At the end of the day, our words are what remain. The stories we share, the lessons we teach, and the connections we create—they outlive us, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire, even when we’re no longer in the room.

Many people think of storytelling as something they do in the moment, but the truth is, storytelling is more than something we do, it is who we are. 

When you step onto a stage—whether it’s a conference, a podcast, a meeting, or even a conversation over coffee—you are shaping how people remember you and what they take from your message.

The question isn’t if your story will leave a legacy. The question is: what kind of legacy will you leave?

Too often, people hesitate to share their stories because of the narratives in their heads…those pesky limiting beliefs that we always deal with. They think:

• “I don’t have anything important to say.” 
• “My experiences aren’t unique enough.”
• “I’m not a great storyteller.”
• “No one will want to listen to me.”
• “I am...

We’ve all heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” But let’s be honest—perfection isn’t the goal. Confidence is. I prefer to say “Practice makes PERMANENT” because you will perform in the way that you rehearse!

Whether you’re preparing for a keynote speech, a business presentation, or simply sharing your story in front of an audience, how you practice will make all the difference. Great speakers don’t just wing it—they prepare with purpose. 

The secret isn’t rehearsing until you’ve memorized every word—you are not a robot simply memorizing a sequence of words. The real secret to effective rehearsal is doing it in a way that builds familiarity with your content, confidence in your voice, flexibility and adaptation, and a strong connection with your audience.

In today’s article we will talk about how to practice effectively so that you walk onto any stage feeling confident, prepared, and powerful, not panicked.

1. Rehearse Out Loud—Not Just in Your Head

It’s one thing to read thr...

Crafting a great speech is one thing. Delivering it with confidence, presence, and impact is another. In last week’s article (find it HERE) we discussed the building blocks of a great speech. Today, we are going to talk about how to deliver that great speech with confidence, impact, and value!

You can have the most powerful message in the world, but if your delivery falls flat, your audience won’t connect with it the way you want them to. That is why delivery matters just as much as structure—how you say something is just as important as what you say.

The good news? Confident delivery is a skill you can learn. You don’t have to be born a great speaker; you just need to know how to use your voice, body, and energy to bring your message to life.

Let’s break down the essential elements of powerful speech delivery so that when you step on stage (or in front of any audience), you do it with confidence and impact.

Own the Stage with Presence

Before you even say a word, your energy sets ...

A great speech isn’t just a collection of words—it’s a carefully constructed message designed to inform, inspire, or persuade. Whether you’re speaking on a stage, leading a workshop, or pitching an idea, the building blocks of your speech are the same!

I want you to think of your speech like a house. Without a strong foundation, it crumbles and without a clear design, it confuses. But when built intentionally, with the right materials, it stands strong and leaves a lasting impact.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of crafting a speech, don’t worry—you already have everything you need to create a powerful message. You just need a structure that supports and amplifies your voice.

Today I am going to give you that structure! Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the key building blocks of a great speech.

1. The Hook: Grabbing Attention from the Start

Your opening is your first impression—it sets the tone and determines whether your audience will stay engaged or mentally ...

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built day by day, note by note, moment by moment, just like practicing a piece of music. 

As a clarinetist with over 30 years of performance experience, I’ve learned that preparing a solo for performance is no different than preparing a speech for performance. Both require preparation, patience, and, most importantly, a willingness to grow from every experience—no matter how uncomfortable or imperfect. That willingness also includes acknowledging our fears of failure and doing it anyway.

When I first started playing solos in 7th grade, I would get so nervous. My hands would shake (making it difficult to hold my instrument), my breathing would get out of sync, and I’d forget to exhale all the way, and I sometimes questioned whether I was good enough to perform. And then, every time I did it, I felt amazing and received applause and congratulations from the audience. Just like the client I mentioned in last week’s article, I spent way too much ...

Self-doubt can be an unwelcome companion for anyone stepping into the spotlight. Whether it’s a small presentation, a keynote speech, or simply sharing your voice in a meeting, the nagging question of "Am I good enough?" can hold even the most capable people back. But here’s the truth: self-doubt doesn’t have to define your journey. It can, instead, become a steppingstone toward your growth.

I have seen incredible transformations in women who, at first, doubted their ability to speak up and their worth in doing so. They felt inadequate, convinced that their voices didn’t carry the weight or wisdom needed to make an impact. But through intentional steps, and only a few tears, they learned to embrace their worth and boldly use their voice to speak out. Their stories are proof that you too, can break through the barriers of self-doubt.

I want you to think of the battle between self-doubt and self-confidence as a great tug-of-war match in your mind. Your inner thoughts, negative self-tal...

For many of us, the idea of stepping onto a stage can be terrifying. The sweaty palms, racing heart, and shaky voice often feel like insurmountable obstacles. But what if I told you that these symptoms of anxiety could be transformed into powerful tools for an impactful performance?

Stage nerves are not your enemy—they are a sign that you care. Instead of letting them control you, you can learn to harness that energy to enhance your confidence and delivery. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to turning your anxiety into empowered energy.

1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Nerves

The first step in managing stage fright is recognizing it for what it is: a natural response to a challenge. Nervousness isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a signal that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone.

• Action: Take a moment to acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Remind yourself that even seasoned speakers feel nervous before taking the stage.
• Mantra: “This energy means I care about doing ...

Have you ever hesitated to share your voice, worrying it wasn’t good enough, strong enough, or impactful enough? You’re not alone. Many of us carry self-doubt when it comes to speaking—whether it’s in a meeting, on stage, or even in everyday conversations. But here’s the truth: your voice matters, and embracing it is the first step toward building confidence and making an impact.

Self-love is at the heart of confident storytelling and speaking. When you learn to love your voice—both literally and figuratively—you unlock a power within you that can inspire, influence, and connect with others. Let’s explore three simple, actionable ways to build confidence in your speaking skills by starting focused on self-love.

1. Celebrate Your Unique Voice

Your voice is as unique as your fingerprint, and that’s what makes it so powerful. Stop comparing yourself to others or trying to emulate their style. Instead, focus on what makes your voice special. Is it soft and soothing, is it rough and robu...

The first time I stepped onto a stage, (and if I’m being honest, sometimes even now…) I felt like an imposter. As an introvert, the spotlight felt unnatural and as a perfectionist (now in recovery if you know what I mean), I always had that nagging voice saying, “you’re not good enough…the others are better.” 

As far back as I can remember, I preferred quiet moments of reflection to boisterous gatherings, and yet, I would get the biggest rush when given the chance to speak, sing, or play my instruments in front of a crowd. Looking back, I have discovered that from that first chance to speak in the 6th grade (D.A.R.E. graduation circa 1995) and in the years since, is that introverts like me have a unique edge when it comes to public speaking. What we think of as a negative trait (introversion) is really a superpower when it comes to doing things outside of our comfort zone, like speaking!

I know, you are currently thinking, “Um, what? Did you just say that being introverted is a stren...

The butterflies in your stomach, the racing heart, the sweaty palms—pre-speech anxiety is a challenge nearly every speaker faces, whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth. But here’s the truth: nervousness is not your enemy. It’s a sign that you care deeply about your message and your performance. By learning to navigate these feelings, you can turn them into powerful tools for delivering an impactful and memorable presentation.

Here are eight practical tips to help you manage nerves and step onto the stage with confidence:

1.  Accept and Reframe Your Nervous Energy
   

Nervousness is your body’s way of gearing up for a challenge, and it’s a signal that you care about your performance. Instead of fighting it, reframe it. Think of it as excitement and enthusiasm—a boost of energy ready to propel you forward. After all, your body doesn’t distinguish between nervous and excited energy; it just feels the intensity! Embracing this mindset can transform performance anxiety into an ally ...