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

e256 - Are PowerPoint's Interactive Slides Right for You?

In episode 256, Troy Chollar of TLC Creative Services explores Microsoft's new PowerPoint Interactive Slides feature and evaluates its practical value for presentation professionals, asking the question, "Are PowerPoint's Interactive Slides Right for You?" The conversation highlights how Interactive Slides can create engaging dashboards, simulations, and exploratory experiences directly within PowerPoint, all on a single slide. While the feature shows significant potential for training, education, and workshops, the episode also examines limitations around customization, branding, and design control. The conclusion is balanced: Interactive Slides may not replace traditional presentations, but they introduce an important new capability that presentation designers should know about. Listen now! Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e256 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

e255, The Ask vs. The Offer

Episode #255 - What does a Presentation Designer actually do, and what should the job pay? In this episode, Troy, Nolan, Sandy, and former design recruiter Stephanie Hogan review real Presentation Designer job postings and break down the details. They compare qualifications, responsibilities, salary ranges, and the fine print behind the listings. Along the way, they found job postings for everything from a part-time freelance 5–20 hours a week gig, to full-time corporate positions. Plus they explore how AI resume filters are eliminating qualified candidates from ever reaching hiring managers. Listen in for an honest look at today's presentation design job market. Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e255 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

e254 - Confessions of a Reluctant AI Presentation Designer

Episode #254 (Part B) - Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic buzzword. AI is a practical, transformative force in business workflows, AND, for the world of presentation design, AI has become part of our workflows. Troy Chollar (TLC Creative Services) and Nolan Haims (Nolan Haims Creative) share their firsthand experiences and insights on how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT, and standalone image AI Tools like Adobe Firefly and others are reshaping the way professionals are now approaching presentations and daily operations. Listen now! Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e254 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

e254 Part A - BRB, we're at the Presentation Summit

Short episode with a welcome from Troy Chollar of TLC Creative Services and a note that next week, September 22, will be the real episode.

e253 - What Makes the Presentation Summit 2026 a Must-Attend Event for Presentation Professionals?

Episode 253 welcomes Presentation Summit founder Rick Altman to chat with hosts Troy Chollar, Sandy Johnson, and Nolan Haims about the upcoming 2026 Presentation Summit. Celebrating its 24th year, the Summit remains the gold standard for presentation training and networking. It is a fully virtual event, globally accessible (for both attendees and presenters!), a packed schedule with the industry's best presentation instructors, and amazing non-industry guest keynotes. Want to know what makes this year's event special? Listen and get a behind-the-scenes preview before the conference begins. Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e253 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

e252 - Midyear Check - Where Do You Use "AI" for Presentations?

Episode 252 - As we reach the midpoint of 2026, the world of presentations is still undergoing a transformation, driven by the rapid evolution of AI. So in this episode, we're joined by presentation experts who share their real-world experiences, frustrations, and triumphs with AI-powered tools for their PowerPoint workflows! Across all conversations, a clear theme emerged: AI is a powerful assistant, but not a replacement for human expertise. Listen now! Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e252 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

Wait! Clients Are Using AI for Their Slides Already!?

Let's face it: the Future of Presentation Design is going to involve AI. The world of presentation design is undergoing a seismic shift. In episode 251 of the Presentation Podcast, Troy Chollar and Lori Chollar of TLC Creative Services pull back the curtain on how they see AI is transforming the way presentations are created, delivered, and managed, especially for corporate clients. Drawing from their recent experience supporting the presentation design for a large sales conference, they offer insights into their observations on the real-world impact of AI on presentation design workflows happening now. Listen now! Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e251 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

e250 - Here's An Interesting AI-Presentation Use Case

Episode 250 of the Presentation Podcast brings together industry experts Troy Chollar, Sandy Johnson, Nolan Hames for a deep dive into how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workflow of professional presentation design. Drawing from a real-world case study Lori Chollar of TLC Creative Services talks about a real-world success story that is literally at the intersection of AI and presentation design. Lori shares how an end client leveraged AI to develop a reference presentation before engaging the presentation design team. Listen now! Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e250 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

e249 - Exploring the Balance Between AI Assistance and Human Expertise in Modern Presentation Design

Episode #249, In this podcast episode, Troy, Nolan, and Sandy explore how AI is reshaping presentation design today. The conversation revolves around the two key spaces where AI operates: thinking (e.g. outlining, structuring) and design (e.g. visuals, layouts). While all three agree AI enhances efficiency, they also agree AI is not set to replace human storytelling, editorial judgment, and contextual understanding in professional presentation design. Ultimately, as AI produces "good enough" results, which makes human expertise more critical in creating authentic, memorable presentations that stand out. Listen now! Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e249 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

e248 - Nashville, Vectors, and Paper Puzzles: Nolan Haims Prepares for CreativePro Week

Episode #248, As the world of graphic design continues to expand, the boundaries between traditional design disciplines and presentation design are blurring. And Creative Pro Week, a premier design conference brings together designers, creatives, and presentation experts. This episode Troy has a behind-the-scenes conversation with Nolan Haims hearing about his upcoming CreativePro Week talks, the process, and his expectations for the event. They also talk about the growing importance of presentation design, and actionable strategies for leveraging PowerPoint as a true design tool. Listen now! Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e248 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

PowerPoint is Amanda Dalton's Swiss Army Design Tool - and CreativePro Week 2026!

Episode 247: Unlock the power of PowerPoint in ways you may not have imagined. In this episode, Troy, Sandy, and Nolan are joined by Amanda Dalton, a seasoned graphic designer turned presentation and instructional design expert, to explore how PowerPoint can be a central tool for presentation design, video creation, and instructional storytelling. In today's ever-evolving world of digital communication, few tools are as versatile, or as underestimated, as PowerPoint. Amanda shares her professional journey and offers insights into how she leverages PowerPoint alongside other tools to create impactful stories, engaging training content, and dynamic visual experiences. Plus, CreativePro Week 2026 is just weeks away! Amanda is one of the presenter at this year's conference, and we are fortunate to have David Blatner, Director of CreativePro, preview what to expect at this year's Nashville event. Listen now! Full Episode Show Notes https://thepresentationpodcast.com/2026/e247 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

Are PowerPoint Templates In Our Future?

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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