Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

Today, I interview Kyomi O’Connor who shared a compelling story of her life, marked by early familial challenges. During her childhood, Kyomi endured emotional abuse and struggled with her own identity. As a support to a weak mother, she embraced a dual persona, projecting an outwardly bubbly demeanor while concealing an inner struggle for self-acceptance.Transitioning into her teenage years, Kyomi faced societal taboos in Japan when her career aspirations clashed with her father's expectations. This period culminated in a dark phase in her early twenties, including a suicide attempt. Seeking a fresh start, Kyomi embarked on a journey to the United States, where academic pursuits at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) introduced her to Patrick, her future husband.Caring for Patrick during his critical illness became a three-year emotional rollercoaster, and following Patrick's passing, Kyomi confronted the challenge of rebuilding her identity, unearthing aspects of her past she believed to be healed. This transformative period unfolded through a profound writing journey, which served as a powerful tool for healing, and culminated in a memoir that serves as both a personal account and an invitation for self-reflection. Today's conversation is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of love and self-reflection, showcasing the human spirit’s ability to heal and grow stronger.__________________Kyomi O'Connor is a Japanese-American author, poet, and former researcher who has dedicated her life to exploring themes of identity, belonging, and cultural fusion. Born in Japan, she immigrated to the United States in 1990 to pursue a career in scientific research. However, her personal journey led her to embrace a life of writing and creative expression.Kyomi's most notable work is her memoir, "A Sky of Infinite Blue: A Japanese Immigrant's Search for Home and Self," which chronicles her experiences navigating cultural differences, finding love in a new country, and ultimately discovering her true self. The memoir has garnered multiple awards and critical acclaim, resonating with readers worldwide.Beyond her memoir, Kyomi is an accomplished poet, penning verses that delve into the depths of human emotion, relationships, and the complexities of the human experience. Her poems have appeared in various publications and literary journals, showcasing her lyrical prowess and sensitivity.Kyomi currently resides in San Diego, California, where she continues to write, explore new creative avenues, and engage with the literary community. Her work serves as an inspiration to others seeking to understand their place in the world and embrace their multifaceted identities.__________________Find Kyomi here:https://www.kyomioconnor.com https://kyomi.substack.com https://www.facebook.com/kyomioconnor.writer https://www.instagram.com/memoir_writer2Support 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 Renee Bauer who shared her journey from a childhood shadowed by economic hardships to a life of significant achievement. She spent her formative years in an environment where family finances were a constant concern. Her parents tirelessly juggled nighttime jobs, including taking on cleaning medical facilities to ensure stability.Renee, even as a teenager, pitched in with the cleaning efforts, often at the cost of her social life. This part of her life was marred by a deep-seated sense of shame and the need for secrecy; she constructed elaborate tales to her friends about visiting relatives, all to mask the reality of her family’s struggles.Renee realized that her issues with money and worthiness, which were deeply ingrained from her childhood, significantly impacted her adult decisions and relationships. Her second marriage was particularly toxic, and she almost stayed in it due to fears about how others would perceive her.Despite the personal challenges, Renee became a successful divorce attorney, dedicating over two decades to her profession.Renee's story is a testament to overcoming early life struggles, breaking cycles of financial and emotional hardship, and achieving professional success while forging a path to help others do the same.__________________Renee Bauer has been a divorce attorney for 20 years. She is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Happy Even After Family Law located in Connecticut. Renee is also a co-Founder to a platform for Tarot Card Readers called The Tarot Bridge.Renee is an international speaker and author. She’s just released She Who Wins: Ditch Your Inner Good Girl, Overcome Uncertainty, and Win at Your Life. She has also published Divorce in Connecticut, The Ultimate Guide to Solo and Small Firm Success, and the children’s book Percy’s Imperfectly Perfect Family.Rene hosts the annual She Who Wins Summit, a live event created to inspire, motivate and challenge women to move forward bravely in their personal and business lives. Her impact has been recognized by Success Magazine where she was nominated as a Woman of Influence and with awards such as Litigator of the Year, Women-Owned Business of the Year, and New Leaders in the Law. She has been featured in multiple media outlets such as the International Business Times, Comment Central, AP News, NBC, FOX, and iHeart Radio.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 Jane Applegath whose story reflects how external circumstances can often drown out our inner voices, creating conflict within ourselves. In the midst of these challenges, she discovered the transformative power of yoga and meditation.Jane grew up with 4 other siblings so she had to speak up or she’d never be heard. For her, it was about the inner voice she wasn't tuned into. And knowing that voice is the epicenter of the story we create for ourselves and the life we live.Jane's story is a testament to the power of embracing your inner voice and finding your true self in the midst of life's chaos and challenges.Finding your inner voice means freedom. And knowledge and learning are the keys to that freedom. Everyone has the capacity within them to live a life of abundant freedom, free of limiting beliefs, we only need to find our vision; the divine compass that directs us to the life we desire.Jane knows and trusts that her voice can make a difference.__________________Jane Applegath is a former award-winning financial advisor, television producer, creative scriptwriter, and yoga instructor. She is a serial entrepreneur, Creative Intelligence Coach, Certified VUCA Instructor, and Founder of the Epic Vision Zone.She serves passion-driven women who are ready to create radical self-empowerment to become the bringers of BIG IDEAS, INFLUENCE, INSPIRATION, and CHANGE.Jane’s commitment is to end the disempowering beliefs that it’s too late, too hard, too pie-in-the-sky for women to prosper and matter doing work they love. She knows that having more, being more, feeling more, and creating more exist for every woman when she learns to feel and access the VISION of her dream and make it her new reality.__________________Find Jane here:https://www.instagram.com/janeapplegath https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTRlB0PVe13qgPlfS7VY7Zg https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-applegath-77300175/ https://www.facebook.com/JaneApplegathCoach https://open.spotify.com/show/6IwGXdcZDjgImSVS2Eo7r8 https://janeapplegath.com/creative-power-signup/ __________________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 Carol Vincie who shares a compelling story of her journey to discover and embrace her own voice despite the challenges posed by Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Carol's story reflects the struggle many face when dealing with these conditions, as she navigated a world that often misunderstands or stigmatizes them.Carol’s lack of a voice revolved around her undiagnosed ADD. She lived for decades and decades with undiagnosed ADD. 30 years ago the person she was living with suggested she see a therapist. The therapist's comment was "You have been far too successful to even consider ADD". She closed the box on that discussion for another 3 decades.When Carol discovered a name for her condition it took her 3 years to open her mouth to anyone. A coach spent another 2 years nudging her to realize her ADD was responsible for her vision, creativity, and boundless energy.Her journey of self-discovery and acceptance ultimately led her to view ADD and ADHD not as limitations but as superpowers, unlocking a new perspective on how these conditions can be harnessed as strengths.Carol’s mission and passion is to accelerate the discovery journey for entrepreneurial business professionals. To assist them to recognize their gifts and talents that come so easily they fail to value them. To provide direction to position themselves in roles that highlight their Super Powers.__________________Carol is a serial entrepreneur who started at 16, a successful corporate executive for 25 years, and a venture capital participant. She is a #1 best-selling author, a video Podcaster, a public speaker, and an online course creator.Her mission is to shift the conversation from focusing on ADD and ADHD as deficits to celebrating strengths. Carol's work includes a card deck that guides individuals through awareness, acceptance, and action, providing valuable tools for personal and professional growth. Through her inspiring journey, Carol Vincie encourages us to embrace our unique abilities and change the way we perceive and approach ADHD and ADD.__________________Find Carol here:https://www.youtube.com/@CarolVincieBusinessWoman/featured https://www.facebook.com/LeverageYourADDvantages https://www.deckible.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 Jeff Borschowa who shares a deeply personal journey of overcoming shyness and embracing introversion. Jeff's early years were marked by the struggle to find his voice in a world that often seemed overwhelming. Growing up in an environment that didn't necessarily support his unique gifts, he faced challenges ranging from bullying to feeling out of place in social situations. He was painfully shy as a young man. Speaking up was not "acceptable" in his family.To challenge himself to succeed or fail, he booked himself on stages and practiced until he was comfortable. He now speaks very freely and candidly in front of big and small audiences about a range of topics.As Jeff reflects on his life's path, it becomes evident that his experiences as a shy boy provided the foundation for his later success as a connector and curator of connections.__________________Jeff Borschowa is a business coach, author, educator, and curator of all things related to business efficiency and technology. Jeff has experience working with all sizes of businesses, from sole proprietorships to international organizations. The focus in Jeff’s career has been to find new and better ways to integrate innovation and technology to enhance the customer experience and improve efficiency in businesses. Jeff's work involves bringing communities together and matching businesses to create thriving communities of loyal customers. Jeff is a podcast host of the Global Wellness HQ, an international community built to share wellness ideas and resources. His message to the audience is to find your authentic voice and connect with others genuinely to change the world through human-to-human interactions.__________________Find Jeff here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-borschowa 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 Georgann Low who has a compelling story of facing inner struggle and losing her voice after a journey through the tumultuous landscape of the '60s and '70s. From an outspoken and sassy youth to a period of drug-induced turmoil, Georgann's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.After graduating from high school, Georgann spent years in New York and California, going to college until she dropped out to become a full-fledged hippie. The drugs she took opened amazing new perspectives, however her experience very quickly degenerated into a living hell of loneliness and paranoia - her sense of herself and her confidence were gone. She lost her ability to speak for a time. She was terrified of the world.Eventually, at age 28, she gave up all drugs and learned to meditate which became her saving grace.Yoga and meditation have been her tools for spiritual growth. Untrained in music, she became a professional singer starting out when she was 30 with Country and Blues and eventually moving into jazz. She still performs in clubs both here and in France with excellent musicians. She’s delighted to say she learned to speak French when living alone there.In the days when she didn't speak, she took up drawing and continued to express herself through pen and ink and lots of color.__________________Georgann is an international singer, artist, and author of the new memoir "Dancing Alone". She is known in musical circles for her unique blend of jazz. She is also an everyday mystic open to varied contemplative traditions.Through meditation, she discovered her saving grace and regained her voice, empowering her to share her wisdom and gifts with the world. Her message resonates with all of us: open your heart, take a deep breath, and embrace the journey with a joyful spirit.__________________Find Georgann here:jazzbunnylow@gmail.comwww.georgannlow.comhttps://www.facebook.com/georgann.lowhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/georgann-low-b65b5210/https://www.amazon.com/stores/Georgann-Low/author/B097YWBYW8?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueSupport 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 David Doerrier who faced childhood insecurities and a long battle with addiction. He embarked on a path of self-discovery that led him to rediscover his authentic voice and passion. David is a testament to the power of resilience and personal growth.David found himself in careers that had him in front of people daily. He knew this was what he wanted to do. However, he had loud voices in his head that were telling him he was no good, laughing at him, and doing all they could to get him to give up.Military, radio broadcasting, stage acting, training, voiceover. It wasn't until he was in his 50s that he could pinpoint where the insecurity originated, his narcissistic Mother. He knew something was wrong but had no idea what it was. He thought that the problem was him.Through his engaging storytelling and personal experiences, David emphasizes the importance of ownership and connection in effective communication. He draws parallels between his own struggle to find a connection in his early life and his principles of engagement for speakers. Through his insights, David highlights the transformative power of finding one's voice and fostering meaningful connections in both personal and professional interactions.__________________David Doerrier (Door-Re-Err) works with trainers, facilitators, sales organizations, and other presenters struggling to engage and impact their audience.As an expert in the adult learning theory, David works with his clients to incorporate eight simple principles that are guaranteed to motivate any audience to listen, act, and be more likely to retain information, take the next step, and purchase your product or service.David is a seasoned Toastmaster, proficient Instructional Designer, Train the Trainer and Facilitation expert, voiceover artist, and professional Santa Claus.__________________Find David here:https://presentyourwaytosuccess.com/https://www.facebook.com/PresentYourWayToSuccess/https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddoerrier/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzVzREo_Y72yA9JMWPrHF5A __________________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 Tamara Herl whose getting up in front of a group of people to speak has always been hard for her. Tamara shares her compelling story of navigating through the challenges of finding her voice amidst family turmoil, societal expectations, and personal inhibitions.Tamara sheds light on the transformative potential of embracing one's unique brilliance, tapping into the language of nature, and using creativity as a powerful means of self-expression and empowerment.Tamara can now stand in front of an audience and speak about her passion. She has found that what works best for her is doing experiential processes with her audience, such as leading them in a guided meditation. That is where she really shines.__________________Tamara Herl is a licensed professional counselor and registered board-certified art therapist. She shows socially conscious entrepreneurs how to use art and nature to get Divine guidance when they feel stuck or confused so that they can make the kind of impact they are meant to.__________________Find Tamara here:https://www.thewilddivine.ushttps://thewilddivine.us/resourceshttps://facebook.com/tamara.herl.3/https://www.facebook.com/foresttherapyguidecoloradohttps://www.facebook.com/groups/640289957589385https://www.instagram.com/tamaraherl/https://twitter.com/TamaraHerlhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-herl-3164b68/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnfbD0LznBKd5iTPFY1MNUwhttps://www.pinterest.com/tamara_herl/__________________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 Cindy Benezra who will share how she has emerged as a brilliant advocate for sexual abuse survivors. Her story is deeply moving, reflecting her struggles and resilience in the face of unimaginable trauma.From a young age, Cindy endured abuse at the hands of her father, a dominant and intelligent man who shattered her innocence. The abuse left her voiceless, as she grappled with the confusion of what was happening to her. Over the years, she found solace in nature, particularly among the orange blossoms, where she sought refuge and discovered the power of healing through self-expression.Cindy's path to healing was not linear, as she faced numerous challenges and setbacks along the way. Through an array of modalities, including mantras, visionary work, journaling, and alternative therapies, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-love. Her story showcases the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of finding one's voice after enduring profound trauma.__________________Cindy is the author of Under The Orange Blossoms, an advocate for sexual abuse survivors, and the owner of a luxury event company.__________________Find Cindy here:https://www.cindytalks.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-benezra-932560158/https://www.instagram.com/cindybenezra/https://pinterest.com/cindybenezrahttps://pinterest.com/cindytalkshttps://www.youtube.com/cindybenezraSupport 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 Ivna Curi. Ivna is a remarkable individual who has overcome significant struggles to find her voice and confidently speak her mind. Her journey from a shy and obedient girl to a powerful advocate for assertive communication is truly inspiring.In our conversation, Ivna shares her transformative experiences, revealing the pivotal role courage played in her life. From her early days in Brazil, where she felt compelled to be the "nice girl" and avoid conflict, to her corporate career, where she battled anxiety and self-doubt, Ivna faced numerous challenges that hindered her from expressing herself effectively.Everything changed when she encountered a mentor, who encouraged her to embrace courage and face difficult situations head-on. With his guidance, Ivna learned the art of assertive communication, a skill that completely transformed her interactions with others and propelled her into leadership roles.Through her journey, Ivna discovered that courage, not confidence, was the key to speaking up and finding her voice. She emphasizes that focusing on courage allows us to act despite our fears and uncertainties, leading to real growth and effective communication.Today, Ivna is on a mission to help others develop assertive communication skills and find their voices. As a respected thought leader, speaker, and coach, she provides workshops and talks that inspire professionals to confidently express themselves in various settings. Her dedication to promoting respectful speaking-up cultures in organizations helps build more inclusive and innovative workplaces.__________________Ivna Curi helps people confidently speak their minds unapologetically at work in a way that is heard, understood, and taken seriously with assertive communication skills, without coming across as aggressive. She provides workshops, coaching, and talks. She also helps companies create a respectful speaking-up culture that drives engagement, productivity, DEI, and innovation. She is the host of the “Speak Your Mind Unapologetically” podcast show, a TEDx speaker, has more than 20 thousand students, has an international MBA from INSEAD, is a Forbes contributor, and is a former corporate leader.__________________Find Ivna here:https://assertiveway.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/https://www.facebook.com/AssertiveWay/Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.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​.