Speak with Presence

Hosted by Jen Vellenga

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May 2024

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About the show

From the co-founders of Voice First World, the Speak with Presence™ podcast is an interview show where perfection is overrated, leaders listen, and we all speak up to influence change. If you want advice from powerful speakers on using your voice with confidence, without being perfect, subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

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17 recent

May 28, 2024Episode 9455 min

95. Emergency Resilience - Alex Jabr

In Episode 95, Emergency Resilience, Alex Jabr sits down with Jen V and JRT to discuss the heavy–but invaluable–topic of death communication and staying present during extremely uncomfortable end-of-life discussions. Alex has experience as a paramedic, public speaker, and online course designer for her company, Emergency Resilience. She turned her own experiences from her mother's passing and her career in emergency medicine into a life mission to teach others how to empathetically and effectively deliver what may be the hardest words an individual may hear in their lifetime. She pulls back the curtain through stories, revealing shocking statistics highlighting just how little guidance there is for medical professionals on end-of-life communication. She has become an expert in getting comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

May 21, 2024Episode 9439 min

94. Empathy in Action - Alan Verrill, MD

In Episode 94, Empathy in Action, we speak with Dr. Alan Verrill, President and CEO of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission. Alan has led multiple award-winning hospitals after working for 25 years as a trusted and compassionate physician. Dr. Verrill shares triumphs and obstacles experienced throughout his professional career; how he unexpectedly became a prominent leader after his military appointment, the changes he's seen in medicine in recent years, and a heart-warming story about a patient who had a tremendous impact on him. Warning: The Jens cry in this episode. Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

May 7, 2024Episode 9241 min

92. House Flip to Leadership - Tamara Day

In Episode 92, House Flip to Leadership, we had the pleasure of connecting with Tamara Day, host and designer of Magnolia Network's "Bargain Mansions." Tamara is an expert home renovator both on-camera and off. Hear about her incredible leadership growth and the vital lessons she's learned as star and lead designer of a multi-season TV show. Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

April 30, 2024Episode 9135 min

91. Passport to Peace - Kathy Sudeikis

In Episode 91, Passport to Peace, we host our second Sudeikis and the matriarch of her family, Kathy Sudeikis. Kathy is VP of Corporate Relations at ACENDAS TRAVEL, she's a travel expert, and a leader in the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend benefitting Children's Mercy Hospital. Kathy shares some of her many stories collected throughout her career in the travel industry, including a surprise plunge into Arctic waters and her start in booking travel for celebrities. Hear her involvement in the incredibly impactful Big Slick event in Kansas City and how they've grown to donate nearly $22 million in 15 years. Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

March 26, 2024Episode 8834 min

88. Start Where You Are - Lindsey Roy

In Episode 88, we had the delight of speaking with Lindsey Roy, Senior Vice President - Strategy and Brand at Hallmark. She's a global digital leader, public speaker, and author of "The Gift of Perspective: Wisdom I Gained from Losing a Leg and Two Lungs." Lindsey bestows some of this incredible wisdom on us, detailing how she takes gratitude to another level. She breaks down her hardships and how they completely shifted her perspective on life. She shares mindset challenges that anyone–regardless of their own life's story–can try. https://lindseyroy.com/ Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company. They train leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to lead and speak confidently, book a discovery call HERE.

March 12, 2024Episode 8755 min

87. Divine Femininity - Lindsay Sudeikis

In this episode 87, we were literally blessed when speaking with Lindsay Sudeikis–educator, ancestral healer, and spiritual counselor. Lindsay shares her incredible and surprising journey from studying math, then philosophy, then becoming a nun. She's no longer physically in the convent, yet she embodies presence in her full and faithful life. We are thrilled to share a tiny glimpse into the mystical labyrinth of knowledge that Lindsay inhabits through the human–and spiritual–connection. Learn more at https://omniasancta.org/ Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company. They train leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to lead and speak confidently, book a discovery call HERE.

February 27, 2024Episode 8643 min

86. Mind the Gap - Ebony Reed

In this episode, E86, we sit down with Ebony Reed, seasoned journalist, editorial leader, news strategist, author and executive. Ebony tackles some difficult subjects with us as we wrap our heads around the recent tragedy after the Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City. We also focus on her incredibly important book 'Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap,' which is available for pre-order now. Hear how Ebony's impressive career in journalism and dedication to her community has improved Kansas City for the better. Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company. They train leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

January 23, 2024Episode 8229 min

82. Focus On Your Audience - Sidonie Garrett

In this episode, Focus On Your Audience, we sit down with Sidonie Garrett, Executive Artistic Director at Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Sidonie dives into how preparation and presence go hand-in-hand, highlighting how she finds success in honing her story when captivating an audience. Be inspired by her mission, vision, and hard work in helping the performing arts flourish in Kansas City. Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat. Theatre Alliance KC ArtsKC GO

December 22, 2023Episode 8016 min

80. Christmas in Cincinnati

On E80, Jen V. hosts a special guest to learn about the impact her work/life choices had on her family. Go back in time with us to 2007 and hear about a unique Christmas in Cincinnati! Jen V. & JRT will be back in January for more interviews with powerful leaders in the Kansas City area and with Kansas City natives. We wish you all a very happy holiday and a prosperous 2024. May this be the year that you realize you don't have to be "perfect" to be successful. Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

December 12, 2023Episode 7937 min

79. Trust Your Partner - Angela Gieras

In this episode, Trust Your Partners, we are back on stage with Angela Gieras, Executive Director/Co-CEO at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Angela is a performing arts leader, executive coach, strategist, fundraiser, and leadership development expert. She breaks down how recognizing and embracing her core values make her powerful presence known in the workplace. Hear about her expertise as well as high-and-lows in the nonprofit world, including how she's found success and strength as a co-leader–not without some lessons along the way! Learn more about Angela's research: Research | Inspired Arts Mgmt Want to support KC Rep: https://kcrep.org/support-us/ Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company. They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.