​

Hello friends,

It's been a few months since my last newsletter, and I've missed you! Life is evolving (as it does), and I've been adapting to meet the challenges. I recently completed a project that involved co-organizing TEDxSanDiego. I was lucky enough to pick the parts of the event I wanted to manage, which included coordinating and coaching a team of 20 speakers & performers for TEDxSanDiego. We had an amazing, experienced organizing team (which doesn't always happen), and every speaker I coached made it to the stage (which is also unusual). The event was beautiful, with a sold-out audience of 500 live attendees and a huge virtual audience!

The aftermath has involved deep reflection as I contemplate what I want to do next. I've been fielding coaching referrals ever since, and I've responded by putting systems in place to help me grow mindfully and with intention. I am a creative through-and-through, and I love bringing community together in memorable ways. What that will look like in the long-term remains to be seen, but I trust that the path will reveal itself if I continue to align with good people and follow what brings me joy (cue the fear of the unknown, which I am trying to meet with understanding and then promptly release it).

One of my tools I've decided to employ in this next phase of development is (the resumption of) this weekly newsletter. Today I'm back with a streamlined, updated weekly summary of how I'm helping people connect courageously with others.

• Meeting virtually with clients
• Personalizing my coaching contract (that I found here)
• Customing plans to help clients become their best selves so they can do more powerful work
• Scheduling masterminds to keep my speakers (and myself) moving in directions that feel good
• Coordinating with my PR firm to find ways to help my speakers' talks reach a wide audience
• Learning how to use Asana - Are you good with Asana? Have any good tutorials I should see?
• Journaling - Capturing stories from everyday life, re-evaluating my goals, planning next steps
• Recovering from a trip to Fort Collins, Colorado - there were mountains, breweries, and a gorgeous hotel​
• Fielding requests to start a podcast and make video lessons, which would require a leap into a more extroverted role than I'm used to. I'm still resistant, but thinking about it.

• Reading "Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication" by Vanessa Van Edwards
• Reading "The Science of Storytelling" by Will Storr
• Attending free weekly Speaker Nation practice sessions to improve my storytelling skills - Join me!
• I learned that California residents can access state parks for free through their local libraries
• Contemplating whether or not I'm a humble narcissist. Yikes.
• Awkwardly trying to return to a healthy, normal pace of life after an imbalanced few months of intense work. Drawing upon the influence of those dear to me for comfort and strength.

I'm hosting a shame-free book club to discuss Vanessa Edwards' book "Cues" on Thursday, May 5th at 9 am PDT. I chose that time to accommodate my international speaking group whose members tune in from around the globe. Members who don't finish the book are welcome. You can watch this video to help you easily engage in the conversation. RSVP here. I'll be sharing a Zoom link closer to the date.

If this time of day doesn't work out, I'll move it to a better time next month. If you like book clubs, let me know so I can adapt this to a time that works for more of us.

I've been meeting with friends to develop collaborative projects that feel rewarding and fun. Think workshops at retreat centers, online courses, and future events to highlight people doing great work for their communities. If you'd like to meet to brainstorm about a project, you can fill out this Google form for a consultation. Let's have some fun!

​