A Veteran’s Day Reflection

There is a particular kind of silence that lives in the stories we do not tell.

Sometimes it is the silence of grief.

Sometimes it is the silence of pride.

And sometimes it is the silence of not knowing if the story will be understood by the people who hear it.

Veterans live with this silence in a way that is both deeply personal and universally shared.

I know this silence because I lived it.

I served as a United States Marine Corps musician. I was not on the front lines of battle carrying a rifle (just the front ranks of a parade band carrying my instrument), but I carried something else: I carried the responsibility of morale, tradition, community, and ceremony. I carried the weight of honoring others’ sacrifices. I played at funerals, stood for taps, and watched families hold their breath in the space between the final note and the reality of loss settling over them.

And like most veterans, I don’t tell those stories.

Not because I am ashamed, but...

Greetings and Happy 2024! Today I am discussing something that is close to my heart and is the whole reason I created my business – stepping onto the stage and becoming a speaker. If you have been wondering, even a little bit, if becoming a speaker is something YOU could do, 2024 is the perfect year to make it happen!

I know you are a woman with a lifetime’s worth of wisdom, experiences, and stories burning inside you, ready to be shared with the world. And you might be wondering if any of that wisdom could be used to inspire others. The answer is unequivocally YES! Each of us has a story to tell and a lesson to share. The only thing holding us back from sharing is the fear that we are not good enough to be on a stage, microphone in hand, telling people about our life’s journey and what they can learn from it.

Maybe you're already in a role where public speaking is part of the gig, but those nagging feelings of inadequacy are holding you back. I hear you, and I'm here to tell you t...

Today I want to discuss the power of vulnerability in public speaking. Sharing personal stories can feel scary and you might wonder if your audience will think of you in a certain way based on the experiences you share. In fact, your audience will likely connect with you on a much deeper level when you share relevant personal experiences in your speech!

In this article, we will cover 7 ways that sharing your personal stories and experiences help you create a speech that will impact your audience and allow them to reflect, connect, and engage with you!

Let’s dive in!

1. The Power of Vulnerability: Vulnerability is not a weakness; it is your superpower. When you share personal stories, you're not just speaking to people; you are inviting them to think of a relatable experience of their own and to connect with you through that shared similar memory. This connection is better than any hook you could ever use to earn audience engagement. While it is scary to think about sharing those hid...