Stand Up And Speak Up

Do you want to know how to confidently connect with an unseen audience? David Otey will show us how to own the virtual stage. David Otey gets it. He understands the challenges of presenting technical material. In the 1990s, while working as a broadcast engineer, David made a presentation at a conference of his peers. Immediately after lunch (i.e., naptime), people began dozing off as he started to narrate his slides. He knew then something had to change. Thus, he began his study of effective communication. He was soon thrown into the fire, leading the training on a new digital technology for more than 10,000 TV engineers and technicians. During that time, he was able to get buy-in from hundreds of previously reluctant executives, vendors, and engineers across an entire industry. David now shares what he has learned on his journey with scientists and technical experts so they can effectively connect and engage with their audiences. As a TEDx speaker and coach, he has studied under world-champion speakers and i

Do you know how to have difficult conversations in order to advocate for yourself in all aspects of your life? Do you want to learn how? Ming Shelby has dedicated her career to inspiring students, teachers, and administrators through positive learning experiences. She believes that courage is the most critical ingredient for personal transformation. She is now building a community of courage beyond the classroom to support kids and adults. You can catch her sharing stories of courage on the podcast Courage Up!

George Bernard Shaw said, “The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language.” Sandi Small is an accent coach. She trains American actors to British up their accent and their role. Sandi noticed that American actors were confused about the numerous British accents and many coaches are too generic in accent training: they teach all of the accents, but do not specialize in one. She decided to specialize in the standard British accent, otherwise known as ‘received pronunciation’ or RP. Sandi observed that American actors wishing to train in the British accent would need much more than a change in the phonetic sounds. They would be learning a different language in many respects, because British and American English differ in so many areas, such as vocabulary, grammar, word stresses, and voice intonation. She also noted a lack of cultural awareness from the American actors wishing to train in the British voice. Language and culture are interlinked. She decided to train Americ

If you want anything in life, don’t wait for it to come to you. Go and make things happen. If you can lift others in the process, your chances of success increase even more. Michael Schirtzer is a standup comedian and slam poet born in New York and raised in Los Angeles. Since starting in the backroom of a comedy club in 2014, he and his writing have appeared on NBC Sports, The Jimmy Dore Show, TYT, and KPFK. He has also co-written and appeared in videos with Joe Hanson of Joe Goes receiving upwards of 5 million views. Michael produces and hosts a monthly comedy show in Malibu, CA, that features upcoming talent from the Los Angeles comedy scene and national headliners, including: Ian Edwards, Dean Delray, Tony Baker, Laurie Kilmartin, Debra Digiovanni, Jackie Kashian, and Jimmy Dore.

Whether you are a speaker or not, there is no doubt that we all have expertise that can leave an impact in the world once it is shared. As the Founder of www.GetSpeakingGigsNow.com, Leisa Reid mentors business professionals and entrepreneurs who want to make an impact and ultimately attract their ideal clients through speaking. As a speaker herself, Leisa has successfully booked and delivered over 500 speaking engagements. In her book, Get Speaking Gigs Now, she shares her 7 Step System to Getting Booked, Staying Booked, and Attracting Your Ideal Clients Through Speaking.

Do you truly know what being healthy means? Being healthy goes beyond the "normal" everyday life changes of exercising and eating healthy. It involves our mental health as well as our physical health. Deanna Blair is the founder of Spot the DOTS (Developing. Optimal. Talents. Soulfully - Connecting minds, bodies, and souls for a healthier lifestyle.) Deanna helps people understand that MENTAL ILLNESS can be overcome by creating healthier lifestyles and by changing our environment. By creating healthier lifestyles and eliminating hazardous toxins in our lives, we connect brighter minds and better bodies. We change the world one dot at a time, leading to living our most abundant life. She does this using Science-Based Evidence. The results are a much happier, healthier life with less stress. For over 30 years, Deanna has had first-hand experience. A series of life events, including living with her mom with mental illness, has led her to write her first book to be published in April of 2020. Deanna is

Megan Lyons has shared her game-changing approach to wellness with thousands of people through personalized health coaching, corporate and group wellness programs, and motivational and educational speaking. As founder and owner of The Lyons’ Share Wellness, she’s deeply passionate about inspiring others to feel their healthiest and happiest. Megan is the author of “Start Here: 7 Easy, Diet-Free Steps to Achieve Your Ultimate Health and Happiness,” a Top 10 Amazon Bestseller in Nutrition. Her Lyons’ Share Coaching Academy helps aspiring coaches streamline their business and skyrocket their success. Megan holds degrees and certifications from Harvard University, Northwestern University, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She also has a Masters in Holistic Nutrition and is Board Certified as a Holistic Nutritionist. Megan lectures widely at hospitals, corporations, and organizations. When she’s not health coaching, you can find her working out, teaching fitness classes, cooking, reading, traveling

Listen today to learn why "funny is the honey that makes your stories stick." Ray Engan was a shy little boy who used to avoid talking to strangers by walking inside the safety of his Mom's wrap around skirts. He went on to a career in stand-up comedy, performing with and writing for some of America's best comedians. He left comedy for corporate America, and immediately found failure in the business world... until he added the skill of connecting through comedy to the business world. He became a decorated leader in several large companies and wound up as the sales manager of America's most award-winning small business. Ray has testified before a presidential task force, and appeared on MSNBC, as The Voice of Small Business in America. After reading a London Business School study on the value of humor and storytelling in the workplace, Ray went back and uncovered the processes he had used to create more productivity, increased sales with increased staff retention, and a faster training program. He reverse

Are your fears creating negative energy? Angel Marie will show us how to release that negative energy and shine on. Ever since she was a small child, Angel Marie has been a beacon of light. She always brought people together, making them laugh and smile. Since that time, she has immersed herself in learning about energy, light, and healing. As a Reiki Master, Empowerment Coach, Master Speaker, author of a National Best-Selling Book, and creator of the Elite Reiki Certification System and the Shine On! MovementTM, Angel has been influential in Phoenix and the healing arts community for over 20 years. Her passion is teaching others how to energize their lives, be more joyous, have more confidence, and experience freedom to live your fullest happiest life. With Shine, her awesome Australian Cattle dog by her side, you’ll find Angel's positive energy overflowing from her business into her life as she spends time with friends, dancing, singing, traveling and watching movies.

What does your road to success look like? Is it straight and narrow? A smooth and easy drive where your car can coast on cruise control? Or is it like Erin’s road: long, winding, and full of potholes, construction, and roadblocks? Don’t be afraid of those roadblocks, and don’t worry if you haven’t finished your journey. Ultimately you will still get to the place you are supposed to be. It just might be different than what you had originally imagined—perhaps even better. And you will arrive at your destination a stronger person than you would have been had you never encountered those hardships. Dr. Erin L. Kelley is a professor, speaker, author, and advocate for women’s rights. Erin enjoys writing and speaking to groups about a variety of topics, including finding success through sorrow, overcoming fears and struggles, transforming blame into bravery, and becoming your best self. Her TEDx Talk, “How Law Stigmatizes Rape Victims,” also embodies Erin’s specialty topics such as sexual assault awareness, viole

Kristin Crockett is passionate about people living their courageous destiny NOW. She is a nationally renowned speaker, coach, and soon to be an author. Her book, “Courageous Destiny – 111 Secrets to Limitless Leadership, Power and Sales,” is due out in 2020. When Kristin works with people, they grow their sales and businesses FAST. Kristin has over twenty years of corporate sales experience, where she resided in the top 1% of all global sales. She was a sales leader. Kristin loves sales and believes when people truly embrace sales courageously, not only can they enjoy their lives so much more, but they can design anything they want, like their courageous destiny. Kristin’s successes with clients include an organization growing 50%+ in revenue in one year; entrepreneurs starting profitable businesses in alignment with their passion and expertise; and many entrepreneurs and sales professionals doubling and tripling their sales within six months or less. If you are looking to immediately grow your sales

Imagine what your life would be like if you lived on the other side of fear! Christie Moore is an Amazon Best Selling Author, Speaker, and Breakthrough Coach. She teaches women how to break free from limiting beliefs and live on the other side of fear. Imagine turning fear to focus, pain to power, and difficulty to determination. It was through her own personal turbulent time of devastation, shame, and feeling like a complete failure, that she discovered her limiting beliefs and gained clarity. Her coaching programs and workshops teach women how to change the trajectory in their lives so they may begin breaking up with limiting beliefs, ditch negative self-talk, stop self-sabotage, and begin living life on their terms by unblocking their pathway to joy. Christie’s magnetic and energetic personality is infectious. She creates light bulb moments of clarity for her clients who are ready to reclaim control, take their power back, and experience the same transformation that changed her life.

Laurel Felt, Ph.D., the founder and CEO of HeartFelt Speaking, returns to share more insights on storytelling. She helps purpose-driven women and allies, like entrepreneurs and activists, to translate their big ideas into powerful stories and easy-to-understand messages that they can confidently deliver on TEDx stages, in coffee shops, and everywhere in between. In addition to coaching one-on-one, Laurel also teaches online courses and facilitates workshops for many notable organizations. Laurel also donates her time to amplify marginalized voices. She coaches non-native English speakers who have experienced refugee resettlement and has advised a grassroots campaign for the Los Angeles Council. Before launching her private practice, Laurel joyfully taught public speaking at the University of Southern California (USC). Her over 250 beloved students grew into skilled and enthusiastic public speakers. She continues to teach several courses in business communication at USC. She also serves as a Senior Fell

Lourdes Ortiz created her podcast Unveil the Leader to help you prepare for your strenuous, long-distance journey to success. Lourdes is a Human Resources specialist, corporate trainer, triathlete, and bi-lingual motivational speaker. She helps companies and individuals prepare for the strenuous, long-distance journey of business and personal success. As a young woman, she came to this country with high hopes of pursuing the American dream. But after an unexpected turn of events, she soon found herself a single mom on her own in a new land knowing but a few basic words of English. Calling upon her faith and determination to provide for her son, she learned how to communicate through home study and began to challenge herself through public speaking organizations. She continued her education and obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She has worked for 27 years as the Human Resources and Safety Director for a successful plating company in Whittier, California, where she actively participate

Do you want to learn how to transform your past and find your purpose in just 90 days? What if you could stop the same things from happening over and over again? Decision drives commitment, be committed to yourself; YOU are worth it! Angela Marie is driven every day to help people just like you. Allow her to share with you a defining moment and a resulting "compelling story" that brought her to where she is today. Angela Marie coaches people like you on exactly what to do to reclaim your voice and speak your truth. She shows people how to go from being co-dependent to independent, how to get over your fears and find your confidence, how to find your purpose and re-establish who you are. Angela Marie is a Transformation Coach, Speaker, and Author, who is an excellent mom to her three children in eastern Pennsylvania. She makes herself available to travel across the country, helping people become better versions of themselves.

Do you consider yourself spiritual? Are you afraid of what others may say if you share your spiritual experiences? Well, Robin Cotè is not. She has decided to share her spiritual experience in her new book, “Soul Stirrings.” Robin is a muscle car enthusiast, radio and show business personality, author, tranformational soul coach and speaker. She is a Studio Director for Dave Pratt’s Star Worldwide Networks and currently produces over 25 shows, along with hosting her own show, Get Real With Robin. Robin Cotè is also the author of “Victim No More!” It is her journey through the morass of abuse and loss, ultimately revealing her self-worth, preservation, and accountability. Her message, “It’s up to you to have a better life,” rings true not only in the pages of her book but also in her daily life. “VICTIM” will never be a word used to describe Robin. Robin’s smile is contagious. Her ability to inject hard truth into any situation is her calling card! For more information on Robin Cotè, go to her website, www.r

Although life can be chaotic and scary at times, we all need to fly through it as best we can. There is no one better equipped to help people do that than Cassandra Pavolic. Despite her fear of heights, Cassandra spent 25 years as an aerialist with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Las Vegas shows. As a life coach, Cassy is helping other people confront their fears, whatever they may be. “Yes, it’s scary,” she says. “But there’s something about the thrill of doing something you’re afraid of and coming through it okay. It’s a lot like my experience as an aerialist.” Now, Cassy’s biggest thrill is helping other people move forward despite their fears to make their goals reality.

Laurel Felt, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of HeartFelt Speaking. She helps purpose-driven women and allies, like entrepreneurs and activists, to translate their big ideas into powerful stories and easy-to-understand messages that they can confidently deliver on TEDx stages, in coffee shops, and everywhere in between. In addition to coaching one-on-one, Laurel also teaches online courses and facilitates workshops for many notable organizations. Laurel also donates her time to amplify marginalized voices. She coaches non-native English speakers who have experienced refugee resettlement and has advised a grassroots campaign for the Los Angeles Council. Before launching her private practice, Laurel joyfully taught public speaking at the University of Southern California (USC). Her over 250 beloved students grew into skilled and enthusiastic public speakers. She continues to teach several courses in business communication at USC. She also serves as a Senior Fellow with UCLA’s Center for Scholars & Storytellers. L

Find out how to look for small things in life and learn to express appreciation, love, and gratitude for them along the way. ‘Nurse’ Jesse does more than care for a person’s physical needs. She promotes, trains, fosters, and develops new dimensions of life in others. She sees a ‘healthy life’ as a wholesome, holistic life. Wellness is not only about the body, but the whole person. Wellness includes positive thinking and a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Her mission is to help people realize their inherent worth and awaken their truest-self so they can joyfully achieve. Jesse has spent her career coaching and mentoring. She draws from her education in Human Biology, Exercise Science, and Nursing, as well as her 20 years of experience in health and fitness, disease management, population health, the study of culture and human behavior. She has a passion for prevention as well as systems innovation and improvement. Nurse Jesse is the Lead Facilitator at It Makes Me Happy!™. She delivers corporate keynotes and wo

Failure can equal success. No matter how many times you fail, use the lessons from your failures, double down in your efforts, and you eventually will end up ahead of where you started. Anthony Michael Russo is a Dallas based speaker and emcee who has hosted events all over the country, large and small. He's the official on-field host for several of the NCAA championships, including College World Series in Omaha and the men's Final Four. Anthony assists in several charity events as a host and emcee. He is also a motivational and keynote speaker who helps audiences get past failure and turn it into a positive. He preaches that failure is part of the process, and that pushing to failure is where growth and greatness occurs. He started a social movement in 2016 called #BETHECHANGE where he spreads the message of positivity and taking action to make the world a better place.