I recently had the pleasure of joining Arielle on her podcast Arielle The Connector. Our conversation was one that I believe many people need to hear, especially anyone who has ever struggled with networking or fundraising.

I’m excited to share some wonderful news. I’ve officially joined the TEDx Orlando Dream Team as a speaker curator and speaker coach!

This has been a dream of mine for a very long time to participate in such a meaningful event and to lend my coaching skills to help speakers show up with even more confidence, clarity, and connection.

On September 11, 2001, when U.S. airspace suddenly closed, a small town in Newfoundland was thrust into the center of global chaos.

Gander, with a population of just 10,000, became the unexpected host to 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 stranded passengers. In an instant, the town nearly doubled in size.

Think back to the most powerful TEDx talks you have seen. Maybe it was a reminder that silence is never neutral. Maybe it was a talk that helped you rethink how you spend your time. Or maybe it was the simple but profound message that love is the most powerful force we have.

When you think of TEDx, what comes to mind? For many, it is those unforgettable talks that stick with us long after we have clicked away. Talks that made us rethink what vulnerability really means, what creativity looks like in schools, or what truly leads to a good life.

I was recently at a networking event, and after about the fifth person introduced themselves, I noticed something…

Every introduction sounded eerily similar.

Perfect grammar. Buzzword-filled. Impressive-sounding… but somehow totally flat.

It was clear: these intros were AI-generated.

One of the most common questions I get from speakers and leaders alike is this: “How do I know how much detail to include in my story or speech?”

It’s a great question, because too little detail leaves your audience confused. But too much? That’s when you lose them entirely.

We are living in profoundly challenging times. Across the U.S. — and around the world — many of us are watching with heartbreak, frustration, and even rage as the values we care most deeply about feel under siege.

In moments like these, silence can feel both easier and more dangerous.

But your voice matters.

Pride is the antidote to shame.

It’s a simple statement, but it holds the power to change how we show up in the world.

For too long, many of us have been taught—explicitly or subtly—that parts of who we are should be hidden, softened, or silenced. That we’re too much or not enough. That our stories are inconvenient. Our identities—whether shaped by culture, gender, sexuality, race, class, or creativity—don’t fit the mold.

When I first started out as a speaker, I thought it was all about the content – having the right words, the perfect slides, the perfect script. I spent hours memorizing every line and trying to get every gesture just right.

But what I didn’t realize was that true impact doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from authenticity – from finding your own voice, owning your story, and connecting with your audience in a real way.

After visiting Arches National Park, I couldn’t stop thinking about the power of time—how it sculpts, shapes, and stretches what seems solid.

Then I arrived at Bryce Canyon… and the story deepened.

Here, the rocks aren’t graceful arches. They’re jagged, towering spires called hoodoos. According to Paiute legend, these hoodoos were once people—turned to stone as a consequence of their actions, frozen in place for eternity.

And I thought: how many of us are doing the same?

While exploring Arches National Park in Utah, I stood beneath a towering stone arch carved by time, wind, and weather. It struck me: even rocks tell stories.

Every crack, curve, and crevice has a past—centuries of shifting, shaping, and resilience. Just like us. Just like your voice.

If you're running a nonprofit, chances are you're doing deeply meaningful, often life-changing work. But here's something I’ve learned: good work doesn’t speak for itself—good stories do.

I’m thrilled to share that since February 2025, I’ve served on the Board of Directors for Guitars Over Guns, an incredible organization that empowers young people through music, mentorship, and the arts. Guitars Over Guns offers students from our most vulnerable communities a powerful combination of arts education and mentorship with professional artists to help them overcome hardship, find their voice, and reach their potential as tomorrow’s leaders.

I know I have posted a lot about health – but I wanted to offer some context, provide an update – and maybe in doing so, give some hope to folks who may be struggling with their own health challenges

The stories we tell ourselves become the foundation of our lives. But sometimes, those stories do more harm than good.

What’s the story you’re living by? Is it lifting you up—or holding you back?

Every day is an opportunity to embrace the spirit of giving. It’s a reminder of the beauty of generosity—not just in the act of giving itself but in the profound way it connects us to others and, perhaps most importantly, to ourselves.

There are three topics I’ve always enjoyed talking about: politics, the arts, and storytelling.

Nowadays, I find no pleasure in speaking about politics because it has become far too divisive.

So, I’ve been thinking: perhaps I should be speaking about how the arts and storytelling can help bridge the divide that politics has created.

Some of you know I have been dealing with a weird, rare chronic pain condition for a few years. I finally decided that “enough is enough,” and rather than continuing to treat the symptoms without addressing the cause (and continuing to bore my loved ones with my constant complaining), I had surgery this week

There are certain life experiences that are forever etched in our memories.

For me, one such memory occurred in April of this year - just a few short months ago.