I’m excited to hear about your speaking business.
I’m very happy to be here. This has been an incredible adventure for me in The Speaker Lab. I did not think that all of this could happen so quickly and to this magnitude.
I am a licensed systemic therapist. I created a model, Relational Communication that can be applied in business. It helps managers create strong relationships with their team members and vice versa, so they can increase productivity and connect with trust.
Who are you primarily speaking to when you’re targeting your audience?
Right now, I speak to nonprofits. I’ve been working with nonprofit leaders—beginning to train their staff and management, using my model to help them understand how they can change the dynamics at work.
What led you to seek out The Speaker Lab when you did? What was happening with speaking for you—or maybe what wasn’t happening?
Probably more what was not happening. I’ve been in psychotherapy for close to 30 years. During that time, I’ve held high-level leadership and management positions, overseeing 10 programs at a time and multiple directors.
It was fascinating to watch how messaging would get lost in translation—like a game of telephone. When I left that work and went into private practice with couples and families, I saw the exact same thing: people not hearing each other and not saying what needed to be said.
I started thinking: I’d love to take what I’m doing and share it on a larger scale. That was the purpose and intent—to show there’s a different way of communicating and working with The Speaker Lab, I could broaden.
Did you have any fears or apprehensions you had to overcome when you started?
Absolutely. Imposter syndrome hit right away: “What do I have to say that people would want to hear?” That’s where I started.
But as I went through the process, I realized, “Wait—I do have something to say.” And if I followed the directions in The Speaker Lab, I could take that disjointed message and turn it into something impactful.
What were some of your key takeaways or big “aha” moments along the way?
One was consistency. Spending time consistently to get the work done makes a big difference. Life has gotten in the way at times, but the more consistent I’ve been, the better the outcome.
Another was working with the one-on-one coaches. They were excellent at challenging my thinking in a positive way: “Have you thought of it this way?” They were encouraging, reminding me, “Yes, you are doing the right thing. You’ve got this.” That cheerleading was powerful—it gave me the confidence to keep going.
The group calls were also wonderful—accountability sessions, Q&As—listening to others who are just a step ahead of me and learning from their experiences. The coaches speak from real experience, too. They don’t just make it look shiny and perfect; they share the lessons they learned the hard way. That’s incredibly helpful.
I love that. And it sounds like the community has also been valuable for you?
Very much. I remember early on, someone posted, “I received 18 rejections today and I’m so excited.” I thought, “Wait—how is that exciting?” But the mindset was: rejection means I’m doing the work. The more I put in the work, the more opportunities I’ll have to succeed. That completely changed my perspective.
So when I see others sharing about rejection, I don’t feel discouraged. It’s a reminder that no’s lead to yes’s, and those yes’s are what count.
What results have you seen so far as you’ve been out there booking gigs?
I’ve had a very good year. I’ve booked 11 or 12 gigs this year, which is fantastic considering I’m just starting. Many of them are brand new opportunities, not people I’d worked with before.
The word is getting out. I’m asking for referrals, asking to come back, and that’s working. Jake often talks about the importance of warm leads, and that’s helped me tremendously. My goal is to double it next year.
Are these local gigs, or are you traveling?
So far, they’ve all been in Connecticut. But I’ve been reaching out for opportunities nationwide, as that’s the next step.
That’s so exciting. How does it feel to be making the impact you’re making in those rooms?
I’m having a blast. I love interacting with people, and I’ve been fortunate to receive positive feedback. Some organizations even send me participants’ written comments. It feels surreal—this was something I dreamed about, and now it’s happening.
What’s your new normal day-to-day? What does the grind look like?
It’s a positive grind. From the start, The Speaker Lab emphasized self-care. That stood out to me. They talked about the CEO hour—don’t jam in 16 things, be intentional and mindful.
So my new normal is blocking out time for what needs to get done. That decreases stress and helps me stay focused. A lot of my time is reaching out. Just last week I had a face-to-face sales call that may turn into a booking. Doing the work feels exciting—it doesn’t feel draining.
I love that. Who would you recommend The Speaker Lab to, and why?
I would recommend it first to psychotherapists who have written a book or are already doing trainings or speaking.
But really, anyone with an important message—even a personal life story that could help others—would benefit. The program is truly step by step, each stage designed to move you forward.
For me, it took this little acorn of an idea and grew it into a tree—with support. That’s exactly what I needed.
Anything else you’d like to share?
If anyone listening has been thinking about joining The Speaker Lab, please do it. You will not regret it.