Soulful Speaking

In this episode of the Soulful Speaking podcast, Lauri welcomes Annie Moussu, certified EFT Tapping master practitioner and host of the "Hush Your Mind" podcast. Annie shares her powerful story of reclaiming her voice after growing up in a codependent family, grappling with cultural expectations, and facing the challenges of a twin flame relationship. She reveals how her journey through anger, vulnerability, and trauma healing has empowered her to set boundaries and help others do the same. Annie and Lauri explore the deep connection between emotional healing, finding your voice, and how our personal relationships affect our public speaking. This episode is a transformative guide for anyone looking to harness their voice authentically in every corner of their lives.
TAKEAWAYS:

Speaking is a gateway to your power: Finding and using your voice is key to reclaiming your personal power in relationships and on stage.
Boundaries build confidence, a crucial part of standing in your truth.
Voice lives in the body: Releasing tension in our bodies, including the throat, is key to freeing our voices.
Anger can unleash self-expression: Anger, often misunderstood, can serve as a powerful tool for setting boundaries and accessing our true selves.
Twin Flames relationships are powerful catalysts: Our relationships can act as mirrors for unresolved traumas, guiding us to face and heal deep wounds.
Public speaking mirrors personal healing: Personal healing leads to confident public speaking - and vice versa.
Storytelling is service: Sharing personal experiences serves the audience while healing the speaker, creating a mutual journey of transformation and connection.
Healing unconscious wounds allows us to speak freely: Tools like EFT can help heal unhealed traumas issues, freeing us to fully express ourselves.
Connection is powerful: Maintaining close, personal interactions with our audiences, despite the scale of the platform, keeps the connection authentic and meaningful.

Connect with Annie:
https://www.hushyourmind.com/interview/
https://www.hushyourmind.com/newsletter/
https://www.hushyourmind.com/podcast/

https://voice-matters.com/events/

Take the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!
https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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Transforming Terror into Trust: Maurine’s Journey

Soulful Speaking

10/15/24 • 36 min

In this episode of Soulful Speaking, Lauri welcomes transformational leader and ontological guide, Maurine Xavier. Maurine shares her seven-year journey from fear and resistance to confidence and joy in speaking. She shares the milestones that shaped her path, from befriending her terror to embracing her divine purpose. Join Lauri and Maurine as they explore the power of speaking as a spiritual practice, the importance of following joy, and the magic of trusting your voice.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Befriending Fear: Acknowledging and befriending fear is an important part of the speaking journey.
The Alchemy of Commitment: Commitment to the journey and purpose helps transform fear and resistance/ into alignment and joy.
The Power of Trust: Growing our trust muscle is an important part of a transformative speaking journey.
Joy as a Compass: Following our joy can help us align with our true purpose and increase our impact.
The Importance of ‘Why’: Staying connected to purpose helps us stay grounded as we navigate challenges.
Transforming Fear: It’s possible to shift from living in fear to embracing it as part of our spiritual paths.
Speaking as a Spiritual Practice: Speaking can be a powerful spiritual teacher and transformative experience.

About Maurine:
As a Director of Transformation and Spiritual Guide, Maurine Xavier is committed to assisting you to live your best life. After being on a lifelong healing journey combined with three decades in finance and accounting, Maurine uses transformation, life experience, and Divine Guidance to lead you to peace, freedom, and joy.

Using her decade’s experience as a Transformational Leader, a Channel for a team of Divine Guides, an Ontological Guide, and Coach and Teacher of The Diamond Co-Creative System®️, Maurine assists you to surface your deepest wounds, transform who you are being, and heal once and for all. When you partner with Maurine, you can go from doubting yourself, confused, and living on the hamster wheel to being and feeling confident, trusting, and in the flow.

Maurine is also an inspirational Speaker and two-time International Best-Selling Co-Author.

Connect with Maurine:
https://www.MaurineXavier.com
https://bit.ly/Zoom30MX
https://bit.ly/thelovetrain

https://voice-matters.com/events/

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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Find Your Voice at the Family Table

Soulful Speaking

12/17/24 • 27 min

Navigating family gatherings during the holidays can feel like stepping into a minefield of old dynamics, unspoken tensions, and soul-sucking habits. In this episode of Soulful Speaking, Lauri invites you to explore the voices you use throughout your life - including with those closest to you. Uncover how your different voices impact your presence so you can unleash your true voice. Through personal stories, reflective exercises, and soulful visualizations, Lauri shares tools to help you transform old family patterns by honoring your values. Whether around the holiday table or on the stage, this episode will help you align with your most empowered, authentic self.

TAKEAWAYS:

Family gatherings are fertile ground for noticing and shifting old speaking patterns that impact every area of our lives, including the stage.
We may have a different “family voice” from our true voice; recognizing this is the first step to change.
Our inner child and teenager can influence how we show up with family, often to protect us from past pain or discomfort.
Releasing our “soul suckers” and inner protectors creates space for our soulful presence.
Setting an intention rooted in our values can transform family dynamics and foster deeper connection.
When we integrate our younger selves without allowing them to be in charge of how we show up, our relationship to family transforms.
Our presence alone can shift the energy in a room, creating an invitation for others to align with our intentions.

https://voice-matters.com/events/

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/

Not the Shiny Bits: Real Talk with Brian Perry

Soulful Speaking

10/01/24 • 46 min

What if showing up authentically, flaws and all, could help you become a more impactful speaker, inspire others, and change the world?

In this heartfelt episode of Soulful Speaking, Lauri sits down with her good friend Brian Perry—an authentic communication coach, singer-songwriter, and speaker who has spent his life helping others discover their unique voices. Brian shares his incredible journey from shy, dorky teenager to a speaker who connects deeply with audiences by embracing vulnerability and imperfection. Through candid reflections on his experiences, Brian reveals how everything from his early days as a Catholic lector and Boy Scout to his experience leading transformative discussions at Loyola University's Awakening Retreat Group influenced his path to becoming the soulful speaker he is today. Brian shares heartfelt anecdotes that illustrate how his passion for meaningful communication has evolved, guiding him to help others feel seen and heard.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Leadership isn’t about titles or perfection, it’s about being human: True connection in speaking comes from embracing vulnerability, showing up as your full, imperfect self and serving from that place.
2. Vulnerability is a Strength: Sharing our struggles, broken parts, and imperfections can create deeper connections with our audience and make our message more impactful.
3. Everyone Has a Voice Worth Hearing: The world needs to hear from the “misfits” and the “shy dorks” who bring important, fresh perspectives to the conversation.
4. You Don’t Need Permission to Start: Don’t wait until you feel ready or perfect; start speaking from the heart now, and the rest will follow.
5. Embrace the Mess: Creativity comes from doing the work repeatedly, even when it's messy, as a path to mastery.
6. Empathy is a Tool for Connection: Instead of suppressing emotions, empaths can use their sensitivity to create a safe space for others and foster deeper connections.
7. Life is Short, Be Real: Tomorrow is never promised, and the world needs more of our true selves.

Connect with Brian:
www.yesbrianperry.com

https://voice-matters.com/events/

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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The F Word: Facing Fear in Public Speaking

Soulful Speaking

10/01/24 • 48 min

In this episode of "Soulful Speaking," Lauri dives deep into the F word—Fear. Fear of public speaking, stage fright, and the inner critics that come with those experiences.
Instead of avoiding or suppressing these fears, Lauri invites listeners to face them head-on, transforming fear into a powerful energy.
With compassion and insight, she offers practical techniques to reframe fear, embrace sensations, and harness this energy to speak soulfully. Whether you're speaking on stage, in front of a camera, or in a meeting, this episode will help you shift your relationship with fear and step into your full expressive power.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Acknowledge and Embrace Fear: Shifting the conversation from fear doesn’t mean ignoring it. Instead, shine a compassionate light on it to move through and harness its power.
Reframe Sensations: Recognize that the physical sensations of fear—like a rapid heartbeat or sweaty palms—can be reinterpreted as excitement, charisma, or presence.
Fight or Flight vs. Sensation Frustration: Learn the difference between being in fight or flight mode and experiencing sensation frustration, and how to manage both.
Soul Suckers and Inner Critics: Identify your inner critics, understand their protective role, and learn how to put your soulful voice in the driver’s seat instead.
Intend, Align, Invite: Discover the power of setting intentions, aligning your body, breath, and energy, and inviting your audience on a journey.
Breath as a Tool: Understand the critical role of breath in transforming fear into excitement and presence.
The Way Out is Through: The best way to overcome fear is to move through it. Use techniques like reframing, naming sensations, and embracing the discomfort to transform fear into power.
Harnessing Intuition: Recognize that sensations are connected to your life force and intuition, which can guide you in aligning with your audience and creating your one-of-a-kind impact.

https://voice-matters.com/events/

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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Ditch That Deeper Voice Advice (mini-sode)

Soulful Speaking

12/03/24 • 4 min

Ever been told to make your voice deeper to be taken seriously? In this episode, Lauri challenges outdated advice on deepening your pitch, offering a more authentic and holistic approach to unlocking your true voice. She explains why forcing a deeper voice can backfire, especially if it doesn’t align with your natural range or your intention. Instead, Lauri shares three practical tips to fully express your voice’s unique power by tuning your whole instrument — body, mind, heart, and soul. Discover how speaking from within, rather than adopting a manufactured sound, frees you to have a greater impact that resonates deeply.

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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Introducing the Soulful Speaking Podcast

Soulful Speaking

07/27/24 • 3 min

What if public speaking could be a transformative and soul-stirring experience instead of a nerve-wracking obligation?

Soulful Speaking is a new show that’s dedicated to changing the conversation – and your experience – around public speaking from one that’s rooted in fear, competition, and conforming to one that’s filled with transformation and soul so you can say YES to that voice inside you that’s calling you to create your legacy.
Subscribe now! New episodes coming soon.

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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Is Your Presence Aligned with Your Message? (minisode)

Soulful Speaking

10/22/24 • 8 min

Ever feel like your voice doesn't quite reflect who you truly are?
In this special mini-sode, Lauri dives into the essential question: Is your presence aligned with your message? Most of us may think we’re in alignment, but old habits, muscle memory, and societal conditioning can cause a disconnect between our voice and our soul’s calling. Lauri explores how public speaking is a spiritual practice of shedding the emotional masks and energetic armor that suppress our natural radiance. She then challenges us to notice our habits and embrace our authentic, fully-alive selves. Whether you’re speaking to an audience or stepping into your daily life, this episode offers insight into aligning your voice with your truest purpose.

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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From Suffering to Serenity: A Grounding Election Day Mini-Sode

Soulful Speaking

11/05/24 • 12 min

In honor of US Election Day 2024, this mini-sode guides listeners through a soulful speaking meditation designed to ground, center, and connect us amidst the tension of political chaos. This isn’t just about calming the storm—it's about finding the calm within it.
Through intentional breaths, grounding exercises, and Aum sounds, this episode will help you release fear, find your center, and connect to your soul’s purpose with courage and love. Take this moment to nourish yourself and amplify your impact in a way that uplifts the collective.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Accepting what’s present while moving forward to create change is true Leadership
Choose to focus on Love.
Set an intention without attachment to the outcome. Surrender Forward. There may be nothing more courageous or more needed than this.

For more soulful speaking warm ups like this, check out What Now?: From Chaos to Order One Breath at a Time: https://voice-matters.simplero.com/page/207212-list-signup-with-video
(It's FREE during Election Season)

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

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From Peppy Pleaser to Powerhouse: Jeni’s Speaking Transformation

Soulful Speaking

11/26/24 • 44 min

In this episode of Soulful Speaking, Lauri welcomes Akashic Records guide and energy healer, Jeni Holla. Jeni shares her journey from high school curiosity, to becoming an aspiring keynote speaker and author navigating the pressures of the speaking world, to embracing a more authentic style of communication. She opens up about the struggles of fitting into conventional molds, burning out, and how stepping away from the “bro-speaking” culture led her to align her voice with her soul’s purpose. Jeni’s story shows the power of staying true to yourself in the face of commercial pressure in the speaking industry. Tune in as Jeni reveals the power of speaking from the body, energetic connection, and trusting your unique journey to transformation.
TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. Choose authenticity over perfection: Great speaking isn't about fitting into a mold or following rigid rules; it’s about finding and expressing your true voice. There’s space for every speaking style, from high energy to quiet leadership, and all are needed to change the world.
2. Energy matters: Engaging communication goes beyond words. Speaking from the body and being fully present can create a deeper impact.
3. Alignment transforms: When you speak from a place of alignment with your soul, your message flows more naturally, and the impact is more powerful.
4. Define success on your own terms: Traditional measures of success, like being a keynote speaker, aren’t for everyone. Follow the path that feels right to you - even if it breaks a few “rules.”
5. Let go of needing approval: Release the need to please everyone and you’ll open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections with your audience.
6. Set down your mask(s): Personal strengths can become limiting masks when we only show parts of ourselves. Letting go of these masks allows for deeper, fuller self-expression.
7. Carve your own path: True fulfillment comes from discovering and honing your unique way of being, speaking, and leading.
8. Intuition is powerful: Trusting your intuition can lead to greater ease and flow - in speaking and in life.
9. Make FUN and EASE a priority: Success on your terms doesn’t have to be hard or exhausting. Authenticity, ease, and fun create a more sustainable and fulfilling way to navigate both life and speaking.

About Jeni:
Jeni is an Akashic Records Guide and Energy Healer with over ten years of experience empowering conscious leaders and spiritual entrepreneurs. Jeni combines intuitive guidance and practical insights to help clients achieve deep transformation. She specializes in helping individuals trust themselves, embrace their power, and live in alignment with their true essence. With a focus on authenticity, presence, and embodiment, Jeni’s teachings inspire profound personal and professional growth.

Connect with Jeni
https://jeniholla.com/
https://www.instagram.com/the

Thank you so much for listening!

Take the free quiz and learn which Soul SuckerTM you need to release to free your voice: https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/

Follow me on:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/