Rudyard Griffiths guest hosts The Lang & O’Leary Exchange on the CBC News Network. He is the former co-host of Business News Network’s top rated show Squeeze Play and the author of the bestselling book, Who We Are: A Citizen’s Manifesto. An expert on a variety of subjects from the future of Canadian economy to global macro-economic trends to the big political and social debates shaping Canada and the world today, Rudyard leaves audiences enlightened and engaged about the country’s challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. He generously answered our “Spotlight On” questions, below:

What inspired you to want to be a speaker?

Speaking is sharing. It is always a pleasure to exchange ideas, meet new people, and learn more about the issues and ideas that make us all tick. Public speaking gives me these opportunities and more.

Any advice for aspiring speakers?

What separates truly great speakers them from the rest is that rare combination of passion and knowledge. In short, your topic should matter as much or more for you as for your audience.

What do you like to leave audiences with?

A genuinely new insight–something they can think about in an entirely new way….

How do you prepare before a talk? Any special rituals? A good luck talisman?

Remembering to breathe…

Do you have an especially memorable event you can tell us about?

Moderating the epic two hour debate on religion between Christopher Hitchens and Tony Blair was as nerve wracking as it was fun.

Any funny or embarrassing situations you found yourself in as a speaker?

My first name is often a challenge for people. Rude-yard, Ranch-yard, Ruddy-yard, I have suffered them all!

Is there a charitable cause that you feel passionate about? Why?

I am a big supporter of child education. Getting a good education early in life is everyone’s right. I worry sometimes that we are letting our public education systems down.

If you had to choose a new career, what would it be?

Hosting Meet the Press on NBC.

Desert island album?

Hotel California, by The Eagles.

Best subject in school?

History.

Last book you read?

Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety, by Eric Schlosser.

Last film you saw?

I have two young children – I have not seen a film in years!

Celebrity crush?

Meet the Press’ David Gregory–as a closet US politics junkie, he is my Sunday fix.