Podium

A podium is an object from which Sims can speak. The podium is a skill object that can raise a Sim's Charisma skill.

The Sims 2
There are two podiums in The Sims 2, both of which are career rewards. The Enterprise Office Concepts Bushmaster Tele-Prompter is a podium that is received as the career reward for the Politics career in The Sims 2. The "I Object" Litigator Podium is a podium that is received as the career reward for the Law career in The Sims 2: Seasons.

Both podiums have essentially the same functions. Sims can use the podium to "Practice Speech" in order to increase their Charisma skill. (The Law podium calls this "Practice Case".) Using a podium is more effective than using a mirror, because the podium has a boosts the skill gain rate by 250%, compared to the 200% rate of mirrors. The podiums allow Sims to give lessons to Sims with lower Charisma, and Sims may come to listen to the speaker. Children can play with a podium for fun, and may do so autonomously. They may also be able to use the podium to build Charisma without having to be taught by an older Sim.

The only difference between the two podiums is that using the Law podium will grant Sims §5 for every 5 Sim minutes, which can be considered as an easy way to earn money.

The Sims 3
The Speaker's Podium is a podium that is featured in The Sims 3: University Life. It can be bought in the Buy mode for §120. Sims can practice speech with the podium to build the Charisma skill. Sims who have at least 1 point in a skill can use the podium to give lecture about that specific skill. Sims who listen to the speech will also learn that skill. This is an effective way to teach many Sims about a skill at once. The higher the skill of the lecturer, the higher the skill gain rate of the listeners. Professors at the university will use the podium to give lesson during a lecture. This will not help build any skills to the listener, however.

Sims can announce a protest with the podium. During a protest, Sims can rile the crowd, lead a chant, and give impassioned speech to raise the protest score. These interactions don't have specific differences from each other, apart from animations and reactions from the listeners. They contribute protest score equally.

Sims who have level 2 influence of rebel social group can give what's wrong with the world speech. Giving this speech increases rebel influence. This interaction does not increase Charisma skill, and cannot be used during a protest.