Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

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. __________________ 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/ __________________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.    Support the showI’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​.

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. __________________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. Find Cedric here: cedcrumbley@gmail.com  https://cedriccrumbley.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedcrumbley/ https://twitter.com/CedricCrumbley ___________________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.   Support the showI’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​.

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. __________________ 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/_____________________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.  Support the showI’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​.

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. __________________ 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__________________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.  Support the showI’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​.

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. __________________ 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. Support the showI’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​.

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. __________________ 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/ .Find Denny here: drdennycoates@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdennycoates/ https://www.drdennycoates.com/ https://www.strongforparenting.com/ (online parent coaching system) https://www.prostarcoach.com/ (more online coaching systems) https://twitter.com/DrDennyCoates__________________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.    Support the showI’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​.

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. Find Lori here: lori@zenrabbit.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zen_rabbit/ Facebook business: https://www.facebook.com/ZenRabbit Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fineisa4letterword Twitter: https://twitter.com/zenrabbit __________________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.    Support the showI’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​.

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.    Support the showI’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​.

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.__________________ 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.     Support the showI’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​.

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. __________________ 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  https://www.linkedin.com/in/giversuniversity https://YouTube.com/GIVERSuniversity https://www.facebook.com/GiversUniversityhttps://twitter.com/GiversU https://www.instagram.com/giversuniversity ___________________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.   Support the showI’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​.