Not too long ago, “commanding the room” meant walking confidently onto a stage, feeling the energy of the audience, and making eye contact across rows of chairs. These days, many of us find ourselves facing a different kind of room: a virtual one. Instead of a stage, it’s a desk chair and fake background. Instead of applause, it’s muted microphones and turned-off cameras. And instead of eye contact, it’s staring into the soul of your webcam.

But here’s the truth: whether you’re giving a keynote, leading a meeting, or teaching an online workshop, your ability to captivate your audience hasn’t disappeared, it just looks different. With the right approach, you can be just as dynamic, engaging, and memorable online as you are in person.

Here are my top tips for commanding the virtual room and leaving your audience glad they logged in. And you might even get them to keep their cameras on!

1. Start Strong and Set the Tone

The first few minutes of a virtual talk are make-or-break. I...

If I had a dollar for every time I sat in a meeting thinking, “Wow… this could have been done in an email,” I’d probably have my own private jet by now. Over the years, I’ve had a front-row seat to communication faux pas in just about every environment you can imagine: the classroom, the boardroom, and the war room (well, not really, but the military musician equivalent of a war room…). And let me tell you, there are certain truths that are universal when it comes to communication…at all levels.

Today you’re getting my (slightly) tongue-in-cheek (but also very real) take on what I’ve learned about communication at work.

1. Having the title of “manager” doesn’t automatically make you a good leader.

Don’t come for me on this. If you have been in the workplace for more than 5 minutes, you know just how true it is. Just because you have the title doesn’t mean your team looks at you and thinks, “Wow, what a visionary leader!” More often than not, they’re thinking, “Can this guy just stop...

For far too long, cultural stereotypes have told our stories for us.

They've shaped the way others see us, and often, the way we see ourselves. But here’s the truth: stereotypes are incomplete stories. And the only way to rewrite them is to speak up and tell the full, real, complex, and beautiful versions of who we are.

As someone who works with women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals to help them craft and share their personal stories with confidence, I’ve witnessed firsthand how powerful it is when someone decides to stop playing small, stop fitting into boxes, and start telling the truth on their terms.

Because there’s something incredibly radical about standing up and saying, “That’s not my story. Let me tell you who I really am.”

We’ve all experienced it: bias. Someone assuming something about you because of how you look, where you’re from, who you love, or what language you speak. Those assumptions often come from societal narratives that have been repeated for generations. Some...

Because someone out there needs what you have to say.

There is something transformative that happens the moment you choose to share your story. Whether you realize it or not, your lived experience carries weight. It holds truth. And when shared with courage, it becomes a catalyst for connection, empowerment, and even change.

Because the truth is that someone out there is waiting for your story to unlock their healing.

But why do you need a bigger audience? 

Listen, I’m not saying you have to go speak at an event with thousands of people on your first gig. But I am saying that if you are nervous about sharing your story or even getting started as a speaker, you need an audience that is bigger than your mirror, your best friend, and your cat.

Start with a local open mic night or sponsor a networking event. This is one of my favorite ways to get in front of a crowd of 30-50 people who can benefit from hearing what I have to say. This scenario usually affords you anywhere from 2-7 minut...

Let’s talk about something that probably makes you squirm a little. Vulnerability.

Just the thought of being vulnerable can bring up some uncomfortable feelings. Sweaty palms. Shaky voice. Racing thoughts. And if you are anything like the people I work with, your first instinct might be to keep it all buttoned up and present yourself as polished, composed, and professional.

But here is the truth no one tells you until you experience it for yourself. Being vulnerable is not weakness. In fact, it is one of the highest forms of courage.

When you share your real story, not just the highlight reel, you are offering your audience something far more powerful than a performance. You are offering them a connection. A mirror. A moment of truth that sticks with them long after your last word.

Speaking vulnerably is not about standing on stage crying through your trauma. It is about being intentional, strategic, and honest. It is about knowing how to use your lived experience to make an impact...

Whether you're preparing for a big keynote, stepping onto a stage for the first time, or sharing your story in an intimate setting, one thing is true: the best speeches come from real experiences.

When you speak from the richness your own life, you unlock the gifts your story can bear. Your audience leans in. They feel your authenticity, and they might even see their own reflection in what you share. 

But it’s not always easy to figure out which story to tell, or how to tell it in a way that you’re genuinely excited to share.

Here’s how to turn your lived experience into a speech that feels honest, energizing, and entirely your own.

Step 1: Know Who You’re Talking To

Before you start writing, pause and think about the people who will hear your story.

Ask yourself:

• Who are they?
• What could they relate to?
• What might they need to hear right now?

When you align your message with what you know about your audience’s emotions, values, and challenges, you create connection. But ...

There’s a reason why some stories linger long after they are told.

While a good structure and powerful message are important, it is often the sensory details that help a story leave its mark. When the audience can envision the moment and feel the story the way you do, it will stay with them in a much more powerful way. That is the magic of sensory details.

In the art of storytelling sensory details are the brushstrokes that turn your sketch into a masterpiece. And if you want your audience to remember your message, your focus needs to be on helping them feel it on a deeper level.

Today we are learning why sensory details are important elements of your stories, and how you can use them to captivate your audience.

Why Sensory Details Matter

Various research has shown that sensory details help activate the brain and create stronger neural pathways. When we hear a story with vivid sensory input like “the smell of fresh-baked bread” or “the icy grip of the steering wheel,” the parts of...

Think public speaking is just for extroverts, CEOs, or polished TED Talkers? Guess again!

Public speaking is for anyone with a voice and a story to tell—including you.

As exciting as that is, it can be equally terrifying. If your heart races at the thought of speaking in front of others, don’t worry, you are not alone. The fear is real and it is shared by millions of people. And I’ll let you in on a little secret…even the most seasoned speakers get a little bit nervous about stepping on stage. The difference between you and them: they didn’t let that fear stop them!

If you are ready to tell your fear to kick rocks and step up to the stage, this guide is for you. 

This guide is for beginner, novice, or even experienced speakers who need a refresher—especially those who have ever felt silenced, unsure, or overlooked. You are not here to perform to perfection, speaking from a script like an A-list actor. You are here to show up, mess up, take up space, and speak with the presence and ...