Captivate the Mic: Master Public Speaking & Video, Build Confidence and Boost Visibility
ABOUT THIS PODCAST đCaptivate the Mic with Elaine Williams is THE podcast for coaches, speakers, authors, lawyers and really anyone who speaks under pressure who wants to master the art of captivating speaking. This podcast is for you if you are looking to craft compelling stories, develop a charismatic voice, expand your executive stage presence and have fun while doing it! Our multiple award-winning host and her guests will give you, the aspiring captivating speaker, the tools you need to maximize your creativity and breakthrough mindset barriers surrounding your speaking and on camera skills. You will get tips and insider secre...
How Women Entrepreneurs Scale to 7 Figures | Meghann Conter | Captivate the Mic
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Are you tired of dry, boring networking events where you're the smartest person in the room but still stuck trying to break through your six-figure ceiling? In this episode of Captivate the Mic, host Elaine Williams sits down with Meghann Conter, Founder & CEO of The Damesâan international community built specifically for 6-, 7-, and 8-figure women entrepreneurs. Meghann dives into why women must do business differently, how humor and connection accelerate growth, and why making strategic, 5-minute "asks" is the secret to unlocking massive revenue and community support.
3 Key Takeaways:
The Real Secrets to Scaling a Team & Launching a Product | Evelyn Kershaw | Captivate the Mic
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Chasing a passion isn't always smooth sailing, especially when you're managing teams, scaling a physical salon business, and navigating unexpected industry crises.
In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I sit down with the fabulous Evelyn Kershawâa powerhouse salon owner, entrepreneur, and product creatorâto uncover the real, unvarnished truth about leadership, resilience, and business growth. From dealing with team walkouts to sourcing natural ingredients directly from long-time friends for her upcoming product line, Evelyn drops pure wisdom on what it takes to stay grounded and keep building when the goin...
How to Build a Standout Brand and Scale Your Business | Anne Zuckerman | Captivate the Mic
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If you think it's too late to completely pivot your career, launch a product, or start a global podcast, this episode will change your mind. Host Elaine Williams sits down with Anne Zuckermanâinventor of Bezi Bra Discs and top 2% global podcast hostâto uncover what it takes to build a business from scratch without corporate capital. From incredible family survival stories in war-era Hungary to bootstrapping a retail storefront using empty boxes to look successful, Anne shares raw, generational lessons that taught her to stand unapologetically in her authority and manufacture products righ...
Master Public Speaking Under Pressure | Elaine Williams | Captivate the Mic
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Even though I grew up performing, singing, dancing, and doing theater, the very first time I stood up to speak as myself at a Toastmasters meetingâwithout a script or a character to hide behindâmy brain went completely blank. My heart pounded, I started sweating, and I completely choked in under 30 seconds.
In this special solo episode of Captivate the Mic, I'm pulling back the curtain on my own journey from freezing up on stage to doing stand-up comedy and helping C-suite executives command the room. Speaking well under pressure is a...
Healing Core Wounds & Finding Authenticity | Ira Israel | Captivate the Mic
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Are you tired of making the same mistakes in your life or business over and over again, but you just can't seem to find your blind spots? Trust me, you are not alone. Today on Captivate the Mic, I am bringing you an absolute mind-expanding conversation with the brilliant psychotherapist, best-selling author, and master storyteller, Ira Israel.
Ira has an unbelievable backstory. After a near-fatal car accident in 1985 left him with massive physical trauma, he spent decades relentlessly searching for the meaning of life. He spent eight years studying philosophy in...
I Quit for Real Money: From Theater Kid to Pricing Genius | Erin B. Haag | Captivate the Mic
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What do Broadway showstoppers and massive business profit margins have in common? A lot more than you think!
In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I am sitting down with the brilliant, beautiful, and absolute powerhouse entrepreneur Erin B. Haag. Erin grew up deep in the legendary New York theater sceneâher dad was the technical director at the iconic Public Theater, and she was running lines with legends like Kevin Kline and working on star-studded productions in Central Park. But after a sharp wake-up call in conservatory, she walked away fr...
Ghostwriting Secrets: How to Write Your Book Without the Burnout | Judy Lane-Boyer | Captivate the Mic
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Think youâre too busy to write that book? Think again.
Ever feel like youâve got a massive story inside you but zero time to actually sit down and type it out? I get it. Weâre entrepreneurs, weâre caregivers, weâre running a million miles an hour. Thatâs why I brought the fabulous Judy Lane Boyer onto the show.
Judy is a professional ghostwriter and former professional translator who specializes in helping busy, badass bosses get their brilliance out of their heads and onto the pag...
We Tried Something Radical to Fix Loneliness | Hug in the Mail | Captivate the Mic
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What if connection didnât have to be fast⌠or digital⌠or filtered?
In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I sit down with two incredible humans, Gary Simmons and Linda Tai, to share something weâve been quietly buildingâsomething that feels simple, but deeply needed.
We talk about loneliness in a hyper-connected worldâŚ
 Why scrolling isnât the same as feeling seenâŚ
 And how a small, tangible act of kindness can shift someoneâs entire day.
This isnât just about a project.
 Itâs about what h...
Leading with Purpose: Servant Leadership & Content Strategy | Mark Neace | Captivate the Mic
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Are you leading your team, or are they just working for you? Today on Captivate the Mic, Iâm sitting down with my friend Mark Niceâa man who defines himself as a servant leader first and a content marketing strategist second.
We dive deep into Markâs incredible journey, from being raised by preachers to a chance encounter with a five-star Italian chef that changed his life (and led him to his wife!). We talk about why the "Yes, And" mentality is a superpower for freelancers and how lead-with-love principles actual...
Why Women Feel Shame Around Money (And How to Fix It) | Traci Steelman | Captivate the Crowd
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Have you ever felt like you should know more about money⌠but donât?
Like youâve made mistakes, waited too long, or somehow missed the memo?
You are not aloneâand you are not behind.
In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I sit down with financial advisor Traci Steelman, and we talk about the emotional side of money that no one teaches usâespecially as women.
We dive into the shame, the fear, the âI should know this by nowâ thoughts⌠and how to finally move...
Healing, Hope & Finding Love After Trauma | Beth Jones | Captivate the Mic
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What if healing isnât about âfixingâ yourself⌠but reclaiming who you were before the trauma?
In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with healer, author, and TV host Beth Jones to talk about grief, trauma, resilience, and what it really means to become an empowered survivor.
We go deep into:
⢠Moving through grief cycles faster as you heal
⢠Why survivors internalize pain that was never theirs
⢠The difference between coaching and healing mentorship
⢠The HEAL framework: Hope, Evolve, Love
⢠Find...
From Tech to TEDx: Turning Speaking Into a Business | Cam Beaudoin | Captivate the Mic
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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with Cam Beaudoin, founder of The Frequent Speaker, to unpack what it really takes to become a paid professional speaker. They discuss building authority, standing out in a saturated market, and using storytelling, niching, and strategic video to rise above the noise.
If youâre an aspiring speaker, female leader refining your executive presence, or business owner seeking greater visibility, this episode delivers a practical roadmap to elevate your message and get booked.
Key Takeaways
Professional speaking is...Be Found Before Youâre Googled: The New Rules of Visibility | Nina Cleere | Captivate the Mic
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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with marketing strategist and former attorney Nina Cleere to unpack one of the biggest visibility shifts happening right now: how people are being found through AI instead of traditional search.
Nina shares her unconventional journey from public defender to corporate counsel to digital marketing expertâand how her background in law sharpened her edge in research, positioning, and strategic communication.
Together, they explore:
Why AI-generated content canât be copyrighted (and what that means for crea...Estate Planning Myths that Cost Families Time Money & Peace of Mind | Amy Jenkins | Captivate the Mic
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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with Amy Jenkins â estate planning and probate attorney â for an honest, eye-opening conversation about what really happens after a loved one passes away.
After navigating the loss of her own father, Elaine shares firsthand how having power of attorney, medical directives, and a DNR still didnât prepare her for the realities of probate, frozen bank accounts, and the overwhelming number of decisions families are forced to make while grieving.
Amy brings clarity, compassion, and real-life storie...
How Early Speaking Experience Shapes Confident Leaders | Mickey Fitch-Collins | Captivate the Mic
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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with Mickey Fitch-Collins, a leadership development expert, professional facilitator, and former teenage professional bass fisher whose unconventional journey shaped her powerful voice on stage.
Mickey shares how becoming the youngest professional bass fisherman in the U.S. at just 14 years old unexpectedly launched her into public speakingâteaching rooms full of men twice her age. That early stage experience built confidence, resilience, and a deep understanding of storytelling that still fuels her work today.
...Pulling Back the Curtain on the Speaking Business | Amy Castro | Captivate the Mic
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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine sits down with Amy Castro, a corporate trainer, speaker, and communication expert with over 30 years of experience in the speaking industry.
Together, they pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a sustainable speaking career â beyond the stage, the spotlight, and the hype.
Amy shares honest insights about:
why most of the work happens offstagethe unsexy but essential parts of the speaking businesshow belief and confidence affect your ab...From Chronic Illness to Healer: One Hypnotherapist's Triumph Over Anxiety | Kimberly Lynne | Captivate the Mic
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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I sat down with Kimberly Lynne, a board-certified hypnotist and trauma-informed healer who transformed decades of chronic illness, anxiety, and physical pain into a wellness journey rooted in subconscious healing.
Kimberly shares her personal story of battling over 20 years of unexplained illness, panic attacks, and debilitating symptoms â and how learning hypnosis not only healed her body from the inside out, but led her to help women release emotional baggage, trauma, and chronic stress patterns.
Elaine and Kimberly explore:
Why physical symptoms of...Hypnosis that Actually Works: The Neuroscience Behind Change | Michelle Walters | Captivate the Mic
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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine sits down with Michelle Walters â imagination advocate, clinical hypnotherapist, marketing expert, author, and creator of MakeMyHypno.com, the worldâs first custom AI-powered hypnosis audio generator.
Michelle blends science, spirituality, and marketing psychology to help people break patterns, overcome anxiety, reduce sugar cravings, improve confidence, and use the subconscious mind to make powerful life changes.
She shares:
How hypnosis actually works (backed by MRI research)The difference between meditation vs. hypnotherapyHer personal evolution from marketing executive â hypnotistHow to rewire your brain...Rewriting the Narrative: Women, Words & the Power to Lead | Kirsten Weiss | Captivate the Mic
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In this empowering episode of Captivate the Mic, host Elaine Williams sits down with bestselling author Kirsten Weiss, the mastermind behind over 70 cozy mystery novels, including Legacy of the Witch and the beloved Tea & Tarot series. Together, they explore how storytelling, humor, and resilience help women reclaim their voices â both on the page and in real life.
Kirsten shares how her strong female characters are shaped by real transformation: rebuilding after loss, finding humor in hard times, and leading with self-awareness. From discussing her favorite characters like Abigail and Ma...
The Truth About Getting Paid to Speak â Real Talk with Julie Cooley
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Show Notes
In this candid and insightful conversation, Elaine sits down with veteran speaker manager Julie Cooley, who has worked with hundreds of speakers through NSA, the Colorado Speaker Academy, and her own business helping thought leaders build sustainable, profitable speaking careers.
If youâve ever wondered why your inbox isnât filling with paid gig offers yet â this episode will clear the fog. Julie shares the truth behind âovernight successâ myths in the speaking world, how to build your reputation strategically, and what actually makes you...
đ The Art of Being Seen: Frankie Ann on Storytelling, Showbiz, and Self-Worth
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Elaine welcomes Frankie Ann â a multi-talented singer, dancer, comedian, and producer â for a heart-to-heart about visibility, validation, and the messy beauty of creative life. Frankie Ann shares her journey through the highs of national tours and TV appearances, the lows of health setbacks, and the ultimate realization: your art becomes more powerful when you stop seeking approval and start creating from love.
Takeaways:
Own the Room: How to Command Attention & Take Up Space!
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In this solo episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams breaks down the art (and science) of owning the roomâwhether youâre speaking to 10 people in a meeting or 10,000 from a stage.
Elaine shares insider performance tips that comedians, actors, and speakers use to instantly command attention, engage distracted audiences, and create unforgettable presence. From reclaiming the stage when no oneâs paying attention, to planting yourself with executive presence, to warming up your voice so you sound magneticâElaine shows you how to captivate your cro...
The Power of Relatability: Why Humor and Vulnerability Win Every Time
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In this powerful conversation, Elaine sits down with Salvatore Manzi, a corporate speaking expert who helps purpose-driven leaders translate complex, data-rich ideas into clear, compelling messages. With decades of experience coaching executives and teams, Salvatore shares practical tools to elevate communication, build presence, and lead with authenticity.
Youâll hear insights on:
From Glam to Grit: John Reveals the Truth Behind the Beauty Business
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In this candid and insightful episode, I sit down with my friend John Aslanian, a seasoned beauty industry insider, to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes of the glamour world. John reveals surprising truths about the beauty business, the pressures it creates, and the myths weâve been sold about looking âperfect.â
We explore why true beauty is about confidence, presence, and self-acceptance â and how real transformation happens from the inside out. If youâve ever felt like you werenât âenoughâ by societyâs beauty standards...
Addicted to Approval: What Happens When You Stop People Pleasing
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In this bold and soul-baring episode, Elaine is joined by powerhouse coach and speaker Jacquie Grillon for a truth-packed deep dive into people pleasing, perfectionism, and what it really takes to unlearn the conditioning that keeps women stuck, silent, and drained.
From Catholic school trauma to addiction, codependency, and overgiving in work and relationships â Jacquie shares her personal story of growing up in dysfunction and how she began the lifelong process of reclaiming her voice.
Key Takeaways
People pleasing is not kindness â itâs self-a...Finding Happy: Hollywood Stories, Foster Care Truths & Life Lessons with Peter Samuelson
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⨠Show Notes:
In this profoundly moving episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with Peter Samuelson â Hollywood producer of over 27 films, founder of seven life-changing charities, and author of Finding Happy.
Peter opens up about the inspiration behind his book â part memoir, part mentor-in-your-pocket â written to guide young people (and honestly, any of us) through lifeâs biggest questions. He shares gripping stories from the movie sets of Hollywood and the racetracks of Europe, all the way to the powerful moments that shaped his passion for mentoring...
The Power of WE: Building Trust from the Inside Out!
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đIn this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, Elaine Williams welcomes Ron Reich back for part two of their conversation on leadership, mission statements, and the ripple effect of healthy (or toxic) workplace culture. Ron shares powerful real-world stories from his decades of leadership trainingâincluding one tearful turning point with a struggling plant managerâand how true leadership starts with empathy, self-awareness, and connection.
Elaine also shares a vulnerable moment of realization about how she sometimes becomes her own worst bossâand how entrepreneurs often recreate chaotic environments out of habit...
The Power of Being Around Horses and the Healing That Comes from Them....
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My cousin, Melissa Williams, 10X World Champion with different breeds and different divisions, shares her experience growing up with horses and the many things she learned from them in this short clip from a longer interview.Â
If you want more info about anything related to horses, leadership retreats, equine therapy, trainings, Captivate the Crowd or Casa BlancaVentures, please see the earlier full episode with Melissa and Elaine.
Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate t...
The Power of the Pause: Culture, Change & Real Connection
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đ Show Notes Summary
In this powerful episode, Elaine welcomes her first male guest to Captivate the Mic â master trainer, leadership consultant, and communicator Ron Reich. Together, they explore what leadership truly looks like in 2025 and how the best leaders today are creating space, safety, and culture from the inside out.
Ron shares wisdom on how to handle emotionally charged situations using his âPRD Modelâ (Pause, Reflect, Decide), and offers strategies for building psychological safety, even in blue-collar or high-turnover environments. From feedback stories to leadership blind spo...
Unbridled Leadership: Elite Equestrian Secrets for Winning in Business
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đ SHOW NOTES:
In this heartfelt and wildly inspiring episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine sits down with her brilliant, badass cousin Melissa Williamsâa 10-time world champion equestrian, ranch owner, and lifelong horse whisperer.
Melissa shares jaw-dropping stories from the show ring (think Olympic-level Saddlebreds and flying horses on âAir Force Oneâ đ´âď¸), growing up with horses in Canada, and what it really takes to competeâand winâat the highest levels.
But this conversation is more than trophies and ribbons.
Itâs about:
How the me...From Kindness to Credibility: PR Tips & Insights with Jill Lublin
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In this inspiring and jam-packed episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with the phenomenal PR guru, Jill Lublin. Known for her expertise in media, kindness, and visibility, Jill shares golden nuggets of wisdom for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and anyone looking to make an impact.
⨠What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
â˘The power of kindness circles and how they foster connection, growth, and positivity.
â˘Why 30 minutes of visibility-building activities each week can transform your career.
â˘How to create the âIâve...
Progress Over Perfect: Simple Shifts to Overcome the Need to âGet It Rightâ
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Embrace Your âFlawsomeâ: Conquering PerfectionismÂ
Itâs the new yearâwhich means new possibilities and a whole lot of self-imposed pressure. In this episode of Captivate the Mic, host Elaine Williams welcomes Michelle Molitor, an executive coach, hypnotherapist, and author of I Am Perfectly Flossom: How Embracing Imperfection Makes Us Better. Michelle shares her journey of being bullied out of a high-tech career and how that turbocharged her own perfectionism & imposter syndrome.
From chronic anxiety and physical manifestations to everyda...
Breaking Old Patterns: Finding Self-Love, Healing, and the Power of Your Story
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In this episode of the Captivate the Mic podcast, host Elaine Williams welcomes transformational guide Dr. Jen Casper. Dr. Jen shares her deeply personal journey through a series of challenging relationshipsâ from short-lived marriages to living with a narcissist. Through these trials, one theme emerged: her need to truly love and value herself. By learning to honor her own worth, Dr. Jen discovered the key to attracting a healthy, relationshipâone that exceeded her dreams.
Elaine and Dr. Jen discuss the importance of storytelling: how reco...
Creating Collaborative Magic: How to Build Partnerships with Any Crowd
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If you've ever wanted to work on your public speaking but the thought of being in front of an audience has freaked you out, listen to this episode. When you can think of your audience as your partner and realize that they WANT you to be good, it changes everything. You get your power back.Â
I learned this from improv, acting school and doing stand up comedy, but it doesn't have to take you as long as it did for me to learn the benefits of partnering with any audience.Â
No...
From Punchline to Powerhouse: Heather Zeitzwolfe Turned Her Swatch Store Around Part 2
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Anytime you get to talk to Heather, you have fun, for real!
Joins us as we discuss life lessons in business and how to make lemonade out of lemons! (and how she turned the worst store into one of the best stores!)
She's a great story teller and has a great sense of humor about herself and life!
She never shoves her vegan lifestyle down your face. She's always gracious and happy to answer any and all questions....
Heather Zeitzwolfe: Savvy Frugal VeganÂ
Raw and Real: Conversations That Spark Life-Changing Transformations with Jenifer Loehding
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This conversation was LIFE CHANGING for me! Jennifer and I spoke about collapsing Confidence with Worthiness. It was a true light bulb moment for me.
She's been a powerful stand for others and has had several successful podcasts.
You are going to LOVE this conversation!
Jennifer Loehding is a success architect, entrepreneur, and certified DreamBuilder Coach dedicated to guiding high-achieving individuals toward holistic success. With over 23 years of entrepreneurial experience, Jennifer helps her clients design sustainable frameworks that support both personal and professional growth. After excelling in...
Living Your Dream Life: The First Step is Knowing Youâre Worthy with Tracie Root
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This is where Elaine and Tracie take a deep dive into the concept of "Worthy" and why so many people struggle with it.
As two heart centered, hustling fierce females who've been through a lot, share parts of their stories, laughing at the craziness of life, you will leave feeling uplifted and inspired to take action with the rest of your day!
Tracie Root is a dynamic speaker, coach, and bestselling author who transformed her life after personal tragedy. Following the loss of her partner to cancer and facing th...
Teaser Trailer: Living Your Dream Life: The First Step is Knowing Youâre Worthy with Tracie Root
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This is the teaser to the main event where Elaine and Tracie take a deep dive into the concept of "Worthy" and why so many people struggle with it.
As two heart centered, hustling fierce females who've been through a lot, share parts of their stories, laughing at the craziness of life, you will leave feeling uplifted and inspired to take action with the rest of your day!
Tracie Root is a dynamic speaker, coach, and bestselling author who transformed her life after personal tragedy. Following the loss of...
Comedy & Confidence: Elevating Your Talk with Humor!
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In this episode, Elaine shares some of her favorite speaking tools and tips. There is so much goodness for a new speaker, a wanna be speaker and for someone who's been speaking for years.Â
Elaine shares her humor tips to help make any audience chuckle and even howl with laugher. And she shows you that you don't have to be the one up there telling jokes. There are lots of ways to bring light and laughter to your talks, your coaching, your webinars and more.Â
Please share this episode wi...
I Worked a P Diddy's Party & Other NYC Stories with Heather Zeitswolfe(Savvy Frugal Vegan)
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If you need a laugh, you've got to check this episode out!
Heather Zeitzwolfe and Elaine share some of their crazier NYC stories fromwhen they both moved to the city, even though it was at different times, the themes were familiar.Â
And Yes, I really worked a P Diddy Party at a restaurant where I worked....you'll have to listen to get all the details...
Heather has had many careers and businesses and podcasts.Â
Currently she's on a mission to help 1 million people in adopting and maintaining a...
