Beyond the Mantra: A Deep Dive into Intend, Align, Invite
Explicit content warning
05/13/25 • 50 min
What does it really mean to speak soulfully when you’re in front of a crowd, feeling the nerves, trying to stay connected?
In this intimate follow-up conversation, Dana Baugh returns with thoughtful questions about the deeper layers of Lauri Smith’s Vocal Presence Path approach to soulful speaking. Together, they revisit the roots of the “Intend, Align, Invite” mantra, unpack its evolution, and explore how it can live not just in your mind—but in your body.
From navigating resistance and inner critics to remembering the aliveness you were born with, this episode is a rich, embodied journey into the heart of speaking. It’s not about memorizing steps—it’s about remembering who you are and letting your voice rise from there.
Whether you’re new to this approach or reconnecting with the roots, this episode highlights the magic that happens when we stop trying to control every detail and start trusting the aliveness in the moment.
TAKEAWAYS
- 3’s are “sticky.”
Grouping content into batches of 3 helps everybody remember—from the speaker to the audience. - Trust yourself and the process (in speaking and in life).
When you do, you unlock a deeper connection with your world. - Stop trying to be a know-it-all.
Less explanation can lead to more connection. - You don’t need to micromanage every detail.
True presence emerges when we allow ourselves to respond rather than control. - Old parts might resist.
As we align our body, breath, and energy, protective parts may push back. That’s part of the process—not a problem. - The way out is through.
Instead of pushing discomfort away, feel it. That’s how we transform sensation into presence and aliveness. - Every breath is a chance to begin again.
If things feel off track, you can pause, breathe, and start again—right there in the moment. - Invite, don’t push.
When we invite others into our energy, our speaking becomes magnetic. - Great speaking is an intimate conversation.
When you listen deeply and trust yourself, you create space for real connection.
Connect with Dana
[email protected]
Join me for the Soulful Speaking Playshop!
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/
Follow me on:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/
What does it really mean to speak soulfully when you’re in front of a crowd, feeling the nerves, trying to stay connected?
In this intimate follow-up conversation, Dana Baugh returns with thoughtful questions about the deeper layers of Lauri Smith’s Vocal Presence Path approach to soulful speaking. Together, they revisit the roots of the “Intend, Align, Invite” mantra, unpack its evolution, and explore how it can live not just in your mind—but in your body.
From navigating resistance and inner critics to remembering the aliveness you were born with, this episode is a rich, embodied journey into the heart of speaking. It’s not about memorizing steps—it’s about remembering who you are and letting your voice rise from there.
Whether you’re new to this approach or reconnecting with the roots, this episode highlights the magic that happens when we stop trying to control every detail and start trusting the aliveness in the moment.
TAKEAWAYS
- 3’s are “sticky.”
Grouping content into batches of 3 helps everybody remember—from the speaker to the audience. - Trust yourself and the process (in speaking and in life).
When you do, you unlock a deeper connection with your world. - Stop trying to be a know-it-all.
Less explanation can lead to more connection. - You don’t need to micromanage every detail.
True presence emerges when we allow ourselves to respond rather than control. - Old parts might resist.
As we align our body, breath, and energy, protective parts may push back. That’s part of the process—not a problem. - The way out is through.
Instead of pushing discomfort away, feel it. That’s how we transform sensation into presence and aliveness. - Every breath is a chance to begin again.
If things feel off track, you can pause, breathe, and start again—right there in the moment. - Invite, don’t push.
When we invite others into our energy, our speaking becomes magnetic. - Great speaking is an intimate conversation.
When you listen deeply and trust yourself, you create space for real connection.
Connect with Dana
[email protected]
Join me for the Soulful Speaking Playshop!
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/
Follow me on:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/
Previous Episode
Beyond Authenticity (mini-sode)
Authenticity has become the gold standard in public speaking—but what if it’s just the beginning?
In this mini-episode, Lauri explores what lies beyond authenticity: a deeper resonance that moves through body, breath, and voice to transform not just connection, but the room itself.
Soulful speaking goes beyond being seen. It’s about being felt, understood, and unforgettable.
TAKEAWAYS
Authenticity is a doorway to soulful speaking. It’s essential—but it’s only the beginning.
Soulful Speaking lives in the body—it’s about resonance, not just content.
Authenticity alone won’t change the world: True impact happens when a speaker holds space for the audience’s transformation.
Join me for the Soulful Speaking Playshop!
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/
Next Episode
Soul Suckers Revealed: Speaking Beyond the Static
What if the voice in your head that tells you you're too much—or not enough—isn’t the truth, but a frightened part of you trying to keep you safe?
In this episode, Lauri shines a compassionate light on the “Soul Suckers”—inner critics like the Nervous Nellies, the Controlling Stage Mothers, the Imposter Monsters, and the Below-the-Belt Bastards. With storytelling, warmth, and grounded wisdom, she guides you through recognizing their influence, reclaiming your voice, and using Soulful Speaking tools—Intend, Align, Invite—to let your soul speak instead.
Whether you’ve been holding back in meetings, onstage, or in life, this episode is a call to stop shrinking and start resounding. Because your voice isn’t broken—it’s just been drowned out.
TAKEAWAYS
1. The Soul Suckers all whisper the same core lie: “Not enough.”
2. Ignoring them doesn’t work—in fact, it makes them louder.
3. Soul Suckers convert you into the toy drum version of yourself; your soul was born to play the real drum.
4. Intend, Align, Invite is the antidote: intention clears the static, alignment opens the channel, and invitation allows us to touch others in the way only we can.
5. Each Soul Sucker has a kernel of truth—but it's distorted.
6. Being different is not a flaw. It’s your one-in-eight-billion superpower.
7. The Controlling Stage Mothers steal spontaneity; connection matters more than perfection.
8. Releasing the Soul Suckers doesn’t mean silencing them—it means choosing not to let them drive the bus.
9. When you honor your soul’s voice, cosmic shifts can happen.
Join me for the Soulful Speaking Playshop!
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/
Soulful Speaking - Beyond the Mantra: A Deep Dive into Intend, Align, Invite
Transcript
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Soulful Speaking podcast . Dana Baugh is back again with us today . She's incredibly curious , so she's going to ask me some questions that she's curious about and you may be curious about . And before we dive into that , Dana , I'm curious . What has it been like for you ? What has come up since you appeared the first time ?
DanaIf you like this episode you’ll love
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