Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

Today, I interview Grace Mosgeller who speaks about growing up in a family where she was told what to do and what to think. In a situation like that, you can get confused and lose touch with who you really. Grace had an inner voice, but she didn’t listen to it until much later in her life.Her parents valued education, knowledge, and money. They were forces of influence that led Grace down a path she didn’t really choose. One example was her desire to play the saxophone, but they said not you don’t want to play they, you want to play the piano. And that is what she did for 6 years. On one hand it makes sense to be accomplished with a musical instrument, but if it is not your heart’s desire, then you begin to question what you really want.Grace sites other examples of life decisions she was about to make, but was instead influenced by her parents to go in other directions. There was the choice of which school to go to and which one might have more opportunity. And that opportunity had more to do with meeting men. There was also the choice of profession where she started on a path to become a nurse, but had to find another field in order to graduate on time.In terms of the question of “who am I” Grace had the challenge of knowing she was really smart but on the other hand felt like she was the stupid one. She had to put up walls to hide herself and as a result suffered from isolation.Her wake-up was when she realized she was treating her children the same way she had been treated b her parents. This started her 25 years of personal growth, diving into motivation books and eventually entering a coaching program to become certified as a coach.But her true breakthrough was when she discovered that the soul has a purpose and found that she is in a category of “leader.” That was when forgiving, accepting, and integrating her life up to that point happened.She has written a book, Freedom to Flourish, Stop Hustling and Become Profitable. She words energetically with others to heal consciousness. She helps others uplevel their personal value and the effects this has on greater alignment with the purpose of soul.___________________Grace Mosgeller is a gifted healer and soul purpose coach known as "The Soul Purpose Sage". She is expert at helping women entrepreneurs align their purpose and spirit with their people and profits. As a speaker, Grace inspires professional women to grow their business by mastering the relationships they have with themselves, money and power.She has 25 years of experience in personal development, life mastery, and energetic healing modalities. Her journey led her to develop her own simple, quick and effective self-healing methodology that helps her clients align with their soul purpose and profit quickly. In 2022 she published the 2nd edition of her book, Freedom to Flourish… Stop Hustling & Launch Your Biz to the Next Level.___________________Find Grace Mosgeller Here: Website: https://gracemosgeller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grace.mosgeller/ Free gift: https://gracemosgeller.com/free-gift-lp ____________________I'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​.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 Denise Blanc. Denise grew up in Chicago where she had close relationships with her siblings and looked up to her parents – but in different ways. Her father was very intelligent, a "man's man" who was good with numbers. Her mother ran a tight ship at home, always desiring that the house and children be presentable at all times. Denise tells us that she felt a bit left out in school. She was in a gentile environment where no one looked like her, and she was often left out of things. At home, she was a wild child, with untamed curly hair to match her free spirit. Her mother was often frustrated with her because she felt she couldn't control her, and the bond Denise shared with her sister left their mother without a sense of connection. Over the years, Denise tells us she had a sense of people's intentions and sincerity, and this skillset grew. She knew when people weren't being genuine, and she could read a room very well to discern miscommunication or emotional tension. And she was learning to feel these things about and within herself, too. Denise had chosen to study psychology but found herself drawn to a different obsession: becoming a yogi. In practicing mindfulness, absorbing as much information as she could, and doing lots of "spiritual shopping", she found alignment with the deepest parts of herself as an individual and in her relationship with the planet and others. Listen as Denise shares the breakthrough physical epiphany she had, how it grounded her, and how she's now sharing her gift of discernment with others who are looking to overcome conflict to find flow in their emotions, words, and relationships. __________________ Denise coaches, writes, and speaks at the intersection of emotional intelligence, conflict transformation, and mindful communication. She is the founder of River Logic Partners, a coaching and consulting firm that works with leaders and teams on issues of communication, conflict, and change. Denise has been the chief architect of numerous leadership academies and the recipient of several awards for her leadership design. She is a student and teacher within Shambhala, a global Buddhist organization where she teaches programs on racial identity and justice. Denise is the author of "RiverLogic: Tools to Transform Resistance and Create Flow in all of our Relationships." Find Denise here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseblanc/ https://www.riverlogictools.com/ https://www.facebook.com/niesinewlife __________________I'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​.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 Phil Blagg. In this captivating interview, we delve into a revelation that has remained hidden for the entirety of his life until now. Throughout the years, Phil guarded a family secret with unwavering dedication, keeping it locked away from the world. As we explore how keeping that secret affected him on his extraordinary journey, it becomes apparent that Phil's experiences may strike a chord within you, resonating with moments from your own life where finding your voice seemed an insurmountable challenge.With a remarkable career spanning over two decades as a firefighter and later as an Arctic Alaska oil field worker, Phil Blagg has honed his expertise in communication and conflict resolution. Presenting his invaluable services through his company, Express Ways, Phil reflects on the obstacles he faced in his quest for self-expression and its profound impact on his life. For years, he felt stifled, unable to freely articulate his thoughts and opinions, silently grappling with the weight of unspoken words.Although Phil managed to conquer his stage fright in public speaking, this personal triumph evolved into a transformative foundation that shapes his communication style to this day. Now, his ultimate aspiration is to empower others, guiding them toward discovering their own voices, actively listening to their inner selves, and effectively resolving conflicts that may plague their lives. Phil's remarkable journey of self-discovery and transformation serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward authentic self-expression and profound interpersonal understanding.________________________________Phil is a Communication and Conflict Resolution Consultant with a focus on Peer Support for First Responders and Communities. With over 20 years of experience as a Firefighter and a second career working in the remote Arctic Alaska Oilfields, he offers a unique perspective on how to communicate and reduce conflict in personal and professional relationships. His avocation has become his life's calling as a Speaking Circles Facilitator and having been trained in mediation and Critical Incident Stress Management. He offers his services through his company, Express Ways: The Road To New Solutions.________________________________You can find Phil here:https://www.instagram.com/myexpressways/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-blagg-466548155/ ___________________________________I'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​.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 Claire E. Parsons, a successful lawyer who practices in Ohio. Both of her parents were lawyers, and her sister was born just 15 months before her. Growing up, Claire was quiet, introverted, and a bit of a nerd. Her sister, on the other hand, was very extroverted and enjoyed being the center of attention. Claire felt pressure to be the "good girl" and excel in everything she did.This pressure to be perfect followed Claire into her adolescence and early adulthood, where she struggled with the belief that she had to be perfect at everything. However, this all came crashing down when she had her first daughter and faced difficulty in raising her due to being growth-restricted and having difficulty breastfeeding. Claire's inability to do the most important thing in her life the way she wanted to led her to explore mindfulness, which ultimately helped her become a more balanced person.Claire's interest in speaking and teaching began at an early age. Despite her introverted nature, she never had trouble speaking up in class and always knew the answers. She even volunteered to try out for things early on and won awards for teaching speech. As an auditory learner, Claire processes information best when she hears it out loud. This has also influenced her writing style, which is often conversational and focused on helping others understand complex topics.However, sharing her own personal stories and experiences has been a more difficult skill for Claire to master. It has taken her time to learn how to be vulnerable and share who she truly is with others. But with mindfulness and self-reflection, Claire has been able to grow in this area and become a more effective speaker and writer.Overall, Claire's journey shows that success is not just about being the most extroverted or the most talented person in the room. It's about finding balance and learning to be comfortable with who you are, even if that means embracing your introverted tendencies. By doing so, you can unlock your full potential and achieve your goals.________________________________Claire has devoted her law practice and life to building and serving her community. For more than a decade, she has guided and defended local governments, companies, and their officials through all manner of legal issues. Nothing gives her greater satisfaction than handling problems for her clients so they can serve students in schools, provide vital city services, or successfully manage relationships with employees. ________________________________You can find Claire here:Website: https://brilliantlegalmind.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireeparsons/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claire_e_parsons/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClaireEParsonsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrilliantLegalMindYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-3MoY6SrvPkV9UQN4l7_kwBlog: https://brilliantlegalmind.com/blog/ Freebies:https://brilliantlegalmind.com/resources/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 Iris Goldfeder, an entrepreneur, professional musician, and co-owner of Gas Stove Creative. Iris shares her journey of pursuing her passion for music and overcoming stage fright. Despite struggling with self-doubt and throwing up before auditions, Iris joined the band Brave and Crazy and felt that her presence made a difference. She talks about how the applause was addicting and although she still experiences stage fright, once she sings the first two lines, she knows she is good. Iris also discusses the challenges of being a lead singer and how she continues to pursue her passion for music. Iris Goldfeder is also the president of Unmasking Lafayette, an organization that aims to unmask social issues in her community. She talks about the importance of unmasking the truth and how her organization is committed to making a difference in her community. Overall, this episode provides insight into Iris Goldfeder's journey of pursuing her passion for music, overcoming stage fright, and making a difference in her community. ___________________________ Iris Goldfeder is a long-time entrepreneur with more than 25 years of success in the digital marketing field. Before coming back to focus on GasStoveCreative full-time, Iris was the co-founder and Managing Director of Stradigi Virtual Marketing. Iris also serves as the Vice President of the Board for The Friends of Downtown (FTC). She is also the Founder of ICG Development & Consulting, LLC. You can find Iris here: The marketing quiz: https://woorise.com/gasstovecreativemarketing/marketing-quiz  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gasstovecreative Instagram: @gasstovecreative LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igoldfeder/ _____________________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak from the amazing Essence of they truly are. 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 Nicholas Whitaker who shares his journey of finding his place in the world. He felt out of place in his hometown and decided to leave, which led him to Baltimore where he struggled with poverty and lived with a woman that was not a good fit. For years, he lived in unstable housing, including his car and squat buildings, while working in restaurants and coffee shops to make ends meet. During this period, he often turned to partying to escape reality. However, his perspective changed after experiencing hallucinogens, which sparked his interest in exploring consciousness and understanding his place in the world. Following his time in Baltimore, Nicholas moved to New York City to attend film school, where he discovered that he was more passionate about telling other people's stories than his own. This led him to become a documentary filmmaker, instructor, and teacher, working with various industries such as business, government, nonprofits, advocacy groups, universities, and even the Occupy Wall Street movement. Through his work, he aimed to give people a voice and help them tell their stories in a way that resonates with others. After meeting his partner, Nicholas relocated to Colorado to be closer to nature and have more space to process and deal with his experiences. Since 2013, he has been on a journey of self-discovery, learning how to help others through the experiences he has overcome and the things he has learned along the way. He describes his experience with hallucinogens as a catalyst moment for him to explore consciousness and better understand the world, which he has been investigating and discovering ever since. ________________________Nicholas is a Chief Wellbeing Officer and Coach helping tech workers and founders thrive in ambiguity. He will coach you through the uncertainty of life’s big pivots to find greater balance, calm, focus, and fulfillment. You can find Nicholas here: https://www.nicholaswhitaker.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaswhitaker/https://twitter.com/sitwithnick________________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak from the amazing Essence of they truly are. 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 my husband, Earl Downing, and we'll explore the theme of finding your voice and expressing your Essence. Earl recounts his experiences with sports and how they gave him a safe and therapeutic outlet to be loud and expressive. He also shares his high school leadership journey, where he ran for student body president and delivered a rehearsed, effective speech that propelled him into grown-up life. I will highlight Earl's leadership skills and gifts, as we both reflect on our past as high school acquaintances. Earl has over 50 years of experience in track and field, beginning as a successful competitor in the sprints as a collegian at Yale at the NCAA D1 National level. Then, as a coach at the high school level, he was instrumental in 2 high school teams going from last place to league championships in the highly competitive California high school track environment, and while producing a State Champion in the Men’s 400M (at 46.97). Earl currently supports a range of athletes with a variety of goals and encourages them to find their voice in all that they do. You can find Earl here: https://https://speedbuildusa.com_____________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak from the amazing Essence of they truly are. 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 Calvin Niles who was raised in Barbados, a small island in the Caribbean. He had a loving environment, but his father was a strict disciplinarian who made sure his children minded their manners. His father's discipline style instilled in him a need for approval and reinforced a carrot-and-stick mentality. The school system was also quite rigid, and physical punishment was common. The government had a strong intention to provide a high education standard, but sometimes the disciplinary actions taken were harmful, such as being beaten for not knowing timetables or getting a school uniform dirty. Calvin moved to London as a teenager after finishing his studies, where he discovered a new version of freedom. He was able to attend college and explore his creativity, which was a rebirth for him. He found a sense of home in London and has lived there for more than 20 years. Despite this, he still feels ties to his birthplace, Barbados. In London, he was able to rediscover his burning urge to create and express himself organically. He found his voice through allowing space for things to arise and eventually started to expand. Calvin is a holistic storytelling coach who helps individuals and organizations discover new perspectives through self-discovery and expression. He also specializes in strategic storytelling, where he assists organizations to use stories to connect with their teams and customers authentically. He imbues his coaching with mindfulness, and all of his work is available on his website, calvinniles.com, where people can find links to his social media channels and access all of his freely available work. His coaching approach is focused on helping people find their voice and validate their expression, and he believes that breaking open and going through a deep self-inquiry is a necessary part of this process. He has just released his latest book, “Nami and Kai: A Tale of Friendship Love Courage and Truth.” “Nami and Kai” is intended for all ages and is warmly recommended as a gift for adults and parents who love to read with their children. _____________________ Calvin is a creative communicator and specialist in transformational and strategic storytelling. He is currently engaging global audiences within the Siemens DISW community. As an award-winning storytelling coach and consultant, he counts some of the UK’s best-loved charity organizations, local government councils and the UK’s Ministry of Defense among his past engagements. He is the author of the novel, The Sun Rises in Eastmoor, the mindful poetry collection Breathe Between the Lines, and the co-author of Mindfulness for Challenging Times. Calvin’s coaching and communication talents underlie his ability to get to the heart of problems. His vision and penchant for efficiency help businesses get things done. Experienced at both strategic and tactical levels, Calvin sees adaptability as key to ensuring that his supply of skills is transferred to those with the greatest demand, and where the biggest impact can be made. While drive and determination fuel his work ethic, an attitude of good humor makes all the difference. Find Calvin here: www.calvinniles.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-niles/ ____________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak from the amazing  Essence of they truly are. 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 Sabrina Victoria who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and her parents were Jehovah's Witnesses. They had been converted when Sabrina was five, and from then on, her upbringing was strict, religious, and submissive. In keeping with their new faith, Sabrina followed the rules. She obeyed the norms of Biblical teaching, learned as a female to submit to men, and learned as a female child to remain as quiet as possible, unless the group was evangelizing. Ironically, a large part of the evangelism included door-to-door "sales", which, as many of us know, requires a certain boldness to speak. However, Sabrina's many years of this door-to-door work meant she was professing a learned, rote style of outreach. The words were not her own, and she was limited to reciting conversations based on approved dialogue to further the church's mission, not her own uniqueness or dreams. She was trapped. This led to a pattern of abusive relationships, where Sabrina was submissive and felt very small, afraid to stand up for her own opinions. There was nothing in her life that affirmed her strength or the value of her feelings. Women were judged by men, and everyone knew each other's business. In this particular religion, Sabrina tells us that there was a lot of talk about death. The pressure to be perfect and the fear of slipping up caused emotional conflict and trauma. By age 20, Sabrina was pregnant out of wedlock and was disowned by her community. She was suffering every kind of abuse, and she felt like she was losing her mind. Against everything she'd been taught, she began to research her situation and feelings online. And when her research confirmed that she'd been abused and needed help, she took that validation and ran with it. After many years of working through her own healing, today Sabrina makes it her daily mission to champion authenticity – she encourages others to face their life, past, present, and future, head-on. She encourages us to be honest with ourselves, and she reminds us that even though the first step may feel scary and small, it is so big and so precious. __________________ From a struggling single mom to escaping a 13-year narcissistic abusive relationship, Sabrina’s tenacity and optimistic spirit have inspired fans worldwide and helped endless amounts of people break through and discover their own untapped talents and immense potential. Now, creator and CEO of Human Better 365, a human transformation company, creator of Sober Society, Her Nation Communities, and host of Her Talk Show. Sabrina is dedicated to giving people the tools they need to RISE and "human" better. Speaker, entrepreneur, and author. Find Sabrina here: https://www.sabrinavictoria.com/ https://www.humanbetter365.com/ https://www.sobersociety.solutions/ https://www.herversion.life/ https://www.facebook.com/sabrinavtv https://www.instagram.com/sabrinavictoriatv/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinavictoria/ https://www.tiktok.com/@UCbv_SrAV4Gu8LZZ5YYuiAVA https://twitter.com/sabrinavtv __________________I'm your podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, and I help people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak from the amazing  Essence of they truly are. 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 Sonja Rayne Lee. Unfortunately, part of Sonja's story includes childhood trauma, so there was a lot for her to overcome from a young age. At 12 she was molested. Luckily, her family immediately put her in therapy so she could begin working through it. But it was hard. Sonja felt exposed and vulnerable, and she was hurting. She put up a wall to shield herself and was afraid to let anyone in. This kept her from being fully seen by people, and it kept her feeling as though her light had been extinguished. She was beginning to realize in therapy that she had been repeating the same story to herself for years. She began to understand that this was creating a negative identity and writing a harmful story for her life. She was telling herself over and over again that she wasn't worthy, and it was keeping her wounds from healing. Even years later as she started college, she mostly kept to herself. But as she continued to do the work in therapy, she started to embrace forgiveness. She tells us that forgiving the person who hurt her allowed her to separate herself from the situation and move forward. She was able to walk forward in life and begin to heal, recognizing that this incident didn't have to define her future. She was rewriting her story. Sonja tells us about a powerful experience she had at a conference she attended, and how that led to her becoming part of Speaking Circles, where she learned about connecting to her body and feeling grounded and present. This really had an effect on her and allowed her to drop down into herself and really connect with people on an intimate level when she was speaking. Today, when she needs to reconnect with her own source of power and confidence, she steps into the "circle of fire" in her mind and grounds herself, gathering the force and presence she needs to confront her anxieties in that moment. In her work with others, she helps them to tap into their own power by working through mindset, habits, and goals to redefine their futures. __________________ Sonja Rayne Lee is a certified Law of Attraction Mindset Coach and has been coaching for over 15 years. Through a deep-level method of coaching, she provides tools for people to push through their limiting beliefs so that they feel stronger, more confident, and empowered in their life choices. They are able to design the life they wish to live. Sonja also shares her expertise and other talents as a Reiki Master, Crystal Energy Healer, and Diviner on her two YouTube Channels (Sonja Rayne Lee and The Soul Sistas Tarot). Find Sonja here: https://www.sonjaraynelee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sonjaraynelee/ https://www.youtube.com/c/sonjaraynelee _________________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​.