Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

Today, I interview Kadin McElwain, who had significant challenges posed by autism. Diagnosed at the age of two, Kadin's early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father's job and the need for better educational opportunities. Despite these disruptions, Kadin faced severe bullying during middle and high school and the removal of his IEP services, which his parents had to fight to restore. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought further challenges, but Kadin found a silver lining in online schooling, which allowed him to concentrate better without the social distractions and bullying, leading to his early graduation in 2022.Through perseverance, therapy, and a supportive family, Kadin has learned to view his autism as a superpower rather than a limitation. His extensive research and the encouragement from his parents helped him embrace his condition, inspired by notable figures who were also on the spectrum. Now a college student, Kadin is studying public relations with aspirations to enter the fields of music or political PR.Kadin's advocacy work focuses on changing perceptions of autism, emphasizing that individuals with autism are capable of great success and deserve opportunities for employment, relationships, and personal growth. He calls for better understanding and support in schools and workplaces and offers himself as a resource for parents and individuals navigating similar paths. Through his journey, Kadin exemplifies resilience and the belief that with the right support and mindset, anyone can achieve a prosperous and fulfilling life.__________________Kadin McElwain is an autistic college student, writer, and activist who is on a mission to spread autism awareness around the world. Throughout his life, he was told he wouldn't amount to anything because he had autism. But time and time again, he proved the naysayers wrong.__________________Find Kadin here:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083352067155 https://www.thesportscol.com/author/kadin-mcelwain/ https://the-art-of-autism.com/top-ten-most-inspiring-people-with-autism/ 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 Angilie Kapoor, who struggled with being bullied as a child. She was an extremely shy and introverted girl who preferred to be alone, afraid of being made fun of for looking different.As the daughter of a military father, Angilie's family moved frequently, forcing her to constantly start over in new places. This made it difficult for her to form lasting friendships. However, it also helped her develop resilience, adaptability, and acceptance that people come in and out of one's life for a reason.In high school, Angilie began branching out, joining activities like cheerleading and student government. She rediscovered her love for writing, which had been nurtured by a teacher. This led her to eventually write three books on mindset and leadership.The breakthrough point came when Angilie started a self-discovery journey during her corporate career, where she realized the importance of mindset and getting to know and accept oneself in order to be an effective leader.Now, Angilie helps individuals like managers, teachers, and parents, as well as companies, to develop conscious leadership programs that integrate empathy, compassion, and the human experience. Her message is to inspire people to get curious about themselves, discover their core values and unique voice, and share their message to help others.__________________Angilie Kapoor is a highly acclaimed leader, author, speaker, and TV show host with over 20 years of experience in healthcare management and leadership. As the founder of Oversight Global, she helps aspiring leaders in the workplace, business, and life become more productive, confident, and effective while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.Angilie shares her invaluable knowledge and insights gained from her extensive background and personal journey through coaching, mentoring, training programs, books, speaking engagements, and her two TV shows. Her mission is to address the global "consciousness crisis" by empowering individuals to tap into their leadership potential and develop the necessary skills and mindset to excel in their roles and make a positive difference in the world.__________________Find Angilie here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oversightglobal1356/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oversightglobal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oversight-global-llc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angilie-kapoor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oversightglobal Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/angiliemkapoor Take The Lead TV Show Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TakeTheLeadTVShow Unveil Your Brilliance Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UnveilYourBrillianceTVShow Free Download: 5 Tips to Designing Your Empowering Morning Routine Guide: https://gift.oversightglobal.com/empowering-morning-routine 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 Jennifer Arthurton, whose childhood was a quest for acceptance and attention within her family. Born in England and raised in the Caribbean, Jennifer's early years were serene until her parents' divorce. Feeling overshadowed by her younger brother, she continually sought approval through conformity and achievement.As Jennifer matured, she excelled academically and pursued a successful corporate career, fulfilling societal expectations. However, nearing her 50s, a midlife crisis struck, prompting her to question the significance of her accomplishments. Despite outward success, she felt unfulfilled and disconnected from her true self.Jennifer's turning point occurred when her life unraveled—divorced, unemployed, and bedridden with stress-related illness. Stripped of her identity, she confronted her vulnerability, realizing she had lived by societal norms rather than her inner voice. Staring at the ceiling, she began asking herself fundamental questions, finally acknowledging the importance of her own voice and intuition.To overcome her struggles, Jennifer embarked on self-exploration, learning to trust her inner voice. She began writing, launching the Old Chicks Know Sh*t blog and podcast to share her journey. By connecting with other midlife women, she found empowerment and purpose and now helps other women navigate their next chapters with confidence and authenticity.__________________Jennifer Arthurton is the founder and creator of Old Chicks Know Sh*t, a community and podcast aimed at inspiring and supporting midlife women in pursuing their dreams and navigating their next chapter. As a former Fortune 500 marketing executive turned midlife mentor, podcast host, writer, and speaker, Jennifer draws from her own experience of surviving a midlife crisis to empower other women.With a passion for helping women uncover their inherent power and wisdom during a time often characterized by doubt and feeling overlooked, Jennifer is an inspirational speaker and leads a community of powerful midlife women crafting their kick-ass next chapter.__________________Find Jennifer here:https://www.instagram.com/oldchicksknowshit/ https://www.facebook.com/oldchicksknowshit/ https://www.oldchicksknowshit.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/old-chicks-know-sh-t-podcast/id1461186926 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 Susan RoAne who faced challenges early in childhood marked by her brother's battle with polio, which demanded much of her family's attention and resources. This experience, while difficult, taught her the importance of communication and advocacy, as she often found herself speaking up on her brother's behalf. Susan also shared how she was thrust into social situations from a young age, which laid the groundwork for her future expertise in mingling and networking. Her journey to becoming the Mingling Maven was not without its struggles as she had to navigate the complexities of social interactions as the older sister of a sibling with a disability, which often meant fending for herself and learning to be heard. Today, Susan uses her experiences and insights to help others overcome their social anxieties and challenges. She has authored several books, including "How to Work a Room," which provides practical advice on socializing and networking. Susan emphasizes the importance of being oneself, engaging in genuine conversation, and including everyone in social interactions. Her approach to networking is about making connections that are both meaningful and beneficial, rather than being purely transactional. Her strategies for overcoming social challenges and her dedication to helping others find their voice and confidence in any room have made her a respected figure in the field of communication and networking.__________________Susan RoAne is a keynote speaker, Mingling Maven, best-selling author, and business networking expert. Her most notable work is “How to Work a Room,” first published in 1988. The 25th Anniversary edition of this book, titled “How To Work a Room: The Ultimate Guide to Making Lasting Connections In Person and Online,” has sold over a million copies and achieved international acclaim.Susan’s impact extends beyond her written work. As a keynote speaker, she has addressed Fortune 20–500 companies, conventions, and prestigious universities. Her insights connect the formalization of social networking rules to the women’s movement. In 2015, she was recognized as one of the 25 Professional Networking Experts to Watch.Susan’s legacy lies in her ability to empower individuals to navigate social interactions with confidence, fostering meaningful relationships that transcend business boundaries. Her impact continues to resonate, making her a trailblazer in the art of networking and communication.__________________Find Susan here:https://www.susanroane.com/https://www.threads.net/@susanroanehttps://x.com/susanroanehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/susanroane/https://www.facebook.com/SusanRoAneBiz/https://www.instagram.com/susanroane/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 Julia Stege, who struggled to find her footing amidst doubts about her artistic abilities and societal expectations. Growing up in a family where creativity was both encouraged and stifled, Julia found herself navigating conflicting messages about her abilities. Despite doubts about her artistic prowess and pressures to conform, Julia pursued her passion for graphic design.As Julia ventured into the world of design, she encountered further obstacles. Traditional marketing methods felt inauthentic to her, prompting a deep soul-searching journey. Rejecting the dishonest tactics prevalent in mainstream marketing, Julia decided to forge her own path. Her commitment to authenticity led her to establish the New Renaissance Business School, a platform dedicated to empowering spiritual entrepreneurs to embrace their multi-passionate nature and build businesses aligned with their values.Through her teachings, Julia emphasizes the importance of listening to one's inner voice and staying true to oneself. Her message resonates deeply in a world where conformity often prevails. In Julia's story, we find inspiration to embrace our uniqueness and make a positive impact with our voices, despite the challenges we may face along the way.__________________Julia Stege, known as The Magical Marketer, specializes in assisting spiritual business women and conscious entrepreneurs in clarifying and expressing their purpose through branding and marketing strategies that enchantingly attract their ideal customers online. She is the mastermind behind the Branding from the Heart™ System and the acclaimed author of "Branding from the Heart: How to Share Your Purpose through Marketing that Attracts Your Tribe and Inspires a Revolution." Julia's expertise as an award-winning branding artist and writer has earned her collaborations with prestigious clients such as NYC MOMA, Carnegie Hall, the U.S. Postal Service, Birkenstock Shoes, OWN Network Show Host Iyanla Vanzant, and the renowned Restaurant Franchise Cafe Gratitude.__________________Find Julia here:https://magical-marketing.com/https://www.facebook.com/JuliaDrosteStegeArtistSupport 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 Elona Lopari, who was misunderstood and restricted by societal norms early in her childhood. Growing up in Albania, she grappled with being labeled as mischievous and stubborn for her independent thinking and curiosity. Despite these hurdles, Elona found solace in her innate drive for achievement and a determination to break through limitations imposed by others.Upon immigrating to the United States, Elona continued to face challenges but found support and encouragement from her father, who instilled in her the belief that she could achieve anything she set her mind to, eventually rising to success in the corporate world.However, as her career progressed, Elona began to feel a sense of unease and anxiety, signaling to her that she was no longer aligned with her true purpose. This inner turmoil led her to transition into entrepreneurship, where she discovered her passion for helping others align their purpose with their professional endeavors.Today, Elona is a visionary CEO, speaker, and bestselling author, empowering leaders and entrepreneurs to grow purpose-driven businesses through inner alignment and strategic leadership. Her journey from adversity to triumph serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating the transformative power of following one's intuition and embracing purposeful living.__________________Elona is a speaker, bestselling author to numerous books, show and speaking events organizer to an audience of over 30,000 heart-driven service-based entrepreneurs and corporations.She is both a servant community builder and a people connector, a Prior Fortune 500 CEO, who was featured in Disrupt, NY Weekly, Business Insider, CEO Weekly, The Business New, and Famous Times.As the visionary CEO of The Life School, she helps visionary leaders and CEOs grow legacy purpose-driven businesses through inner alignment, branding, marketing, sales and team so that they can maximize their Impact and Income to do more good in the world.__________________Find Elona here:https://www.elonaloparicoaching.com/https://www.facebook.com/elonaloparicoaching/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elona-lopari/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 Matt Mueller, who talks about how he went from being a very creative child to facing the tough rules of grown-up life that often stop us from being imaginative. He shares important times when the fear of what others would think made him quiet his own new ideas. This story of change is not only about Matt; it's something many of us can relate to when we think about how often we've had to hold back our creativity because of the pressure to fit in.Matt delves into the challenges he faced in his professional life, struggling against the urge to conform and reclaim his voice and creative spirit. He offers invaluable lessons on innovation, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in the creative process, and introduces a simple yet profound framework for innovation, anchored in identifying real problems, crafting impactful changes, and securing acceptance for these solutions. Matt’s approach not only revolutionizes how we think about innovation but also serves as a guide for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in their personal or professional life. His journey from suppression to expression offers hope and inspiration to those feeling stuck in cycles of conformity.__________________Matt Mueller is a keynote speaker, best-selling author, columnist, mindfulness instructor, and innovation consultant. He works with some of the world's biggest brands to help leaders focus on innovation with purposeful growth. He has over a decade of experience in product and service innovation, and he has uncovered deep insights, executed strategy, and facilitated change in industries that have not changed in centuries. Matt questioned the culture of innovation and he learned that every innovation has three key variables, and it is not about disrupting before being disrupted. Rather, Matt teaches that if we slow down to be mindful, we can innovate faster with purpose.__________________Find Matt here:https://themindfulinnovator.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmuellerinnovation/ https://www.facebook.com/Matthew.F.Mueller/ https://www.instagram.com/mattmuellerinnovation/ https://twitter.com/MattMuellerInv8 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 Linda Ford, who shares her journey from a challenging childhood in Ireland, characterized by poverty and emotional turmoil, to becoming a master-certified coach. Linda's early experiences were marked by economic hardship, lack of education, and a deep-seated sense of insecurity and self-doubt.Her breakthrough came when she moved to America, which sparked a transformative journey towards self-confidence and understanding her true potential. Linda realized that confidence and the ability to express oneself are innate qualities, clouded by negative conditioning and false beliefs. Now, as a coach, Linda Ford dedicates herself to helping women overcome insecurity, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. She combines deep spiritual insights with practical actions, guiding her clients to trust in their inherent worth and capabilities.__________________Linda Ford is a master-certified coach, instructor, and author. She is the co-author of Women and Confidence: The Truth About the Lies We Tell Ourselves, and the creator of her signature programs, If I’m So Smart, then Why Don’t I Feel More Confident? and The Magnetic Woman.Linda has been personally trained by Dr. Martha Beck, New York Times best-selling author and contributor to Oprah Magazine. Linda has recently relocated from the US to Ireland where she plans on having small group retreats for women.__________________Find Linda here:https://www.lindafordcoaching.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Lindafordcoaching https://www.youtube.com/@lindaford-themagneticwoman1429/videoshttps://open.spotify.com/show/1bgOWzfP4Nz52XgZfw7NwV (podcast)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. Maria Nemeth who shares her journey of dealing with shyness despite being labeled as an extrovert. Dr. Nemeth explains the distinction between being extroverted and feeling shy, recounting personal stories that shed light on the challenges she faced. Throughout the conversation, she shared breakthrough moments that impacted her personal growth, her initial struggles in public speaking, and a memorable moment that challenged her newfound voice.Despite the challenges of shyness, Maria's unwavering desire to share her thoughts has been a constant driving force. Presently, she passionately expresses her commitment to sharing invaluable insights and cultivating authentic connections with others. At the core of her mission is the profound belief that public speaking transcends the mere act of impressing; it's about genuinely reaching and empowering the audience.__________________Dr. Maria Nemeth, PhD, MCC, is a renowned expert in leadership excellence, personal/professional development, and financial empowerment. As the Founder & Director of the Academy for Coaching Excellence, an internationally accredited coach training program, she has trained numerous individuals across nonprofit, for-profit, and governmental sectors.Dr. Nemeth's influence extends beyond coaching, as she has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in Inc. Magazine. She is the author of the highly-acclaimed book, "The Energy of Money: A Spiritual Guide to Financial and Personal Fulfillment," available in five languages. Her follow-up book, "Mastering Life’s Energies: Simple Steps for a Luminous Life at Work and Play," further solidifies her expertise.__________________Find Dr. Maria here:http://marianemeth.com/https://www.instagram.com/drmarianemeth/http://acecoachtraining.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 Deb Drummond who shares her story of navigating a challenging childhood growing up in a home where she felt tormented by an older sibling. Complicating matters, adults around her dismissed these struggles, downplaying her experiences as just typical sibling behavior. That environment left scars on Deb's self-esteem and confidence, making it stressful for her to speak up confidently. However, at the age of 16, Deb, having had enough of the ongoing turmoil, summoned the courage to bravely stand up for herself. This pivotal moment became the catalyst that initiated her journey toward empowerment.From then on, Deb continuously has been dedicated to empowering herself and finding her own voice through a variety of ways. She transitioned from the music industry to personal development, as she founded a private health studio in Vancouver. For over 30 years, she went through a journey of self-improvement as well as inspiring others to do the same. Her commitment to continuous growth led her to spearhead a monumental project for International Women's Day, titled "Solidarity for Women." Through these accomplishments, Deb's story becomes a testament to the transformative power of resilience, inspiring others to find strength in the face of their own struggles. __________________Deb Drummond is a pioneer in the world of Ultrapreneurship and is a Health & Wellness Anti-Aging Expert. She is a Speaker, Author, Mastermind Trainer, and Top Performance Coach.Deb has built 7 international companies. She is Founder of “262” Intl Women’s Day Summits. She has been recognized in SUCCESS magazine 48 times and has won numerous awards.Deb is the host of the Mission Accepted podcast and the “GenZ Is Us” show. She is the founder of Mission Accepted Media and creator of the Top Performance Day Planner and Tracker.From pioneering businesses to igniting hearts and minds, Deb's impact is undeniable. __________________Find Deb here:https://debdrummond.com/https://www.instagram.com/deborahldrummondhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/debdrummond/https://www.facebook.com/DeborahLDrummondSupport 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​.