Podcast appearances and mentions of diane diaz

Do you feel like hitting pause when everything around you feels uncertain? Whether it's the economy, politics, AI, or just the general state of flux we're all living in, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You're not alone - I've been feeling it too. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk candidly about what we've been noticing in ourselves, our clients, and the conversations we're having behind the scenes here at Speaking Your Brand. Spoiler alert: pausing too long or isolating yourself isn't the answer. Instead, we share: Why action creates clarity and how to act your way to right thinking A behind-the-scenes look at how we're navigating uncertainty at Speaking Your Brand How in-person speaking engagements and networking are helping us build momentum Why now is the best time to connect and take action (even if you're an introvert) How to experiment and refresh your offerings without overwhelm What to do when ChatGPT gives you too many ideas (yes, really!) If you've been feeling stuck, this episode is your invitation to move from “What now?” to “What's next?” Let this episode be the boost you need to keep showing up, sharing your message, and stepping into your next level. Plus, we share about our upcoming in-person workshop in Orlando, Narrative that Sells, and how it's designed to help you attract clients, speaking opportunities, and thought leadership visibility by creating and practicing your signature talk.

The Life Shift RewindI'm excited to share bonus episodes from Patreon, where I revisited past guests to discuss what has changed and the value of sharing their stories. Since I currently only have the lower tiers available, I wanted to make these conversations accessible to the public feed. If you'd like to support the show directly, please consider joining the $3 or $5 tier on Patreon – www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast. Diane Diaz is back on The Life Shift for a bonus episode that digs into the heavy stuff—specifically, the impact of toxic relationships and the journey to reclaiming one's identity. We chat about how Diane's experiences shaped her understanding of what it means to carry dead weight and the pivotal moments that pushed her to break free. It's not just about sharing her story; it's about the realization that many folks feel trapped in their own narratives, and sometimes, it takes a conversation to spark change. Diane emphasizes the importance of storytelling, revealing how her past has equipped her with resilience and empathy, allowing her to help others find their voices. So, if you're in a place where you feel stuck, this episode is a must-listen.Listen to Diane Diaz's full episode on The Life Shift – https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/triggered-by-two-words-leaving-a-toxic-relationship-diane-diaz/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Have you ever wondered if you really need to add humor to your business presentations, keynotes, or conference talks? Maybe you think, I'm just here to share valuable information - why should I try to be funny?  Well, in this episode, I'm joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to show you exactly why humor isn't just a nice-to-have - it's a must-have. We're diving into how to use humor effectively in your talks, without forcing corny jokes (unless that's your thing!). From situational storytelling to physical comedy, sarcasm, self-deprecating humor, and even well-placed memes and GIFs, we cover it all. In this episode, you'll learn: Why humor makes your audience feel more connected and engaged How to plan humor in your talk (even if you don't think you're funny) The power of physical comedy as a speaker Diane's hilarious story about her mom teaching her to be a petty thief The one type of self-deprecating humor to avoid   Even if you don't consider yourself a comedian, there are so many ways to add humor that feel natural and authentic to you. Your audience will thank you - and they'll definitely remember you! Action Step: The next time you're working on a presentation, pick one of the humor techniques we talk about and try incorporating it. Let us know how it goes! You'll also want to watch the video version at https://youtu.be/nVDRqerIlxQ.  We've included funny clips from stand-up comedians and sitcoms to illustrate our points - you won't want to miss them! This episode was filmed in one of the beautiful studios on the campus of Full Sail University, where Diane and I have been teaching business and marketing classes since 2009. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/426/  Watch the video of this episode at https://youtu.be/nVDRqerIlxQ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 376: Use the Secrets of Comedy for Better Storytelling and Delivery in Your Talks Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe  

Is there a story you're reluctant to share? The one that still makes you cringe a little, that feels raw and vulnerable? That's probably the exact story you should be telling - not just for your audience, but for yourself. In this episode, I'm joined by Diane Diaz, and we're pulling back the curtain on our own stories - the ones we've hesitated to share. We talk a lot about storytelling in public speaking, thought leadership, and keynotes, but let's be honest: we often default to the safer stories. You know, the ones about career missteps, lessons learned, or professional challenges. But what about the deeply personal stories? The ones that shaped who we are? Diane and I each share a story we've been reluctant to tell - stories tied to our self-worth, identity, and fears. We unpack how these experiences have influenced our careers, our approach to public speaking, and even the way we show up in the world. In this episode, you'll hear: Why the stories that scare you the most are the ones that will connect the deepest with your audience How childhood experiences still shape the way we think about ourselves (and what to do about it) Why leaning into imperfection and vulnerability makes you a more compelling speaker How to balance preparation and spontaneity in your speaking style (Diane and I approach this very differently!) A behind-the-scenes look at our own speaking journeys, including what we've learned from our clients   This episode was filmed in one of the beautiful studios on the campus of Full Sail University, where Diane and I have been teaching business and marketing classes since 2009. Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/WoIk1kK1a8c Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/425/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 398: Storytelling for Leaders: Crafting Narratives that Inspire and Persuade Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation  

We hear all the time that we should “reinvent” ourselves to stay relevant. Or that we should ignore or dismiss aspects of our careers that no longer seem to “fit” with what we're doing now. I'm not sure we can truly “reinvent” ourselves, nor should we. Instead, we should embrace how we evolve over time - and actually seek out ways to challenge ourselves to evolve! In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, joins me for a lively and insightful conversation about the difference between reinvention and evolution. We explore why embracing your full self - quirks, career twists, and even those moments that feel “messy” - is essential for authenticity and personal branding. Diane shares how her Ironman journey continues to influence her life, even years later, and I reflect on bringing my tech background into Speaking Your Brand's evolution. You'll learn: Why “reinvention” might not be the right word (and why evolution feels more authentic) The importance of challenging yourself - even when it feels uncomfortable How to embrace all aspects of your past, from childhood passions to career pivots, to shape your personal brand What saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities (hello, comedy sets!) can do for your growth   This episode is full of personal stories and actionable takeaways to help you think about what's next for you. Whether it's launching a podcast, tackling public speaking, delivering a TEDx talk, or simply trying something new, it's never too late to evolve. This episode was filmed in one of the beautiful studios on the campus of Full Sail University, where Diane and I have been teaching business and marketing classes since 2009. Watch the video episode (you'll love it, including some behind the scenes!) at https://youtu.be/718HGeeKr20   Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction: Reinvention vs. Evolution – Are You Challenging Yourself? [00:25] Behind the Scenes: Filming at Full Sail University [01:15] Why Evolution is More Authentic Than Reinvention [02:33] Embracing Your Full Self in Your Personal Brand [04:19] Diane's Ironman Journey: Lessons That Still Resonate [06:48] Carol's Career Evolution: From Tech to Speaking Your Brand [08:46] The Role of Adaptability in Personal and Professional Growth [10:36] Saying Yes to Unexpected Opportunities (Diane's Comedy Set!) [12:21] The Importance of Enjoying the Process Over Perfection [13:02] Closing Thoughts: What's Your Next Challenge?   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/424/ Watch the video of this episode at https://youtu.be/718HGeeKr20 Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Join us at our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in London in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Dr. Nicole Rochester = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-md/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 417: The 3 Key Elements for Your Transformational Personal Brand Episode 408: Connecting Your Personal Brand and Your Thought Leadership Episode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker with Dr. Nicole Rochester Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Dr. Nicole Rochester  

In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz speaks with Michelle Massman, a longtime entrepreneur and graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, who shares her journey from “stuck” to “unstoppable” through storytelling and public speaking. You'll hear Michelle's candid stories—from launching unexpected ventures like The Culinary Studio to her partnership with a music group—that reveal her resilience and passion for following her intuition. As Diane and Michelle discuss the power of sharing vulnerable stories, Michelle opens up about the anxiety she's faced and how she's turned her experiences into speaking topics that resonate deeply with her audiences. Her frameworks, including From Stuck to Unstoppable and Passion to Profit, provide practical steps for anyone feeling stuck or seeking more clarity and confidence. Michelle's story is a reminder that by saying “yes” to opportunities, connecting with the right people, and being willing to share your authentic self, you can create incredible impact and growth for both yourself and others. Diane and Michelle talk about: Finding clarity on the message you want to share and ways to bring your unique story to life Connecting with audiences authentically by sharing vulnerable, relatable experiences Understanding the power of frameworks and storytelling to guide and engage listeners Gaining inspiration to overcome obstacles and embrace your next speaking opportunity About Our Guest: Michelle Massman has been a visionary entrepreneur for over 30 years and knew, even as a teen, that she wanted to own a business someday. After working at a few (ok several) jobs, she realized she didn't like being told what to do, and didn't like managing people. So she started her business and loved it! She has guided, launched, directed and overhauled everything from small start up ventures to multi-million dollar private companies, consulted with hundreds of people in the areas of entrepreneurship, marketing, brand partnerships, event production, and music management, and weathered failures and missteps that have given her experience and knowledge that she uses to help her clients sidestep them. Michelle's sweet spot, as a problem solver, connector, advocate, and persuasive force, is the ability to jump into any problem and help find the best solution while helping her clients access the knowledge they need to get unstuck in their business.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/419/  Michelle's website: https://www.michellemassman.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Michelle Massman (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-massman-6629236/     

The election clearly did not go the way many of us wanted. I was on the TV news once again on Election Night and the morning after. The outcome wasn't the shock it was in 2016, but it's profoundly disappointing. Join me and Diane Diaz for this conversation on our thoughts and how we're moving forward (recorded on Wednesday, November 6 at 11 am EST). We too are sad and frustrated but we also want to remind you of the power of your voice and your community. It's easy to jump to the conclusion that America won't elect a woman as president or that voters don't care about women's rights. Two things to keep in mind. First, in both Missouri and Arizona (as well as other states - both blue and red - since the Dobbs decision in 2022), amendments passed to counter very restrictive abortion laws. Unfortunately, in Florida where I live, a similar amendment did not pass because Florida requires 60% and the amendment got 57% (a similar percentage as in the other states). A healthy majority of voters, both men and women, agree that women's reproductive rights are essential. Second, it was a *very* close race. Kamala Harris only had 100 days to do what most presidential candidates have 2 years to do: introduce herself to the American people, talk about the issues she would focus on as president, and contrast herself not only with her opponent but also with the incumbent (Biden) in an era of anti-incumbency sentiment. Harris ran a nearly flawless campaign and I believe she simply ran out of time.  Hang in there. Your voice matters and the work you do matters.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/418/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/  Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 406: Authenticity and Owning Your Story as Women with a Public Voice with Jennifer Adams and Sarah Henry Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna K. Eskamani  

When you facilitate workshops and presentations for visibility and lead generation, we want to make sure you get the results you're looking for. It's perfectly fine to do free or low-cost workshops, as long as the audience aligns with the types of clients you work with, you have an offer that would be of interest to them, AND you're willing to make that offer. So often, we hear from women that they don't want to sell at these types of workshops or presentations. But, that's the reason to do them. You need to let the attendees know how they can work with you and give them an incentive to do so. We recently facilitated a 90-minute in-person workshop for a group of women professionals who are alumni of a program called ATHENA NextGen that I went through in 2016.We got rave reviews from the workshop - and we got a bunch of leads and new clients! In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: Deciding which of our offers to present to the audience and why How we almost got stuck in the expert trap when we realized that we had a bunch of content and activities but no overarching lessons How we use our framework to provide a cohesive journey of transformation for the attendees, not just information The importance of sharing your own personal stories, even in workshops Using humor and making it fun (even if no one else wants to participate in your dance party!) The specific sales techniques we used Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/413/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 393: The Kind of Speakers that Get the Best Feedback and Referrals Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact  

If you're a high-performing woman who works in corporate and you've struggled to use your voice in an impactful way, this conversation is for you! Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz sits down with Laura Camacho, PhD, an executive communications strategist and host of the Speak Up podcast. Diane and Laura dive into the realities of climbing the corporate ladder and the common pitfalls that hold many back, particularly women.  Drawing from personal experiences and years of coaching, Laura shares actionable insights on overcoming self-sabotage, enhancing visibility, and effectively using your voice in the workplace.  Whether you're an introvert, ambivert, or simply looking to refine your communication skills, you'll find valuable strategies to help you advance your career. Diane and Laura talk about: The importance of self-promotion and how to do it without sounding arrogant Why acknowledging and leveraging your unique background and experiences can set you apart Practical tips for speaking up in meetings and ensuring your contributions are noticed The role of a coach in navigating mid-career challenges and achieving your goals How to build relationships and add value in every interaction     Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/405/  Laura's website: https://www.speakupwithlaura.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Laura Camacho = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramcamacho/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 397: Speak to Lead: Elevating Your Executive Presence

If you want to get more speaking engagements, this episode is packed with specific strategies you can use, no matter where you're at in your speaking journey. Our guest is Cindy Rowe, a professional speaker, owner of a marketing company, and a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy. Cindy has been on fire with her speaking for the past two years, so we invited her back on the podcast to share how she's been getting momentum on the speaking circuit. Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz and Cindy talk about: How Cindy transitioned from speaking on marketing to becoming a sought-after speaker on kindness Specific strategies Cindy uses to secure a steady stream of speaking engagements The power of Google Alerts and LinkedIn for uncovering speaking opportunities The importance of connecting with other speakers to expand your network and find speaking gigs Tailoring one signature talk to fit different audiences and event themes How Cindy leverages her speaking engagements to book more gigs, including some already lined up into 2025! The crucial role the Thought Leader Academy played in shaping her signature talk If you're ready to build your momentum on the speaking circuit, apply for our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy. We're here to help you craft your thought leadership message and signature talk, create a visibility plan, and set you on the path to becoming a sought-after speaker.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/401/ Cindy's website: https://thecindyrowe.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Cindy Rowe (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyrowe-publicspeaker/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 284: Connecting Your Ideas into One Message with Cindy Rowe Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities with Cherlette McCullough Episode 367: Steps for Creating Your Speaking and Visibility Plan

Are you an introvert? If so, do you wonder if you are at a disadvantage as a speaker? There's a common misperception that most speakers are extroverts. But, from my admittedly very unscientific survey, many speakers I know are introverts. We think that as introverts we won't be as engaging or charismatic or energetic. Perhaps we've seen speakers we admire and we assume they're extroverts. I'm an introvert and I grew up quite shy, yet I found that public speaking was a great way for me to connect with other people. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: Why we became public speakers even though we're introverts and we were shy as kids What being an introvert teaches you The strengths you have as an introvert as a speaker Why speaking feels like a better fit than social media for many introverts Our tips for attending and speaking at conferences as an introvert We're wrapping up the podcast series we've been around executive speaking. This is the 400th episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! Thank you so much for being a listener.   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/400/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our 1-day Speaking for Impact in-person workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 390: Impromptu Speaking: How to Prepare and Feel Confident in Any Situation Episode 370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage Episode 208: Being an Introvert and a Speaker with Katherine N. Johnson

We're continuing our new podcast series around Executive Speaking! Today we're diving into storytelling for leaders, especially in a business, corporate, or academic environment. We've been led to believe that stories aren't appropriate in “professional” business or academic environments. But, that's when stories can be the most impactful! This episode is truly value-packed with actionable insights to elevate your leadership and executive presence through the art of storytelling, as I'm joined by Diane Diaz and Joy Spencer, two of our speaking coaches. Whether you're preparing for a corporate presentation, a keynote, or a TEDx talk, this episode provides the tools you need to captivate your audience and drive action. We talk about: Why storytelling is not just an add-on but a core component of effective leadership communication How leaders can build trust and credibility by being vulnerable and authentic in their storytelling Using structured frameworks like Public Narrative and Challenge-Choice-Outcome to craft inspiring and persuasive stories Applying our I.D.E.A.L. storytelling ingredients to bring your stories to life Tips for turning personal experiences into compelling metaphors Lots of examples of using stories in business, academic, and political contexts   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/398/  Joy's podcast “Reframe to Create”: https://reframetocreate.com/  Public Narrative: https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/30760283/Public-Narrative-Worksheet-Fall-2013-.pdf  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Check out our trainings for companies and organizations: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/trainings/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Joy Spencer = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 397: Speak to Lead: Elevating Your Executive Presence Episode 339: Creating Compelling TED-Style Talks Based on Academic Research with Tanya Golash-Boza, PhD Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer

Are you ready to elevate your speaking game and attract lucrative speaking engagements? Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, sits down with one of our clients, Cherlette McCullough, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to delve into the keys to crafting a compelling signature talk that not only resonates with audiences but also leads to paid speaking opportunities. Key Highlights: Cherlette's Journey: Discover how Cherlette transitioned from community speaking to landing high-paying gigs by refining her presentations and focusing on impactful delivery. Signature Talk Breakdown: Learn the components of Cherlette's successful signature talk, “From Selfie to Self-Reflection,” and how her engaging approach and relatable content captivated her audience. Audience Engagement Tips: Get inspired by Cherlette's innovative strategies to involve the audience, making her talks memorable and actionable. Visibility and Media Appearances: Understand the importance of visibility in the speaking world and how Cherlette leveraged media opportunities to expand her reach. Coaching and Growth: Hear firsthand how working with a speaking coach can transform your presentations and boost your confidence, leading to more significant opportunities.   You'll learn: How a single talk led to multiple paid engagements for Cherlette The unique activity  Cherlette used to captivate her audience and make her leadership talk unforgettable Why it's essential to think outside the box when choosing your speaking topics and audiences How Cherlette's consistent visibility and media presence has contributed to her speaking success   We know you'll be inspired to get out there on the speaking circuit!   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/396/  Cherlette's website: https://www.cherlettemccullough.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Work with us in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Cherlette McCullough (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherlette-mccullough-22ab0b18/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 373: From Free to Fee: How to Get an ROI from Speaking Episode 367: Steps for Creating Your Speaking and Visibility Plan

Sharing personal stories are essential for memorable and impactful presentations.  How specific should your stories be? How do you connect your story to your overall message and framework? This is exactly what we work on with our Thought Leader Academy clients in their VIP Day to create their signature talk. You'll hear two of our recent grads, Cindy Ojczyk and Amy Bear, deliver a 10-minute version of the signature talk they created with us, so you can see and hear them in action. We also have a roundtable discussion, led by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz, about what they've learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what's next for them as speakers and thought leaders.   This audio is from a live broadcast we did on May 29, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SWwL8V8Eo.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/395/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Cindy Ojczyk = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyojczyk/ Amy Bear = https://www.linkedin.com/in/abearcounselor/

You know how powerful storytelling is in your presentations and talks. How can you go about integrating your stories in a way that truly connects you to your audiences? There is no *one way* to integrate stories into your talks. Your story can be central to your talk or it can be a supporting element. You can play with the timeline of the story - start in the middle and then come back to the beginning later or start at the end. In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz hosts three of our clients who were at our recent 3-day in-person speaking retreat, Darci Foshay, Dani Einsohn, and Teri Reuter, for a roundtable discussion on what they learned and insights they have for you as speakers.   They talk about: Why they decided to attend our in-person retreat How they use storytelling in their talks Using the stage and body movement as part of active storytelling What it was like to practice with us and then get filmed This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 25, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_dRghtWuEE.    Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/385/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Darci Foshay = https://www.linkedin.com/in/darci-foshay-b902803b/ Dani Einsohn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-einsohn-cpc-eli-mp-7254a24/ Teri Reuter = https://www.linkedin.com/in/terireuter/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker [Roundtable] Episode 311: 10x Your Speaking Skills

You heard half of our latest Thought Leader Academy grads deliver a 10-minute section of their signature talk last week on episode 381, now you get to hear the other three. In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz hosts Maria Flynn, Karen Williams, and Brigette Serfaty, PharmD. You'll hear how they've incorporated their thought leadership message, storytelling, humor, and their frameworks into their talks. We also have a roundtable discussion about what they've learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what's next for them as speakers and thought leaders. This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 19, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2k6LFAjS-s.    Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/383/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Karen Williams = https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackvisualqueen/ Brigette Serfaty, PharmD = https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigetteserfaty/ Maria Flynn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasflynn/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 381: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 1] Episode 374: Using Your Voice to Create Change in Yourself and Your Industry with Karen Williams

The power of women's voices doesn't just relate to women who own and run their own businesses; it's also for women who work in corporate spaces.  Building your personal brand and speaker brand separate from your corporate identity can give you a voice and mission that has a greater impact beyond the day-to-day work you do in your job.  In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz talks with one of our Thought Leader Academy clients, Sandy Robinson.  Sandy works in revenue operations and she's carved a niche for herself by building a personal and speaker brand distinct from her corporate identity.  Diane and Sandy talk about: How Sandy began her speaking journey (it's a fun story!) and how that has informed her speaking today Why she decided to look for a speaking coach and what led her to join the Thought Leader Academy What sparked her interest in sharing a more personal message with audiences and how and why she's building her personal and speaker brand separate from her corporate work Her experience and takeaways from the Thought Leader Academy and our in-person speaking retreat How she felt doing the improv exercises at the retreat and what she's going to do with that knowledge (hint: her sales teams might be surprised!) The way she's integrated a topic she's passionate about into her professional work to support other women and build her personal and speaker brand About Our Guest: Sandy Robinson is Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations and Enablement at Patra with over 20 years under her belt in making sales teams shine and operations run smoothly, thanks to her knack for turning numbers and innovative ideas into real growth. She's led Revenue Operations and Enablement at big-name SaaS companies including Web.com, SupplyFrame and Nymbus, steering them toward success and now plays a key role at Patra, where she's all about pushing boundaries and setting the stage for exciting new products. Sandy's not just about the bottom line, though; she's passionate about mentoring young women, sharing her journey to inspire others. With a mix of street smarts from MIT and NYIT, a master's in Education for Global Training, and even a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, Sandy's blend of brains, heart, and kick-butt attitude makes her a force to be reckoned with in the tech world and beyond.   Sandy's website: https://www.sandyelevates.com  Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/380/   Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Watch Sandy and our other TLA grads deliver a section of their signature talks: https://www.linkedin.com/events/usingtheirvoices-livesignaturet7171594958989053952/theater/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Sandy Robinson (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyrobinson/   Related Podcast Episodes: Personal Branding Podcast Series Episode 349: Connecting Your Personal Brand and Your Thought Leadership Episode 356: What to Do Now to Position Yourself as a Thought Leader

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:  Carol Morgan Cox is the founder and CEO of Speaking Your Brand®, a coaching and training company that helps high-performing, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and thought leadership platforms. Carol is host of the weekly 5-star rated Speaking Your Brand® podcast and during election seasons serves as a Democratic political analyst on TV news. Carol was named as one of Orlando's Women of the Year in 2021 and has been featured in Forbes. Through her company and content, her mission is to empower more women to find and use their voice, to tell the stories that need to be told, and to activate ideas for change.As Lead Speaking Coach and Personal Brand Strategist with Speaking Your Brand®, Diane Diaz has coached dozens of speakers in crafting their signature talks, TED-style talks, and virtual presentations  Diane has been speaking for over 15 years to groups of all sizes, including keynotes delivered on stage to audiences of 500+ people, smaller business and association groups of 10-20 people, and lunch and learn style sessions with 20-50 people or more. She has also hosted events, moderated panel discussions, and led workshops and training sessions both in person and virtually. Diane has also been a guest expert on podcasts, radio, and television. Diane regularly speaks on the topics of storytelling, personal branding, LinkedIn strategy, and women's empowerment. CONNECT WITH CAROL LinkedIn (Primary)   Twitter  IG  Email CONNECT WITH DIANE LinkedIn EPISODE AND EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKSSpeaking Your Brand WebsiteSpeaking Your Brand PodcastSpeaker Archetype QuizDiane's Comedy Debut on LinkedInEmpowering Women in Industry MembershipEmpowering Women in Industry MagazineEmpowering Women in Industry WebsiteEmpowering Women in Industry Virtual Events  QUOTES AND KEY TAKEAWAYS“Share your truth.  Imagine the impact that will have.”“Being able to articulate and communicate your message to your audiences is the way to establish leadership.”“You're taking the audience on a journey; not just receiving information. They are having an experience with you.“Feels really physiologically vulnerable to stand in front of a group of people and speak to them."“Storytelling often requires a little bit of vulnerability.  You are telling a story which requires openness and a personal touch.”“We often want to separate our business brands from our personal brands.  They are not separate; they are all the same brand.”“Humor in your presentations is important no matter what your topic is. Laughing is a form of social bonding.  It connects us as a speaker with our audience.”IDEAL Storytelling Framework: Imagery, Dialogue, Emotion, Action, and Lesson. 

Integrating humor into your talks can seem daunting or even unimportant, but it's an essential element to use to connect with your audience. Recently, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, delivered a 5-minute stand-up comedy set live on stage (!). You don't have to add jokes or stand-up routines to your presentations.  But, you can learn from the secrets of comedy to improve your storytelling and delivery. Diane and I talk about her experience and what you can take away from it for your speaking, including: What makes something funny Her process of writing the comedy set The need for a single clear throughline How she practiced the set by chunking it Storytelling and audience engagement The importance of timing, pausing, and vocal variation Doing a comedy set vs. improv Hopefully you'll be inspired to try something new too!   Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/376/  Video of Diane's stand-up comedy set: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dianediaz_comedy-publicspeaking-personalgrowth-activity-7155204978867863552-gHre  Resources: How to write a 5-minute comedy set and The New Comedy Bible Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/   

Join us for a powerful conversation with Karen Williams, also known as the Black Visual Queen. Karen, a skilled photo director, sat down with our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to talk about her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, her advocacy for more diversity in the photography industry, and her experience in crafting her impactful keynote talk during a one-on-one VIP Day. Spoiler alert, her talk went great!  In this episode, Karen and Diane talk about:  Why and how Karen made the shift from corporate professional to entrepreneur The events that shaped Karen's perspectives on her work and herself and the actions she took as a result The challenges she faced as a black woman in the photo industry and her path to empowering herself and others Making the decision to use her voice to champion her own work and bring more diversity to her industry Why she decided to work with Diane on her keynote talk and the outcome of her speaking engagement About Our Guest: Karen Williams is a dedicated mentor to aspiring photographers, advocating for equitable access to information within the industry. With more than 10 years of experience in photography, Karen is a visual creative director, keynote speaker, and founder of Black Visual Queen, a photography consulting firm. An industry insider, she's had a hand in visual stories for iconic brands like Netflix, Masterclass, Square, Wired, AARP, and San Francisco. In her free time, she loves marathon training and all things pop culture. Karen lives in Los Angeles, California. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/374/ Karen's website: https://www.blackvisualqueen.com/ Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/business-of-speaking-workshop/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Get your own VIP Day to create your signature talk by enrolling in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Karen Williams (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenannwilliams/

We're continuing our podcast series to help you Level Up Your Speaking in 2024. As you work to build your speaker brand and begin applying and pitching to speak at more events and conferences, there are two things that will be helpful for you to have - one is a speaker video reel and the other is a speaker page on your website. You want to make sure your speaker reel and your speaker page showcase you in the best light and attract event organizers to book you (and pay you!). In this episode, you'll learn:  Why you need a speaker video reel and how you can use it Tips for creating an effective speaker reel that helps you reach your speaking goals Specific things to include in your speaker reel so that it showcases you in the best possible light Why you need a speaking page on your website The key ingredients you should include on your speaker page One thing in particular to include on your speaker page that's a bit controversial See examples of speaker reels and speaker pages on the show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/371/ If you want to get video of you speaking that you can use for your speaker reel and on your speaker page, then come to our 3-day in-person client retreat in February in Orlando. You'll go through exercises and trainings to help you be a stronger and more impactful speaker and you'll get hands on feedback on your delivery, storytelling, stage presence, and more. On Day 3, you get professional filming of the speaking segments you've been practicing on our stage and you get an edited video for your speaker reel. Get all the details and apply today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

As we embrace the excitement of a new year, it's the perfect time to strategize about your speaking journey. Are you wondering where to make your mark this year?  Let's delve deeper because the art of creating a robust speaking and visibility plan transcends merely scouting for random events, conferences, and podcasts. Here's what you'll discover: Identify Your Speaking Goals: Understand the different goals you can pursue through public speaking and how these can empower your personal and professional growth. Use the 5 Whys Method: I'll share with you the transformative 5 Whys technique. It's a journey I've embarked on myself, and I'll be opening up about how this approach helped me uncover the heart of my speaking objectives. The Importance of Local Groups: Learn how to connect with local groups and why focusing on a few, to begin with, can create more impactful connections and help you get known as a speaker. Choose the Right Conferences: We'll walk you through how to select conferences that align with your message and how these platforms can elevate your speaking career. The Right Way to Pitch to be a Guest on Podcasts: Discover the pathways to becoming a guest on podcasts that resonate with your brand and message. Optimize Your LinkedIn for Speaking Opportunities: Tips on making your LinkedIn profile a beacon for speaking invitations.   Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3-day in-person speaking intensive.   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/367/ Michelle Warner's Networking That Pays course: https://www.themichellewarner.com/networkingthatpays   Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 362: [Case Study] Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You Episode 356: What to Do Now to Position Yourself as a Thought Leader

If you think your stories and experiences from long ago aren't relevant to what you do now, what you speak about, and your overall thought leadership message, this conversation will show how much our past experiences shape who we are and reflect what matters to us. Our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, sat down with Samantha Irwin, a recent graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and a seasoned entrepreneur with a fascinating journey. In this episode, you'll hear: Samantha's journey from teaching to entrepreneurship, and how these experiences shaped her thought leadership Her time in the Thought Leader Academy and how it helped her create a signature talk Samantha's recent talk crafted during her VIP Day and the positive feedback she received Samantha's innovative use of her customer service card decks in her presentations for lead generation   Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/364/ Samantha's website: https://kaizen.zone/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/dianediaz Samantha Irwin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthairwin/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience

We're continuing our new podcast series on thought leadership. We've talked about finding and developing your big idea and what your signature talk should be doing for you. Today we're diving into what you can start doing now to position yourself as a thought leader. Yes, you can absolutely be a thought leader - and we need you to be! Thought leaders have an interesting idea and they're willing to share it in a bigger way. Most thought leaders are also public speakers because of the built-in authority and credibility you get standing in front of an audience and the broader impact you can make. But, here's the thing: Seeing yourself as a thought leader doesn't come *after* you've done the thing. You need to see yourself first as a thought leader and claim that identity. That's what's going to align your actions and propel you forward. In this episode, you'll learn: What exactly a thought leader is How people become thought leaders Self-limiting beliefs around claiming an identity, including my own self-limiting beliefs around an identity I need to claim for myself Why *you* can be a thought leader 6 things to do to position yourself as a thought leader How I positioned myself as a thought leader in AI this year Get the 6 steps to position yourself as a thought leader and a lot more in our FREE guide on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/356/  Get our free Thought Leadership guide: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A. Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You Episode 342: I Almost Got Stuck in the Expert Trap: How I Created My Recent Successful Conference Presentation  

Many accomplished professional women come to a point in their lives where they struggle to balance their personal and professional responsibilities.  Whether it's their high-pressure career, raising children, caring for aging parents, or all of the above, it can often feel like you lose control over your lives and yourself in the process.  On this week's podcast guest, Sharon Ehrlich, a former hospital administrator, English teacher, and professional at IBM and now an executive coach, and our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz chat about the challenges Sharon faced when she felt she was losing control of her life while juggling her role as a mother, caring for a disabled parent, and managing her demanding professional life and how she came to realize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing her needs. Sharon, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, shares how the program helped her gain clarity and direction for her message.  She talks about her transformative experience during her VIP Day, where she worked intensively on her signature talk.  The result was a powerful framework for her talk - OWN (Observe, Weigh, Negotiate) - which she used to regain control of her life and now shares to help other women do the same. In this episode, Sharon and Diane talk about: Sharon's journey from hospital administration to IBM leader to executive coach, and her life-changing move to Austria Her struggle with balancing her personal life and professional commitments and how very long (6-hour!) hikes helped her find clarity and a way forward How empowering others, both personally and professionally, can lead to growth and free up our own time The creation and application of her O.W.N. framework (Observe, Weigh, Negotiate) during her VIP Day How the Speaking Your Brand Signature Talk Framework that she learned in the Thought Leader Academy helped her to create an entirely new talk, boosted her confidence, and enabled her to deliver a powerful talk that got rave reviews . . . and leads! Sharon's story is a testament to the transformative power of the Thought Leader Academy and the VIP Day. Her experiences underscore the importance of finding one's voice and sharing one's message with the world. Tune in to this episode for an inspiring conversation filled with insights and practical advice on finding balance, setting boundaries, and stepping into your power.   About Our Guest: Sharon is a passionate advocate for female empowerment, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and has been invited to share her views and lived experiences as a keynote speaker, podcast guest and webinar panelist. Sharon is the founder of Living While Leading, a premier executive coaching service which focuses on supporting women IT executives in their quest to optimize their lives so that they can live and work authentically and in alignment with their priorities and values. She also hosts the Living While Leading Podcast, a weekly podcast which focuses on topics related to women in leadership and female empowerment.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.    Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/353/  Sharon's website: https://livingwhileleading.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Sharon Ehrlich (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonehrlich1/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy Carlson  

Are you still on the fence about whether or not you need a personal brand?    Well, you do!   This episode is going to settle that fact for you once and for all by showing you why and how you can build a powerful personal brand.    My guest Diane Diaz is a personal brand strategist and she shares that your personal brand is the only thing you own when you work for someone else.    Since that's the case you need to handle it with intentionality and great care!   It's what will help you pivot and open new doors of opportunity.    Tune in and get that notebook out for all the great nuggets that will be shared.  About my guest:  Diane Diaz is Lead Speaking Coach and a Personal Brand Strategist with Speaking Your Brand®.  Diane regularly speaks on personal branding, LinkedIn strategy, and women's empowerment. Diane has a Master's degree in Business Administration, with years of experience in branding, marketing, and public speaking. She has also been teaching branding and marketing classes at a university for nearly 15 years.   Follow Diane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/   https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/about/  

From Barbie and the Super Models to Beyonce and Taylor, women and the influence they have on culture and the economy are being seen and talked about everywhere. Since here at Speaking Your Brand we're all about amplifying and championing women's voices and advocating for gender equality, we figured it was time to give our own hot takes. Along with all the positive gains women have made, we know that there has also been a considerable backlash, both culturally and legally, most noticeably in the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year and in the states that have since passed laws restricting women's reproductive health care rights. It's easy (and accurate) to blame lawmakers and voters who vocally support such restrictions and want to turn the tide back. But what about those who do support women yet do so in myopic ways? That's why I call "country club feminism." In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: The “rad trad” movement on TikTok and what it means about feminism How we define feminism The Barbie movie, from the visual impact to the satire to the overt feminist message Taylor Swift and the backlash she's receiving for being a powerful, independent woman as she's dating an NFL player The new documentary “The Super Models” on AppleTV+ and what it says about female beauty and power What we're calling “country club feminism”,  how it reinforces the status quo, and what to do instead Clearly, we are using our voices and that's what we want you to do too! (This episode was recorded on October 5, 2023.)   We're doing a NEW workshop series this fall live on Zoom. Join us in October for personal branding and brand voice; in November for storytelling; and in December for using AI tools for speaking. Get all the details and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/351/ Register for our live online workshops on Zoom this fall = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 277: The Authority Gap Women Face and What to Do About It with Mary Ann Sieghart Episode 216: Why We're #ChoosingWomensVoices - and You Should Too Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna V. Eskamani Episode 163: A Feminist Approach to Public Speaking

Last week, I talked about connecting your personal brand and your thought leadership Your stories and experiences are integral to both. Your stories connect you with your audience. Have you ever heard a speaker share a story and have one of these reactions: #1: Wow, I really feel connected to what this person is saying. I have a new perspective on my own situation.  -OR- #2: Why is this person telling this story? I don't get how this relates to the rest of their content or why I should care or this feels icky.  You don't want to end up being the speaker where the people in the audience are having the second reaction. You want your stories to have purpose and meaning and be of service to your audience. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about: Contrived vulnerability (your audience can tell) What contrived storytelling sounds like and feels like The elements of authentic storytelling Examples of authentic storytelling, from our clients and from our own talks We're doing a NEW workshop series this fall live on Zoom. Join us in October for personal branding and brand voice; in November for storytelling; and in December for using AI tools for speaking. Get all the details and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/350/ Register for our live online workshops on Zoom this fall = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/ Storytelling workshop on November 16: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/storytelling-workshop/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation with Karen Keene Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy Carlson Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We're Uncomfortable with Women in Power  

Raise your hand if you're used to giving presentations chock full of information, facts, and figures? You are not alone! Many of us get comfortable doing this, probably because that's how we got started as speakers and presenters. But, your audience doesn't need to hear tons of facts and figures; they need to understand the big picture of your topic, how it relates to them, and what they should do next. This is precisely the evolution that our guest, Judy Carlson, did while she was in our Thought Leader Academy. She worked with our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to create her new signature talk and framework. In this episode, Diane sits down with Judy to chat about her goal to do more public speaking and how she developed her unique framework and signature talk.  Judy also shares about her career path, personal story, and what she learned from her time in the Thought Leader Academy.  Plus, she gives us the lowdown on her VIP Day and how her awesome WEAVE framework came to be. You'll love this story! Here's the scoop on what you'll hear in this episode: Why Judy decided to step up her public speaking game now Judy's reasons for wanting to switch gears from training to thought leadership in her speaking How Judy's personal story influenced her unique message and framework, to help her stand out from the crowd in her industry The inside story on Judy's time in the Thought Leader Academy and her biggest takeaways The step-by-step process we followed to create Judy's WEAVE framework - hint: WEAVE wasn't our first idea What Judy thought her VIP Day would be like and what it was actually like   Our Thought Leader Academy is currently open for enrollment for our next start date of August 29, 2023.   About Our Guest: Judy Carlson is an independent lifetime wealth strategist, investment advisor representative, and life insurance professional. She has 40 years of experience as a CPA and has owned her own independent financial firm for the past 12 years. Her mission is to help individuals and families protect their assets and preserve their wealth throughout their lifetimes and legacy. Judy went from being a successful CPA in Corporate America to a stay-at-home mom to losing almost everything financially. She brings a fresh perspective to taking control of your money no matter what financial decisions you've made in the past. Judy loves helping her clients become aware of their financial options through her education. As their guide, Judy helps her clients decide what's best for their money. Together they custom design and build unique lifetime wealth and legacy plans.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach. At Speaking Your Brand®, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/341/ Judy's website: https://judycarlson.com/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Judy Carlson (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/judycarlsonfinancialadvisor/     

I wanted to share this clip from Diane Diaz's bonus episode recording for the Patreon members. In these recordings, I reconnect with past guests to discuss their experience on The Life Shift Podcast, share their stories, and allow them to share any updates since their episode aired.In this clip, we talk about the value of sharing stories to create connections and understanding. The full bonus episode with Diane is available on the Patreon feed. Please consider supporting the show with the link below.Diane Diaz's Full Episode (#20) can be found here: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/triggered-by-two-words-leaving-a-toxic-relationship-diane-diaz/Thank you for the support along the way. If you want to help support the show and join the Patreon, please check out www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I strongly believe that sharing your story transforms not only your audience, but also yourself. You and your audience discover that you're not alone and that change is possible. From the consciousness-raising circles of the women's movement in the 1970s to present-day campaigns for policy and legislative changes, our stories can make a profound difference. My guest today is Karen Keene, who is a pillar of the Orlando, Florida, community. I've known Karen since 2016 when I went through one of the women's leadership programs, Athena NextGen, that she runs. Karen recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy, where we worked together to create her keynote so she can share her story of courage and resilience to her audiences. In this episode, Karen and I talk about: The tragic event that happened to Karen in March 2020 Finding her purpose and calling Making the decision to share her story through speaking engagements The framework we developed for her keynote Karen's experience in the VIP Day and what she learned going through the Thought Leader Academy About My Guest: Karen Keene's life was blown apart when she was nearly killed in a home invasion on March 8, 2020. But after 23 life-saving surgeries by Orlando Health's Dr. Michael Cheatham, who leads the only Level One Trauma Center in Central Florida, Karen is well on her way to recovery, and plans to work to end gun violence in the U.S. Karen's harrowing experience and the daily struggles she fought to keep moving forward thrust her into finding her true calling. Each of us experiences personal setbacks that can shatter our world and test our endurance. But these tragedies, while agonizing, can be our greatest teachers, the catalysts for transformation. Karen's professional experience spans more than 28 years as the senior marketing executive and public policy expert for international and regional law firms. She has led multi-faceted teams in client development, strategic planning, branding, external affairs, and media relations. Karen is the Founder and Chief Strategic Advisor of ATHENA Orlando Women's Leadership, Inc. To date, 400 women are alumni of the ATHENA NextGen masterclass series and they're rising to the top of Orlando's businesses and non-profit organizations. It's changing the course for how women lead. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/337/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Karen Keene = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-keene-profile2023/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks with Carol Cox, Diane Diaz, and Joy Spencer Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox Episode 230: Use Your Story for an Inspirational Talk with Tanea Smith Episode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories with Carol Cox  

We're wrapping up our podcast series on personal branding. Today we're diving into how to amplify your personal brand.  You've started to define it, you're building it, and now, how can you leverage public speaking to really become a sought-after authority?  We're going to explore strategies that work - like how to find speaking engagements that are right up your alley, ways to refine your public speaking skills, and tips on using speaking opportunities to enhance your personal brand. In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: Why public speaking is the fastest way to build authority and credibility for yourself The journey from getting started with speaking to landing bigger stages Strategies to lessen fears and nerves around public speaking The benefits of speaking to local groups, even if they don't have your ideal client in them Using storytelling to make your presentations memorable Tips for creating your speaker reel, even if you don't have professional video clips (yet!) Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/335/    Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 251: What Makes Public Speaking Unique as a Medium Episode 332: Defining Your Personal Brand: The First Step to Becoming a Thought Leader Episode 333: Building Your Personal Brand: Establishing Thought Leadership Online and Offline  Episode 334: Styling Your Personal Brand: Be Comfortable and Confident in Any Room  

We're continuing our podcast series on personal branding. Imagine you have a speaking engagement coming up: What do you wear? How does what you wear reflect and reinforce your personal brand? Our guest in this episode is Solita Roberts, who is an image stylist, LinkedIn Top Voice, and in the first class of LinkedIn's Creator Accelerator Program. Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, talks with Solita about: How our style and clothing (and shoes!) connect to our personal brand What to consider when selecting what to wear, whether it's on stage or to a networking event Why Solita doesn't believe in clothing basics And more! Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ About Our Guest: Solita Roberts is the creator of Style To Impact, an image consulting company that advises Women of Color and entrepreneurs on how to transform their image and style to authentically reflect their individuality and confidence. Solita has worked with TEDx speakers, lawyers, and financial advisors to elevate their image and style to match their influence and impact. Solita is also Client Concierge at Speaking Your Brand.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/334/  Solita's website = https://styletoimpact.com/    Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Solita Roberts = https://www.linkedin.com/in/solitacroberts/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 294: Attracting a Diverse Clientele with Solita Roberts  

We're continuing our new series on personal branding. If you caught our episode last week, we dug deep into defining what a personal brand is.  We chatted about how to discover your unique brand, and why it's crucial as a thought leader to sync it up with your audience. Today, we're all about building that brand of yours and establishing your thought leadership, both in the digital world and in person. In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: How we built our personal brands when we started our businesses in 2015-2016 The importance of consistency Why you shouldn't discount jobs or businesses you've had in the past, even if they don't feel like they are relevant to what you do now Strategies for attending events and networking as an introvert What to do after attending an event to nurture relationships with the people you met Tips for building your personal brand online, especially on LinkedIn Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/333/  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 332: Defining Your Personal Brand: The First Step to Becoming a Thought Leader  

We're kicking off a new series all about personal branding. Do you know you have a personal brand, whether you're aware of it or not? Now more than ever, your personal brand is essential. We're all swimming in a sea of online content, from social media posts to podcasts and videos, and even AI churning out more stuff.  How do you stand out in that crowd? How can you connect with the people you most want to connect with so that they understand who you really are, what matters to you, and then how they align with that? We know it can be confusing about what personal branding actually means.  How slick and buttoned up does your personal brand need to be? Does it feel superficial or like a facade to have a personal brand? How does your personal brand connect with your company brand?  That's why we're doing this series on personal branding. It's a perfect match with thought leadership and public speaking. So, let's navigate this together and help you make your mark in your world. In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: What a personal brand is What it looks like to define your personal brand Our 3 C's of personal branding How to determine what your personal brand is currently And more! Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/332/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 327: From Expert to Thought Leader: 3 Key Strategies You Need Now to Set Yourself Apart in Our New AI-Driven World with Carol Cox Episode 313: How to Thrive in the Age of A.I. with Carol Cox Episode 293: The True Value of Your Personal Brand with Monique Bryan  

We are wrapping up our podcast series on Using Your Voice with a very special guest. Sharon McMahon is a former high school government and law teacher whose Instagram went viral in 2020 (she now has over 1 million followers!) and who is the host of the podcast Here's Where it Gets Interesting.  Sharon is “on a mission to combat political misinformation by sharing non-partisan facts about the US government and democracy.”  Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz is a super fan of Sharon and has been following her since the 2020 election season.  Diane reached out to Sharon who graciously agreed to chat with Diane and share with us how she started using her voice where she was with what she knew. In this episode, Sharon shares how her journey began with one small post on her Instagram about wanting to change one person's life through a monetary donation and has since grown into 1 million followers on Instagram and a community of people, lovingly dubbed the Governerds, who've raised over $7 million for various causes.    Diane and Sharon talk about: How Sharon's podcast was born out of her audience demanding more content than she could share on Instagram Why Sharon decided to write a book  Why Sharon challenges the notion that small contributions are insignificant, especially for women How Sharon manages the haters and trolls that can come with using your voice to do meaningful work The importance of thinking beyond the present to understand the ripple effects of your voice and actions Why each of us should embrace the courage to speak up, even in the face of criticism   Sharon's belief that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something, emphasizes the power of small contributions. Sharon's journey is a remarkable reminder that our voice has the potential to create lasting change. She believes we must shed the belief that our contributions are insignificant and instead embrace the power we hold to shape our world.  We hope you'll feel inspired by Sharon to find your courage, use your voice, and engage in meaningful action so that you have a bigger impact in the world!   About Our Guest: Sharon McMahon is on a mission to curate facts, fun, and inspiration by educating Americans on democracy, politics, and history. After years of serving as a high school government and law teacher, Sharon took her passion for education to Instagram with a mission to combat political misinformation with non-partisan facts. Sharon has earned a reputation as “America's Government Teacher'' and quickly amassed over a million social media followers, affectionately known as “Governerds.” Sharon is also the host of the top-rated podcast, Here's Where It Gets Interesting, where each week she provides entertaining yet factual accounts of America's most fascinating moments and people. In a time where flashy headlines and false information often takes the spotlight, Sharon is a reliable source for truth and logic. She has shared her knowledge with CNN, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and Good Morning America. In 2022, Sharon was the recipient of PRWeek's Communicator of the Year Award as well as the the noteworthy Jefferson Award.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/331  Sharon's website: https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/  Sharon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/ Sharon's podcast “Here's Where It Gets Interesting”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heres-where-it-gets-interesting/id1576266622 Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna Eskamani Episode 253: TV Can Make You Famous – But Don't Read the Comments with Dr. Christina Madison  

Have you ever felt so passionate about something that you experienced and the lessons you learned from it that you thought to yourself “others need to hear about this?”  If you've ever thought something like this, then you'll want to hear this conversation with our guest Kelly Lopez.  Kelly is a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and in this continuation of our Use Your Voice series, she talked with our Lead Speaking Coach Diane Diaz about:  Her story of going from settling, personally and professionally, to being intentional about her life and work Why she almost said no to a huge speaking opportunity and what changed her mind How she manages imposter syndrome when speaking What inspires her to continue to use her voice to speak about her passions Why she feels her voice matters in her male dominated industry What prompted her to join the Thought Leader Academy The reason she believes it's imperative that more women use their voices  This episode is part of our Use Your Voice series.   About My Guest: Kelly Lopez is the Executive Vice President, Enterprise Services at Scout Sourcing, a woman-owned nationwide sourcing and distribution company providing sustainable paper, raw materials, and packaging solutions to Fortune 500 companies. Kelly is responsible for the strategy and execution of emerging product and service categories at Scout Sourcing. Prior to joining Scout Sourcing, Kelly was Vice President of HealthCare Sales at RR Donnelley. While at RRD, she held both operational and sales leadership roles providing print and marketing solutions to Fortune 500 companies. Kelly's experience spans almost every facet of life from her career in corporate America climbing the ladder in a male-dominated industry and mentoring emerging professionals to her personal journey of navigating through divorce, life as a working mom, running a blended family of 8, and fostering support for events and organizations in her local community. She has a degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/330    Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz Kelly Lopez (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyglopez Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 328: Feeling Worthy Enough to Have a Voice with Kelly Schermerhorn

Have you had an experience that impacted you so much that you were compelled to take action, to make a shift in your life, business, or career? “Compelled to take action” is one of the core stories you can use to frame a talk (others we teach include crisis of confidence, paradigm shift, pin drop, and more). This is precisely what happened to my guest Dr. Nicole Rochester. Nicole was inspired to start her company, Your GPS Doc, after caring for her late father and witnessing the complicated healthcare system from the other side of the stethoscope. Not only has Nicole channeled her advocacy work into her business, but she also does a lot of speaking engagements and panels. Nicole was on this podcast way back in December 2018 (episode 98) when we did an on-air coaching call to help her take her personal story and universalize it. She did exactly that, which led to her TEDx talk in 2019! In this episode, Nicole and I talk about: What she learned from that on-air coaching call How she prepared for her TEDx talk Why she decided to leave her career as a physician and start her own business The mindset challenges she's faced and how she's overcome them What's next for Nicole as she scales her business and impact This episode is part of our new podcast series called Use Your Voice. About My Guest: Dr. Nicole T. Rochester is a board-certified pediatrician, TEDx and keynote speaker, and the CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC, an innovative company whose mission is to eliminate health disparities by empowering, educating and advocating for patients and family caregivers struggling to navigate the healthcare system and by providing health equity consulting services to healthcare organizations. Dr. Rochester was inspired to start her company after caring for her late father and witnessing the complicated healthcare system from the other side of the stethoscope. Dr. Rochester has been featured on television and radio, is a frequent podcast guest, has an active presence on social media, and has contributed to more than thirty digital publications. She speaks locally and nationally about health equity, navigating the healthcare system, and elevating the patient and family caregiver voice. A Maryland native, Dr. Rochester obtained her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University, her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. She is a member of the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates, the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Medical Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Most importantly, she is the proud mother of two young adult daughters. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/329  Nicole's website: ​​http://yourgpsdoc.com/  Nicole's TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/0bcVfiI1zeM  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dr. Nicole Rochester = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-m-d-40700812/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message with Nicole Rochester, M.D. Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks with Carol Cox, Diane Diaz, and Joy Spencer  

Diane Diaz talks about the art of storytelling in brand building! Diane is a coach and consultant who has helped countless businesses and individuals connect with their audiences through the power of storytelling. In this episode, we discuss how coaches and consultants can use their personal stories to attract and engage clients, the key elements of a successful brand story, and some common mistakes to avoid when telling your story. So, grab a notebook and get ready to learn some valuable insights from our expert guest, Diane Diaz. Hear about the power of storytelling and its connection to personal branding as Diane and I discuss how incorporating personal narratives can humanize your brand and make it more relatable to your audience. We also touch on the importance of using storytelling in marketing and sales conversations, as well as in corporate settings. Get the initial steps to integrate storytelling into your professional journey and the basic stories every business should use! In this episode, you'll hear: How to use storytelling for career success How to use storytelling for brand building and sales What storytelling looks like in corporate settings The power of storytelling for connection How to help others through storytelling Where to dive in: (0:00:00) - Storytelling for Career Success(0:06:38) - Storytelling for Brand Building and Sales(0:17:59) - Storytelling in Corporate Setting(0:31:21) - Telling Your Story Through Sales(0:35:46) - Connecting Through Storytelling(0:42:51) - The Power of Storytelling for Connection(0:48:57) - Help Others Through Storytelling Next steps: If you'd like to work on your brand building and crafting stories that propel your message and connect with your ideal client, schedule a FREE strategic clarity call at www.betsyjordyn.com/schedule. if you're a Purpose To Profits member, mark your calendar for our next “Quick Win” webinar/masterclass, which will be on 05/02, "Crafting a Memorable 'What I Do' Script." In this masterclass, we'll discuss creating a script that clearly communicates what you do that is memorable and attention-grabbing. You'll also learn how to tailor your script to different audiences and networking situations. And if you're not a member, definitely join now and be a part. You can join for as little as $297 and go to www.betsyjordyn.com/academy. About the guest: Diane is the lead Speaking Coach and a Personal Brand Strategist with Speaking Your Brand®. Diane regularly speaks on personal branding, LinkedIn strategy, and women's empowerment. Diane has a Master's degree in Business Administration, with years of experience in branding, marketing, and public speaking. She is also an Ironman triathlete and enjoys fitness and listening to podcasts. About me: Betsy Jordyn is a Brand Positioning Strategist that helps consulting and coaching business owners clarify their brand positioning and messaging, create a website presence that positions them as sought-after experts, land clients with ease and integrity, and take their place as thought leaders and influencers in their niche. Her mission is to help consultants and coaches monetize their best-at strengths and authentic passions to make a bigger difference in the world. Check out her brand strategy, messaging, and design services at https://www.betsyjordyn.com Links: Download my one of my free resources to help you accelerate your success: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads Learn more about my brand messaging and positioning services: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Schedule a consult call to talk about what you need to do to nail your messaging and rock your copy so you can stand out in the market and attract clients: https://betsyjordyn.com/schedule Related Blog, Video or Podcast Episode: The CURE for Burnout (Ep60) The Art of Figuring Things Out with Michelle Massman (Ep58) Overcoming Entrepreneurial Burnout with Rachelle Stone and Lori Smith (Ep57) The Disney Approach to Organizational Consulting with Harold Hill and Luis Marrero (Ep56) Top Power Skills Every Organizational Consultant Needs (Ep55) Top Solutions Every Consultant Ought To Know (Ep54) The Pair of Hands Trap: What Keeps Consultants From Strategic Client Partnership (Ep 53)

We're wrapping up our series on how marketing is changing and new approaches you can take to more effectively connect with your audiences and prospective clients.  This episode is all about getting PR and media, which can be an important element of your visibility. About My Guest: Cheryl Tan believes everyone has a story to tell. Her mission is to help entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and corporations tell those stories better on video and become known as experts in their space. A former TV news anchor & host, Cheryl shares the skills she learned in the newsroom to help businesses around the country become media authorities. She is the creator of the Media Authority Plan, a program designed to help experts increase their visibility through video. Cheryl and her husband have three sons and live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/326  Cheryl's website: cheryltanmedia.com Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/  Cheryl Tan (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryltanmedia/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 253: TV Can Make You Famous - But Don't Read the Comments with Dr. Christina Madison Episode 209: The Differences in Doing Interviews for Podcasts, TV, & Publications with Marie Fiebach  

We are celebrating 6 years of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! To mark this milestone, I invited Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, to interview me. I know you're going to enjoy our conversation! Diane and I talk about: Why I decided to start a podcast The benefits I've experienced (both for the business and personally) How my thought leadership has evolved How podcasting has increased my confidence Vulnerability hangovers And more! About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/318  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We're Uncomfortable with Women in Power Episode 97: Thinking Bigger: I Get Coached On-Air by Geraldine Carter Episode 185: My Journey as a Thought Leader & How We're Evolving at Speaking Your Brand  

If you're a speaker who has in-person events coming up OR if you're planning an in-person event, you won't want to miss this conversation. We held our first in-person client retreat speaking intensive in Orlando, Florida, in April 2022 and it was incredible! We brought 12 women together to practice their speaking delivery skills (on a real stage!) and get professional videography they can use in their speaking reels. I asked two of the women who attended, Betsy Jordyn and Joy Spencer, to join me and Diane Diaz to talk about the experience. We talk about: Top takeaways from the the instruction and practice on delivering keynote speeches Favorite parts of the retreat How the retreat made them feel as speakers and thought leaders Our lessons as the hosts / planners of the retreat   We are hosting another retreat! Join us in Orlando on February 27, February 28, and March 1st, 2023, for 3 full days of coaching, training, practice, and filming. Get all the details and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.   [This episode originally aired in April 2022, which was the audio from a LinkedIn Live. You can watch the video at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6919241904681283584/.] About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/311/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Joy Spencer = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/  Betsy Jordyn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 249: The Relationship Between Speaking and Performance with Carol Cox Episode 238: What's IN Your Way IS Your Way to Your Thought Leadership with Betsy Jordyn Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer

This is the fourth and final episode in our series exploring the four speaker archetypes. (You can discover your archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.)   Knowing your archetype will help you to: Create more impactful and memorable presentations Market yourself as a speaker using your strengths Try our recommendations to take your talks to the next level In this episode, we're talking about the Spellbinding Storyteller speaker archetype with my guest and Thought Leader Academy client Shannon Bumgarner.   As a Spellbinding Storyteller: Your audience is captivated by your stories and they feel a real connection to you. You understand the power of sharing personal stories and being vulnerable - it's how you've learned to better understand yourself. You see what's happened to you as a way to share life lessons and help your audience realize they're not alone. Your big challenge? You love sharing stories so much that you may miss out on the opportunity to provide your audience with your overall thought leadership message and a strong call to action. Shannon and I talk about how she's leveraged her strengths as a Spellbinding Storyteller plus what she's learned about the power of using her voice and thought leadership. Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz.   About My Guest: Shannon Bumgarner is a bold manufacturing professional and degreed engineer who challenges women in STEM and technical careers to transform themselves, industries, and communities. She's the host of the Empowering Women in Industry podcast.   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/305  Shannon's podcast Empowering Women in Industry: https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/podcast  Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/. Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Shannon Bumgarner (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonbumgarner/  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 298: Women in STEM Panel: Ways to Use Your Voice and Build Thought Leadership Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks with Carol Cox, Diane Diaz, and Joy Spencer Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox  

Being underestimated happens to us all. It can feel insulting and mess with our confidence, but it can also be beneficial when we use it to our advantage. This week, episode 129 of the Positively Living Podcast is about the gift of being underestimated!In this episode of the Positively Living Podcast, my guest Diane Diaz shares what it means when others underestimate you and how you can reframe your perception of it and use the space it gives you to create and grow. Diane and I cover the following topics:Sharing our personal and professional experiences and perspectives on being underestimated. How you can use your response to their assumptions to fuel your efforts.Reframing underestimation to see it as an advantage. The importance of finding your voice and using that to share your message with the world. It takes time and consistency but we need to keep taking action so that we can continue to grow, no matter the perceptions people have about us.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don't forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!Learn more about Positively Living and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/If you're a DIY dynamo looking for simplicity and productivity support, you'll find it in the Positively Productive Resources Vault. It's packed with the worksheets, checklists, workbooks, and recordings I use with clients. Go to http://www.positivelyproductive.com/podcastvault where the promo code PODCAST will give you a special listener discount.CONNECT WITH DIANE DIAZ:Website Speaker Archetype QuizLinkedInCONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:FacebookInstagramResourcesWork with Lisa! LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)Speaking Your Brand: Building Your Thought Leadership Platform with Lisa ZawrotnyPositively Living Podcast: Speaking Your Mind and Mission with Carol CoxDance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3Music by Ian and Jeff ZawrotnyStart your own podcast with Buzzsprout!

To celebrate the end of season one, I compiled a collection of the final questions for each of the first 32 episodes of The Life Shift Podcast. I know that many listeners like to hear how the guest answers the final question.Typically the questions are:"If you could go back to the version of you right before your pivotal moment, what would you say?""If someone listening is in a similar position, what would you want to tell them?"What have you learned from this moment?"Thank you for being a part of this journey. Stay tuned for Season 2, debuting October 25, 2022!Episode Guests:Christin LindleyShanna BensonTed DonathAdrienneLauren YardMorgan GalloChristina Kadinger and Ricky BuccerriMarty KleinRachel FiorelloAlex KnightMatt Gilhooly (me)Ana ReinaDavid TobackRandy ReddKelly AndersonBecca BerkeyChantal WattsJenna ByrneHeidi KirbyDiane DiazLevi KreisErin BrowningMelissa MattoNoelle CheaibAshley PereiraDr. J. RodriguezHeather TorresHondu KnightCory KeithErica KellyJenny WoodRob CressyConnect with me:Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelifeshiftpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/thelifeshiftpodcastYouTube: https://bit.ly/thelifeshift_youtubeTwitter: www.twitter.com/thelifeshiftpodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelifeshiftpodcastWebsite: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.comTo listen to more conversations about life-changing moments, subscribe to "The Life Shift" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Friends! If you want to help support the show AND get episodes ad-free and a few days early, please consider joining the group here! - Thank you for your kindness - https://plus.acast.com/s/thelifeshiftpodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You won't want to miss this powerhouse panel of women in STEM sharing how they use their voices to advocate for change and build their thought leadership. Whether you're a woman in a STEM field or not, does it sometimes feel like you struggle to stand out, get your ideas heard, and have a bigger impact with the work you do? You have all the credentials and plenty of ideas, but perhaps you struggle with imposter syndrome and how to be seen in a crowded space? This can be common for women in male-dominated industries. But it's so important to find a way to use your voice and build your thought leadership to create the impact you want and that the world needs. Join our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz for a live conversation with these 4 incredible women: Michelle Taylor, a recent graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, is a global supply chain executive with 28 years experience & achievements with large OEM manufacturing companies and an independent board director and public speaker. Dianna Deeney, also a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, is president of Deeney Enterprises, LLC, an engineer, senior quality professional and speaker who hosts the Quality during Design podcast, co hosts episodes of Speaking of Reliability, publishes blogs, and is a contributing author of the book Quality Disrupted. Shannon Bumgarner, a graduate of our Master Your Speaking program (now the Thought Leader Academy), is a bold manufacturing professional and degreed engineer who challenges women in STEM and technical careers to transform themselves, industries, and communities. Dr. Nicole Rochester is a pediatrician, health equity consultant, professional health advocate, TEDx speaker, and the Founder/CEO of Your GPS Doc, LLC.   You can watch the video at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6972921857003917312/.    About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/298/  Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz   

How do you integrate your story into your talk and message? Which story should you choose? This is one of the main areas we work on with our clients in our Thought Leader Academy. Your personal story is one of the essential ingredients for your thought leadership and for your talks, whether you're delivering a lead generation presentation, a keynote, or a TEDx talk. Join me and our coaches Diane Diaz and Joy Spencer as we talk about: Frameworks you can use to integrate your story The 3 essential ingredients a great story needs Examples from our own talks and from women we've worked with About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by two of our coaches, Diane Diaz and Joy Spencer. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/297 Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Mentioned: Public Narrative = https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/30760283/Public-Narrative-Worksheet-Fall-2013-.pdf  Tanya Golash-Boza's TEDx talk = https://youtu.be/eakUZX-pRCQ  Connect on LinkedIn: Carol = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Diane = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Joy = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 284: Connecting Your Ideas into One Message with Cindy Rowe Episode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol Cox Episode 194: How to Structure a Movement-Making Speech Using Your Story with Joy Spencer [Storytelling Series]

What can you expect when you work with a speaking coach? What are the outcomes and results you get? In last week's episode, we talked about what a public speaking coach does and when you need one. In this episode, I talk with one of our Thought Leader Academy grads, Dianna Deeney, on why she decided to invest in a speaking coach, including: What attracted her to thought leadership for her business Why public speaking wasn't on her radar until after she joined our program The tangible results she's seen so far, both personally and professionally What surprised her about adding storytelling and performance aspects to her presentations About My Guest: Dianna Deeney is the host of the Quality during Design Podcast and is the founder of Quality during Design. She coaches product development engineers about awareness and use of quality and reliability methods during the design development process. She is an engineer, a senior quality professional, and an active member of ASQ holding certificates as a CQE, CRE, CQA, and CMQ/OE. Dianna believes that design engineers do not need to become quality or reliability engineers to use those methods and benefit from quality thinking. She has seen that using quality as a strategic asset during concept and design development improves the design and the design process and helps design engineers to be recognized as star performers. Her mission is to bridge product managers and designers (entry-level to seasoned) to the world's quality initiatives and quality-minded people   About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/287 Dianna's website: https://www.qualityduringdesign.com/ Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Dianna Deeney (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannadeeney/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 285: 4 Speaker Archetypes: Learn How to Market and Sell Your Speaking with Carol Cox Episode 286: What a Speaking Coach Is and When You Need One with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz  

What exactly do we do as speaking coaches when we work with our clients? When is the right time for you to work with a speaking coach? In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, and I talk about: Different types of business and speciality coaches When and why we've hired coaches ourselves The purpose of hiring a coach What we do as speaking coaches Some trigger points for when you could benefit from working with a speaking coach About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined in this episode by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/286 Find out your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/   Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/    Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox/  Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 236: Using One Story with Different Angles for Different Audiences with Chanta Wilkinson Episode 257: ​​Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk [The Medium is the Message Series] Episode 283: How to Exceed Expectations as a Speaker at an Event with Jill Janecke Episode 284: Connecting Your Ideas into One Message with Cindy Rowe

Have you ever felt like you have a bunch of ideas and you're not sure how they're connected and how to get them into one message? You are not alone! Most of us struggle with this because we're too close to our own ideas, expertise, and stories. Our guest, Cindy Rowe, owns a marketing agency that works with small businesses. Cindy also has a passion for speaking and for spreading her message around kindness. Cindy joined our Thought Leader Academy in March and worked with our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz in a VIP Day to create her signature talk. In this episode, Diane and Cindy talk about: What led Cindy to her thought leadership message and how it connects to her story The process that Diane and Cindy went through to incorporate Cindy's story into her keynote The types of speaking engagements Cindy most enjoys doing Why Cindy joined our Thought Leader Academy and what her experience has been About My Guest: Cindy Rowe is an Entrepreneur, Mom and Kindness Spreader. Enduring a series of challenges, she was determined to rise. Her transformation happened when she focused on practicing kindness. Not only did her personal life change, but her business grew with this pivotal shift towards kindness. Her passion is to inspire and empower others to discover how kindness can be the gamechanger; the key to success in life and in business. Cindy is the perfect example of how the power of kindness can pull you through dark and difficult situations including divorce, a brain injury and childhood traumas. She resides in Northern Illinois with new found love and soon-to-be husband, her children and blended family as well as two crazy, but sweet pups. She continues to build her marketing company that serves entrepreneurs and small business owners. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach.  At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.  Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/284/  Cindy's website: http://thecindyrowe.com/ Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/  Connect on social: Diane on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz  Diane on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/dianediaz  Cindy Rowe (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyrowe1/ Cindy Rowe (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/cindyarowe/ Cindy's favorite book = “Chasing the Bright Side” by Jess Ekstrom: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Bright-Side-Optimism-Activate/dp/0785229329/   Cindy's favorite TED talk = Brene Brown on vulnerability: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en   Cindy's favorite quote = “I've learned that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 259: Connecting Your Business and Your Thought Leadership with Carol Cox Episode 280: Making the Shift from Expert Presenter to Storyteller in Your Keynotes with Katie Anderson