Claim The Stage: A Public Speaking Podcast For Women

Speaking up about your needs, desires, fears, and upsets in relationships can be an anxiety-inducing experience. If you struggle with speaking up, you are likely familiar with the symptoms of anxiety - the "what if" thoughts, the nausea, the fears of everything unraveling. On today's show, we interview Paula Leech, a sex and relationship therapist who specializes in helping women and couples learn how to speak up. We discuss how to take more risks with your words, how to separate your anxious thoughts from your other thoughts, how to develop a different mindset about difficult topics, and much more. If you have ever wondered if speaking up about what is important to you could feel easeful, today's episode is for you.  More about our guest:  Paula Leech holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University and a Master’s Degree in Family Therapy from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She’s also an AASECT (American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors

Did you know that in 30 seconds to one minute per day you could improve your wellness and well-being? It's true! In fact, today's guest says the smaller the changes are that you make to your life, the better results you will have. Quit trying to incorporate every healing modality under the sun only to feel frustrated and disappointed with yourself. Taking a few minutes a day can be transformative for your overall wellness and today's guest will show you how.  Pam Victor is a happiness coach, professional improviser, and founder of Happier Valley Comedy, the first and only comedy theater in Western Massachusetts which provides regular shows, a full-curriculum comedy training program, and the THROUGH LAUGHTER Program for professional and personal development...and happiness! On today’s episode, Pam walks us through a couple simple techniques you can start using today to improve your well-being. Her philosophy is that if it doesn’t bring joy and ease, why do it? So instead of dreading a wellness r

Calling all Claim the Stage fans who have been on the fence about checking out Speaker Sisterhood and are looking for a personal invitation! This is for you. :) It's been over a year since we launched a new public speaking club due to covid, but we're back at it and we'd like to invite you to our newest club in Westfield, Massachusetts. This club will be meeting online for the foreseeable future and can be joined by anyone, anywhere. Your first meeting is free while you check out what we're all about and see if membership is for you. On today's episode, I introduce you to Andrea Ross, our newest club leader. She's been a member since we started in 2016 and is now ready to step into the roll of leader. Hear her story, why she joined Speaker Sisterhood, and why she wants to create a space for more women to find their voice in 2021. You can send a message to Andrea directly through her club page here if you'd like to inquire about attending an upcoming meeting on May 16th or 30th. I'll be there on the 16th if yo

Have you ever looked at someone who is seemingly doing it all and wondered, how do they do so much? The answer may be that they have a system to keep them moving forward. On today’s episode, Laura Khalil, a communications expert, skilled interviewer and host of the Top 125 Apple Podcast, Brave by Design, teaches us how to create a system to be brave and do the work that scares us or typically stops us from moving forward. She shares the process she takes her clients through to help them avoid the dreaded “Not yet” excuse that can prolong us from starting something new. She also talks about how to get more conscious about destructive patterns we have, how the body can help us make better decisions, and how to determine what projects are worth it and which aren’t. More about Laura: Laura Khalil has consulted with some of the world's most recognizable brands on marketing including Intel, GE, Twitter and more. Through her boutique agency, Podcast Brand Lab, she helps businesses grow their brand and client li

How often have you been called “selfish” in your life? How often have you gone out of your way to avoid being seen that way? On today’s show, we interview Naketa Ren Thigpen, LCSW, the #1 Balance & Relationship Advisor in the World. She is also the author of the book Selfish: Permission to Pause, Live, Love and Laugh Your Way to Joy. On today’s episode, we explore what the word selfish really means and how Naketa has redefined it. She discusses the work she does with her clients to help them reprioritize their life to include more joy and less bending to expectations and fear. As the title of the show indicates, we talk about how to live life for yourself and stop trying to live it for everyone around you. More about Naketa: Naketa Thigpen has become the go-to for fast-scaling married women entrepreneurs and power couples seeking to balance love and success without dimming or apologizing for their spirited ambition. As the creator of the breakthrough paradigm The Joy Map Method, transformative e

Even if you're not in sales for your profession, you're always selling. Perhaps you're selling your friend on an idea for a trip you'd like to take, or selling your child on the benefits of vegetables. You likely even have a component of your job that requires you sell your ideas to your team, your boss, or your clients. Selling is an essential tool and yet it is often looked at as a high stress activity to avoid if we can. It's also viewed as a skill that requires a lot of extroversion and swagger. Here's some good news: Selling can be easy and it can even be something you look forward to! On today's episode, we welcome back Nikki Rausch, also known as The Sales Maven. You may remember her from episode 133: The Misunderstood Process of Selling where she talked about her "Selling Staircase" and the process you take your customers through so they understand how you can help them. Today we discuss why there is so much fear and anxiety around selling, why you don't have to be the life of the party to be good at

Do you remember being called a "Good Girl" as a child and beaming in delight over the praise and reinforcement for a job well done? If you're now wondering why you find it difficult to say or do something that may not be seen as "nice" or "polite," it may be because of your good girl conditioning. On today's show, we talk to Sarah Schneider, a Good Girl Dismantler, executive coach, leadership trainer, and CEO of the leadership coaching company SarahSchneider & Co. We discuss the inner good girl problem and the struggles women face in leadership because of it, fears that get in the way of women embracing their power,  and the skills needed to overcome the good girl mindset.  More about Sarah: For over 18 years, Sarah has been having candid conversations with leaders at all levels, supporting the professional, business, and personal development of those leaders, and effectively building and leading teams. Sarah works predominantly with women leaders to dismantle the cultural Good Girl conditioning

"Perfectionism, people-pleasing, codependency, and constant striving to measure up— all of these patterns are rooted in fear and angst, which are emotion-level issues. The challenge for us is to bring love to the parts of ourselves that are hurting and terrified. Our work is to bridge the gap between the head and the heart.” - Caroline Garnet McGraw If that quote means anything to you, you will love today's show. Our guest is Caroline Garnet McGraw, an author, speaker, and coach for recovering perfectionists. She's the author of You Don't Owe Anyone, a new book coming out April 20th now available for preorder here. If you feel like you owe the world a brave face, superhuman strength, an explanation, or your time and energy, it's time to hit play! Caroline shares why she wrote this book, how to stop feeling like you owe everyone something, what the "guilt gauge" is, and how to stop people pleasing.  Get Caroline's book and other bonuses here More about Caroline: Caroline is the cr

On today's show, Angela interviews her longtime mentor, Martha Johnson, to discuss aging. Angela is turning 40 today! Martha is a former consultant, business owner and coach who, at 81, enjoys a simpler life while staying engaged with what matters. On today's show, Angela asks: 1. If you could go back and give your 40 year old self advice, what would you tell her? 2. What are the hidden gifts of aging? 3. How has your perspective on death and dying changed as you age? 4. What’s most important to you now, in your 9th decade? 5. You believe in “conscious aging.” What is that? More about Martha: She is a life journey author, promoter of next chapter conversations, and the creator of The Willingness Check.  Her books Why Not Do What You Love? (2017 edition) and both volumes of Musing Along the Way offer wisdom which resonates with reflective folks of any age. Visit Martha's website to learn more. Martha was also featured on episode 14: Are You Unwilling? where she talked about one of her signature approaches

Hi Friends, Angela here. I have a new course coming out March 8th and this episode is dedicated to the topic I'm covering: How to present online like a pro! Joli and I discuss the topic along with some of our other favorites, like what's bringing us joy and what we're kicking to the curb. After our intro, you'll hear a replay of episode 145, a Q&A episode all about online presenting. I cover: How do I set up my computer and lighting to get the best look? How can you create engagement when people don’t have their camera on and you can’t see them? How can I build an instant connection with a virtual audience? I want to have an engaging opening and usually I just feel like everyone is bored as soon as I start. I hate being on camera! How do I get over this? How do I field questions while trying to present? What if I don’t know the answer to a question? How do I deliver a script when it’s not possible to memorize it? Introducing my new course, Online Presenting Made Easy! This course is designed t

Hi friends, Angela here. On today's episode, Joli and I explore a popular subject: Perfectionism. We address it from our two areas of expertise: relationships and speaking. How does perfectionism get in the way of having stronger, more fulfilling relationships? When going after your dream of stepping into the spotlight, how does perfectionism creep in to stop you and make you question yourself? We each give three scenarios of perfectionism that we've seen stop women in their tracks and offer a new perspective instead. We also open the episode talking about some of my insecurities that popped up because of this podcast, we share what's bringing us joy, and I share a tip to avoid burnout. If you want to sign up for tonight's Pop Up Talk to build confidence to speak on camera, go here. To register for my upcoming four-part course on online presenting, go here. Have the day you need to have! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claim-the-stage-podcast/support

Race, sexuality, gender, disability....these are subjects that may make you nervous. How do you talk about them? What if you say the wrong thing? What if you offend someone? You may find yourself saying nothing at all in an effort to save yourself from the embarrassment of doing it incorrectly. On today's episode, our guest walks us through how to have conversations about topics that feel foreign, awkward, and unspeakable. If you struggle with wanting to talk to someone who is different than you in a way that is respectful and kind, this episode will show you how.  Our guest is Bianca I Laureano, an award-winning educator and sexologist. She is a founding member of the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WOCSHN) and her most recent project is ANTE UP! a virtual freedom school offering professional development and certification. She has written several curricula and is the lead writer for the Netflix film Crip Camp’s curriculum rooted in Disability Justice principles. In May 2020 she was awarded an hono

Today's guest is Cindy Lee Alves (they/she), an award-winning sexologist and founder and head educator of Ascension Institute, a place to learn about pleasure, sexual shame, and sexological professional development. We discuss how to bring pleasure into your work, conversations and presentations, relationships, and life. Cindy Lee walks her talk and it shows in today's episode. If you ever find yourself feeling dragged down by life or dreading the things you're "supposed to" enjoy, you will love this conversation. Cindy Lee shares her own experiences with finding pleasure, why it matters, and how you can do the same.  More about our guest: Cindy Lee has over a decade of experience in facilitating challenging conversations with both adults and young people. Centering Black, Indigenous, and folx of color across intersecting system-impacted identities, they have educated thousands of people on sex(uality) ed(ucation) and wellness with interests in pleasure, justice, and liberation. She is also the host of S

From Angela: If you haven't listened to last week's episode yet, that's a great place to start. On today's show, Joli and I continue exploring the topic of pleasure and Joli's Pleasure Experiment. We each tried a few of the experiments and talked about what we learned. If you're looking for simple and interesting new ways to spend your time, The Pleasure Experiment is for you. Rather than binge another show on Netflix, check out what Joli has built and try the experiments along with us. You can download her Pleasure Experiment ebook for free here. Joli is also hosting a free pleasure experiment book club on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 6:30pm ET. You can join us here.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claim-the-stage-podcast/support

From Angela: When Joli and I first met to brainstorm topics for upcoming episodes, the subject of pleasure was at the top of her list. Being a sex educator, this topic comes up a lot for her. But the approach she wanted to take for our show was not one from the standpoint of sex, it's from how to find pleasure in everyday life. Many women treat pleasure as a reward. Sound familiar? Joli feels it should be incorporated into how we live our lives everyday. In today's episode, Joli and I talk about what pleasure is, how to experience more of it, and what it has to do with speaking (hint: a lot!). She also introduces us to her surprise Pleasure Experiment. You don't want to miss this episode or the amazing experiments Joli has cooked up for you! Here's to more pleasure! Grab your free download of the 14 day experiment here Get the muffin recipe here --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claim-the-stage-podcast/support

From Angela: When you're going through something difficult, do you ever think about how that situation is changing you for the better? What about the lessons and learnings that come from things being hard? On today's episode, I interview Elizabeth Lesser, author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow, a book I read over the fall this year. This book had a profound effect on me and I was excited when Elizabeth accepted my offer to come on the show to talk about it. We also discuss her new book, Cassandra Speaks: When Women are the Storytellers, the Human Story Changes and we spend half of the interview discussing how the way stories have been passed on has formed the way we as women think about speaking up today. Elizabeth shares her insights from the book, personal stories from her life, and advice for anyone wanting to share their expertise but thinks they're not ready. She's also the cofounder of Omega Institute, recognized internationally for its workshops and conferences in wellness, sp

Hot topic alert!! For our first regular episode as a duo, Joli and I decided to tackle a subject that has made us both scratch our head for years. We start off the episode sharing our experiences with what femininity has meant to us, how it shows up for us today, and the role it plays when it comes to speaking up and thinking about sisterhood. If you've ever struggled with fitting into society's narrow definition of what it means to be "feminine", I think you'll enjoy today's commentary and interview. Our guest is Serina Payan Hazelwood, a certified holistic sex educator, experienced-registered yoga teacher, and somatic drum circle facilitator. She brings body-centered, holistic approaches to her work, drawing on her study of religion and spirituality, ancestral trauma and healing, social justice, ecopsychology, and colonization. Serina has over 20 years of experience creating innovative approaches in the wellness field, leading programs that bring people together using accessible, intersectional modalit

Welcome to our first episode of 2021 and my first episode with a co-host! I'm excited to introduce Dr. Joli Hamilton to the show. You've heard her on past episodes like episode 150: How to Speak Up in Romantic Relationships, a bonus episode from February of 2020 called How to Gain Confidence to Speak Up, episode 134: An Announcement and An Offering, and episode 106: What Does One Year of Speaking Training Get You? Feel free to go back and listen if you want to learn more about her. We talk about: Joli's background and why she decided to do this What it's like to create a business partnership within a friendship How the podcast is evolving Our vision for the show Our fears when it comes to working on this show together Upcoming topics Have an idea for an upcoming guest or topic? Email me! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claim-the-stage-podcast/support

Greetings from the Glitter Closet! Today's episode is sort of a continuation of the branding series because I talk about the branding process I've been going through the last few months and what it means for Speaker Sisterhood.  I share: My "why" New offerings for 2021 Endings that I've had this year What it means to be a Speaker Sister My branding process and what I learned An update on my exploration into my addictions An announcement about how this podcast is changing Thanks so much for listening. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you in 2021!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/claim-the-stage-podcast/support

Today’s episode is a chance to go inside the writer’s process and also learn more about the experience of publishing a book about a personal experience. As many speakers are looking to share their personal stories and may want to publish them as well, I hope today’s episode inspires you to start writing. My guest today is Nicole Hendrick Donovan. She is an author, reflective storyteller, spiritual seeker, mother, and teacher.  In July of 2020, Nicole published A Life Suspended: A Mother and Son’s Story of Autism, Extinction Bursts, and Living a Resilient Life. In her book, she shares the journey of discovering her youngest son is on the Autism spectrum and the process of getting him the education and support he needs to thrive. We discuss: How Nicole decided to write her book How she came up with the title “A Life Suspended” and what it means Techniques she used to get herself to write how she decided what to share and what to leave out how she’s using online speaking to help her promote her boo