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We've all been in that meeting or presentation. The one where the person speaking just drones on, giving too much detail and making countless (and pointless) points. Your eyes start to glaze over. Maybe you fight to keep them open and your head from lolling to the side. Or maybe, just maybe, you've been that person. One of the biggest things I've been working on with clients lately is helping them get clear and concise in their messaging. Whether it's a meeting or a presentat

My husband and I go to the Newport Jazz Festival every year. We post up at Fort Adams, sunshine on our faces, ocean breeze on our skin, and just listen to the musicians sharing their art. What I love most about the festival is how different everything sounds from stage to stage. Some of it is textbook jazz. Some of it barely resembles jazz at all, except for the roots underneath it. There's truly something for everyone in attendance. What I love, someone else might skip right

When public speaking nerves kick in, most people don't even realize their bodies are showing those nerves. Here are three of the most common body language issues I see, and how to fix them so you appear calm and confident.

There's a moment most aspiring speakers hit where they're ready to practice, really practice, but suddenly realize there's nowhere to go. Most stages want a polished speaker. A specific topic. A speaking reel. Experience. But for someone just starting out, or someone who's nervous but ready to try, the options are almost nonexistent. I saw this firsthand. For years as a public speaking and communication coach, my clients kept asking me the same question: "Do you know of any p

There’s something powerful that happens when someone chooses to use their authentic voice. Not the overly rehearsed version or the one shaped by what they think others want to hear. It’s the exact voice that was needed in that exact moment to create connection, build trust, and strengthen confidence from within. Confidence in speaking doesn’t just appear overnight. It starts forming much earlier than we think. In fact, studies show that up to 74% of people experience some lev

This one may seem like it's for the ladies, but trust me, this message is for everyone . (Gentlemen, replace “LBD” with “power suit.”) There's a reason the little black dress (LBD) has never gone out of style. It's timeless. It's versatile. It works in any room, for any occasion. And the moment you put it on, you feel a sense of confidence. You have a glow about you. Maybe you stand a little taller. Or perhaps you walk with a strut. Regardless, you feel good in your own skin.

On Friday, March 6th, I stepped on stage in front of nearly 150 women at a beautiful venue in NYC for the Business of WE Leadership Conference & Dinner in celebration of International Women’s Day. I was the first of seven speakers to go on stage, so I knew I had some pressure on me to kick things off strong. Being a professional speaker, and someone who teaches public speaking skills to others, there is always an added layer of pressure to show up and crush it. Especially wh

There’s a moment that happens before someone decides to speak. Maybe it’s before raising a hand in a meeting. Maybe it’s before sharing an idea that feels a little risky. Maybe it’s before introducing yourself to someone new, or stepping onto a stage. In that small pause before the words come out, a familiar question often shows up: Is what I have to say really worth sharing? If you’ve ever felt that hesitation, you’re not alone. Many of us hold back because we think our stor

Given what I do, I see a lot of slide decks. Some good, most fair and some just awful. Every now and then I see one that makes me smile and think, “Yes, this is how it’s meant to be done!” Sadly, that’s rare. Most decks I see are riddled with text, most of which is too small to read from the third row let alone the back of the room. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a presenter squint at their own slide and say, “You probably can’t read this.” And they were right.

Connection is the outcome of SPEAC’ing Success. When you’ve done the work - when you’ve Strategized, Prepared, Elevated, and Articulated with intention and authenticity… true connection becomes inevitable. This final step is where everything clicks. With my role at SPEAC being Connection Coordinator, it would be pretty awkward if this wasn’t my favorite part of the framework… right :) ? But, all jokes aside, this is where everything you’ve prepared finally meets the people