This is a presentation to FABWomen, a Women’s Networking Group. I love the audience there and always feel so connected. The sound on this video is not the greatest due to a corrupt sound card. I’m often hired as a grief speaker for conferences and this local opportunity was the first time I had to get video.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Inspiring emotionally naked stories of saving lives by sharing and connecting with others. Stories of hope and healing, and finding purpose after loss.
Learning Outcomes
• Your greatest wisdom is often the result of your deepest wounds
• How giving back helps heal and save lives
• Suicide. During it, after it, and preventing it
• How we can stop suicide with our ears
On YouTube as well.
What do I offer that other speakers don’t?
- I offer real life examples, some from my own story and some others have submitted
- Even though it’s a serious subject, I laugh and the audience does, too
- I let people inside
- I want to be with the people in the audience both on and off stage
- I am not bitter
- I leave the audience with hope and coping strategies for healing
- I help people understand that our greatest wisdom is often the result of our deepest wounds
- Addiction and suicide: I talk about during it, after it, and preventing it
- I am action oriented, offering concrete examples on what to do, say and look for
- I use storytelling for most examples because that’s what sticks
- I activate the audience
What do others do that I don’t?
- Others fly in and walk out without speaking to the audience or listening to their stories
- Others tell people what to do. I allow audiences to choose what parts work for them
- Others use a whole lot of statistics or put paragraphs of text on slides
- Other mental health speakers leave the audience feeling sad, ashamed and lousy about themselves
- Others focus on getting rich and famous
My 6-minute TEDx.
