Explore every episode of the podcast Find Your Voice, Change Your Life
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
#158 From Corporate to Calling: The Voice That Broke Free
03 Apr 2025
00:37:40
Today, I interview Holly MacCue, who used to walk into work feeling sick with dread, afraid she would be exposed as a fraud. Even after being recognized by her boss as a “shining star,” she couldn’t shake the fear that she didn’t belong. A high achiever since childhood, Holly placed enormous pressure on herself to succeed—and it eventually made her physically ill. She lost her voice to laryngitis, and with it came a wake-up call: something had to change.
As a sensitive, creative child, Holly had always expressed herself through writing, but she was never the loudest in the room. She was thoughtful, disciplined, and driven. Though her parents never pushed her, she pushed herself hard. That drive followed her into adulthood, until one day, sitting at dinner with friends, she thought, “I guess I’ll just be happy when I retire.” That moment cracked something open.
She began redefining what success meant to her. She left corporate life, started her own business, and gradually built a life aligned with her values. The turning point deepened when her newborn daughter struggled with undiagnosed health issues. Despite being dismissed by professionals, Holly trusted her instincts and fought to be heard. That experience became a powerful lesson in using her voice for what matters.
Today, Holly helps entrepreneurs do the same. Through her Magnetic Selling Method, she shows them how to speak clearly, connect deeply, and stop hiding. Her message is simple: your voice already exists—what matters is choosing how to use it.
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Holly MacCue is a Sales and Messaging Strategist for service-based entrepreneurs, running a multi–six-figure business while raising two young children. She is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and brings over a decade of experience as a brand strategist for global companies like Unilever and Procter & Gamble, where she led strategy for a $200 million portfolio.
Through her signature Magnetic Selling Method™, Holly has helped over 1,000 clients across 70+ industries master their messaging, stand out as the no-brainer choice, and attract pre-sold, ready-to-invest clients. Her approach is grounded in buyer psychology and has empowered clients to double their prices, quadruple their income, sell out their first launches, and scale to multiple six figures in as little as 12 months.
A sought-after speaker on magnetic sales and messaging, Holly has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Entrepreneurs on Fire. Her work is about helping people show up with clarity, confidence, and service—and making it easy for the right clients to find them.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#157 When Success Isn’t Enough: Finding the Voice You Lost
20 Mar 2025
00:31:05
Today, I interview Dr. Julie Lopez, who spent much of her life perfecting a performative voice to fit in and avoid rejection. Adopted as an infant and raised without biological connections, she unconsciously shaped her identity around external approval. She excelled in academics, leadership, and later, a high-powered consulting career, yet deep inside, she felt disconnected from her true self.
Despite outward success, whispers of dissatisfaction grew louder. A pivotal trip to Spain, combined with years of introspection, made her realize she had been living by survival-driven patterns rather than authentic choices. She left her prestigious career behind and pursued psychology, focusing on implicit memory—the hidden codes that shape behavior, fears, and confidence.
Now, Julie helps high achievers uncover and rewire these unconscious patterns through her work and book, Live Empowered. Her journey is a powerful reminder that true confidence isn’t just about speaking well—it’s about speaking from a place of deep authenticity.
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Dr Julie Lopez delights in guiding high achievers, executives and CEOs through the “unconscious advantage” so they can move aside hidden roadblocks to health, wealth and personal alignment. She is an author, speaker, entrepreneur and human systems expert, particularly versed at working with implicit memory.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#148 Catch the Thought and Shift the Mind for a New Reality
14 Nov 2024
00:27:54
Today I interview Leisa Reid, who grew up with a strong sense of independence fostered by her parents’ unique approach to raising her. With her parents divorced and living in different states, Leisa’s early life involved traveling alone between homes, which encouraged self-reliance from a young age. Her father, a hypnotherapist, further nurtured her independence by introducing her to ideas about inner awareness and self-reflection, fostering a curiosity that helped her feel comfortable exploring her inner world.
However, as she grew up, this independence created challenges in her personal relationships, particularly in understanding and expressing her needs. After her own divorce, Leisa had a breakthrough during a session with her therapist, who asked her to identify her emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. This task, unexpectedly difficult, led Leisa to seek answers in personal development workshops, where she started uncovering her inner beliefs and blind spots.
Now, Leisa channels her experiences to help others find their voice in public speaking. As the founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now, she guides entrepreneurs to get booked and share their messages confidently. Drawing from her own journey, she inspires others to step onto the stage with purpose and clarity.
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Leisa Reid is the Founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now and CEO of the International Speaker Network. Her mission is to transform public speaking into a powerful strategy for business growth, guiding speakers to make their message impactful and fulfilling. Known as the "Talk Doula," Leisa supports entrepreneurs in crafting their talks and finding speaking opportunities to build lasting visibility.
With experience on over 600 stages, the authorship of seven books, and her role as a podcast host, Leisa brings a wealth of expertise and practical know-how to aspiring speakers. Beyond her work, Leisa is a dedicated mom, wife, and dog-lover who enjoys live rock concerts and dance fitness classes, bringing joy and balance into her busy life.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#58 The Journey to Clarity and Self-Worth
30 Jun 2022
00:29:02
Today, I interview Ray Bourcier who was five when he experienced the beginnings of what would become a major conflict within his family. Aunts and uncles in disagreement with his own parents led to a complete falling out by the time he'd reached age eight. Ray was excluded from activities with his cousins based on the adults disliking each other, and so began the inner turmoil and lack of self-worth for such a little guy.
What's more, a troubling mental health diagnosis for his mother led to no peace for Ray. The discord and resentment continued in the family, and Ray says he spent the next two decades basically "in survival mode". He didn't feel safe. He didn't feel like he fit in anywhere. And he didn't have a true sense of his own identity. He had no motivation in school, was bullied, and felt very left behind. He ended up giving up on college to care for his mother.
Eventually, he decided to give life one more try. He re-enrolled in hopes of studying Environmental Science. Then, a shocking incident would change his life forever. A SWAT team burst into his apartment in full force and scared the life out of him. Officers left after realizing they'd hit the wrong apartment, but Ray was terrified and completely paralyzed by the whole event. He failed his exams and lost focus.
But he later realized that he had the opportunity to view life with a different perspective. He challenged the odds and completed his degree. But it was time to reevaluate his struggling marriage and make a change before his child was to be born. He made a conscious choice to heal from his past and to prevent the same toxicity from impacting his child's life.
He made it to the other side and now uses his company and his podcast to encourage other people (his heart is for parents & kids) to embrace change, have an open mind, build their strength, and never give up.
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From the age of five and for the next 20-plus years, Ray struggled through severe anxiety and depression before starting his journey of overcoming his struggles. Ray is now a father, author, podcaster, and mentor. His goal is to help transform the lives and impact the worlds of 11 million parents by helping them to break the cycle so it doesn't get passed on to their kids, their relationships, and their dreams. Captivate featured his podcast "From Surviving To Thriving" only six weeks after its launching.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#57 Serenity in Serving Others
23 Jun 2022
00:29:38
Today, I interview Carl Ficks who grew up in a household where writing took precedence over speaking. His father held various positions where writing was a key role, and Carl learned to develop the habit of writing well and listening well.
His parents communicated calmly and clearly without the need for shouting or excessive emphasis, and Carl learned to follow this model and attitude. His carriage and demeanor showed in his schooling also, where he believed that choosing the appropriate time to be silent was just as important as making the effort to be vocal.
Now as an adult, Carl has made the art of listening a priority. He recalls that when he practiced law, he observed numerous instances where he believed listening was the answer-- that people simply wanted and needed to be heard. The depth of his communication is seen in his writing. Calling himself "the quiet lawyer," Carl says that rather than show physical or verbal boldness in his field, he chose to let his writing and his work do the talking.
After many years of faithful service, Carl pivoted from law toward something that inspired him in a fresh new way: fitness. He founded a company called No Surrender, where he helps busy business professionals to thrive by harnessing the benefits of fitness. He thrives by serving others, helping them to improve their physical and mental health in every way, which in turn brings them success and happiness in life and in their pursuits.
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Carl Ficks helps busy professionals get back in the fitness game so they can thrive. His "Ficks System" is a proven road map for endurance athletes and weekend warriors alike. His bi-weekly newspaper column and LinkedIn posts, both titled "The Friday Ficks," provide strategies, tools, and inspiration to stay resourceful and resilient regardless of the circumstances. Carl was also a trial lawyer for 30+ years before starting No Surrender, LLC
Click here to download Carl's free guide, 10 Steps for Getting Back in the Game: www.carlficks.com/free
Find Carl here: https://www.carlficks.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlrficksjr/ https://www.facebook.com/carl.ficks.1 https://www.instagram.com/carlficks/
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#55 Everyone Has a Story
09 Jun 2022
00:22:35
Today, I interview Cedric Crumbley who grew up in Georgia. When he was an infant, his father passed away. So unfortunately, he didn't get to know his Dad. However, his father's siblings saw so much of his father in Cedric that they truly treasured him. He was certainly given a lot of attention and had great connection with the adults in his family. He was even teased a little in school because he had such an adult-like way of speaking.
He naturally had a positive outlook (which was rare among his peers) and although he looked to God to be his father figure, he also later gained a stepfather who fully believed in him and encouraged him to shoot for the moon. His new dad taught him that he could do anything and that if there was any trouble, it was because he wasn't being true to himself.
In high school, Cedric didn't like being the tall skinny kid, so he read a bodybuilding book and put on quite a bit of muscle over the summer, coming back to school feeling more confident and proud of himself. Cedric had a vision for success. He wanted to find ways to make lots of money, and fast. But his mother encouraged him to slow down and focus on learning and developing himself. He fought that idea, ended up in a little trouble, and a judge recommended the military because he felt that learning that level of respect would do a great deal to help him develop his character. He says the Army changed his heart. While he didn't want to go, he did learn about hard work, being faithful, and the meaning of respect.
And so, it turns out that Cedric's talent is learning. He says that whether you find a book or a course, whatever it is you want to learn or become or do, it can be done. He encourages us to find the thing about us that is most special and to use that gift to thrive.
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Cedric Crumbley went into the army when he was still a teenager. After 20 years in uniform, he hung up his boots and started a new chapter in life. He says one of his biggest thrills was to retire at a young age, and he's taken what he's learned to become the author of Proven Sales and Recruiting Methods.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#54 Performing with Balance and Intention
02 Jun 2022
00:29:53
Today, I interview Michael Rost, whose young life included the emphasis on "comparative suffering." He tells us that to his father complaining was unwelcomed and was overshadowed by the reminder that others had it far worse. So his young mind learned not to open up to others. Well, when you don't speak much, you're able to become quite the listener.
Michael took it to another level, becoming fascinated with tones and vibrations coming through in the voices of the adults around him, allowing the subtleties to help him to discern what was really going on-- the things no one was saying out loud. Later in his doctoral studies of phonology, Michael learned that when we hear, our brain processes emotional response before it processes the actual meaning of the words. He continued to finish his degree and became heavily involved in the academic world, thriving in a world of intellectual talent.
But eventually, his mind and body had a disconnect, and the psychological pressure to perform manifested in physical exhaustion, dizziness, and burnout. Although it went against his family's nature, he eventually sought therapy to get to the root of his dizziness and ended up realizing he'd felt pressure from all sides pulling him in different directions and it was causing internal conflict.
Now that he's learned to listen to his own voice and focus on his own goals, Michael has learned to slow down and balance his thoughts so that he can teach and write with intention.
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Michael Rost has had a lifelong interest in communication theory and has had an illustrious career in academia, specializing in psycholinguistics; in language teacher education, focusing on speaking and listening development; and in instructional design, concentrating on listening-based language courses.
Though he has numerous publications in linguistics, Michael recently published his first novel, a memoir called The Journey Home — which is published under the pen name Gabriel Bron. Michael is a great believer in the value of “pivotal experiences” in one’s life and career – and he considers his first encounter with Speaking Circles, some 20 years ago, in which he met me (Doreen) and Lee Glickstein, to be a pivotal experience — which transformed his view of public speaking and his view of writing. He is “forever grateful” for this encounter — and for the doors it opened to more personal and more satisfying self-expression.
Find Michael here: michael.rost@latcomm.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rost-b67475/
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#53 Stillness, Intuition, and Faith
26 May 2022
00:24:07
Today, I interview Donna Tashjian who suffered loss and abuse at an early age. She was forced to grow up fast and put aside what happened, focusing on adulthood without a true sense of her own identity. She hadn't been able to deal with her trauma, so her confidence was deeply hurt and she was very afraid of using her voice and making true connections with people.
She struggled with the child voice inside her vs. the adult voice, knowing right and wrong but being made to feel like speaking up about it wasn't her place. So she stayed busy to block out those feelings.
She eventually developed an appreciation for stillness, learning the importance of embracing her inner intuition, letting it out, and learning more about her true self every day. She came to develop a relationship with God and credits a church group for helping her find the courage to dig deep within herself to process and deal with her past. Now she helps others to turn the heavy painful parts of their past into empowering tools they can harness today in a healthy way, striving for productivity, success, and joy.
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Donna is the founder of Vibrant Living International a non-profit organization. She is also a Life Mastery Coach, an ordained minister, podcaster, and author. She helps bring accelerated transformation to people across the world. Her passion is to help you reach your full potential. She specializes in helping you turn your baggage into luggage so you can live the life of your dreams using and developing your spiritual intelligence.
Donna has been speaking and coaching for over 25 years. She has developed powerful programs and workshops to help you through life's transitions and pain to achieve your goals or dreams. She also produces a podcast called “You Were Designed for Greatness” and has written 4 books. Her clients say she has a knack for turning fear into excitement and exposing lies so the truth can shine through.
Find Donna here: https://www.ivibrantliving.com/ (Free book available on the homepage!) https://www.ivibrantliving.com/speaker-bio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnatashjian/ https://www.facebook.com/drtashjian/ https://www.instagram.com/drtashjian/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMFNossw9VN2QwDtVitzKg https://twitter.com/DonnaTashjian
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#52 Embrace Happiness as Your True Self
19 May 2022
00:27:57
Today, I interview Dr. Pelè who grew up during civil wartime in Nigeria. He and his family were refugees, fearing for their safety with every step, never sure of their next meal. In order to comfort her children, his mother would sing and tell stories. Dr. Pelè says this diversion created a change in his mindset as a child.
Our youngest childhood years are the most formative, and while childhood trauma often imprints negatively and requires later work to overcome, Dr. Pelè's sweet mother helped him to flip that switch and see past his physical pain to focus on pure happiness. What a miracle!
Later in the workforce, Dr. Pelè had a strange experience where someone was surprised at his boldness to speak his mind. His race was mentioned in a negative light, as if it meant he had less of a right to speak than others. He had never questioned his identity or validity before. He was able to go to school in search of better opportunities.
Through his learning journey, he was able to reevaluate his passions and discover what he was truly meant to offer the world. Today, music continues to be a great source of strength and joy for Dr. Pelè-- his way of finding connection, clarity, and happiness. He also works with entrepreneurs, businesses, and coaches to hone their marketing and vision. He has a thriving online community where he's able to connect with people on a global level and help others to share their voices too.
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Dr. Pelè is an educator, musician, bestselling author, and the Founder of ClientJam™, a software and community that delivers consistent client acquisition for highly paid experts. Through hands-on mentorship, he helps creative entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants unleash their hidden powers of mindset and marketing to achieve the business success they seek.
Find Dr. Pelè here: pele@drpele.com https://www.drpele.com https://linkedin.com/in/drpele https://www.facebook.com/dr.peleraymond
___________________
I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#51 Practice, Passion, Poise
12 May 2022
00:27:38
Today, I interview Dr. Denny Coates, who was a very driven child, always striving to be a high achiever and to be the best among his peers. Much later in life he became a compelling speaker, and this was only after he faced a reality that he did not know how to engage his listeners.
His years of hard work opened the door to West Point, and he found himself with a prestigious military career, where he excelled as a leader-- and loved it. He loved learning from those around him and being constantly challenged to humbly improve himself.
After the conclusion of his time with the military, Denny became passionate about teaching others to become better leaders, as well as the way that children develop into adults who are on a path to success and confidence. He was able to pass on his knowledge in a clear and direct way, but says that when it came to speaking, "it's a whole different challenge." He felt that his message was important, and he didn't have any struggles in delivering his thoughts, but he also felt that he was neither popular nor engaging as a speaker. He wanted to be more likable and moving.
He understood the importance of learning how people actually learn. Knowing this would help his listeners to grasp the concepts and be able to actually form new habits and change their behavior. His excitement grew when he figured out the way the brain connects to the body, with neurotransmitters remembering our movements the more we practice them, allowing us to perform in a more rhythmic, natural way.
His passion for this-- and practicing it himself-- gave him the confidence and enthusiasm needed to become a compelling, energetic speaker. Today, he shares his heart for development by putting the focus on children. His books and programs help to shape kids into successful individuals who have good habits, special goals, high standards, a strong mindset, and a clear path forward.
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Dr. Coates is the author of several books for parents, including How Your Teen Can Grow a Smarter Brain, and Connect with Your Kid. His passion is helping parents guide their children to become happy, successful, independent adults. Ebook: Listening to Understand, https://drdennycoates.com/free/ .
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#50 Ambition, Truth, Connection
05 May 2022
00:29:42
Today, I interview Lori Saitz, who says she was a timid child in public situations, hesitant to speak up in school. On the other hand, when she was at home, she was bold and outspoken.
In class, she didn't have the courage to speak up or volunteer for fear of making a mistake. The expectations and competition in this setting were different from the comforts of home, where she was the firstborn and received lots of positive encouragement. While she didn't naturally have a competitive side, she was hard on herself and began to strive for perfection.
She eventually let go of her perfectionism when it became such an impossible feat, not wanting to exhaust herself. She focused on quality of life, still doing a great job in school and also having a small group of close friends-- which she maintains to this day.
She came into her own when she learned about the community broadcast station for her high school, and she decided to become a broadcast major in college, working in her campus radio station. She discovered the excitement of speaking for herself, and she was hooked by this fresh new experience. She ended up changing her major to copywriting, loving the idea of expressing herself and having true connection with people. She discovered the power of people helping each other and pushing each other forward by solving problems together.
Today, Lori loves to connect with people, showing individuals and businesses how to be still, get connected with themselves, and be intentional about gratitude. Helping people to be grounded, focused, and honest with themselves is her method of helping burnt-out, discouraged, depressed people find renewed purpose and make confident decisions about their lives. __________________
Lori Saitz is the CEO of Zen Rabbit and host of the podcast “FINE is a 4-Letter Word.” She’s an award-winning writer, speaker, and broadcaster, and a nationally recognized expert in using gratitude and meditation as shortcuts to success. The most difficult thing she’s ever done is leave a 22-year marriage. That experience inspired her transformational F*ck Being Fine program. Through it, she guides corporate teams and private clients who are finished living in a "dumpster fire" to a place of unprecedented clarity, peace, and productivity. When she's not working, you can find Lori in her sanctuary, aka the weight room at the gym. She also loves cupcakes, Thai food, and classic rock music.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#49 Comparison is the Thief of Joy
28 Apr 2022
00:27:53
Today, I interview Chris Weals who grew up with two older brothers who did very well academically. Chris, however, wasn't as interested in studying; instead, he excelled at making friends and even took on a sort of leadership role in some groups. Things began to catch up to him when he felt left out and pressured because he didn't show as much drive for academia as other people.
He slowly began to distance himself from sports and team settings, focusing on more individualized interests. It was difficult to fight the habit of comparing himself to his brothers or peers (which so many of us relate to all too well!).
With a desire to find himself and figure out his path, he chose to study psychology which really interested him, but after not feeling much support or enthusiasm from anyone for his choice, he switched to accounting because he saw that his brother had found success in that field.
20 Years down the road, Chris had a successful career around numbers and finance, but he realized he didn't fit the same mold as others to whom he had compared himself. He had accomplished a lot but didn't feel fulfilled. Chris struggled for years with low self-esteem and a lack of purpose. He wanted to have a stronger sense of his own identity and calling, so it was time to make a change.
He left this line of work and began working with a therapist and a life coach, slowly peeling back the layers to find out what was missing, what was damaged, and how to feel fully alive each day. After taking a year off from work to travel around the world, doing a lot of deep diving and growing, Chris decided to create an intentional path forward and started coaching in early 2020.
Find Chris here: chrisweals@gmail.com https://www.Linkedin.com/in/chrisweals/ https://www.facebook.com/rebelwithapurpose/
__________________
I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#48 Creating, Conquering, and Knowing Worthiness
21 Apr 2022
00:40:40
Today, I interview Billy Atwell, a friend and colleague for many years. He has his own podcast, Unshakable Self-Confidence, and during its first season, he interviewed me. Billy is special to me because he's had a front-row seat in seeing me develop past my own fear and into the confidence that I get to share with you today!
So now I'm thrilled to swap roles and explore Billy's personal journey. Unfortunately, Billy experienced abuse in his past relationships which really affected the way he thought and the way he saw himself. He didn't like what was happening, but he didn't know how to fix it. But in the heat of the moment, at risk of losing his life, he kicked into gear and fought his way out of the situation and relationship.
He no longer had the option to allow fear to control his thoughts and decisions. He began a new journey of healing, rediscovering himself and understanding the thought patterns that had previously shaped his life.
Now, he's found comfort and inspiration from exploring his own spirituality, creativity, and deeper connections with others. His own podcast keeps him busy sharing in discussions about these topics, ever-evolving, healing, and developing as he and his guests learn from each other.
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Billy Atwell is the Founder and Host of The Unshakable Self-Confidence Podcast. After nearly being strangled to death in 2012 at the end of another abusive relationship, Billy set off on a quest to answer the question, “How did this happen to me again?” After years of studying historical spiritual archives, reading hundreds of classic New Thought books, and interviewing over 400 individuals, he has found the answer: it all comes down to your internal beliefs about yourself.
Through his Top 200 Apple ranking podcast, digital monthly magazine, and inspirational YouTube channel, Billy guides people from around the world through the difficult process of personal transformation, so they, too, can live their lives with Unshakable Self-Confidence.
Get Billy's FREE digital monthly magazine: www.unshakableselfconfidence.com/magazine
Find Billy here: billy@unshakableselfconfidence.com https://unshakableselfconfidence.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/billyjatwell/
___________________
I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#147 Discovering Power in What Makes You Different
31 Oct 2024
00:31:13
Today, I interview Kathryn Regganie, who grew up feeling different because of her learning disabilities, especially dyslexia. Kathryn shares how she faced challenges in school and often felt disconnected from traditional learning systems. Despite these struggles, her parents, especially her father, were a strong source of encouragement, reminding her she had the choice and determination to succeed, even if others doubted her.
As Kathryn moved into the corporate world, she continued to experience a sense of disconnection. Although she found ways to express herself and move forward, she was often in environments where her voice felt restricted, especially in male-dominated spaces. Eventually, Kathryn reached a turning point, realizing that the corporate path didn’t align with her true self. Seeking deeper connection and purpose, she discovered energy work, which helped her reconnect with her inner strength and sense of self.
Now, Kathryn embraces her unique perspective, seeing her dyslexia as a “superpower.” She guides professionally-minded women in discovering their own power through calmness, grounding, and self-leadership. Kathryn’s work centers on helping women feel confident, grounded, and able to lead with compassion, creating environments where everyone can feel seen and heard.
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Kathryn spent over 15 years in the corporate world, where she served as a bridge between tech innovators and sales teams, translating ideas and keeping both sides connected. During this time, she worked for large companies, balancing the worlds of meaning and analytics and learning the importance of clear communication in fast-paced environments.
After stepping away from corporate life, Kathryn discovered energy healing and began to understand the deeper impact of compassionate leadership. She saw how powerful it is for women to stay grounded and connected with themselves, realizing that true leadership comes from this inner alignment. This awareness inspired her to change direction, focusing on helping others find resilience and strength within.
Today, Kathryn guides professionally-minded women in slowing down, grounding themselves, and finding confidence. Through her business, she empowers women to embrace their inner strength and lead with their authentic, compassionate selves.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#47 Dream Big, Ask Questions, Choose Happiness
14 Apr 2022
00:28:10
Today, I interview E.A. Csolkovits who when he was very young, helped his father with deliveries as a milkman. As they made their rounds, he would observe all different types and classes of people, and he was drawn to those who appeared to be happy and successful, "living the dream". Even as a very young child, E.A. felt a deep, instinctive pull to figure out how these people lived lives of such happiness and abundance.
At 16, he began working as a janitor, cleaning homes. He eventually mustered the courage to ask a very wealthy, famous woman whom he most admired, how she found her way to success and good standing in life. And as it turns out, this woman credited her success with having a mentor in life.
E.A. began to understand what mentorship was and coincidentally ended up with a mentor of his own right away. His mentor was able to look at the scope of E.A.'s life objectively, giving him the big picture and offering lots of meaningful guidance and encouragement. He eventually made his way through school and into business, when his business mentor taught him to choose happiness now, not to wait for things to become easy or perfect or less stressful. This led to a complete transformation in his business and financial outlook.
E.A. now works through his foundation, The Givers University, to help others find the same level of joy and success in every aspect of their lives.
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E.A. Csolkovits is the founder and patriarch of The Givers University. The goal of Givers University is to provide increased happiness, freedom, and greatness through personal, business, social, and family development.
Find E.A. here: giversuniversity@gmail.com Join his Enewsletter at : http://www.GIVERSuniversity.com
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#46 Healing Her Past to Protect the Future
07 Apr 2022
00:38:17
Today, I interview Susan Birch who grew up in a small village in New Zealand. She was the oldest of four children. The family kept busy and worked hard, and her siblings eventually found their callings and settled into successful career pursuits. Susan, however, felt a bit delayed because she often struggled with language.
Finding the right words, conveying the right message, and keeping her mouth and mind at the same pace was difficult. Her pace, in fact, was sometimes rather slow, and people would sometimes be impatient with her or assume she was a lazy person. Quite the contrary!
Not having a sense of direction through academics, she found herself lost and going through a rebellious teenage period. She later suffered extreme trauma, which affected her self-esteem and a myriad of other things.
After she married, she began to feel safe and comfortable in her own skin. She was able to catch up academically, pursuing various subjects in college. As a parent, Susan looked at her children and began to feel a sense of inner transformation. She wanted them to grow up without shame, the way she had because of her academic struggles and personal trauma. She chose to work through the pain and find a way through it all, making self-care a priority and setting the best possible example for future generations.
She now helps others to regain their power and take control of their mental and physical health by helping them to change the way they see themselves and their circumstances.
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If you want to lose weight, get healthy, and enjoy your life, then Susan Birch, known as the health detective, is the weight loss coach who can help you. By combining her functional medicine skills with neuro change techniques and tiny habits formation, she can help you remove the blocks that hold you back from losing weight, improving health, and staying that way.
Find Susan here: susanbirchconsultancy@gmail.com https://www.susanbirch.co.nz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-birch-the-health-detective-18241b115/ https://www.facebook.com/thehealthdetectivenz
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#45 It's All About the Audience
31 Mar 2022
00:31:25
Today, I interview Peter George who as a young child had a speech impediment. Because of this, he learned to stay quiet and kept his circle fairly small. He was shy and rarely spoke up in class. But he decided he could become very proficient in all kinds of sports, as the athletic kids rarely get picked on. But that was okay with him at the time, because he really enjoyed sports anyway.
Then, he was forced to work with a speech pathologist who gave him very vigorous, exhausting conditioning exercises. He hated them, but they did help the speech issues to subside enough to be barely noticeable now. As is true for many people, Peter could talk easily with family and close friends, but was introverted when it came to connecting with new people at first. He was seen as snobbish by some in high school because he was athletic and successful but hardly spoke to anyone.
Entering college and the workforce without sports as his shield, he had no choice but to speak in certain situations. When it came to keeping a job he truly valued, he stepped up and spent his work commute educating himself and working to improve his speaking abilities.
Of all things that Peter has tried, he says that personal coaching made the biggest difference for him. His biggest takeaway has been learning that the people listening to us aren't thinking the horrible things we think about ourselves. They're just there to listen. If we focus on what we have to offer the listener, our perspective shifts and the fear goes away. Today, Peter works with others to show them how it's all about the audience.
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Find Peter here: peter@petergeorgepublicspeaking.com https://petergeorgepublicspeaking.com https://petergeorgepublicspeaking.com/public-speaking-podcast https://linkedin.com/in/petergeorgepublicspeaking https://twitter.com/PeterGeorgeIntl
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#44 From Blending In to Standing Out
24 Mar 2022
00:28:51
Today, I interview Eric Brotman who was very entertaining in childhood. He loved doing standup comedy or singing, always mimicking his favorite stars. He enjoyed putting on a show for his friends and family, goofy and carefree. But he never actually used his own voice or his own style when he did these things.
In school, he fit in everywhere and was friends with everyone, now referring to his younger self as "chameleon-esque". Still to this day, he has a tendency-- as many of us do-- to tailor his speaking style to his audience.
However, the changes that took place after his parents' divorce led this high schooler to face adulthood much earlier than expected. Eric began working at age 14, made his way through college, and completed some internships that led him toward the finance industry (although his studies were in English and Psychology). In this field and in his work with clients, he realized the vulnerable work he was doing as people shared their fears, the financial mistakes they'd made in the past, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
He found his voice through moving forward, trying different things, and being open-minded to opportunities that came his way. He didn't plan to end up working in finance, but he says it's the best outcome he could have ever hoped for, and he loves helping others to open their minds to the possibilities that life has to offer.
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Eric D. Brotman, CFP®, is the CEO of BFG Financial Advisors, host of the Don’t Retire… Graduate! podcast, author of the Don’t Retire… Graduate! book, and regular contributor to Forbes.com.
He and his team believe that financial literacy is the key to financial freedom, so they provide free and affordable educational resources and accessible financial planning with no asset minimums. Free Resources: Ebook to help you save on taxes can be downloaded at lowtaxbook.com Ebook to help understand the financial planning process can be downloaded at whatisfp.com Complete library of resources, including webinars, podcasts, and articles can be found at brotmanmedia.com
Find Eric here: ebrotman@bfgfa.com linkedin.com/company/bfgfa linkedin.com/in/ebrotman facebook.com/BFGFinancialAdvisors facebook.com/DontRetireGraduate twitter.com/brotmanplanning
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#43 Freedom Has a Voice...Are You Listening?
17 Mar 2022
00:43:21
Today, I interview Joe Perrone who remembers growing up in Connecticut and being a secure child. He was in a home-school environment where he had to build his own network of friends. Later, in a public school setting, he was thrust among many other kids his age who had spent their lives learning in a completely different environment.
Joe had to learn to fit into this new rhythm. He observed different norms when he entered the workforce as well. The dynamics between family members, friends, and business partners were all very unique. Being unfamiliar with this realm made him hesitant to speak out when he wanted to.
Still, business culture and power became great interests for Joe. He chose to stand up against the unfairness that was occurring in his workplace. The thing that gave him boldness in the face of potentially losing his job was his love for his coworkers and doing the right thing by them.
Stepping into a leadership role was a roller-coaster ride, but now that Joe has found the right way to use his voice, he uses his passion for business to help others find their own success.
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Joe is a strategist who helps business owners reclaim their time freedom. He believes that your business should run itself. It shouldn't run you into the ground. Joe has been helping his clients find full enjoyment in everything that they create, and do it without burning out. An entrepreneur himself, he owns and operates two successful automotive repair shops, and he does it in about six hours a week.
His favorite ways to invest his reclaimed time is in building strong relationships with his wife and his two young sons, and also building a business that runs successfully without him and helping other business owners do the same.
Find Joe here: joe@joeperrone.biz Facebook Group: TIME FREEDOM WARRIORS facebook.com/groups/138934128239311/?ref=share Instagram: @joeperrone.biz LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/joeon34
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#42 Healthy Confidence is More Than Just Skin Deep
10 Mar 2022
00:22:41
Today, I interview Regan Nelson who had great confidence when it came to speaking up. Her brother and sister were heavily involved in politic. She excelled in speech classes and always found it easy to perform. The true missing piece, Regan says, was that she hadn't found a specific cause or passion that she personally identified as a reason to speak her mind and boldly share her own thoughts.
Then she joined Beautycounter, a clean skincare line of products, and found that her heart was drawn to the concept of speaking up for change. She wanted to use her voice to benefit and improve the world.
She had always naturally shared her thoughts about health and wellness as part of her background in the industry. But working with Beautycounter opened up a whole new world of awareness around the toxins that are in everyday products and packaging and the detrimental impact they have on our health and our planet. This became her new mission.
Regan currently uses her voice within Beautycounter to redefine the standards of clean personal care and cosmetic products, focusing on increasing awareness and legislation around these new standards.
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Regan Nelson is an entrepreneur, educator, and positive changemaker. She holds a BS and MS in exercise physiology and has 16+ years of experience working in innovation and consumer insights in the consumer goods industry, 6 years of which she spent at Nike.
Regan is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Portland where she served for two years on the Board of Directors as the Executive Vice President and Community Vice President, among other leadership positions.
Through her Podcast, This or Something Better, Regan shares stories of innovators and positive changemakers committed to making the world better. Regan’s own quest for “something better” comes through her work as a Senior Director with Beautycounter. Regan is a passionate health educator and advocate for more health-protective legislation over the personal care industry.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#41 Your Inner Child has a Voice
03 Mar 2022
00:27:50
Today, I interview Sandy Abell, who as a child felt starved for attention because her younger sibling received so much more attention. She started acting out, as many children do, which led to people rejecting her. All of the rejection put Sandy in the habit of being and behaving the way she thought people wanted her to.
Later, the REAL Sandy started to peek through, and she was excited to see that people seemed to really like her for who she truly was! As Sandy continued to come out of her shell, she developed a fascination with psychology and personal transformation. Her self-esteem grew as she started to acknowledge and learn about both the "good" and "bad" parts of herself, realizing how special she'd been all along.
Now, Sandy is a life and business coach who takes joy in helping others to find their own transformation. For a variety of free resources, visit Sandy's website at www.insidejobscoach.com.
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Sandy Abell is a best-selling author, life and business coach, and licensed therapist. Her passion is supporting people as they rediscover how amazing they are.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#40 Motivated to Thrive
24 Feb 2022
00:26:54
Today, I interview Kori Gouge who learned to be very quiet and cautious due to living with a step-parent who struggled with mental illness. Her concern was to not cause trouble or upset, which earned her the nickname "Mouse."
As she started to grow up and explore career options, her dreams of becoming a writer were discouraged because she "wouldn't make any money", so the path to finding her true self began to twist and turn a bit more.
Then she became an Air Force pilot, where this little Mouse discovered she was actually a naturally gifted leader! However, despite excelling in this field, Kori yearned for something different and much deeper. She chose to withdraw from the Air Force to study psychology, with "personal transformation" in mind.
She discovered that when she was in a position to truly thrive from the inside out, she was able to be more effective and truly make the biggest difference. She now uses her story and her voice to help people to adopt this same mindset.
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Kori Gouge, M.A. is a Business by Heart Mentor, writer, author, and speaker. She has been coaching, teaching, and writing on personal, relational, and business growth and communication for over 20 years. Her fascination with human behavior and language led her to earn her BA in Psychology and MA in Intercultural Communication.
Her love of adventure led her to several multi-country solo overseas trips and to living and working abroad for close to three years. In her work as a business by heart mentor, she guides transformational coaches to unlock their clarity for aligned client attraction and to grow their businesses from their divine purpose.
Find Kori here: kori@korigouge.com https://korigouge.com https://www.youtube.com/korigouge https://www.facebook.com/kori.gouge https://www.linkedin.com/in/korigouge/
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#39 Thriving in Her Own Natural Way
17 Feb 2022
00:23:11
Today, I interview Debbie Hoffman who worked on Wall Street for 20 years, and she performed very confidently. She excelled at an extremely young age and was one of the only females in a male-dominated industry. Her femininity gave her a strong advantage with clients. However good she was at speaking successfully on behalf of her clients it was not the same as speaking up for herself.
After her retirement, she started doing work in marketing for a health and wellness company. Here, her confidence faltered a little because she realized she was representing herself, instead of speaking for clients, as she had done in the past.
She experienced a strong physical reaction to the thought of speaking in public, as well as overwhelming imposter syndrome, wondering if she was capable and could really make a difference. Then, she was following up with a client who pointed out that so many people struggle with following up, and Debbie was so good at it. She encouraged Debbie to teach people how to do it well, and that's where Debbie found her purpose and has been helping people ever since!
Now, she works with relationship-driven entrepreneurs, coaches, and network marketers to make sure they have a reliable follow-up system in place so that they don't lose potential clients and income.
Get Debbie's free guide: 4 Secrets To “Power-Up!” Your Sales (Without Being Salesy!) http://www.powerupyourfollowup.com/freeguide
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Debbie Hoffman is a heart-centered sales & follow-up expert, speaker, and founder of “Power-Up! Your Follow-Up.” After 20 years of working on Wall Street as a Managing Director, with over $25-billion in sales, Debbie took her organizational skills (and an extraordinary ability to connect with people) and created multiple six-figure businesses. In addition, Debbie had tremendous success as a Network Marketer, having built an international team of several thousand consultants.
She’s also a best-selling author and has a book highlighting her proven follow-up system… due out in 2022. Her mission is to support entrepreneurs to share their gifts and get their message out in a big way so they can create the impact they’re here to make.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#36 Less Noise, More Love for People
27 Jan 2022
00:30:40
Today, I interview Rich Stevens who tended to be the loudest person in the room, always making "noise". He had a big personality. At home, however, he kept to himself and was fairly mellow and quiet.
He then realized that in business and in life, being noisy isn't helpful. He had a lot to say, but it was not useful, constructive, or otherwise helpful in any way. So his words were just noise, and they were off-putting.
After battling years of depression, he realized that by making a lot of "noise" he felt that he was the problem. He has since learned to balance the different sides of his personality, focusing on quality over quantity.
He has a deep love for people and now helps people to gain a better understanding of each other, allowing them to become stronger.
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Rich Stevens is a podcaster and motivational speaker. On his podcast Inside the Orange, he talks to people to understand the similarities and differences in people and how we can learn from each other. The idea of Inside the Orange comes from the idea that we think we 'know' people from the outside, but only when we look inside of people and understand them do we know what's really going on.
Much like everyone knows what an orange is, but you don't know how good that orange is until you unpeel it... Rich wants to grow his brand and help businesses understand their people better through training and engagement to improve retention of people within the business and to help develop brand ambassadors.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#146 Building the Inner Muscle of Self-Expression
17 Oct 2024
00:33:09
Today, I interview Katherine Kennedy, who grew up feeling the need to appear like everything was perfect, avoiding hard conversations and hiding behind a mask. As the youngest in her family, she was often seen as the one who brought fun and laughter, but underneath, she struggled to express her true emotions. This sense of needing to present a perfect life, while holding in difficult feelings, left her disconnected from her authentic voice.
Her turning point came when she started working with students who were the first in their families to go to college. Listening to their stories of struggle and resilience helped her recognize her own need to speak her truth. Over time, Katherine learned to have deeper conversations with her family, especially her father, which brought them closer and allowed her to release the secrets she had held for so long.
Now, Katherine guides others in finding their voices through storytelling workshops and retreats. She believes that finding your voice is a muscle that can be built over time, and she creates spaces for people to share their stories, just as she learned to do, fostering deeper connections and personal growth.
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Katherine has spent over 30 years helping thousands of people share their stories with authenticity and confidence. Her career highlights include working with Teach for America and playing a key role in expanding the youth leadership program Summer Search into a national nonprofit. As a mentor, fundraiser, and Executive Director, she has dedicated her career to empowering others to express their true selves.
Katherine is also a skilled storytelling coach, guiding individuals in various settings to articulate their personal stories—whether through public speaking, writing, or meaningful conversations. In 2023, she published her first book, Speaking to What Matters: My Story of Learning How to Share What’s Inside, which reflects her passion for the transformative power of storytelling.
Living in San Francisco with her family, Katherine continues her mission to help people connect deeply with themselves and others through the art of storytelling.
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Find Katherine here: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/katherinekennedysf/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/speakingtowhatmatters/ Free Download - A Guide to Speaking to What Matters https://katherinekennedysf.com/a-guide-to-speaking-to-what-matters/
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#35 Live the Life You Love; Love the Life You Live
14 Jan 2022
00:26:48
Les Brown is a well-known motivational speaker, but what you might not know is that he came from humble beginnings. In this interview, he shares a couple experiences from his childhood that shaped and transformed the way he lives his life. The key was in changing the story he believed about himself!
Les is full of insightful knowledge and shares lots of quotes I'm sure you'll find meaningful. He enjoys lifting people up, building confidence and clarity. He believes that in order to find your voice, you must focus on 1) not being afraid to dream big, 2) owning who you are, and 3) protecting your relationship circle; it's important to only surround yourself with people who care about you and add positivity to your life.
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Les has a coaching community called Coach Me, Les Brown, where he helps people transform their lives and finances. He shows aspiring speakers how to be successful and make money. His focus is on making a shift into mindset mentorship and meaningful connections.
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Find Les here: coachmelesbrown.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesbrownspeaks/ https://www.facebook.com/thelesbrown https://www.instagram.com/thelesbrown/ https://twitter.com/LesBrownLive https://twitter.com/LesBrown77
_________________
I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#34 From Fearful Introvert to TEDx Speaker
13 Jan 2022
00:29:11
Today, I interview Todd Cherches and to describe Todd as a shy child would be an understatement! As a very tall yet introverted boy, he hid in the back of the class and was afraid to speak up-- or even to answer the telephone at home.
He was quiet, a bit antisocial, and generally preferred to just be in his own company. However, as you'll see in this interview, Todd shares three experiences that helped him discover the boldness in himself when it comes to seizing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
In the humble beginnings of his career, he moved past the curtain and into a brave and insightful conversation that influenced his direction and attitude. Later, he saved a leadership presentation and stepped up to the plate to deliver it, and in return got to experience firsthand the help and encouragement of the exceptional leaders present. Later still, on the verge of giving in to his introversion when feeling defeated at a conference, he walked through a very special door that would entirely change the trajectory of his entire life.
Today, Todd is a professor of leadership, teaching at NYU and Columbia. He is a trainer and coach who teaches leadership skills and presentation skills.
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Todd Cherches is the CEO and co-founder of NYC-based executive coaching firm, BigBlueGumball, as well as a three-time award-winning adjunct professor of leadership at NYU and Columbia University. A member of Marshall Goldsmith’s “MG 100 Coaches,” Todd is a TEDx speaker, and the author VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster; 2020).
A pioneer in the application of visual thinking to the practice of leadership, Todd was recently named by Thinkers50 as a finalist for their 2021 “Distinguished Thinkers Award” in Leadership, and is ranked #35 on the 2021 Thinkers360 “Top 50 Thought Leaders and Influencers in the field of Management.”
Find Todd here: todd.cherches@bigbluegumball.com https://toddcherches.com https://linkedin.com/in/toddcherches/ ** Visit www.toddcherches.com/passion for a free download of chapter 17 ("The Passion/Skill Matrix") from Todd's book, VisuaLeadership.
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#33 There's Only One You. Take a Chance.
06 Jan 2022
00:26:27
Today, I interview Rob Howze whose talent for music came naturally. He was able to communicate through music without a second thought. In a speech classes, he found that he wasn't as readily able to express his thoughts clearly without music. It was like a different language.
He later discovered that he truly felt the most confident when he was thoroughly prepared. Being familiar with the subject matter and knowing what he wanted to say was the key. His confidence grew, and while he still expresses himself through music, he is also now able to freely speak to others.
Today, he works as a mentor, challenging people to find their "why". He coaches people and helps them to realize how truly unique they are, helping them to gain the confidence needed to take leaps forward in life.
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Rob is a businessman, philanthropist, musician, podcaster, husband, and father that loves technology. "Every day I wake up looking forward to being able to utilize all of my knowledge and experience to empower people to make decisions that will ultimately improve their businesses and their lives." - Rob Howze
Find Rob here: humologytime@gmail.com rhowze@somplyautomate.inc https://howzemusic.com/ https://linkedin.com/in/robhowze/ www.facebook.com/Robhowzelife/ https://.facebook.com/HowzeLifeRob
___________________
I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#32 Overcomer, Learner, Friend
30 Dec 2021
00:30:12
Today, I interview Dr. Bridget Cooper who experienced an unstable environment of pain, addiction, violence, and overall dysfunction. She learned to be very cautious, and the trauma and lack of support limited her ability to speak up the way she wanted to and truly be herself.
Growing up and feeling a greater sense of authority and legitimacy, Bridget started to speak her mind with more boldness. She was able to forgive the adults in her life who allowed her mistreatment and neglect to occur.
She rose from the ashes of pain and hurt and chose to devote her life to learning and championing others. A lover of learning, she even got her Doctorate of Education!
Today, Dr. Bridget uses instincts that appeared during her difficult childhood (hyperawareness, hypervigilance, etc.) to be an intensely focused listener with her clients, able to discern things at a much deeper level to guide them past roadblocks and into positive, forward change.
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Dr. Bridget Cooper calls herself a "cage rattler change strategist", thought shifter. She's a best-selling author of six books on communication, conflict, change, and empowerment. Her latest, Pain Rebel, offers us a roadmap out of pain and into empowerment and abundance.
Connect with Dr. Bridget here: bridget@drbridgetcooper.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbridgetcooper/ https://www.facebook.com/bridget.cannoncooper https://twitter.com/DrBridgetCooper
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#31 Making Life an Open Conversation
23 Dec 2021
00:39:15
Today, I interview Rita Bocuzzi, who grew up in a household where she was told to be seen and not heard, and especially never to ask questions about things that were not "her concern"--especially those about money. Rita's curiosity and boldness to speak was stunted and suppressed during most of her young childhood.
Rita was naturally driven to learn about finances and how to manage them well. She saved her money and became independent and continued to educate herself on the financial world, and now she is thrilled to share her insights with others who want to take charge of their futures and feel the same sense of empowerment she has found.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#30 Making Fulfillment a Priority
16 Dec 2021
00:27:57
Today, I interview Yvonne Dam who had many years of work in the corporate world which conditioned her to speak and act in a certain way. She didn't feel fulfilled because she always felt so pressured to fit in and not speak out of turn.
One day, she had enough and decided to leave the corporate world for the chance at a life that really held meaning for her and allowed her to open herself up. Once she began to unlearn the corporate way of thinking, things began to open up and she was able to focus on making her own fulfillment a priority.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#29 Seeing Beyond Perfection
09 Dec 2021
00:31:10
Today, I interview Laura Feltz who after the intense, fast-paced experiences in the corporate world, the uniformity of behaviors and the hierarchy of these organizations became something that pushed her toward perfectionism. She later developed sight loss and was unable to cling to that perfection and perform the way she was used to in the past.
She also didn't allow herself to grieve the loss of her sight because she compared her loss to those with "greater" losses. Typically working an international 60-80 hour-per-week schedule, she knew things had to change.
Shortly after she decided to stop driving, she felt there was room to make an adjustment and she stepped down. She became curious about neuro-linguistic programming and different approaches to coaching. With her new set of tools, she has now confronted the things that once held her back. Today, she helps others to overcome their own roadblocks.
Get your free copy: “Avoid Sleepless Nights, 7 Tips for Serene Slumber” https://dgnly3ud.pages.infusionsoft.net
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Laura Feltz is a Certified Master Results Coach, a Board Designated Institute, Trainer, and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) [ABNLP], a Board Designated Master Practitioner of Timeline Therapy® (TLT) [TLTA], and a Board Designated Instructor of Hypnotherapy [ABH]. She draws upon leading-edge mind/body tools and techniques utilized by board-certified results coaches in 42 countries. Her results-focused and evidence-based approach is designed to deliver meaningful and lasting change. She assists overstretched businesswomen to take the weight of the world off their shoulders so they can have the control, freedom, and peace of mind they crave.
Connect with Laura here: laura@laurafeltz.com https://laurafeltz.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-feltz/ IG: @laura.feltz https://www.facebook.com/laurafeltzcoaching
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#28 Understanding our Voices and our Ambitions
02 Dec 2021
00:23:32
Today, I interview Gary Wilkin who had such a strong background in technology, that his skill set was being able to speak to clients and find out what their needs are, and then return to the tech side and translate that message to that team, and vice versa.
As a leader and liaison, he learned to use very clear, established vocabulary, and he also became an excellent listener. As time passed, his value grew so intensely that certain projects would be helplessly doomed without his help. So, even though he had lost interest in the work itself, he felt stuck there because his role was so valuable.
He reached his ceiling and made a conscious decision to move on and do something new and different. Gary likes to say that every transition has three parts: a beginning, a messy middle, and an ending. His experiences transformed his outlook on his life.
Now Gary uses his expertise to coach people through visualizing a future they never thought possible. He helps them to make plans to get there, as well as to re-frame the way they think about their lives and roles in this world. Download the Stronger Action Guide, a free booklet by Tom Ziglar: myretirementmission.com
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Gary is a licensed Ziglar Choose to Win and See You At the Top coach. He specializes in helping seasoned professionals transform their lives from “I have to” to the life of “I want to”.
Gary combines the life experiences gained in a four-decade career in technology across a variety of wide variety of environments with powerful conversations to help his clients transform their lives one simple choice at a time.
Connect with Gary here: gary@myretirementmission.com https://myretirementmission.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywilkin/ https://www.facebook.com/gary.wilkin.56
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#37 Change the Story You are Telling About Yourself
30 Nov 2021
00:32:01
Today, I interview Brian Wagstaff whose first experience with speaking anxiety came as during his childhood. When asked to make a phone call for his mother, the call ended in embarrassment. From this point forward, Brian hesitated to speak up in social situations for fear of experiencing another embarrassing situation.
As a teenager, he had a wardrobe mishap and ended up feeling quite humiliated about it, which didn't help. And again during those years, he experienced an unnerving band class error (not even his own!) which gave him stage fright in the most literal sense.
Eventually after these experiences, Brian came to the realization that while he felt awful and wanted to be invisible, it probably wasn't still as big a deal to those who were in the position to criticize. We so often obsess over our own faults and mistakes that we don't realize that we're the only person obsessing over them.
Brian now has the habit of asking two very important questions when these feelings come up. Today, he works with others as a coach, helping them navigate their own fear and self-doubt. He is now the owner of the Public Speakers Association!
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Find Brian here: https://publicspeakersassociation.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwagstaff/ https://www.facebook.com/brian.wagstaff https://twitter.com/BrianWagstaff
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#27 ADHD Is My Superpower
25 Nov 2021
00:20:37
Today I interview Matt Travis who had a lot of learning disabilities when he was a kid and it always created a sense of not feeling that he was enough. This made him struggle to speak in front of classes and groups.
When he was in college studying to become a teacher, Matt had to learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable in order to follow his passion. Being able to speak in front of large groups was a big part of that. Now he could happily speak all day!
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Matt Travis is a Rapid Transformation Hypnotherapist, he has a Masters of Health, a Certified Functional Strength Coach, Precision Nutrition Pro Coach, Certified Wildfit Coach, FMS Certified, and a non-stop life-long learner. He runs a company called The Potential-U to help women & mom entrepreneurs transform their subconscious mind, health & business habits to ensure sustainable growth without burnout.
Connect with Matt: matt@thepotential-u.com http://www.thepotential-u.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-travis-a0979b11/ https://www.facebook.com/thepotentialu
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#145 From Setbacks to Strength: Leading with Vision and Confidence
03 Oct 2024
00:26:33
Today, I interview Dana Weaver, whose story starts with a pivotal moment during her childhood when her great-grandmother, a woman she adored, moved into a nursing home. Seeing the poor conditions in the facility sparked a realization in Dana that things needed to change. This event, coupled with her father’s encouraging words, planted a seed in her heart that would later grow into her passion for leadership and advocacy in the field of aging.
Throughout her early life, Dana faced challenges as she pursued her career in senior leadership roles, particularly as a woman in male-dominated fields. She witnessed many women in the workforce struggle to have their voices heard and break through glass ceilings. These experiences fueled her desire to support other women in finding their voices. Over time, Dana recognized the importance of effective leadership and the need for strong, compassionate leaders, especially in industries where people are caring for people.
One of Dana’s breakthrough moments came early in her career, when she was thrust into an eight-hour training session as the sole speaker. Despite her fears and lack of experience in public speaking, she pushed through and realized the importance of mastering the art of communication and leadership. This experience ignited a passion for speaking and teaching that eventually led her to become a keynote speaker and leadership coach.
Today, Dana uses her own story of overcoming fear and adversity to inspire and guide professional women to embrace their leadership potential and make a lasting impact. Dana’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and heart-centered leadership, and her mission is to inspire women to rise above challenges and boldly claim their space in the world.
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Dana Weaver, your go-to leadership coach, partners with professional women to help them find their confidence and influence, enabling them to break through glass ceilings and make their unique mark in the world.
With over 25 years in senior leadership, Dana has made a significant impact on the field of aging. She has also inspired countless women to believe in their power and realize they can achieve far more than they originally believed possible.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#26 Finding Her Voice Through Spiritual Awakening
18 Nov 2021
00:36:20
Today, I interview Dr. Tressa Berman who was a child performer -- singer and songwriter from an early age. She put away her creative life for something that felt "safer," and became an academic professor until somewhere in the middle of that career, she had a breakdown/breakthrough.
This breakdown brought her to her spiritual path and back to her creative life. She eventually left academia to embrace the unknown and all the perceived risks. So her "breakdown" led to her "breakthrough" ... which is what she teaches people to realize with the tools that grew from owning her creative voice.
Dr. Tressa Berman is an experienced coach, teacher, and author in the creative field. As an anthropologist and former college professor, she has mentored thousands of artists, designers, makers, and dreamers to realize their potential and share their talents with the world. As a transformational guide, she first learned how to heal herself through meditation and contemplation in more than 30 years of practice with Buddhist teachers and Indigenous healers. Her vision is to co-create a more conscious and responsive world through creativity, and her passion is to help others to unleash their fully-expressed creative potential.
Find Dr. Tressa Berman here: tressa@transformational-creative-coaching.com https://transformational-creative-coaching.com/ https://interculturalpractice.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressa-berman-phd-b0144764/
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#25 Speaking for Herself
11 Nov 2021
00:27:48
Today, I interview JoAnna Brandi wo was part of the "be seen and not heard" generation of children. She grew up in a household that revolved around her parents and their words.
In a strong, outspoken Italian family, she struggled to speak up in the crowd. She was also conditioned by strictly enforced rules in Catholic school.
She was terrified when she had to start public speaking. She traced it back to a situation that happened when she was 16 years old and was answering a court case for her Mom and the judge made her "approach the bench". It terrified her!
She has learned through the years to use positivity to fuel yourself. She appreciates spreading positivity and encouragement and allowing it to benefit all areas of life.
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JoAnna Brandi is a Certified Chief Happiness Officer and helps companies keep their employees and their customers happy by "hardwiring happiness" into the culture. That drives what she calls the Positive Spillover Effect!
Connect with JoAnna here: https://www.facebook.com/ReturnOnHappiness https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannabrandi/ https://twitter.com/KeepEmHappy https://www.instagram.com/joannabrandi__
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#24 From Self-Deprecation to Whole Healing
04 Nov 2021
00:28:18
Today, I interview Laban Ditchburn who discovered that although self-deprecation worked as a defense mechanism, it was doing damage to his view of himself. It was tearing down his confidence.
Although we've all seen it used in comedy, when you get to the root of it, it's clearly "cringe-worthy", as Laban puts it. He started to treat himself better and remove the negative self-talk.
This opened the door to a more positive outlook and the ability to allow others to love him. He now shares the value of overcoming the self-harm (whether it's bad self-talk or numbing himself with addictive behavior) as a transformative part of his story to self-love, understanding, and finding his real voice and identity.
His goal now is to be known as "the most positive speaker on the planet."
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After conquering the full gamut of addictions, from food and booze to sex, gambling, and drugs Laban now defines the word transformation. He cured his own "incurable" auto-immune disease and soon realized that taking everything at face value, wasn't always the best way forward. And when he repaired the body, he also healed his mind and his spirit.
Laban is the Author of the sensational "Bet On You" book series, a speaker, Dino-Balls coach, and host of the "Become Your Own Superhero" show. Laban's burning passion is to inspire change to those that want it and are ready to take the first steps to do so.
Connect with Laban here: www.LabanDitchburn.com https://au.linkedin.com/in/labanditchburn https://www.facebook.com/LabanDitchburn.Inc https://www.instagram.com/labanditchburn.inc
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#23 The Magic of Belonging and the Fullness of Expression
28 Oct 2021
00:30:09
Today, I interview Robin Winn who was born into a large, loud family. Her parents had a powerful presence, and she never felt that her voice was as big. There were a lot of opinions, and speaking out randomly wasn't encouraged, and the only way to appear powerful was to be articulate. She instead learned to communicate through touch and writing.
Later in therapy, she learned to speak in a safe space. As her therapist listened, Robin learned to listen to herself as well. She found her own boldness to speak one to one, and even became a therapist!
However, she realized that something was still holding her back in speaking out in the world. I am honored and thrilled to say that she has felt the door truly and fully opening for her after being part of one of the Speaking Circles training sessions that I led. This is why I do what I do, and why her story means so much to me!
Now Robin shares her insights by teaching about Human Design.
Learn more by downloading her FREE eBook: https://www.clientsandhumandesign.com/free-book __________________
Find her here: https://clientsandhumandesign.com/ https://www.facebook.com/robin.winn.56 robinwinnma@gmail.com linkedin.com/in/robin-winn-776546a8 __________________
I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#22 A True but Unbelievable Odyssey
22 Oct 2021
00:27:34
Today, I interview Janine Bolon who grew up in a military and nursing household, where communication was brief and direct. She felt she didn't know how to tell a compelling, connective story.
She also moved a lot throughout her young life, causing her to feel constant loss and disconnection. After years abroad, she suddenly found herself in a small, Mayberry town in Missouri.
As the first one in her family to attend college, her family had no frame of reference to offer support. She later experienced a divorce, followed by a lightning strike.
Through meditation and focusing on the universe and God, she realized that the rules and limitations were falling around her. She found her own new life, new voice, and new meaning in 2015 and now uses it to encourage others in their own healing and self-realization.
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Find her here: janine@the8gates.com https://the8gates.com/ https://financialfirstresponse.com/ https://authorpodcasting.com/authors/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinebolon https://twitter.com/The8gates
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#38 Conquer the Fear of Public Judgment
15 Oct 2021
00:39:11
Today I interview Tyler Foley, who says he never suffered from public speaking anxiety, however, he does distinctly remember having a clear sense of stage fright twice in his life. As a trained performer and someone who has been on stage since he was six, both times were perplexing to him.
He ended up spending the better part of a decade deconstructing the reasons for these incidents. That search became his #1 bestselling book The Power to Speak Naked. Most of Tyler's experience has come from helping others find their voice.
He does this by destroying the myth that they are afraid of public speaking and showing them that the true fear they must conquer is public judgement. Now, he is able to rapidly tailor a talk to an audience and deliver it with confidence. __________________
Sean Tyler Foley has been acting in film and television since he was 6 years old. He has appeared in Freddy Vs Jason, Door to Door, Carrie, and the musical Ragtime.
Tyler is the author of the #1 best-selling book The Power to Speak Naked and can help you confidently take the stage and tell your story.
Connect with Tyler: sean.tyler.foley@gmail.com seantylerfoley.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/seantylerfoley/ https://www.facebook.com/seantylerfoley
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#21 From Dysfunction to Discovery
14 Oct 2021
00:34:24
Today, I interview Elaine Williams who said that growing up, she felt an emptiness-- that something was wrong with the world. She experienced childhood depression and anxiety, feeling as if no one was really listening to her.
Later events led to her feeling like "the lightning rod of the family", having too much directed at her. She felt it was unsafe to speak the truth for fear that it would be used against her. Missing the mark was not an option and her self-image began to crumble.
Elaine credits many angels, educators, and mentors along the way for her self-discovery and spiritual awakening. After letting go of resentments, she was able to heal and find her own boldness and identity. Now, it's impossible to miss the fun energy she brings into the room!
Email Elaine at elaine@captivatethecrowd.com for a free story handout! __________________
Find her here: elaine@captivatethecrowd.com https://captivatethecrowd.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/captivatethecrowd https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfD1O0ylVZ-3aIG1w6-PoVw https://twitter.com/Elaine_Tweets
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#20 Know Your Energy, Sing Your Song
07 Oct 2021
00:22:32
Today, I interview Marti MacEwan who says that although she was a successful speaker, there was a lack of satisfaction after speaking because there was a lingering fear of those eyes on her and the opinions of her audience. No amount of reassurance helped.
Marti learned to refocus her energy and was able to overcome stage fright by shifting her awareness and her expectations.
Marti who is a professional counselor and "Stage Fright Coach" had some fear of public speaking - the "normal" insecurity and nerves. But when she started to learn to sing solo, she had a complete meltdown. She had no idea where that panic was coming from, why it happened when it did, or what to do about it.
Figuring out how to be free of her "fear of public singing" led her to develop the Stage Fright Cure and a professional specialty of helping others be free of their fear of speaking or performing in any setting.
She has helped musicians, speakers, leaders, writers, business people and professionals be free of the limiting effects of stage fright.
Find Marti here: Get a free guide to The Stage Fright Cure at stagefright.com. https://stagefright.com/rapidrelief/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourstagefrightcoach/ https://www.facebook.com/marti.macewan
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#19 Vulnerability Equals Strength
30 Sep 2021
00:25:27
Today, I interview Caterina Rando who looks back to her childhood in a noisy, overly lively household and not having the courage to speak up in the face of it. She also struggled with feeling a little bit held back due to being a plus-sized female her whole life.
Interestingly, she enjoyed public speaking because she had been given permission to speak; her real fear crept in when she was among people with opportunities to chime in with casual conversation.
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Caterina is a business mentor, sales trainer, and creator of the Expand Your Fempire App and host of the Expand Your Fempire Podcast. Her books include: Learn to Think Differently, from Watkins Publishing, released in over thirteen countries and several languages, A Women’s Guide To Starting a Giving Circle, and her latest book, The ABCs of Public Speaking which quickly hit #1 in four Amazon best-seller categories.
Caterina leads The Thrive at Sales Program, The Bliss Retreat for Women Leaders on a Mission, The Sought-After-Speaker Retreat, and more. She is also, the founder of The Thriving Women in Business Center in San Francisco, a place for women to gather and host workshops. Plus she also started the Thriving Women in Business Giving.
Find Catarina here: https://www.caterinarando.com/links for a free report on How to Get Booked for Speaking Now. https://www.linkedin.com/in/caterinarando/ https://www.facebook.com/CaterinaRando https://www.facebook.com/thrivingbusiness
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#18 From False Connections to Wholehearted Storytelling
23 Sep 2021
00:27:33
Today, I interview Tom Ruwitch who talks about his roots and success in the sales industry. He realized that although he "communicated" and "hustled" all day, the quantity was squelching the quality.
What he was doing didn't represent who he truly was and how he felt on the inside. Tom points out that we're taught that the harder we work the better we'll do, and not to lean on others.
He has learned how to instead express his vulnerability, build connections with people, help each other, and share a flow of empathy.
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Tom Ruwitch is the founder and president of Story Power Marketing. Coaches, Consultants, and thought leaders choose Tom to harness the power of storytelling so they can captivate prospects and inspire them to buy.
Find Tom here: https://storypowermarketing.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomruwitch/ https://www.facebook.com/tomruwitch https://www.facebook.com/storypowermarketing
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#144 The Transformative Power of Being Heard
19 Sep 2024
00:30:11
Today, I interview Randall Alifano who grew up in a loud, talkative Italian family where everyone spoke, but no one really listened. Like many of us, Randall often felt unheard and disconnected, surrounded by people but without real understanding. This early experience of being silenced planted the seed for his deep curiosity about human connection and the power of listening.
As he grew older, Randall began asking deeper questions, eager to understand the emotions behind people’s words. His breakthrough came when he started working with individuals who had experienced profound trauma. He quickly realized that what people needed most wasn’t advice or diagnosis, but someone to truly hear them. His ability to listen with full presence became the foundation of his healing work.
Randall’s approach to listening goes beyond the surface, allowing others to face their fears, feel understood, and reclaim their voice. He now teaches people how to connect with themselves and others through deep, compassionate listening, transforming their relationships and personal growth. His work has helped countless individuals move through their struggles by creating a safe space where they can be fully heard.
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Randall Alifano, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and ordained minister with over 40 years of experience integrating psychology and spirituality into his private practice. He has dedicated his career to listening deeply to the dreams, traumas, and inner struggles of his clients, guiding them toward living in greater alignment with their inner wisdom.
His work spans a wide range of experiences, including counseling battered women, running groups for violent men, and designing a domestic violence program. He has also studied and applied various psychological and spiritual methodologies, enriching his holistic approach to healing.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Alifano has co-led seminars on intuitive listening and apprenticed with renowned figures in Gestalt Therapy and Encounter Groups at Esalen Institute. His teachings emphasize the power of presence, empathy, and curiosity in fostering deep connections with both others and ourselves. Through his guidance, he has witnessed the transformative impact of being truly heard, helping people enhance their relationships and personal growth.
Outside his practice, Dr. Alifano enjoys drumming, meditation, and cooking his grandmother’s famous Bolognese sauce.
__________________ Find Randall here: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/randall.alifano Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/randallalifano/ Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Raw-Coming-Home-Receptivity/dp/B0C7JFWYZC Website: https://randallalifanophd.com/book/
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#17 Our Mindset Toward the Roles we Play
16 Sep 2021
00:30:04
Today, I interview, Lorraine LaPointe who talks about the way that our mindset shapes our reactions and views of the world.
She is able to share the story of an experience she had as a child, and the impact it had on her in feeling that she could not express herself.
Now, talking regularly on her own shows, she has clearly overcome this fear. She says, "there is a deep desire in all of us to be recognized for who we are, and to share our message and our gifts with others."
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As a Mindset Fitness Coach & Therapist, Lorraine invites compassionate, service-minded women to discover practical, anytime, anywhere tools that tame and transform toxic self-talk. Better inner balance leads to greater productivity and performance, so they express their message and enjoy time for deeper connections with others in the second-part of life.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#16 Making Your Message Resonate
09 Sep 2021
00:22:55
Today, I interview Steve Peck who catches our attention right away when he says "I knew where I found my voice. I just didn't know where I'd lost it!"
As an introvert, Steve had an active and very successful career but experienced moments where he felt that people didn't want to listen to his ideas, so he consequently became quiet.
He began to keep things inside and avoid those connections. He has a story of overcoming this mindset and sharing his true voice!
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Steve Peck is a business entrepreneur and purpose-driven entrepreneur! He has had 30 years with marketing and sales strategy.
Find Steve here: https://linktr.ee/8pecks https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepeck/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-peck-mba/ https://www.facebook.com/steve.peck.330 https://twitter.com/steve_peck
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I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
Get started now on your journey to your authentic voice by downloading my Free 7 Step Guide to Fearless Speaking: https://www.doreen7steps.com.
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.
#15 Introverts Have a Voice, Too!
02 Sep 2021
00:23:14
Today, I interview Ted Prodromou who talks about his shy beginnings as an introverted child. He later realized that he had been carrying around years of hurt from being picked on by his siblings. It had really impacted his self-esteem and courage! As adults, his sibling's later apology brought about the sudden realization of the root cause of his fear.
The good news is that healing can come anytime! It's not too late! Ted later found himself leading a great team and communicating confidently with the group. He shares the way Speaking Circles changed his life! __________________
Ted Prodromou, America’s Leading LinkedIn Coach, is the award-winning, best-selling author of Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn for Business and Ultimate Guide to Twitter for Business (Entrepreneur Press).
Ted is a social selling and online advertising expert and the founder of Search Marketing Simplified, LLC, a full-service social media marketing firm. Ted has been featured on Entrepreneur.com, New York Times, CNBC, and Forbes.
You can learn more at www.YourLinkedInCoach.com
Here's a LinkedIn Profile Makeover Template https://tedprodromou.com/linkedin-profile-template/
I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com.