Authenticity: The Soul of Connection

Amanda Gore’s keynote at this past summer’s National Speakers Association Influence conference really landed for me. Watching her present on the main stage - her uniquely wonderful and qualified self - was a beautiful reminder that authenticity isn’t a performance technique. It’s the soul of connection. When we show up as who we truly are, we create the possibility for transformation - not just for our audiences, but within ourselves.

The NSA blog article Be Yourself echoes that truth, as did a conversation I had yesterday with my podcast coach, Mathew Blades, as I prepare to launch my podcast in January 2026. His advice was simple: Be yourself. Be authentic.  In other words, "Do you, boo!" 

In my work with speakers, coaches, experts, and influencers, I weave together three essential threads: business strategy, conscious leadership, and aligned well-being.

Yet, there are other subjects where I feel called to use my voice to raise awareness and effect positive transformation.  If you've known me for more than a minute, you already know what I'm referring to: 

1) the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle for humans, animals and the world; and

2) the mess America finds itself in with this government's current administration

There.  I've said it.  Loud and proud.  When we see great injustice, unnecessary suffering, or inhumane treatment?  Do we look away, or do we speak for those who have no voice or have been silenced?

How can we affect positive change without discussing that which we would like to see change? And, importantly, is there a place for that conversation in your content/message and from your platform?  

Only you can answer this for you.  We decide where we feel aligned and how we show up - whether it is on a stage, in a virtual room, or through our voice on social media or a podcast.

When we allow aspects of who we be to flow through our message, something shifts. Our presence becomes magnetic. Authenticity has a frequency of its own - it draws in the people who are meant to work with us and gently filters out those who aren’t. That’s how resonance works.

If you’ve been editing out the truest parts of yourself - your quirks, your convictions, your heart - consider this your nudge to stop. Listen to your gut. Lean in. The world doesn’t need a polished version of you. It needs you, aligned, alive and all in.

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OF NOTE: 

In his TED talk, Lewis Bollard models authenticity while masterfully delivering an important message in a manner that brings his audience along with him so that they can make their own logical decisions on this polarizing issue.  Bravo, Lewis!