What People Say

I can feel you when I look at the camera—it’s a fantastic thing!

Anonymous

A wonderful [Circle] today . . .I felt so uplifted. I understand more precisely what you mean by really looking [in the camera] at the audience, every individual in the audience.

Carol King, Ph.D., AUTHOR

This new [virtual] Speaking Circle format has allowed me to work on improving a skill that I want to be great at.

Luciane Musa, GEOGRAPHER

For a couple of years, I’ve wanted to take what I know and speak publicly about it to audiences who could use my message. But I didn’t know how to craft and deliver my messages or how to engage an audience. When COVID hit, I thought my dream of speaking and creating a business with my message was over. Then I started attending virtual Speaking Circles and soon became clear about my message and how I could deliver it to online audiences, which is what I’m now doing. Thanks to Speaking Circles, I have revived my dream!

Marc D., ALTERNATIVE DOCTOR, SPEAKER

I feel I did just get the magic. . . . If it’s this good on camera, I can’t wait to see how it is in person.

Anonymous

An oasis during times when meeting in-person can be challenging for some!

Amalia Starr, AUTHOR, SPEAKER

Participating in Speaking Circles in person helped me discover how to speak with confidence to smaller groups. There was no pressure to perform like other public speaking classes. It was easy, loving, and uplifting. The experience was a profound life moment that I never forgot and shaped many of my speaking experiences since then. The timing was perfect to find a Facilitator online during the pandemic. The virtual Speaking Circles sessions helped me stretch and grow and eventually start delivering my talks online. What a blessing!”

Cimone-Louise F., SPEAKER, WRITER, WORKSHOP LEADER

I am always amazed at how this process seems to have as much to do with how we are “in the world” as it does with how we are with a group or audience. It is an awesome experience, and I feel as attracted to the “centering” effect that it has on me as I do to the speaking benefits that it has to offer.

Larry Lawler, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

If a person thinks they are solely coming to Speaking Circles to become a better speaker, they will be happily surprised with the profound healing that goes along with it. The idea that I can and need to be myself gives me the freedom I’ve longed for.

Amalia Starr, AUTHOR AND SPEAKER

I’m feeling balanced and much clearer. I can see that I’m really being asked to step into my power with this work and develop a professional presence. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do this amazing work.

Myoko Partlow, EDUCATOR, PROGRAM DEVELOPER

This work has helped me be more spontaneous and present during stressful circumstances. I am shy in front of a crowd, and it has helped me to be more comfortable.

Samantha Berressa, ATTORNEY

The Speaking Circle gave me back to myself, with nourishment for the journey.

Helen Fujimoto, AUTHOR, EDUCATOR

The best thing about Speaking Circles is the chance to share who you are with an attentive and supportive audience. There’s nothing to prepare, nothing to practice before walking into this experience. Everything you need to capture the hearts and minds of others is already inside you. Speaking Circles provide you with the structure and philosophy to inspire others with your presence. I can’t recommend this experience enough. 

Julie T., COACH

I find Speaking Circles so much fun! They are also extremely deep. Being able to speak and feel that people are present for you has been both healing and nurturing for me. I feel the Circles create a space of spontaneity, creativity, and authenticity. One has the ability to be in the moment and see what emerges. Each Circle has a life of its own—what transpires during a Circle has the power to effect change. For me, this is one of the reasons I keep coming back.

Elissa M., NURSE

The gift of Speaking Circles has been incredible for me. I feel heard and listened to, and I also learn to listen to others. I am overcoming the world I used to live in of over-achievement and performance, and this has been a true gift. Thank you!”

Virginia N., BUSINESS COACH, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT, WORKSHOP LEADER

Being the mother of a child with speech and language difficulties, I anticipated that one day my son would need to acquire the necessary speaking skills in order to help him prepare for multiple rounds of job interviews. After three Speaking Circles, I knew that I was now the mother of a high school teenager with a wealth of job internship possibilities. MY son was ready to conquer the job interviewing world! 

Stacey Klass, TEACHER

I spent years in Toastmasters training to be an effective speaker, evaluator, and leader. At Speaking Circles, I don’t feel stressed. I can just relax and let words flow, without any preparation. I can be myself. Often, I am surprised at what comes out of my mouth, and become more aware of my own thoughts and needs during my turn. Through Circles, I also learned to feel my pure connection with other human beings.

Rosalyn Hagiwara, TEACHER

A Speaking Circle is a venue to practice uninterrupted sharing of feelings, stories, and personal experience. Feedback on how the speaker came across is given, and it is eye opening and empowering.

Stacey G., SPECIAL ED TEACHER

Wow! . . . I came away with much more than I expected. You showed me how to stand up in front of a group, speak spontaneously, and connect with my audience by just being myself. That’s powerful.

Carla Taylor, REAL ESTATE AGENT

I had worked as a Safety Trainer in the Arctic Alaska oilfields and was comfortable using my Speaking Circle expertise in a manner my coworkers appreciated. It wasn’t until I fully engaged in Relational Presence to tell my story of a near-fatal incident I had experienced did I appreciate this process so powerfully. Although it is not therapy, it can be therapeutic to reveal your authentic Self and tell your life-changing (or life-saving) story. It has changed my life for the better.

Philip Blagg, RETIRED FIREFIGHTER, MEDIATOR

Having practiced Relational Presence gave me a whole new depth of speaking confidence.

Ann Farris, AUTHOR

“Transformational” is not a strong enough description for Speaking Circles. Decades-long fears, pain, and avoidance vaporized in an afternoon. “Miraculous” is more accurate. My profound gratitude . . .

Alyson Kay, VOICE-0VER ACTRESS, ARTIST, AUTHOR

It has helped me to realize on a deeper level that nearly everyone wants to belong to the group they find themselves in. The insight provided by this work has helped me be more comfortable in the fear, in the moment, with one person at a time in the group with which I find myself.

Maurice Abarr, LAWYER

Speaking Circles have not just transformed the way I feel about public speaking, but also the way I feel about just saying my name and introducing myself in a group. I now enjoy myself when I'm presenting. During my first turn in my first Speaking Circle, I became so overwhelmed with anxiety that I cried and had to sit down. Now I get overcome by and engaged with my material and audience rather than anxiety. After a small number of Circles over about five months, I gave two job talks—one of which resulted in a job offer that I accepted.

Corrine Bertram, PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR

I have been speaking throughout my career and have always had to fight the uncomfortable feeling of pre-speaking stress. I think that the techniques introduced were great for helping me to center myself before speaking and to increase my connection with my audience. I believe that Speaking Circles were great for helping me to be my best as a presenter and would urge others, even if [they are] seasoned speakers, to consider joining a Speaking Circle.

Bill Proctor, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT

I do not have the words to thank you for the window that opened inside me that allowed a lifetime of fear to finally leave. I am now slowly learning to love myself, and I am seeing all the reasons why I was so vulnerable. I didn’t anticipate how powerful and transforming this experience would be for me.

Diane M., LIFE COACH AND ENTREPRENEUR

Speaking Circles changed my life. I went from panic to comfort speaking in front of a group and I no longer have any anxiety in social situations. The only difficult part of Speaking Circles was showing up to my first meeting. After that, each meeting was like visiting with friends even when I didn’t know the other participants. I had a huge fear of extemporaneous speaking, of being called on to speak. In Speaking Circles, I learned to trust that whenever I’m asked to speak, I will find something to say. Rather than gimmicks like picturing the audience in their underwear, Speaking Circles has you authentically connect with your listeners. In Speaking Circles, I learned to stop anticipating and rehearsing what to say so I can be fully present and listen to whoever is speaking. This not only calmed my fear but also made me a better listener.

Lisa D., RETIRED HAIRDRESSER, WRITER

I was part of a presentation team this morning in one of our regional offices. I usually like to know exactly what my role is in a presentation to reduce my anxiety. This morning before we presented, I learned that my plan for the talk was not going to unfold the way I “wanted.” Everything changed. I began feeling a slow, hot, anxious tension building in my solar plexus area! But I brought my attention to my breathing, and after a few moments could see that this was a wonderful opportunity to practice being “easy going in the not knowing” from Speaking Circles!

Laura Cutler, CHILDREN'S SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR, PSYCHOTHERAPIST

What I learned in ten years in Toastmasters, I learned EVEN MORE in just three hours at Speaking Circles. [This work] will change the way you speak—forever.

Brajesh S., SPEAKER, ENTREPRENEUR

This is by far one of the most impactful experiences I have ever been on. Before this, I needed to fully plan out everything I was going to say before speaking in front of a group. Now I can get up in front of anyone and genuinely share what’s on my mind with ease. Even better, I’m excited by the uncertainty of it all. The lessons I’ve learned here have impacted almost every part of my life, in ways that go way past speaking. I truly believe everyone needs to do this.

Josin C., ENTREPRENEUR, CONSULTANT

As a writer and creative consultant for corporate communications, I am frequently called upon to give presentations to executives of major companies. Despite my experience, I felt my presentations could still be better. I suffered from performance anxiety, had occasional difficulties staying on track, as well as recalling key details at the appropriate times. After attending Speaking Circles, I was better able to gather myself, focus, make and sustain contact with my audience, breathe, and actually enjoy myself more while working from the front of the room. Although many factors go into being successful in my business, I will say that I have been winning more jobs since attending Speaking Circles. They provide a supportive, collaborative, and effective environment in which to work with others on mastering public speaking.

Peter Hassinger, WRITER/CREATIVE CONSULTANT 

I have always felt knowledgeable as a public speaker, but somewhat disconnected from myself, and therefore my audience, when I present. Participating in Speaking Circles taught me how to find and stay connected with my core self when communicating, and gain greater credibility and trust with my audience. As a result of my experience, my organization is currently considering ways to incorporate Speaking Circles into our leadership development, succession management, and inclusivity practices.

Melissa Reynolds-Prond, ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

My objective for the Speaking Circle was to focus on one area for the most dramatic and important impact for me as a professional— skills to help me to connect with my audience. As a speaker, I have found it easy to get lost in the information and the exact delivery of what I want to say. And as a naturally shy person, it is easy for me to forget the power of eye contact.

During the Speaking Circle, I focused on connecting, eye contact, and paying attention to my audience. During my new business pitch, I did the same. Not only did I feel a real connection with those I was speaking to, but I also felt even more confident in the information I was delivering. In addition, I felt that even my audience was more confident in what I was saying and that they also felt the connection. 

Kathy A. Worcester, INNOVATION CONSULTANT

It’s not about the ah’s and um’s, it’s about making people shine.

Heather Maloney, UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR

Wow, what a wonderful, safe, supportive environment to be introduced to. It gave me real clarity and insight into human communication. It was both fearful and fun all the while holding the breathing, connecting, and ease that came with speaking at a whole new level. 

Glenn Sakamoto, LIFE COACH

Speaking Circles move you beyond the typical performance orientation so common in public speaking and gets to the root of effective communication. What you'll learn will change the way you see and feel about the whole process of speaking, and, most importantly, listening. The Speaking Circles process is very powerful on a professional and personal level.

Dave Bueche, CORPORATE SAFETY/ENVIRONMENT MANAGER

Through practicing Relational Presence, I am finding a place of comfort and joy onstage that transfers even to my business groups.

Jennifer Wallace, BUSINESS CONSULTANT AND FILMMAKER

Being able to take part in groups where Relational Presence has been used has helped me rethink how I talk and listen to my students, colleagues and communication partners. It also has helped me become much more comfortable connecting with my audience and understanding what it means to listen without judgment. Most of all, Relational Presence has given me the opportunity to overcome my fear of public speaking in an environment that is warm, gentle, and appreciative of whatever comes out of my mouth. I plan to incorporate Relational Presence into every part of my life for the rest of my life.”

Steve L., SCHOOL BOARD SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

I very much like the Relational Presence piece and can see how Speaking Circles complements and adds to experience in Toastmasters.

Susan Matson, RETIRED DIRECTOR OF ESL TEACHER TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT, DISTINGUISHED TOASTMASTER