Speak with Presence – Details, episodes & analysis

In Episode 96, We’re Turning 3 Years Old!, JRT and Jen V. reminisce about their strangers-to-business partners origin story, their pride and reflections on Voice First World’s mission over the past three years, and the hilarious hijinks they’ve been up to along the way.   Hear the “opposites” and co-founders reveal their own “What on Earth” moments as well as their biggest lessons in business and with their beloved clients.   Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at https://www.voicefirstworld.com/calendar

In Episode 95, Emergency Resilience, Alex Jabr sits down with Jen V and JRT to discuss the heavy–but invaluable–topic of death communication and staying present during extremely uncomfortable end-of-life discussions.    Alex has experience as a paramedic, public speaker, and online course designer for her company, Emergency Resilience. She turned her own experiences from her mother’s passing and her career in emergency medicine into a life mission to teach others how to empathetically and effectively deliver what may be the hardest words an individual may hear in their lifetime. She pulls back the curtain through stories, revealing shocking statistics highlighting just how little guidance there is for medical professionals on end-of-life communication. She has become an expert in getting comfortable in uncomfortable situations.    Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

In this episode, E86, we sit down with Ebony Reed, seasoned journalist, editorial leader, news strategist, author and executive. 

Ebony tackles some difficult subjects with us as we wrap our heads around the recent tragedy after the Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City. We also focus on her incredibly important book ‘Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap,’ which is available for pre-order now. 

Hear how Ebony’s impressive career in journalism and dedication to her community has improved Kansas City for the better. 

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company.  They train leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

In this episode 85, Jen V. dives into her method for gaining speaking presence through the Presence Paradigm™ - Confidence, Focus, and Influence.

If you have communication topics you want to hear about, email Jen at JenV@VoiceFirstWorld.com

In this episode, Stand-Up Presence, we sit down with Olivia Carter, KC native now NYC-based stand up comedian, writer, and actress. 

Olivia gives us a sneak-peak into the comedy scene, starting from the very beginning of her comedic development in college–featuring professor Jen Vellenga! 

Hear how Olivia has developed her stage persona and how she finds audience and “heckler” interactions feed into her presence. She highlights how she’s avoided being boxed into archetypes and how studying theatre shaped her trajectory into the world of stand-up. 

Watch Olivia on Kill Tony, episode #639. Find Olivia at the 21:30 mark. 

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company.  They train leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

In this episode, Jen V. goes solo in response to requests from listeners for communication tips and tools to speak...with presence. If you have communication topics you want to hear about, email Jen at JenV@VoiceFirstWorld.com.

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

 

In this episode, Focus On Your Audience, we sit down with Sidonie Garrett, Executive Artistic Director at Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. 

Sidonie dives into how preparation and presence go hand-in-hand, highlighting how she finds success in honing her story when captivating an audience. Be inspired by her mission, vision, and hard work in helping the performing arts flourish in Kansas City. 

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

Theatre Alliance KC 

ArtsKC GO

In this episode, Living in Mama Kelce’s World, we sit down with LeAnne Stowe, owner of Annie’s Barn. LeAnne talks about how she turned an online Facebook auction into a shop that operates in 12 different cities and online at https://anniesbarn.com/.

From her viral products to her personal connection with national hero “Mama Kelce” - the mother of NFL superstars, Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) and Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles)  – hear how Annie has developed not only a thriving business, but a tight community of “Barnstormers.” 

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat

On E80, Jen V. hosts a special guest to learn about the impact her work/life choices had on her family. Go back in time with us to 2007 and hear about a unique Christmas in Cincinnati!   Jen V. & JRT will be back in January for more interviews with powerful leaders in the Kansas City area and with Kansas City natives.   We wish you all a very happy holiday and a prosperous 2024.  May this be the year that you realize you don't have to be "perfect" to be successful.    Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

 

In this episode, Trust Your Partners, we are back on stage with Angela Gieras, Executive Director/Co-CEO at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Angela is a performing arts leader, executive coach, strategist, fundraiser, and leadership development expert. She breaks down how recognizing and embracing her core values make her powerful presence known in the workplace.   Hear about her expertise as well as high-and-lows in the nonprofit world, including how she’s found success and strength as a co-leader–not without some lessons along the way!   Learn more about Angela's research:  Research | Inspired Arts Mgmt    Want to support KC Rep:  https://kcrep.org/support-us/   Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.