I recently had the opportunity to step onto the red dot at TEDx Sugar Creek Women, and I was surrounded by so many amazing speakers.

For eight years, I've been refining my thoughts on public speaking, and it really just all culminated in this eight minute talk - The Secret to Great Public Speaking (No, It's Not Confidence).

Here's a sneak peek, and for the full video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT2q1YKZQPE. And of course I'd love it if you left a review and comment!

Are you struggling to maintain relationships with people you love, even when you disagree on fundamental issues?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her good friend, Brit Barron, a speaker, DEI consultant, and author of Do You Still Talk to Grandma?

Brit's work offers a much-needed guide for navigating the increasingly polarized world we live in, helping us find common ground and connection even when perspectives diverge.

Brit and Jess discuss our divided society, examining why it feels harder than ever to see eye to eye. They challenge the tendency to categorize people into "good" or "bad" boxes and instead champion the power of nuance, where love and disagreement can coexist.

We also explore:

• The difficulty of separating institutions from individuals in our current polarized climate.
• Why Brit's work focuses on the people already in our lives, not strangers.
• The concept of "progressive amnesia" and its impact on our interactions with others.
• The power of asking "Help me understand" in difficult conversations, especially in the workplace.
• How to be a better ally without falling into the "hero" trap.
• The "take the meat and leave the bones" metaphor for consuming information.
• The crucial "both/and" philosophy: how to hold deep love and deep disappointment in the same relationship.

About Brit Barron:
Brit Barron is a speaker, DEI consultant, and author of the book Do You Still Talk to Grandma?, which offers a compassionate framework for navigating difficult conversations and maintaining relationships across differences. Her work encourages empathy, nuance, and genuine connection in an increasingly divided world.

Resources & Links:

• Do You Still Talk to Grandma? by Brit Barron: https://www.amazon.com/You-Still-Talk-Grandma-Problematic/dp/0593594347/
• Find Brit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barronbrit/
• Find Brit on the web: https://britbarron.com/
• Find Brit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britbarron/

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed by the endless "shoulds" and unsolicited advice coming your way?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her good friend, Dr. Sarah Glova, a keynote speaker, writer, researcher, and unapologetic truth-teller. Her viral talk, "Stop Giving Women Advice," is backed by science, and when Jess saw the title, she knew she had to have her on the show.

Sarah thoroughly examines why unsolicited advice isn't just annoying – it can actually reinforce power imbalances, stifle confidence, and make women feel like they’re always playing catch-up. She reveals how her personal experience as a new wife, new mom, and new business owner led her to research the power dynamics of advice-giving. You'll hear about the fascinating studies showing who gives and receives advice, and how the act of giving advice can fuel a sense of power in the giver, often at the expense of the receiver.

We also explore:

• The "vitamin metaphor" for advice: good in moderation, toxic in excess.
• Why "women don't need more mentorship, they need more sponsorship."
• How to offer feedback that genuinely helps, not harms.
• The surprising reason why receiving no feedback is worse than tough feedback.
• Why the idea that you "need a team" to be a "real" entrepreneur is a myth.
• How to develop "advice literacy" and "eat the fish, spit out the bones."
• Turning negative comments and internet trolls into evidence of your reach.
• The power of asking "Do you want to talk about this, or do you want me to hate your enemies?"
• How to stay rooted in your values and beliefs, even when the world is throwing "always" and "never" at you.

About Dr. Sarah Glova:
Dr. Sarah Glova is a keynote speaker, writer, and researcher known for her insights on communication, leadership, and personal development. Her work challenges conventional thinking and empowers individuals to navigate complex professional landscapes with confidence and clarity. Her TEDx talk, "How to Achieve Your Goals with a Single Page," has garnered over 200,000 views, offering a powerful framework for focus and simplification.

Resources & Links:

• Watch Sarah’s TEDx Talk – "How to Achieve Your Goals with a Single Page": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXSrEMXvQk&pp=ygULc2FyYWggZ2xvdmE%3D
• Find Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sglova/
• Find Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahglova/

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.