Episodes

Do dogs make you a little nervous – even the friendly ones? Or do you adore your own dog but wish walks or visitors were less stressful? Then today's episode of the Delight in the Limelight Podcast is for you! I chat with Theresa Kolpakova – certified positive reinforcement dog trainer and canine behavior specialist with more than two decades of experience – about how the relationship we build with dogs isn't about control, it's about respect and clear communication. Listen in to discover: - ...

Gabe Marusca is the host of the Authority in the Wild podcast, who speaks with entrepreneurs worldwide. However he struggles to feel this same ease when speaking in groups of native English speakers as well as in front of large audiences. This holds him back from making new connections at conferences and other events, or from speaking comfortably on stage. In our coaching session, we unpacked the root beliefs behind Gabe’s anxiety. The result? At his next conference in Bucharest, he was able ...

What if confidence wasn’t about pushing through fear but about clearing the way for your most natural, grounded, and powerful presence? If you struggle with nerves before speaking or wish you could feel more present and authentic in front of an audience, this episode of the Delight in the Limelight Podcast is for you! This time, I talk with Will Schneider—former actor, yoga teacher, and co-host of Men Talking Mindfulness—about how meditation, movement, and mindset can shape the way we show up....

Have you ever been part of a collaborative project where one person has dominated? In this episode, I’m joined by the three co-hosts of 5-Minute Career Hacks - Candyce Wade, Alicia Wade, and Jamila Brown - who have spent nearly a decade working together as a powerhouse team. With 60+ years of combined experience in corporate leadership, project management, HR, and mentorship, they know firsthand what it takes to elevate your voice in a collaborative environment. Listen to our conversation to ...

Does talking about your product or service make you feel salesy or uncomfortable? Then today’s episode of the Delight in the Limelight Podcast is for you! I chat with Darren Mitchell - former sales leader, coach, mentor, and host of The Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast - about how sales is truly the ultimate form of service. Darren shares his approach to selling with confidence, authenticity, and a genuine desire to help, while letting go of desperation and attachment to the outcome. Listen in...

If you want to use speaking to grow your business, but you dread sounding salesy, this episode of the Delight in the Limelight Podcast is for you. I talk to Lorie-Ann Murabito, shy gal turned professional speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Be In Demand podcast. Lorie-Ann shares her framework for giving talks that attract clients, without pitching. Listen in to learn: - The seven blocks of a compelling speech - How to talk about your products and services without seeming “salesy” -...

Stories aren’t just for books and movies—they’re the secret to making your presentations, conversations, and videos relatable and unforgettable. Whether crafting your brand, pitching an idea, creating social media reels, networking, or guesting on a podcast, storytelling is your most powerful tool for connection. On this episode of Delight in the Limelight, I’m joined by speechwriter and story consultant Susan Lovett, who studied storytelling at Disney University and worked with clients ranging...

In this episode, I help leadership coach and podcaster Julie Neale work through the discomfort she feels on stage. Though she’s right at home behind the microphone, being on stage stirs up something different. Julie may look confident, but inside, she’s anxious — silently struggling. Together, we trace her nerves back to early experiences that shaped her identity, including a pivotal moment when her father, with the best intentions, publicly praised her in a way that became a role she felt exp...

What can professionals learn from champion public speakers—even if they never plan to compete? 🤔 On this episode of the Delight in the Limelight podcast, I sit down with Dr. Iain Lampert, a public speaking competition expert and four-time national champion, to uncover the most valuable lessons from the world of competitive speaking and how they translate into real-world communication for entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders. Topics we cover include: - What Iain loves about competing -Les...

In this coaching session, brain nutritionist and podcast host Laurie Hammer, though comfortable on video, feels less so speaking in person. She worries she’ll say something incorrect, bore her audience, and wonders if she has anything new to say that’s different than others in her field. She also would like to regain confidence she once had and lost, about singing in public. We come up with strategies and mindset shifts to address these concerns. We also explore the root causes of her loss of c...

Are you looking to increase your influence and better articulate your expertise? Listen to my conversation with Lisa Gillette - a former senior vice president and now an executive coach - who shares her insights from over 25 years in the corporate world. You’ll learn: - Practical strategies for pitching your ideas - How to effectively communicate your expertise - Techniques for building and maintaining authority If you want to successfully navigate corporate dynamics while staying true to ...

These coaching episodes of Delight in the Limelight, allow you to hear me coach a student or client on a specific speaking confidence issue. In this episode, I help Facebook marketing expert Katelyn Coleman prepare for her very first panel appearance. To ensure Katelyn has the best possible experience on the panel, I coach her to shift her mindset and lead her in a visualization to mentally rehearse the event. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to hear how to best prepare for an...

Small talk is often seen as a bit of a nuisance or a necessary evil. But it doesn’t have to be. What if it could serve as a gateway to deeper connections and relationships instead? In this episode, I chat to the hosts of The Opposite of Small Talk Podcast, Danielle McCombs and Kristy Olinger, about the art of meaningful conversation. Listen to our conversation to learn: - When to share personal stories (and when not to) - How to strike a balance between talking and listening - The differenc...

These coaching episodes of Delight in the Limelight, allow you to hear me coach a student or client on a specific speaking confidence issue. In this episode, I help Shawn Kunkler, the host of the Realtor180 podcast, who, at the time of recording, is gearing up for his biggest talk to date, in front of 400 realtors. We explore the root causes of his speaking anxiety and clear them away with some powerful healing techniques. I then offer Shawn specific practices and techniques to use so that he ...

If the word “networking” makes you groan, today’s episode of the Delight in the Limelight Podcast is for you! I talk to speaker, networking coach, and business development strategist, Julie Brown, about the art of meaningful networking. Julie shares her insights on building genuine, human-centric relationships that go beyond the exchanges of business cards. Listen to our conversation to learn: - Why you need to expand the “surface area” of your connections - Some surprising statistics on adu...

Ever feel like you're wearing two hats at once—trying to get things done while also being the leader who inspires others to do the same? Many leaders struggle to shift from being a doer to guiding and empowering a team of doers. In this conversation, Julie Ellis, an executive coach to top corporate leaders and scaling entrepreneurs, shares practical insights and mindset shifts to help you embody the kind of leadership that attracts respect, loyalty, and results. Tune in to hear: - Practical s...

Does the thought of discussing politics with someone on "the other side" make you want to run the other way? Do your conversations devolve into heated arguments, leaving you frustrated and disconnected? Are you worried that political divides are harming your relationships and our sense of community? I've found it more challenging than ever to discuss politics with those who hold different views, and perhaps you feel the same way. That's why I'm inviting you to join me for a meaningful conversa...

How do the very best leaders cultivate team confidence? In this interview, I speak with leadership expert Glain Roberts-McCabe about the role leaders play in building confident and empowered teams. Tune in to explore: - The main factors that contribute to team confidence - Tactics you can use to foster a resilient and cohesive team culture - The difficulties in balancing team output with team morale This is an insightful conversation for leaders of all kinds who want to give their teams the b...

These coaching episodes of Delight in the Limelight allow you to hear me coach a student or client on a specific speaking confidence issue. In this episode, I coach Abby O'Sullivan, co-founder of a podcast management agency who struggles with forgetting what she wants to say, speaking too fast, and worrying she’ll lose her audience, particularly when speaking live in person. I help her uncover the root causes of this feeling, tracing her fears back to certain childhood and adult relationships ...

In this episode of Delight in the Limelight, Leslie Ehm, author of Swagger, dives deep into the concept of confidence. Listen in to learn: - How embracing your unique traits could make you unstoppable - How to reframe “negative” traits as superpowers - How to handle the challenges of being authentic in a professional setting If you know you’re not being your full, authentic, confident self, this episode is for you. Click here to check the full show notes.

These coaching episodes of Delight in the Limelight allow you to hear me coach a student or client on a specific speaking confidence issue. In this episode, I coach Marcia Dawood, an angel investor and author, who struggles with blanking out on what she wants to say, and her concerns about what others think, particularly when she knows people in the audience. I help her uncover the root causes of this feeling tracing her fears back to childhood experiences of feeling silenced and judged. Clic...

Is a fear of cameras and being photographed holding you back in your business? Join me in this conversation with branding photographer Raj Bandyopadhyay to tackle the fear of being in front of the camera. We talk about overcoming perfectionism, getting personal branding photos that show who you really are, and finding the balance between "looking good" and "being yourself.” Listen in to learn: - The true goal of branding photography (and it’s not to look good!) - How to choose a photographer...

Do you ever think your presentations could be more engaging? Join me in learning how to use humor in public speaking, in my conversation with stand-up comedian Blake Green. Blake shares his journey from making his family laugh as a kid to becoming a seasoned entertainer. Together, we unpack the importance of laughter for human connection, share our funniest anecdotes, and explore practical tips for infusing humor into public speaking. Listen in to learn: - How to use self-deprecating humor to...

In this episode, we explore silence—how societal and internalized pressures stifle our self-expression, and the profound liberation that comes with unlearning these patterns. My guest Elaine Lin Hering talks about the impact of silence on our relationships, and she shares practical advice on how to improve communication, assertiveness, and self-expression. Listen in to learn: - Why we stay silent and how our silence negatively impacts our self-worth and relationships - Practical strategies f...