Podium

A podium is a skill object that Sims can use to raise their charisma skill through practicing public speaking.

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 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 are also 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 a Sim using the Law podium will earn §5 for every 5 Sim minutes.

When the Politics podium is viewed from behind while a Sim is practicing with it, scrolling text can be seen on the teleprompter panels.

Enterprise Office Concepts Bushmaster Tele-Prompter
+ Charisma skill

"I Object" Litigator Podium
+ Charisma skill

The Sims 3: University Life
The Salutary Speaker's Podium is a podium that is featured in The Sims 3: University Life. It can be bought in 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 and any Sims who listen to the speech will also learn that skill; this ability does not require logic to be mastered and can also affect physical, social, and musical skills such as athletic, charisma, and guitar. 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 lessons during a lecture. This will not help listeners build any skills, however.

Sims can announce a protest with the podium. During a protest, Sims can rile the crowd, lead a chant, and give impassioned speeches 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 a "what's wrong with the world" speech. Giving this speech increases rebel influence. This interaction does not increase the charisma skill, and cannot be used during a protest.

Salutary Speaker's Podium
+ Charisma skill

The Sims 4
Two podiums are featured as charisma skill objects related to the politician career in The Sims 4: City Living. Sims can practice speeches anywhere they go if they have a podium in their inventory. Sims that have reached level 4 in the politician career will be able to give an expert speech on the podium.

The Sims 4: Discover University adds another podium set to the game, though this object raises the research & debate skill rather than the charisma skill.

Rostrum Station
+ Charisma skill

The PODUS
+ Charisma skill

This object's name is likely a reference to POTUS, an acronym used to refer to the president of the United States of America.

The Daring Debater Podium Set
+ Research & debate skill