Actor, writer, and technologist Patrick Chou on improv as an antidote to public speaking fear in any conversation Artwork

The Sage Sayers

A weekly podcast on ways to stay calm and compel others as you communicate. Along with executive communications tips and strategies, we interview intriguing individuals who've found the "Sage approach" by finding gifts, opportunities, and knowledge within trying situations. New Zealander show host, Debbi Gardiner McCullough, has written on social and business trends and struggles for the Economist, the Guardian, and Financial Times of London. She's a self-retired college professor of writing, an executive communications and narrative coach. Visit her at: www.hangingrockcoaching.com

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The Sage Sayers

Actor, writer, and technologist Patrick Chou on improv as an antidote to public speaking fear in any conversation

October 03, 2025 • Patrick Chou and Debbi Gardiner McCullough • Season 5 • Episode 20

My guest this episode is Patrick Chou. His career path has included a PhD from MIT and a thriving Silicon Valley career in the optical telecom business where he understands both the technology and business of pluggable optics. Patrick's also a writer and actor, which helps feed (along with his technology work) a quest to better understand how humans communicate.

In our conversation, we hear of Patrick's career, his choices, his love for acting, and especially improv, which has taught him to ground and worry less, in even the most intense presentations and discussions.

You can find Patrick's IMDB page here, his Substack here ,and his LinkedIn page here.

D G McCullough has written on social trends and struggles for the Economist, FT of London, and the Economist. She runs Hanging Rock Coaching and serves as a personal branding coach to foreign-born leaders working at Fortune 100s, including Google. Find her on LinkedIn. Join her workshops on Maven, Brag Anyway, and Listen Like a Boss. And on Luma, From Blank Page to Byline.