All Topics in Phoenix

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  Grace in Gravity: Cultivating Trust in Uncertain Times

  Cyd West, Executive Director, World Academy for the Future of Women

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Cyd West, a specialist in business and linguistics, presents ways to enhance our communication skills that are pertinent to every leader whose workforce feels affected by recent events and headlines.

  Today’s headlines: MORE >

  • Layoffs have decimated Cotech. Many of the remaining workers are immobilized by fear of losing their jobs through more layoffs or even company closure. John Powers, the CEO, thinks the situation can be turned around but he cannot make it with the current levels of productivity.

  • Employees of Medico have accepted a 1% cost of living increase in lieu of performance increases (usually between 4-6%) in order to protect their jobs during a downturn in the market. They soon find out the CEO of Medico was awarded a $6 million dollar bonus from the Board of Directors.

  These events occur every day and are highly publicized. They affect the culture in companies across the world. Uncertainty is airborne and contagious in the workplace. The costs of high turnover and productivity loss from poor morale are mounting.

  Cyd covers:

  • the “controllable” causes of uncertainty.
  • what employees want from their leaders during difficult times.
  • how a leader’s communication and behavior affect employee’s anxiety levels.
  • methods to solicit feedback and evaluate how our communication is perceived.

  Awareness of how our words and actions are interpreted during stressful times allows us to manage perceptions of our own reputation as well as the commitment of an organization to it’s workers, customers and partners. Opportunities abound to enhance these relationships through a realistic self-assessment and strategic communication.

  Recent research has unveiled a wealth of information for leaders who seek to motivate and inspire. Furthermore, there is a direct correlation to the bottom line. The common denominator in these findings is authentic and honest communication from successful leaders – as well as adopting the behaviors to support their messages.

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  Getting Publicity – Easier Than You Think

  Andy Richardson, Vice President, Ginny Richardson Public Relations

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  The popular publicity seminar presented to dozens of groups through Free Speakers Chicago is now available in Phoenix. Andy explains the ins and outs of how to receive free attention from newspapers, TV, radio and magazines. Audiences will learn how to capitalize on the often misunderstood marketing tool of media relations. Learn the difference between earned media and paid advertising and why publicity is so much more valuable. MORE >

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  Get Unstuck!

  Dr. Benjamin Benulis, Doctor of Chiropractic, Create Health PLLC

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

  Are you stuck in area of your life? Your heath and fitness? Your career? Your relationship? Often times, we can feel like there is no way out or around our current circumstances and we are STUCK. Dr. Ben shares how often times being stuck in life is actually about being stuck in a perspective around how things are, or how things must be. In this talk he shares practical nuts and bolts tips for getting UNSTUCK and moving on in life. MORE >

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  From Silence to Success: Building a Culture of Psychological Safety

  Ryan Bouda, Leadership & Culture Strategist, LEAP Training & Coaching

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Strong teams and thriving organizations start with the courage to speak up and the confidence to listen. From Silence to Success explores psychological safety as the foundation for accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. MORE >

  Participants will dive into the three core principles of a psychologically safe culture: Speak Up, Listen Up, and Follow Up. Through research-backed insights, engaging stories, and practical tools, leaders will learn how to model inclusion, encourage open dialogue, and respond constructively when concerns arise.

  This session equips leaders to create environments where team members feel valued, heard, and empowered. By fostering trust, respect, and collaboration, leaders can strengthen team morale, enhance performance, and drive innovation across their organizations.

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  From Military Service to Civilian Leadership: How Navy Discipline Translates to Business Results

  John Wiley, CEPA, CEO, Private Equity Strategist, Navy Veteran, Author, John Franklin Wiley

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Educational

  The transition from military service to civilian leadership is one of the most underestimated challenges veterans face. It’s not about losing discipline – it’s about translating it. John Franklin Wiley served aboard nuclear submarines, where leadership under pressure wasn’t optional. After the Navy, John applied those same principles to build companies, lead nonprofits, and navigate private equity deals worth tens of millions. In this talk, he shares what military leadership actually looks like in the boardroom, the jobsite, and the small business – and why the skills veterans carry are exactly what today’s organizations need. MORE >

  Your audience will walk away with:
  • Three military leadership principles that directly translate to business
  • Why “command and control” isn’t what you think it is
  • How to leverage veteran discipline without losing civilian buy-in

  Ideal for veteran groups, civic organizations, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, and any audience that values disciplined leadership.

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  From Grief to Growth: Cultivating Passion and Purpose After Loss

  Frankie Kounouho, Master Certified Mindset Coach, Mindful Balance Transformational Coaching

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Motivational

  After the devastating loss of her four-year-old son, award-winning mindset coach Frankie Kounouho could have chosen to wither away her life in depression and self pity. Instead she chose to rise up from the dark depths of grief, and find herself in a life that is filled with passion and purpose. Frankie will take your audience on a journey exploring transformation from loss, whether it's the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the shattering of a dream to discovering profound growth healing and renewal. Your audience will walk away feeling uplifted and hopeful, and compassionate about themselves and one another! MORE >

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  From Functional to Fabulous

  Angela Sticca Snyder, Founder & CEO, Taxanista

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  How systems & procedures streamline & propel your business with the ability to handle twice the volume. Position yourself for the next level of growth with the infrastructure to support you.

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  From Condemned Hospital to National Nonprofit: Leadership When the Odds Are Absurd

  John Wiley, CEPA, CEO, Private Equity Strategist, Navy Veteran, Author, John Franklin Wiley

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  In 2009, John Franklin Wiley walked into a 150,000-square-foot abandoned hospital with no funding, no staff, and a vision that made everyone nervous. Within a few years, it became River of Refuge – a fully operational transitional housing campus for homeless working families. This talk isn’t about nonprofit work. It’s about what happens when you lead from conviction instead of a business plan – when the resources are thin, the critics are loud, and the only thing you have going for you is an unwillingness to quit. John shares the real story: the financing nobody thought would work, the volunteers who showed up, the moments when the project should have died, and the lesson that transformed how he leads everything since. MORE >

  Your audience will walk away with:
  • Why vision without a plan still beats a plan without vision
  • How to lead when you can’t guarantee the outcome
  • The one question that kept the project alive when the money ran out

  A leadership story for any audience – business, civic, nonprofit, or faith-based.

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  Finding the Right Educational Path: A Strategic Approach for Families

  Michelle Smith, Founder and CEO, Independent Education Group

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Educational

  Choosing the right school can feel overwhelming. From private and independent schools to specialized programs and college preparatory pathways, today’s families face more options — and more pressure — than ever. In this informative and practical session, Michelle Smith, founder of Independent Education Group, shares an insider’s perspective on how schools evaluate applicants, what truly matters in admissions decisions, and how families can make thoughtful, strategic choices that align with their child’s strengths, values, and long-term goals. MORE >

  Participants will learn:
  • How to identify the right academic and cultural fit
  • What admissions teams really look for
  • How to reduce stress during the application process
  • When to start planning (and how early is too early)
  • Ways to position students authentically and confidently

  This talk is ideal for parents who want clarity, strategy, and a personalized approach to their child’s education journey.

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  Finding Clarity in the Darkness

  Michael Pelaez, Owner, Mastery of Self

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Self Improvement

  When we are at our happiest we neglect to fully grasp the vastness of our abundance. That is because most often than not, our happiness comes when we are focused on specific life events - a stable job, home life, and health. We are happiest when those things are in line. When we lose one or all of this our stress, anxiety, and worry kicks up to high gear and it gives way to depression and fear - fear of our future. It does not have to be this way. Loss does not have to cripple us. MORE >

  Being in a "dark" place in our lives does not have become a daunting experience where we lose sight of our blessings. In fact this is the time were we ought to see with the most clarity! I can teach you how. Through my techniques of mindset reframing, Spatial Visualization Technique, and using my Triangle of Healing method, you can gain peace of mind and get back on track to the life you desire.

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